Framed

Chapter 11 : Family meeting

Chapter 11

Later...

Riker POV

Dad had to literally drag me down the stairs for dinner. I tried fighting back, but I was too weak. He sat me in a chair next to him at the table, and made sure I stayed there. Rydel was next to me on my other side, and she kept rubbing my back, trying to make me feel better.

I barely ate anything. We were having chicken and some vegetables. I think I had about 5 bites. I got yelled at for that...

Rydel brought me up to my own room. I could hear mom and dad in Rydel's room, doing something. I found out that they took away the bottom half of her bed so I couldn't hide under it.

Later...

Riker POV

Dad dragged me all the way downstairs again for a family meeting.

"Alright. I think we all recognize that Riker is a lot different now. We're sending you back to school on Monday, so be ready. But I want you all to be sensitive towards him," mom said.

Rydel had her arm around me. I probably trusted her the most right now. But I was terrified about going back to school.

Mom and dad talked a little bit about me and stuff, and then they made us go to bed.

Rydel walked me back up to my room. She tucked me in, and then left.

The next evening...

Riker POV

I'd barely eaten anything today. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I hid under my blankets the whole time.

Rydel was away at a friend's, working on a project, and Rocky was downstairs playing videogames with everyone else. So I'd been alone all day...

I was scared about tomorrow. School... What if I die!?

My heart started to race, and I started to feel dizzy. I started to freak out about school, and I knew I was having a panic attack.

I dove under my covers, and curled in a ball, sobbing. I was scared, and I just wanted someone to help me! I constantly feel scared, and there's nothing I can do that helps!

"Riker!"

The blankets were pulled off of me, and I saw Rydel. She started rubbing my back.

"Riker, think about something fun, ok? Think about when we celebrated your birthday last year. We had a movie night, and it was awesome."

My heart felt like it was about to pound straight out of my chest. I reached for her hand, and she gave it to me. I sat up, and hugged her really tight, while crying into her shoulder. I used to be somewhat embarrassed by my behavior, but I trusted her now, and I knew she wouldn't make fun of me or judge me.

"Come on, Riker. Just breathe. Calm down."

I eventually got my breathing under control again. I broke away from our hug, and stared at my sister with tears in my eyes.

"You ok?" Rydel asked.

"I-I think so..."

"What happened?"

"I started thinking about school and I... I had a panic attack."

"It'll be fine, Riker."

"What if they try to hurt me!?"

"Riker, nobody will hurt you."

"But I'm scared!"

"Ok, ok... Calm down. Don't get yourself all worked up again."

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling guilty.

I was doing this to myself. I'm part of the problem. But I can't help it!

"Riker, come to my room. I'll keep you company while I work on some homework, ok?"

I nodded slowly. Rydel took my hand, and led me to her room. I got in her bed, and laid down, facing away from her.

"How did you sleep last night?" Rydel asked.

"Um... I-I didn't..."

"Then try to get some sleep now, ok?"

"Ok..."

I cuddled up under the blankets, and closed my eyes. But my mind was racing. What if people try to kill me tomorrow? I'm just so stressed.

Later...

Riker POV

Rydel had convinced me to take a shower. I didn't want to, but she said she'd let me take it in her bathroom, and I could lock the door. I'd also sort of made her promise that she'd sit outside the door the whole time and make sure I wasn't murdered.

I opened the door, and Rydel practically fell backwards, crashing into me. She'd been leaning against the door.

"When do I have to go to bed?" I asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I don't know."

"Can I please sleep here? Rocky yells at me to be quiet, and he kind of scares me."

"Riker, first of all, Rocky would never hurt you, so you have no reason to be afraid. He's just not used to you being like this. And second of all, of course you can stay with me. I don't care. I just want you to feel better, and not so scared."

"Thanks," I said, quietly.

"No problem."

I snuggled down under the blankets.

"You going to bed now?" Rydel asked.

"Yeah... I'm going to try at least..."

"Ok. Do you want me to shut off the light?"

"Um... I don't really want to be in the dark..."

"I could go get you a night light. How about that?"

"Um... Yeah."

"Ok, I'll be right back."

"Soon?"

"Yes, I'll be quick, Riker. I promise."

"Ok..."

Rydel ran out of the room, and then came back a minute later. She plugged the light into the wall on the side where I was sleeping.

"Thanks," I said, quietly.

"You're welcome. Do you need anything else?"

"No..."

"Ok. Good luck trying to get some sleep."

"Thanks."

Rydel turned off the lamp next to her bed, and laid down about a foot from me.

"Goodnight, Riker."

"Goodnight..."