The Skylar Experiment : Dead Ending (second draft)

Chapter Thirty-Four - Stay (p.1)

LUC

I CRAWLED BACK TO MY CAR AFTER SUNDOWN. The motorcycle had vanished, and the lonely road was strewn with snowdrift. My body was aching at every spot. I heaved deep breaths in the driver's seat, rubbing my forehead. I was going to reap crap tonight and forget about homework. With the onset of a massive headache peaking through and the rest of things, my brain wouldn't concentrate.

The phone I'd abandoned in the passenger seat vibrated, flashing several missed texts and calls. I didn't even bother to sift through them and powered the engine. I was drained, and I wanted to crash into bed. My hands steered the wheel distractedly until the Rover's tires lurched over the uneven path leading up to the cabin. 

The nightly shadows amplified the thickness of the evergreens. I whistled out another breath and hauled out of the car like a grandma with a fractured hip. Halfway up the porch stairs, the door hinges screeched open, and hasty footsteps bounded to meet me. A gasp.

"What... what happened?" Riley asked, and I shook my head. She ventured outside without an extra layer, of course. She was begging for hypothermia to take her.

"What are you doing here?"

Clear gray eyes dove into mine, and worry darkened them when they flitted down to my chest and back at my face. I began to climb towards the door again, sidling past her frame. Our shoulders brushed in the way. 

"I—I was training with Tony and Ben messaged us because you weren't answering... and you disappeared from school so fast..." She closed the door behind us and hurried to catch up. My knees felt weak. I wanted her gone. She shouldn't see this.

I searched the living room for Tony's presence, chest rising and falling painfully. The healing made sure that I could survive and walk, but the soreness in my muscles and the bruises would take longer to abate.

Tony wasn't here. I leaned against the wall, doing everything I could not to fall asleep in the hall.

"He's... Where is he?"

Riley moved closer. "There was another emergency. Jeremiah called him and he had to leave."

My neck snapped up, and a million scenarios swarmed my brain. What could he want with Tony and what matter could be an emergency in times like these? Was someone hurt? My hands fell on her shoulders, and I pulled her near.

"What was it about?" I rasped, and—shit.

My balance faltered. Out of reflex, I held on to Riley but she was small, and the force almost sent her sprawled on the floor. She squeaked, her hands shooting out to my waist and managing to support me last minute. The touch was so light but I felt it in every part of me. Through the slits of my heavy lids, her cheeks flushed.

"It was—I still don't know," she murmured, holding her breath. My arms sluggishly shifted to lean against the wall again, and she released her breath. "Tony said he'd call when he could... Oh my God, your eyes..."

Her mouth gaped and her fingers brushed my face without warning. I stiffened as her thumb smoothed over my cheek and lingered there.

"You're so pale, Luc. Where did you go?"

"No. You should go home. I need... I need to..." I made for the staircase, wobbling over the little distance and wincing at the pain.

"Tell me what's going on," Riley demanded from behind and strode before me. Her stare found mine, so unguarded and eager, like mirrors.