Sinners Never Sleep | Stikolson *COMPLETED*

Chapter Eight

RICKY

The second I stepped into mine and TJ's apartment the atmosphere felt off. You know sometimes you sense that something's wrong, or something bad is about to happen well that's what I felt like right now. What if Ryan had gotten to TJ while I slept? I was a pretty heavy sleeper. That kiss on the end of his message was already suspicious, but now I was afraid to walk further into the apartment just in case I stumbled across a dead body.

Would it be so bad if TJ was killed? Yes, Ricky, it would, you shouldn't wish death on anyone. People deserved to live out their lives until they were old and died peacefully in their sleep feeling no pain. No matter how many bad things TJ had done to me, he'd never hurt me to the extent I felt like my life was threatened so I sent a silent prayer to whoever was listening praying he was still alive.

How would I explain Ryan? All I knew is that neither of us could stay here anymore, Ryan might have the place under surveillance if he had countless photos taken from outside the apartment. If TJ wouldn't come with me then I'd pack a bag and leave myself, and travel someone Ryan could never hunt me down.

"Ricky is that you? You look flushed? Did something happen at Vinny's?"

"Thank god you're alive TJ."

Before I can control myself I'm walking over to TJ and pulling him into a tight hug. TJ pats my back while chuckling deeply.

"Of course, I'm alive Ricky, what's gotten into you?"

I shake my head and bury my face into the crook of his neck.

"I had a bad dream that someone came and killed you and that I walked in and found your dead body."

I tense slightly as TJ starts to rub circles on my back in a calming motion, he'd never shown this much affection. He didn't smell of booze or cigarettes, who was this imposter in my boyfriend's body?

"No one could ever kill me Ricky...wait for a second baby what's that on your neck?"

I pull back from TJ who tilts his head and brushes my hair away from my neck, what was he talking about? I watch as his eyes darken, I knew something bad was going to happen.

"What's on my neck?"

"Don't act dumb Ricky. I knew you were a little slut, but sleeping with Ryan behind my back after I gave you instructions to stay away from him now you've been a naughty little boy who needs to be punished."

TJ brings his hand back and slaps me so hard across the cheek that I feel my jaw rattle. I stumble backwards slightly clutching my cheek tears threatening to spill.

"TJ calm down. You don't always have to hit me, maybe we can talk."

TJ chuckles darkly and throws his head back roaring with laughter that chilled me to the bone, "talk, the little sluts finally growing a pair. But it's too late Ricky, once I'm done with you no one will look at you the same way again."

I was confused by what he meant until it was too late for me to duck as a vase made contact with the side of my head knocking me sideways. He'd just thrown a vase at my head, as I trace my fingers along the side of my head I feel and see blood trickling freely from open cuts the glass had made.

Next thing I know TJ lunges at me with hatred in his eyes and latches his hands around my throat pulling the two of us down on top of the coffee table, the glass shatters and I hit the floor with TJ on top of me cutting off my air. What had gotten into him? Was he trying to kill me?

Grasping my hands I try to find something to hit TJ with but come up with nothing. Then I see the front door burst open and in runs the last person I wanted to see, but in my current situation, I was more than grateful for Ryan's sudden appearance.

"Ricky."

Concern laced his voice as he strode towards us and before I started to black out I watch as he removes something from inside his coat and stabs it in TJ's neck. TJ makes a gurgling sound above me and lets go of my throat, so I take the opportunity to scurry backwards just as TJ coughs up blood before collapsing on the floor where I just lay fighting for my life.

"Is he dead?"

I already knew the answer to my question but I needed Ryan to confirm that he'd just killed my boyfriend. Ryan nods and pulls the knife from TJ's neck before crouching down in front of me, but I scoot back.

RYAN

Ricky scoots back with pure fear written across his face.

"How could you do that Ryan?" he accused, sounding quite astonished at what I'd just done.

"I did what I had to do Ricky," I attempt to justify in a monotone voice, acting rather emotionless and detached.

"Then tell me! Ricky demands, "What made you stab my boyfriend in the neck with a knife?"

I shoot Ricky a look that said 'are you kidding me?' but remember that he was probably in shock at everything he'd seen this morning.

"He was choking you to death Ricky; I couldn't let him take you from me. Now you know his true colours."

Ricky scoffs but I could see that he's at war with himself as to whether he hates or loves me for what I'd just done.

"Your words were sugar-coated, but your lips were laced with lies Ryan. Your tongue was dipped in acid, and you had a wicked gleam in your eyes. Your clothes were clean and crisp but covered in blood stains. Who would have guessed that the man I thought I was falling for could put me through all this pain."

Ricky spoke the truth; I had openly lied to him but only to protect him. But he mentioned at the end that he was falling for me, he had feelings for me like I had for him.

"Ricky, I love you and have done since you first messaged me. I know this is a lot to take in right now, but we need to get the situation under control and then I'll explain everything. You can ask me any question you want."

I reach out to touch his bleeding face and to my surprise, he doesn't flinch away.

"What do we do Ryan?"

I thought he'd never ask, I didn't particularly like cleaning up after myself. that's what I paid Josh to do, but this clean up had to be quick and believable.

"If the Police see your bruises and you tell them about TJ's abuse they'll put his death down to self-defence and you won't be charged."

Ricky nods and attempts to stand up, but wobbles and I have to catch him before he falls again.

"Give me the knife Ryan."

I tense, what did he need my knife for? Ricky sees my confusion and shakes his head.

"I'm not going to stab you, Ryan. The Police will need it as evidence and since you're wearing gloves it has no prints. If we're going to make the Police believe I stabbed TJ my prints need to be on the weapon right?"

Of course, that's why Ricky wanted the knife. Besides, in his current state, he couldn't hurt a fly let alone me so I didn't know why I was so cautious as to hand my knife to him. A killer didn't share his tools and now I was most likely going to lose this knife to Police evidence. With some reluctance, I hand Ricky the knife.

"I'll call the Police then Ricky."

RICKY

When the Police arrived Ryan had them eating out of the palm of his hand. He played the part of the concerned friend really well, and to no one's surprise, I played an even better victim. The Police officers took one look at the apartment and immediately took my side just like Ryan said they would.

A paramedic was stitching up my head while I watched Ryan handle the 'situation' as he called it. When I was vulnerable on the floor he could have easily killed me as well, but he didn't. Did he mean it when he said he loved me? I had a fair few questions and Ryan was going to answer each and every one of them.