Kids in the Dark

Chapter 51

Ryder's P.O.V

"Theo," I screamed out loud before jerking awake, my thoughts taking a moment to process what I'd just witnessed. When the realization hit me, a wave of fear and panic rushed over me along with a cascading flood of tears. I felt my chest tighten as I clutched my blankets tightly around me as sobs raked over my body. My shouts had clearly awoken Marc for, moments after I had awoken, he was by my side, shaking me, trying to get a response.

"Ryder, Ryder, calm down, it's okay. It was only a dream." He said rubbing my back in an attempt to soothe me although his words fell on unhearing ears. "Come on deep breaths. With me." He said in desperation, over exaggerated his own breathing. I tried to mimic it with my own, but my shaky breaths only triggered another wave of tears. I heard Marc mutter something before he shouted, making me flinch. "Adam!" I felt him leave my side as Marc continued to call out. "Adam, wake up"

"What?" I could just make out Adam's voice from across the hall, grumpy and annoyed for having been woken up.

"It's Ryder. He's had a nightmare and I don't know what to do." Marc replied, sounding frantic.

"Try calming him down. Get him to focus on his breathing." Adam suggested, sounding more awake now, yet the groggy sleepiness was still evident in his voice.

"I've done that but Adam, this is so much worse than anything I've seen. He needs Theo." Marc tried to explain. At the mention of Theo my panicked cries redoubled in intensity, my whole body shaking with each sob, the bed frame creaking.

"Well," I heard Adam sigh and the creak of his bed could be heard. "Let's hope there's a nice guard on duty tonight," There was a brief pause before Adam yelled out. "Guard!" Several moments later the sound of someone plodding down the hall could be heard, the footsteps echoing around.

"What in the hell is all this about? It's after hours." The guard asked sounding frustrated and tired.

"I'm well aware of that Darren," spoke Adam. "But that boy over there is having a severe panic attack and I really need to help him."

"Why can't he do it?" Darren asked, referring to Marc.

"Because Ryder needs someone older. Someone he has known for longer. All I'm asking is that you move me to that cell for tonight." Adam explained, the pleading clear to be heard in his voice. There was a silence before the guard spoke again, a silence broken only by my sobs.

"I shouldn't do this but okay. If it keeps things quiet. I don't want the whole block waking up." I heard one cell door slide open and shut before a second did the same.

"Thank you, Darren," Adam then said. Not long after that, I heard 2 sets of footsteps approaching me and Adam took his place by my side. I felt Adam place a hand on my back which was still shaking with my sobs, and he began to rub soothing circles in an attempt to calm me down. "Ryder, I'm here now okay, but I'm gonna need you to sit up," Adam spoke in a voice far softer than I'd ever heard him use before. It took me a moment but I managed to rein in my cries enough to sit up. Adam gave me a sad smile as our eyes met as he took in the tears still streaking down my cheeks.

"Thanks, Adam," I muttered in a hoarse voice, wiping away the tears with the back of my hand.

"It's not a problem Ryder," Adam pulled me into a hug which caught me by surprise but I returned all the same. "I'm just doing what Theo would have done." Once again the mention of Theo triggered a new wave of emotions to roll over me. I let out a strangled sob as I tried to hold it in but it was futile. I clenched my fists tightly, clutching at the fabric of Adam's shirt. He tried to hush me, once again rubbing my back.

"Ssh, Ryder, it's okay, calm down," Adam said as I continued to hug him tightly. "Now talk me through what's got you so upset."

Here's chapter 51 guys, I hope you like it. I know this one is slightly shorter again, I am working on some longer ones. Please don't forget to Vote and comment - Flo