Burn || 5sos (discontinued)

Chapter 6

Two weeks.

Its been two weeks since the act in the girls bathroom. Everything was becoming even more confusing. Luke still hasn't appeared in any way but as for Garrett, Calum, and Nathan, they began to warm up to me again. We all ate lunch together everyday and it was like nothing ever happened. Garrett and Nathan seemed a little bit more guarded than before, but Calum was back to his old, perky self. I was hoping to run into Luke sometime in the next few days but everything stayed the same. I occasionally saw Ashton at the library but I was too afraid to talk about Luke with him. I started to worry about Luke a lot more frequently, my grades slowly began to drop due to the stress. I still don't know exactly what he is; I don't want to refer to him as a ghost because it sounds too cliché, but I don't know any other way to put it. I also was questioning why only certain types of people can see Luke and people like him, or in his situation. Everything was beginning to get even more confusing as I continued to think about it.

"Riley!" Calum called, snapping me out of my thoughts. "What," I replied. "Are you going to the boardwalk carnival with us tonight?" he asked. "Uh, I guess so. I mean I don't have any other plans," I shrugged. "Great," Calum smiled. I returned the gesture and stood up to go throw my trash away.

I didn't eat much at lunch usually, just some chips and an apple and maybe some water. "Shit!" I heard someone yell before I felt a plastic tray hit my back along with the ketchup, mustard, and a relish filled hotdog. "Shit I'm sorry," A boy with blonde hair and brown eyes said while helping me up to my feet. "It's fine, I wasn't looking where I was going." I replied while tring to wipe the ketchup off the back of my neck. "You're the new girl, right? The one from America?" he asked. I nodded,"That would be me." "I'm Blake Evans," he introduced. "Riley Mitchell," I said while awkwardly waving. "Well Riley, It was a pleasure meeting you but I gotta run, I'm sorry about the whole spilling thing," he laughed. "It's alright, see you later,' I said while walking out into the hallway.

I made my way to my locker and grabbed my green hoodie and slipped my stained t-shirt over my head, leaving me in my black tank top. I quickly pulled on my sweatshirt and slammed my locker shut and headed back to class.

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"We have to ride the Volcano!" Alaina squealed as the six of us entered the carnival. It was your typical carnival, cheap games lined up side-by-side, a ferris wheel, only two rollercoasters, and a pier that led pretty far into the ocean. The sun was just starting to set and the cool breeze sent chills down my arms. My black tank top didn't give me any warmth on my arms, but my legs were fine in my ripped lightwash skinny jeans. My hair was down and straightened and I wore a red bracelet to match my crimson vans.

We all walked into the line for the Volcano, the biggest rollercoaster out of the two here. The Volcano looked extremely intimidating, I watched as the load of people before us filled the seats and then sped off straight up. they called it the Volcano because the ride shoots up out of a fake volcano. It loops you upsidedown multiple times and whips you back and forth until you have whiplash.

The next thing I know we are sitting down in our rows waiting to be launched forward. The way it was made was that everyone is seated in rows of four. Alaina and Travis sat in the row before us while Nathan sat beside me, then Calum next to him, and then Garrett. We all counted down with the young woman who pressed the button to launch us upward. I threw my hands up in the air and let out a scream. I laughed as Calum hid his face in his hands as we twisted and twirled. Nathan was like me, just enjoying the ride while Garrett looked like he was about to hurl.

We all ran out the exit laughing when Travis suggested we ride it again. "No...fucking....way..." Garrett breathed still trying to calm his heart rate. "Hey guys me and Riley will meet up with you later," Nathan said. Calum gave me a questioning look, I just shrugged as Nathan grabbed my arm pulling me away from the group.

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

"On an adventure," he laughed. We ended up at the pier entrance and we both walked all the way to the end before turning to me and asking me the one question I never thought he would bring up.

"Why are you so interested in Luke Hemmings?" he said while leaning his elbow on the ledge of the pier.

"Whats not to be interested about?"

"Well, most people who hear about it just accept it and move on, but you, you just wont let go of it." he explained.

"Can we change the subject please?" I pleaded. The thought of Luke made my head feel bloated.

"Alright, how about we talk about the fact that I know you can see him." Nathan spat.

"W-What are you talking about. He's dead." I stuttered.

"You know exactly what I'm saying. I know you can see him. People like you have a special power, Riley, a power that is a threat to me, and I don't have the time to deal with people like you," He said while grabbing my arms with his large hands, disabling my ability to move. I watched as his eyes turned a blood red, his face turned snow white.

"What are you?" I gasped. He laughed at my comment and pushed my back up against the thin wooden ledge. His grip on my arms made my limbs go numb, like he had me controlled. "Garrett!" He yelled. My hopes gave up when I saw Garrett emerge out of thin air with two thick ropes in one hand, one with bricks attatched to the end, and a rag in the other. My eyes grew wide "Please don't-" "Shut up!" Nathan screamed at me, slamming my body against the ledge once more. I heard a crack and I yelped in pain only to have Nathan's heavy hand connect with my cheek. "Tie her up," Nathan ordered. Garrett walked towards me with a sickening smirk plastered across his face. His blue eyes were now crimson like Nathan's. I tried to struggle as Garrett bound my hands and feet together. He stuffed the rag into my mouth and stepped away. Tears were streaming down my face uncontrollably as Nathan stepped up to me, leaning towards my ear. "Say goodbye Riley." he whispered. I whimpered as he took a knife out of his pocket and pressed it to my abdomen.

"Riley!" I heard a familiar voice call. Luke.

"Shit," Nathan yelled. He turned around and ran towards the sound of Luke's voice andGarrett followed close behind. Once they were out of sight, Luke appeared before me. I flinched out of instinct, tears still flowing freely down my face.

"Shh, Riley. Its okay." He said as he pulled the rag out of my mouth. As soon as it was removed, I gasped for air. I watched as he untied the ropes, allowing me to move. "There they are!" Nathan screamed.

I started to hyperventilate, Luke grabbed the sides of my face, forcing me to look into his blue eyes.

"Riley, I need you to trust me. Okay?" He said. I nodded my head as he grabbed my hand.

"Stop!" Nathan yelled as Luke hoisted me on top of the ledge.

"Jump," Luke ordered.

"What? Luke you can't just-"

"Trust me." he said. I turned my head and saw that Nathan was almost here. I took a deep breath turned back to Luke.

"Okay." I breathed.

I grasped onto Luke's hand as tight as I could before pushing my legs off the wooden board. I braced myself to feel the impact of the water.

But it never came.