Wild Hearts

New Adventures

Ryder offers to give me a piggyback, and I almost decline, like people will be watching. But no one's ever offered, so I'm taking this opportunity for all its worth.

Wrapped snugly around his shoulders, digging my heels into his legs, we march on under the cover of the forest, starlight our only companion. Ryder takes to his board and we glide along the concrete path, silent, the rustle of the wind through the leaves real calming. My ass hurts a lot, and my spine aches—and I'm pretty sure I've sprained my wrist and ankle, not to mention a hundred other bruises and aches. Yeah, I'll take this piggyback like a true champ.

Ryder's stronger than he looks; I mean he has a slight frame, but there's some serious muscle under there. I saw that in his legs, but I can feel the stiffness of muscles. Ryder feels... warm, reliable. Like I could curl up against him and melt away, the world forgotten.

"I just have to say," Ryder says, breaking the silence, and instantly settling any lingering nerves. "thanks for coming along with me tonight. You trusted me even though I haven't given you much reason."

I chuckle, wrapping my arms around him a little tighter.

"No. It was fun. I'll probably never do that again, but it beats moping about looking at dead things."

"That's good. That's... That's exactly what I want. For you to try new things—step out of your comfort zone. You don't—you don't have to pick up any of these things, but they're something out of the norm, and they make each day different. Life's more fucking exciting that way."

I nod, understanding the weight to his words, but I can't see how these adventures will change much, or if I have the stomach for more places like Hell.

"That's my philosophy, man," he grins. "To live a little wildly, find out what makes you fucking happy, what pushes you. Break the mould." Ryder groans, hopping off his board, letting me down while he straightens out his back. "Sorry, dude. You're not heavy. More like bones sticking into me. I frown but he doesn't notice. A spike of energy shoots through him and he skips around me, aiming quick jabs at me like a boxer, but always pulling short. "I'm always looking for something out of the way. I want to take you with me. So, what do you say, Aiden? You in?"

I stop, folding my arms. I tilt my head, lips pressed tightly together.

"In for...?"

"Adventures."

I can't help but smile. I drop my arms and keep walking, Ryder falling into place beside me, hopeful eyes never leaving my sight.

"Adventures do sound like fun," I admit. And that's a big thing coming from me.

"Sweet!" He runs ahead again, forgetting about our piggyback deal. The board has been steadily escaping. He kicks it up and carries it back. "We need to make a pact. A vow of some sort."

I grit my teeth. Pact? No way. No way am I cutting myself.

"No thanks," I murmur, pulling my arms in tight to my chest. "I don't like blood."

I see that familiar glint of silver in his hand, but he slides it back into his pocket.

"Well obviously we don't have to do that," he says hurriedly. "Not yet anyway."

More like never. But I see his fallen expression and I sigh.

"OK maybe. I dunno. Let me think."

"Sure," he grins, a spring returning to his step. He walks backwards, sure to curve right as we turn the last corner of the forest path. The switchblade-multitool thing returns to his hand with a metallic swish and he holds out his palm. Then he stops, an intense frown on his lips. Slipping the blade back, he turns back to me, a melancholy expression now adopted. "It's stupid. Forget I said it. It couldn't work..."