The River Speaks

Chapter Eight: Plan

Chapter Eight: Plan

My neck hurts worse as time passes. The temperature is horrible here because it's mid September and I'm up in Massachusetts.

I have a white long sleeve sweater shirt on, a pair of jeans, and black sandals.

How will I get my stuff back from Elliot's house?

What, am I going to go back alone to my truck, which hasn't been turned on in three months, and just drive off?

No. My truck probably needs a battery. And I have to get my stuff out of his apartment.

I can't just waltz into the apartment while he's home! And I can't go while he's not home because I don't have a key!

I shiver in the cold, sniffling.

What the hell am I going to do? Ask my Dad and Noah to fly out here and be my bodyguards so I can get my things, show up at Elliots apartment and be: "Hey El I'm just here with my Dad and my brother to get my things. If you look at me weird, they're going to tie you up in the woods on our property and leave you for the coyotes lol, so ya better behave!"

Yeah right.

Plus, how could I ask that of my Dad and brother after how I've treated my whole family?

After how I've neglected Ruby.

Oh Ruby. I miss her so much. I miss her the most.

I shut my eyes to stop more tears for falling, but it doesn't work.

How could I be so stupid? How could I let him manipulate me like that?

"Lily, answer your fricken phone!" I hear somebody say quietly nearby, causing me to look up.

A man who looks to be about my age is standing by an old white mustang. He's wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and Nikes. His hair is blonde and messy, and I know without a shadow of a doubt in my mind, this is Aiden.

The personality fits the body.

I stand up and grab my purse, walking over to him.

I hesitate a few feet behind him.

"Aiden?"

He turns around quickly. His phone slips from his hand and he cusses, bending down to pick it up.

"Lily?" He asks. "The Katie hider?"

I roll my eyes, smiling a little bit.

"I told you I don't know a Katie."

"That's what they all say." He responds. He opens the passenger door for me, but his smile fades. "What happened to your neck?"

My hand immediately goes to cover, but he sweeps my long brown hair our of the way in one swift motion, his eyes widening slightly.

"Who did this to you?"

"I tripped over a rock and-"

"Was it your boyfriend?" He asks, not buying my lie.

Who would? It was complete trash anyways.

I open my mouth to defend Elliot, but why?

"Yes." I say. "Yes, okay? He-he forced me to move in with him, refused to let me go anywhere but work, made my cut off my entire family, hits me on the daily, and then I told him to pull over after I found out he was cheating on me, and he tried to kill me. So yes, okay Aiden? It was Elliot. Are you happy now?"

I feel bad about taking my stresses out on him, but instead if trying to telling me it's my fault like Elliot would have, he shoves his hands in his pockets and nods slowly.