Mind Games

Chapter 25 - Ryan

Ryan stared pensively out of the window.

Ned's parents had been kind enough to let him stay with them. But he knew it couldn't be for long.

He didn't have any close family. His grandparents had passed away. He would ultimately be put up for adoption.

Life, to him, didn't look good.

He wasn't too surprised when he got to know his mother had killed herself. Through the outer appearances of their so called happy family, Ryan always knew his mother was desperately unhappy.

He missed her of course, but he missed his father more.

He thought about Cassie often but couldn't bear the thought of talking to her anymore. It was through him that her life got poisoned. If he had somehow convinced Amy that she wasn't a threat, Amy wouldn't have gone after her.

The guilt cut into him, sharp as a knife, every time he thought about her.

He wasn't convinced Sean would stop Amy. He saw the same denial in his eyes like he used to in his mom's.

Ned, of course, was convinced Sean would help. But Ned hadn't lost his parents. His world hadn't been destroyed.

Ryan believed Ned's intentions were noble. But the anger was lacking.

They had both considered going to the media. But they had no proof. Who would believe them?

The thought that an app was driving people to suicide or murder sounded ridiculous even to himself.

So without mentioning it to Ned, Ryan spent all the alone time he had exploring the dark web. He had to find a programmer who was capable enough to stop Amy. Someone who had been affected personally by Amy.

So he kept checking forums, kept haunting chat rooms but though he came across snippets of conversation on Amy he didn't find the person he was looking for.

The beep of Ned's phone made him jump.

No one in Ned's family had installed Amy. But he still felt jittery around phones.

The thought that Amy would be able to track him though the laptop connection crossed his mind. But the Web was the only hope he had of reaching out for help. And so far he hadn't sensed her presence in his life.

"She's done all the damage she needed to anyway." He thought bitterly.

Ned's phone beeped again. He wondered if it was Cassie.

Ned was a deep sleeper. He didn't stir.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Ryan got up uneasily. He didn't like the idea of invading Ned's privacy but he started getting an ominous feeling about those beeps.

He reached Ned's phone, wondering if he should check it out, when the phone rang.

It was Cassie.

Ryan looked up uncomfortably to Ned. Should he just wake him up?

His hand hovered over the phone, but before he could answer, it fell silent.

Ryan stepped back. Partly relieved he didn't have to have an uncomfortable conversation with Cassie. Partly scared. Why would she call Ned at this hour?

After staring at the silent phone for a moment, he turned away.

Two steps away Ned's phone started ringing again.

This time he didn't hesitate. He grabbed the phone and answered.

Cassie's whisper made a chill run through him. "Help me please... she's here.... Amy."