The Sign of a Murderer (a Chandler Riggs gay fanfic)

Chapter 7

"So do you have any ideas as to who would warn you that I was in danger? Even though they used my phone number while I had my dead phone with me?"
"Well, like you said it could've been one of Cryptic's pals. So maybe we should go ask them."
"Agreed. And it's nice to see you again Calvin."
"Likewise."
Calvin and I entered the house and entered the living room, since we could hear a conversation going on.
When everyone saw me they let out a sigh of relief, each of them walked up to me and hugged me individually.
"I'm glad that you're all right Ryker." Cryptic states.
"We all are." Chandler implies. "Now, who's your friend standing next to you?"
"This is Calvin. He saved me by killing my father. If it wasn't for him, I would be dead and I'm forever grateful."
"When we heard that gunshot, we thought that something bad had happened to you." Cryptic proclaims. "Besides being assaulted by your dad."
"You guys were watching the fight escalade, weren't you?"
"Only some of it, but you did tell us to go inside so we wouldn't suffer the punishment that you've endured not to long ago."
"I know I didn't say it, but you could've done something from inside the house to help me."
"Like what? Because we didn't want you to die because of a mistake we made."
"And I thank you for that, so next time any of you see me being beaten to a bloody pulp, please find a way to help me."
"Remember we didn't help you this time because we didn't want to lose a friend."
"You almost did, but here I am standing...in...front of...you."
Right after I made my statement I blacked out.

Calvin's POV
"Someone call 911."
"🎵Shawty fire burning on the dance floor, whoa!🎵"
"I'm talking with a dispatcher right now, so can you guys keep it down please?"
"Of course, sorry Andrew."
Just in case we did get too loud Andrew left the living room, and from the sound of it he went upstairs.
I knelt down to check if Ryker still had a pulse, and he did but it was extremely faint, like his breathing.
"How's he doing?"
"Not so good Cryptic, from what I can tell he's living on borrowed time."
"I just hope that when Ryker recovers that he changes his ways and goes back to being the sweetheart he was as a child." Grayson states.
"You never know. If he really is near death we may lose a friend, but I have faith that he will pull through." Chandler implies. "IF he does die, I just hope that he knew that we cared for him, even though we didn't help him when he was being assaulted by his father. I know he asked us not to get involved, but we could've done something. Other than that I hope he recognized us as his friends."
"I'm sure he does Chan. He's a good kid. I was wrong when I said that I'd rather die than become friends with Ryker. Everyone deserves to have friends, even a murderer like Ryker."
"You only said that out of anger and because you were worried about me."
"True, but I know now that I shouldn't have said it. And I'm also going to say that you were right, Ryker does have a good side to him."
"I'm glad that you're finally listening to reason. Now let's do everything we can to make sure that Ryker will pull through."

2 weeks later...
Ryker's POV
"Where's Grayson, I want to speak to him." Ryker declares.
"He's in the cafeteria. Want me to go get him? And while I'm there would you like me to get something for you?" Chandler wonders.
"Just a few bottles of orange juice please."
"You got it."
It only took a few minutes for Chandler to return with his brother, and once he placed my drinks on the table next to me he left the room.
"So what did you want to talk about Ryker?"
"I heard what you said two weeks ago before the paramedics arrived, and to be honest I'm upset and mad at the same time. I know you had your reasons for saying what you did, but you hurt my feelings when I heard you say that you would rather die than be my friend."
"I only said that because you assaulted my brother until he was bleeding and had a black eye."
"I know I tackled you which caused Chandler to punch me, which then escalated into that fight, and I just want to apologize for that. I shouldn't have done any of that. And who knows, maybe I don't deserve to have any friends."
"Everyone deserves to have friends, and that includes you."
"I know that you still don't fully trust me, but do you think we can be friends or acquaintances for now?"
"Of course."
"I know that when we first met you and everyone else were scared of me because you all know me as a murderer, but what was the real reason all of you took off that day?"
"Well you were staring off into space for a few minutes, so we thought you were thinking about murdering us and then you started talking about the fact that you murdered some of your friends and your girlfriend. We got scared and didn't want to be around you for our own safety. And when you tackled me to the ground I thought you were going to kill me. But the look on your face was calm, so I was confused as to what was going to happen. Then you got into a fight with my brother..."
"I asked you what the real reason why you guys ran away when we first met, not what happened on that day from your perspective."
"I know, I just wanted you to know how I felt that day when you tackled me to the ground, that's all."
"And once again I'd like to apologize for that."
"I accept your apology."

5 days later...
"How are you feeling Ryker?"
"Better now, thanks for asking Andrew and thank you everyone else for helping me in my time of need."
"You're welcome."
"Now I just have one question."
"Ask away." Chandler states.
"Which one of you called my friend Calvin almost three weeks ago? And I know that this is impossible but Calvin said that he received the call from me, but my phone was in my pocket and dead. So be honest with me, which one of you called Calvin?"
"None of is has Calvin's number. Calvin asked us the same thing two days ago, we even proved it to him."
"Maybe it was one of the neighbors using a calling and texting app."
"There's only one person I know in my neighbourhood who uses an app like that, my friend Ryan but he's dead."
"Is there anyone else you can think of who uses an app like Ryan did?"
"There is one other, but I doubt he'll want anything to do with me. His name is Lincoln, he was my friend back in grade three, but with everything I've done he'd probably shoot me on sight. But you never know."
"Calvin and I can come with you to visit Lincoln."
"No, this is something I have to do alone. I know that I just recovered, but I'm going to see Lincoln anyway because I need to know."
"Are you sure you don't want anyone to come with you Ryker?"
"I'm sure Grayson. Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go see an old friend."

5 minutes later...
I was standing outside of Lincoln's house debating if I still wanted to do this, so I took a few deep breaths and was about to ring the doorbell when the door opened.
There he was standing in the doorway, just staring at me.
"Can I help you?"
"Hey Lincoln."
"Like I said, can I help you?"
"Three weeks ago when I was almost beaten to death by my dad did you text Calvin using my number in a calling and texting app?"
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't."
"Well if you did I just want to thank you. And I can understand why you're not so happy to see me, it's because of all the murders I've committed, right?"
"Actually no. I'm just upset that a kindred soul like you used to be would turn into a killer. I know that deep down you regret murdering all of those people and that you want to start over, am I right?"
"Yes, you are."
"We have some serious catching up to do Ryker, why don't you come in and we can talk and have a few drinks."
"Sure."

Chandler's POV
*knock knock knock*
"I'll get it."
I got up from the couch and quickly made my way to the front door. I looked out the eyehole to see who was at the door and I couldn't believe my eyes. I even blinked a few times and shook my head to be sure that I wasn't imagining things, and I wasn't. This was real. He was real.
*knock knock knock*
I answered the door and just smiled.
"Surprise."
"Hi Mason."