The River Speaks

Chapter Sixteen: Swimming

Chapter Sixteen: Swimming

I hear splashing nearby which rips me out of sleep. I sit up fast, gasping.

Aiden is nowhere to be found.

Oh god. Oh god.

I scramble to my feet and run to the river.

Aiden comes up from the water.

"Sorry." He says. "I'm sweaty." He points at his jeans hidden in a bush. "You should come swim with me."

I hesitate. My skin feels stale from the heat and the cool river water is appealing.

I could swim in my bra and panties.

I remove my shirt followed by my pants and hide them under the bush, getting in the water with him.

It's chilly, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body.

I slip under water feeling the heat disappear from my body.

How exhilarating.

"See?" Aiden asks. "It feels good."

"Yeah, it really-"

A stick cracks nearby causing both of our eyes to widen.

He swims to the bushes and I follow him, he holds onto the bush and I try to hold onto him but the current is strong and he's slippery. My hands start to slip off of him so I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I hear footsteps that sounds like horses, and maybe a dog?

"That's my rifle." A voice says.

My Dad. That's my Dad.

I start to let go of Aiden but he puts his hand around me from behind, shaking his head.

"Elliot could be with him." He says quietly enough for the river to drown his voice out from anybody but me.

"How do you know?" A voice that sounds like Sheriff Carlton asks.

"Because I know. They're here."

"There's no guarantee that they're both here. We don't know if Aiden found Lily, and they both have a rifle."

"No, Lilliana's rifle was attached to Ruby when she came back.

"So we might only have Aiden."

"If we do, he might know how to find Lily."

"Do you trust that boy James?" Sheriff Carlton asks.

"He's given me no reason not to." Dad replies. He raises his voice slightly when he says.

"Elliot and all of his groupies are in prison, so-"

"Before he even finishes his sentence, I'm scrambling onto shore with Aiden behind me.

"Elliot got arrested?" I breathe.

Dad looks relieved to see me as Sheriff Carlton nods.

"Yes for attempted murder, assault and battery, kidnapping, rape...he's going to be in for a very long time, Lily. You have nothing to worry about."

I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I hear the bushes rustling as Aiden starts pulling his clothes back on. He hands me my shirt and my jeans.

I can celebrate later.

For now, I just want to go home.

Sheriff Carlton radios to tell whoever he's talking to that they found us.

Attempted murder, assault, battery, rape

Rape.

How do they know about that?

Did Aiden tell them? I begged him not to!

Dad brought Ruby who is all saddled up.

"You guys are going to have to share her." Dad says.

I put my boots back on and get onto Ruby, holding my hand down to Aiden to hoist him up. Dad takes his rifle back, and we start the very long trek back to the farm.

*****

We met up with other police officers that were searching for us along with my siblings Maddy, and my Mom.

Now we're at the farm after my shower and Aiden's shower and we're all sitting around the table.

I asked Aiden if he told my Dad about Elliot taking advantage of me and he said no.

He said my Dad asked and he told him to ask me.

"Did Elliot confess?" I ask.

"Yes." Dad says calmly.

"And?"

"And what?"

"What did he confess to?"

My father sighs.

"Attempted murder of Aiden, raping you, kidnapping you, beating you..." he trails off.

"Attempted murder?" I repeat. "I thought he only threatened you." I look at Aiden.

"Oh he put a gun to my stomach." He says.

"Aiden," I start.

"It's good. He didn't pull the trigger so I don't really care. I'm just glad he's locked up."

"Lily, we need to talk to you about your living arrangements." Dad says.

"I'm moving to Boston."

Silence.

"Why don't you want to stay here?" He asks. "I want you staying here."

"Well I'm not staying here. I'll come home for the holidays. We can talk on the phone, but I'm not moving here. Not yet."

"Why?" He asks.

"Because Daddy, I'm twenty four. I'm trying to figure out my life. Everything I thought I knew was destroyed."

"You know the farm. You know everyone in this town. Did you really think you were going to marry Elliot?" He asks.

"You don't understand." I say. "That's fine, but you need to realize I'm not coming home. Not yet."

Dad looks around the table at everyone watching us, and then he leans in slightly.

"Lilliana, I'm worried about you. I'm worried about your judgement. I'm worried you're going to pick the wrong guy next time. You're safer here where I can keep an eye on you."

"I respect that, but I'm going to Boston." I say. "My mind is made up."

He looks down, nodding slightly.

"Okay." He says. "Aiden, will you watch over her."

"I was planning on it." He says.

"Good. Now that that's finished, I'm going upstairs."

*****

I work later but I'll probably write at work too

~Sam