Where The Raven Sits

WTRS Chapter 2

"DAD!" Kadie ran to the ledge, leaning as far over it as she could. She could see her dad sprawled out under the suicidal boy on a small shelf about fifteen feet below her. She fought off a wave of panic that caused her to nearly burst into tears. He looked all right – her dad – as he slowly sat up. "Dad! Are you okay?"

Her dad looked up at her and gave sort of a worried smile. With some effort, he rolled the boy off him, scooting as far away as the little shelf would allow. That was strange; her dad was a retired doctor who usually jumped at the chance to help someone. But he was looking at the guy like the kid was some kind of monster. Getting down on her knees, Kadie ducked her head beneath the fence post and reached out her arm.

"Kay, I'm not going to be able to reach you," her dad said, not taking his eyes off the younger guy.

"I'll call someone."

"No reception. Kay, run back to the car – literally run and get the sheets and blankets from the trunk. And hurry before he wakes up!"

Kadie smacked her head on the post as she hurried to get up. Ignoring the pain, she ran all the way back to the car, skipping whole sections of the path and trampling plants on the way. The hem of her pants kept getting snagged on thorn bushes, ripping her clothes and making her trip. But she had worked up too much momentum to stop. So much so that she ran headlong into the car parked next to her dad's. She looked through the tinted windows. Tapped hard on the glass, but no one responded. As soon as she had seen the new car, Kadie had been hoping there were people in it to help her. They must have already been on the trail somewhere. Running around the other side of the stranger's car, she reached into her pockets to try and find the keys. The only keys she had where for her own vehicle. Kadie cursed and felt another flash of panic. She tried the doors in hopes that her dad would have left them unlocked. He hadn't. In a quick surge of desperation, she punched at the driver's side window. All she got was an aching fist and scorched hand from the sun burned window. Kadie froze in place, her brain stuck.

Damnit, Dad's in danger and I can't even get the car open?! Her breathing started to quicken, her chest tightening. No, stop! I already lost my mind once today. No more of that. Leaning against the car, she collected herself. That ledge looked sturdy; they'll be okay for a moment.... I just have to go back and have Dad throw the keys up to me. With a new type of hyper calm, Kadie raced back to the overlook. She was so out of breath by the time she got back that the landing's rail was nearly in reach when she fell.

"Kay, are you all right?!"

Sitting up, Kadie wiped dirt from her face. "Yeah, I'm fine." She crawled to the edge of the landing and looked down. "Dad! DAD!" Below her the ledge was empty. "Damn, DAD!!"

"Kadie, over here."

Kadie looked over her shoulder to see her dad standing a few feet away. Scrambling to her feet, she threw her arms around his waist. She felt him ruffle her hair and sigh. Immediately her nose was assaulted by the smell of hot, dusty cloth. She pulled away to give him a once over; he was unharmed aside from his clothes being ruffed up some. Kadie looked over at the other teenager. From what Kadie could tell, he was doing about as well as her dad. But he had his back to her making it hard for her to really tell. He had put his jacket on and pulled the hood up. Then she noticed he was missing a shoe. Her dad shifted, making her look back at him.

"You got a big bump on your head, Kay," he said.

"How did you get back up?" she asked hurriedly.

Her dad jerked a thumb at the boy who was walking away. "Kid is a good climber. He got us both out as soon as he was sitting up. Where are the sheets...? Oh! I have the keys. Sorry, Kay."

"It's fine." Kadie looked over at the guy. "Hey! Come'ere! I got some stuff to say to your stupid–"

"Kay, leave him alone," her dad interrupted. "Come on. We need to get home before your mom worries."

"But..."

Her dad took her arm and dragged her toward the parking lot. Kadie looked back at the teen that was quickly moving out of view. His head was hung low. A pang hit her stomach; she had been having such a bad day that she actually felt sympathy for the guy who was going to throw himself off a cliff. She wasn't sure why she felt anything for him strictly because of that, but she couldn't help it. But then she felt angry; he had nearly taken her dad with him! That selfish prick had almost killed her dad! Pulling her arm free, she picked up a rock and threw it at the retreating boy. The stone nailed him right in the head. She expected a negative reaction from him – she hit him with a rock, after all – and was well prepared to take him on if the guy decided to come at her. But what happened when he turned around was far more horrifying than she imagined.