Notorious Hope

22. Stay with Me

North Side Hospital-4: 22 pm, Riley's hospital room

The dreaded wall clock ticks through his ears. Bags under his reddened eyes from the worry that streams through his mind.

''Lucas, I think you should at least go and get something to eat''

Josh glances concerningly at his twins' boyfriend. The Texan hasn't left the brunette's side since the moment she was admitted. He'd give anything to get her to wake up and smile at him again.

''She shouldn't be in this hospital bed. Why would anybody do this to her? She doesn't deserve this.''

The nurse walks into Riley's room, bag in tow, creating a sense of familiarity for the Texan.

''So, a teacher from her school just came in. They bought this backpack of her belongings because she forgot them at school''

The boys dismount the miscellaneous crap out of her bag. A particular item catches Lucas's eye. 

Pride and Prejudice 

Riley's favourite book

''Wait! I think I found something. That book...''

Her dainty handwriting scribbled within the lines of the book. 

''Riley would never write in a journal of her own because she thought it was too obvious and people would find it one day. She wrote down her thoughts in some place she thought nobody would find them.''

Scanning the notes that date back to her birthday. Her true emotions, her true thoughts, her true inner soul scrawled onto the page. 

''She borrowed the book from my sister even before I gave it to her as a birthday present. So she started writing notes from the very beginning. She's got everything written about her emotions in here. From her Dad's neglect to just the other day.''

The dirty blonde grins to himself as he reads her cursive.

''So this could give the police the evidence they need for their case?''

She would kill the boys later on for invading her privacy but if that would get her abusers in jail, it'd be worth it.

''It's not enough evidence and it's a start. But her bedroom could give you the evidence you need. So if you needed the key...''

A golden key is placed in his palm. Petrified of the truths that lie in those four walls. But he to know. He needs to know the truth.

''Thanks, I think I just need to go there and clear my head''

***Jones' Household***

A flicker of lights inside the household. The brunette's mother sits on the hammock, contemplating her options in regards to her daughter's current state. 

''Sweetheart, you look extremely sleep deprived and starved. Do not tell me you spent all day at the hospital with Riley without a break.''

He gives Gladys a guilt-filled expression. Nervously scratching the back of his neck.

''I might of.''

She sighs heavily, patting the spare space beside her for the teen to take, which he accepts tiresomely.

''Lucas, I know you're scared about what might happen to Riley. We're all scared. But she wouldn't want you to be sitting at her beside wallowing now, would she?''

He chuckles in response. The first positive sound he's made in who knows how long.

''She'd probably tell me to save my tears for the pillow and reassure me that she's okay.''

Gladys kneels down to reveal a box with the words ''Childhood Memories'' inscribed in black marker. Skimming through childhood photographs taken on an old Polaroid.

''She used to be so happy. As a little girl, she would play tackle football with her brothers in the backyard. Play in the dirt when she was in her Sunday best at grandparents. Since she is the only granddaughter of my parents and her cousins are all boys, they overlooked that. She'd look out for her brothers and have so much compassion for them. That's a quality that separates her from her brothers.''

A metal locket causes her to stop sifting through the items.

''You okay, Ma'am?''

Staring at the heart to read the inscriptions. 

You are my miracle. Never cease to be as wonderful as you are now-Love Mommy 13.12.04

Flipping it over, tears threaten to burst from her eyes.

''I gave her this on her birthday when she was about 3 or 4. She's my only daughter and something told me that she was going to be. I gave her this necklace to show her that even if I wasn't physically with her, I'd always be in her heart.''

Sympathetically resting his hand on Gladys' knee

''She's a tough chick, though. She is a Jones' after all so I have the utmost faith that she will overcome this and be able to come back better than ever''