37 - Riker gets stuck
Riker's parents' basement is ridiculously messy. There are piles of stuff everywhere. Riker asked you to come over and help him pack up some stuff to take to the band house.
His parents are gone for the night, so it's just you two.
You follow him down into the basement. There are tons of boxes, old furniture, and a bunch of other random junk.
"I need to get to that box," Riker says, pointing way across the room.
"Riker. How on earth do you plan on doing that?"
"We just have to move this couch."
There's an old couch standing up vertically. You and Riker both attempt to move it.
"It's slipping!" Riker shouts.
Without Riker's grip, you can't hold it up by yourself.
The couch knocks into the only lightbulb on the ceiling, and shatters it. The couch then falls down on top of Riker.
It's pitch black now, and you can hear bits of glass still raining down.
"Riker, you ok?"
"I think I'm stuck. Can you help?"
"I can't see. The lightbulb broke."
"There's more lightbulbs in one of the kitchen cabinets."
You make your way upstairs in the dark, but when you get to the door, you discover that it's locked.
"Riker, the door is locked!" You call down.
"There should be a key up on the top of the doorframe."
"I can't reach it!"
"Ok, just come back down here, and help me get out. I'm starting to get kind of nervous. I don't like tight spaces."
"Does it hurt?"
"No. The top of the couch is facing down, so I have a bit of room, but not much. Please just help me get out."
You find your way to the couch in the dark.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Just help pick it up. On 3. 1, 2, 3!"
You try to lift the couch, but it's just too heavy.
"Riker, I can't."
"I need to get out! I don't do well in small spaces, especially in the dark in the basement!"
"Ok, let me call one of your siblings, ok?"
"Ok."
"Just try to stay calm."
You take out your phone, and call Ross.
"Hello?"
"Ross, I need you to come to your parents' house. Riker and I got stuck in the basement and Riker is trapped under a couch. He's fine, but he isn't handling it well."
"Ok. I'll be there in 10 minutes."
He hung up, and you put your phone in your pocket.
"Is he coming!?"
"Yeah. He'll be here in like 10 minutes."
"Oh my god that's like ages away!"
"Calm down, Riker."
You sat down on the floor. There was a small space where you could slip your hand through and take Riker's. He held your hand tightly in his.
"How many more minutes?"
"Uh... I don't know. He should've been here a minute ago."
"Call him!"
"Riker, I'm sure he's on his way."
As if on cue, the basement door flew open.
Ross walked down the stairs holding a lightbulb and a flashlight. He shined it on the couch, and started laughing.
"Shut up, and get me out of here!" Riker said, whimpering a little.
"How in the world did you two manage to even do this?" He asked, still laughing.
"It slipped out of my hands, now help!" Riker shouted.
He was holding your hand so tight now.
"Riker, I need my hand back. I have to help Ross."
You pulled your hand back, and stood up. Ross was trying to find something to stand on to put the new lightbulb in.
All of a sudden, Riker started screaming.
"Riker, what's wrong?" You asked.
"I swear I felt a spider crawling on me! Get me out! Please!"
He sounded like he was either crying, or about to start.
Ross put the lightbulb in, and then he took one side of the couch. You were both able to lift it enough for Riker to crawl out. As soon as he was out, he ran into your arms, and held on tight.
He was shaking in your arms.
You hugged him back, trying to calm him down.
"Uh... So can I go now? Rocky and I were in the middle of something very important."
"Video games?" You ask.
"Maybe!"
You roll your eyes as Ross walks up the stairs to leave. Riker is still clinging to you.
"Riker, calm down. You're fine."
"Let's leave."
"What about that box over there you said you needed?"
"Never mind. We can get it when my other siblings are here to help."
He grabs your hand, and pulls you up the stairs, and out to his car.
He brings you back to the band house, and makes you cuddle with him on the couch. You tease him a little about being scared, but he doesn't really care now. He's just happy to be in the safety of your arms.
