Destroying Everything

Chapter 18

I looked up from my book I'd been reading and glanced at the clock. It was time for me to do my rounds. I laid the book down, and got up from my seat as I headed down the hallway to the cells. 

I couldn't shake the feeling I got as I started checking each cell. Something wasn't right. In fact, something was very wrong. I couldn't quite put my finger on it though. The feeling got worse as I approached the new guys cell. 

I raised an eyebrow as I stopped in front of the cell, shining my flashlight in. Both men appeared to be sleeping, I continued on down the hall but I still couldn't shake the feeling. Once I'd checked all the cells, I started back and stopped at Cerulli's cell. 

Something wasn't right here. I pulled out the keys and opened the door, cautiously taking a step inside. 

"Chris?" I called out as I got closer to his bed. He didn't move. "Cerulli?!" I yelled. Still, no movement. 

Something wasn't right here. I shined my light on what I thought was his sleeping form and saw the marks around his neck. 

"Fuck! Can I get some help in here?!" I yelled, checking the prisoner for a pulse. There wasn't one. Fucking great. 

I grabbed his cellmate and pushed him against the wall "What the hell happened in here?" I screamed. 

He shrugged and tried his best to pretend he'd been asleep. "You did this." I said "I know it." 

Soon the cell was flooded with other officers, all trying to help in anyway they could. 

"He's gone." One of my fellow officers said, shaking his head. "Someone strangled him. I wonder who that could have been..." He said, looking at Rusty. "Someone needs to contact the family." He said. That was the last thing I wanted to do. ~
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Ricky's P.O.V

"Chris!" I shouted, sitting straight up on the couch, trying my best to catch my breath. 

"Ricky, are you okay?" I heard Ryan ask, sitting up to put an arm against my shoulder. 

I shook my head and took a deep breath "No, something is wrong with Chris. I can feel it..." I said softly. 

Just then, my phone started ringing. My heart dropped and I looked over at Ryan, almost begging for him to answer. 

He got the hint and picked up the phone, answering it quickly "Hello?" 

I bit nervously at my lower lip as I tried to read Ryan's face. He shook his head as he looked over at me. 

"No, please tell me you're lying." He said. 

"What's wrong, Ryan?" I asked.

"It's Chris" Was all he managed to get out. 

"What about Chris?"I asked, already not wanting to hear his answer. 

Ryan hung up the phone and tossed it on the couch next to him. 

"Ryan, what's wrong with Chris?!" I shouted, not meaning to sound so mean. 

"Ricky, one of the guards went to check on him....his cell mate killed him" 

No. He was lying. There was absolutely no way Chris was gone. Noway at all. We'd just gotten together. He wouldn't leave me. Not like this. 

"Stop your damn lying." I said, jerking away from Ryan's touch. 

I could tell he was hurt, and part of me knew he wasn't lying. But, I wasn't ready to admit it. Not yet. 

This shit couldn't be happening. It just couldn't. 

"Ricky, I'm not lying to you...I wish I was." He said, tears already streaming down his cheeks. 

I shook my head. "No. Please, Ryan. There has to be some mistake. They'll take him to the hospital and make him better." I cried. 

By this time, Devin and Josh were awake. I looked up to see Devin on the phone with someone. Who was he calling?

"Yes, I'm calling to check on Chris Cer--Yes, but...." He shook his head, looking around at all of us. "What happened?" He asked. 

No. Chris wasn't gone. He wasn't. 

Devin was on the phone only a few more minutes before he hung up, breaking down. "No. Chris. No." He cried. 

That was it. That was all it took for me to break down as well. Chris was gone. He was gone and I would have to learn to live without him now. 

"What happened?" Josh asked, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend, pulling him close. 

"They said his cellmate choked him..." He said softly, not willing to look up at any of us. 

I shook my head and jumped up from the couch, running outside. I needed to get away. Fast. I didn't want to hear anymore. I slammed the door behind me, screaming as soon as I stepped outside. 

"Chris! No! Fuck no! Why?! Why?!" I screamed, crumbling to my knees. 

It didn't take long until the guys had followed me, surrounding me. I knew they were only trying to help, but right then, I didn't want to be around anyone. I didn't want to hear it. I needed to be alone. I wanted to be alone. 

"Ricky, please don't shut us out. We have to stick together. We have too. Or none of us are going to make it through this..." Ryan cried. 

I looked up, meeting the eyes of my brothers. He was right. I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through this without them. 

I nodded and collapsed against Ryan's chest, allowing him to hold me as my body began to shake with each sob that ripped through my body.