Notorious Hope

17.Guardian Angel

Riley's Bedroom-7: 02 pm

"What the hell is going on?! You're supposed to be dead! Do you see what you've caused?''

Riley has now transferred to the backboard of her bed. So distressed and panicked by Josh's sudden reappearance. Her chocolate optics are now bloodshot with anxiety terror. Paralyzed as her optics focus on the walls. Elliot's angst towards Josh bellow throughout the house. 

''It's gonna be okay, Princess''

Kissing her mousy locks and running his fingers through her hair. A small devil growing inside of her as she watches Elliot tear Josh to shreds.

''Riley is now a shell of her former self. She spent the past year either shutting us all out or running away from all of her problems just to make sure she doesn't have any other panic attacks. Josh, you better give me a good explanation as to why your here right now or you can take your ass back to wherever you came from, got it?''

Riley glances from head to toe at Josh's appearance. She pays close attention to his face, his ocean orbs dimmed with horror. She says nothing, wrapping her arms around her twin. A fraction of her broken heart slowly repairs itself.

''Do you remember that day at the Lucille Dale River? Riley, do you remember what you saw?''

Her posture stiffens at the river's name. 

''I saw blood, lots of blood. You were nowhere to be found but I remember looking out to the river to see nothing but a bloodbath. I didn't know what to do because I think my subconscious was too scarred from the day before. But the one thing I don't understand, is what happened to you, Josh? After about 6 months of investigations, they ruled your disappearance as a possible suicide. Josh, why didn't you just come home?''

A pool of emotions wells up in her chocolate orbs. Locking eyes for the first time since he walked back into her life.

''Because I knew that if I did the Goolies would come back. Riles, I couldn't risk you getting hurt again. You know what happened when you dated Chris. He would belittle you, mentally torture you. Do you not remember the time he hit you in front of everybody at school?!''

She'll remember that day in infamy. 

***

''You can't just walk away from me!''

Knowing his tendencies to overreact in certain situations, the brunette runs as quickly as she can. His crystal, aqua orbs filled with resentment and disgust. This isn't the first time he's verbally abused her. Although that was behind closed doors, and nobody knows about that scenario. 

''Newsflash asshole, it's the 21st century! So I can do whatever the hell I please!''

Riley is used to him using his wealth and power above her. Christopher William Chambers, son of Danielle and Frances Chambers. The power couple of the technology industry. They founded Chambers International at the young ages of 18 and 19, starting from inside his garage with a small computer and a dream. They're the most wholesome and humble people that she's ever met. However, she struggles to understand how they raised such an obscene and spiteful human being. 

''Not when you're my girlfriend you can't! You listen to me!''

Throughout their relationship, she's allowed Chris to have control because if she didn't he might've been hurting her sooner. Clenching her wrist with all of his strength. The brunette is sure that some bruising if not swelling will occur on her wrist afterwards.

She knows exactly why they're in an empty hallway. Nobody can hear you scream and nobody can save you 

''No, you listen to me! You don't get to manipulate me anymore! Not after what you did last night!''