The Fake Nerd

Chapter 21

Ava pov

I punch the bag loosing myself. right hook, left hook, and roundhouse. I leave my thoughts and worries behind me as i repeat the sequence. "Never gonna stop" by Jeff Rona is blasting in my headphones. It fuels me erupting a fight inside of me. I hit the bag with a right uppercut, left hook, and a left uppercut. I do this set two more times before collapsing against the bag. I pull out my earphones noticing the sun going down. I pull my hoodie over my head and text Riker. i collect the rest of my things and check my phone. no reply. I tense immediately this may seem normal to anyone who doesn't know Riker, but no matter what time or day it is Riker responds back. His words surge through my head "If i don't anwser i'm dead" It rings against my head making a cold energy shot through me.  I'm just overreacting, he probably fell asleep i think swallowing the nervous energy coursing through me. I walk to the steel doors of the gym stepping out into the chilling cold air burning against my heated body. Maybe i can check on him i think feeling James's note circling through my brain. I walk toward Riker's house keeping my thoughts away from me. The sun sinks down early in the winter leaving the streets pitch black besides the streetlamps. I quicken my pace towards Riker's house chanting in my head that he's fine. I turn 3 more blocks before i reach Riker's neighborhood. I jog on the other side of the street passing the houses. I stop in front of Riker's house and my blood runs cold. Riker's house lights are out and a lumpy figure lays on the ground not moving next to the car in the driveway. "Riker" I claw out barley above a whisper. "Riker" I scream the sound dragging nails on my throat. I sprint to him ice surging through my body making my heart clench in pain. I turn him over and feel my breath catch in my throat. He has a gash on the side of his eye and is battered to a pulp. His whole face is swollen and purple. I look over the rest of him my whole body shaking. "Riker" I scream with tears swelling out my eyes. "Please, i can't lose you" I plead with his unconscious body. "Please"I scream again hot tears striking down my face sliding their way into my mouth. "Riker i can't lose you to" I scream at him my own screams shredding my ear drums. My voice is hoarse now as I beg him  tears overflowing from my eyes. "Please" I whispers hoarsely at him bringing my finger to his throat sobbing. I breath a sigh of relief as i feel a weak pulse on his neck. "i'm so sorry Riker" I ground out my voice covered by my sobs jumbling my words. I wipe my eyes smearing some of Riker's blood on me. It's no use as more tears fire out my throat burning. I search for his keys trying to catch my breath through my broken sobs. "Don't worry just stay with me" I whispers to him sniffling. I find his keys and know that there is only one place left for me to go, even if i am putting them at risk. I feel for his pulse again and check to see if he is breathing. My eyes burn as more tears flood out my head hammering. I did this to him. I should've stayed away from him and he would've been safe. He wouldn't have to deal with James. I did this. I sob harder knowing every word is true. I thought i could be free and escape James and now Riker is my punishment for ever thinking i could be free.