The Skylar Experiment : Dead Ending (second draft)

Chapter Fifty-Nine - Two Way Street

RILEY

HOURS PASSED UNTIL the door snapped downstairs. It was well past midnight. When the boys heard it, Ben sat at the edge of my bed and Raymond paced anxiously on the side. Their heads whipped. I propped myself up the cloud of pillows, a cold rush stirring through me.

"I'll go," Raymond said, and stalked out in the hall without further ado.

"Wait, no—"

I tried to wiggle the covers off as fast as possible, but Ben laid a hand on my shin.

"That's not a good idea..."

I shot him a look so brutal he swept his hand away. "Neither is letting them kill each other downstairs. You can help me or watch me."

He prepared to argue. My arm sought out the nightstand for support as I twisted sideways. Ben muttered something, then moved to grab my shoulders. He put me on my feet, matching my hasty, rickety steps into the corridor. Each slow drag yanked the stitches. I clenched my teeth halfway down the staircase, one hand on the banister.

My shirt didn't wet.

Luc's words filtered from the living room and grew increasingly more irritated.

"You did what!?"

"I had to," Raymond replied, trying to remain calm. "They needed to know about this."

There was a silence where I could almost feel Luc reeling in frustration. "Nobody asked you to butt in."

"Too bad you can't boss me around, pipsqueak."

Objects clattered from the shelves and coffee table. Pushing through the mind-fog, I wobbled at the landing with Ben hovering behind me like a personal nanny. I leaned onto him and the wall to see the boys grabbing each other's collars.

Luc shoved his face in Raymond's, eyes wild and jaw set tight.

"You didn't fucking get to decide," he growled. "You know what happens when people find out. They get in dang—"

"Let go," Raymond warned. His pupils flared white. "Let go right now."

I lurched forward and Ben tugged me back. He shook his head vehemently, keeping me near the wall's shadow.

They gauged one another for the longest time, stock-still in a defensive position, faces locked. Raymond stood stiff, deep breaths lifting his chest. But Luc was heaving, almost fighting for air from the looks of it. He was angled laterally, fingers thrusted around the leather collar.

As if sensing my thoughts, Ben squeezed again.

"Today's your lucky day." Luc reared back and loosened his fists. He brought his arms to his sides; his shoulders tensed. "Pigs will fly before I trust you again. I told you to stay away."

"I said I'll do what I can!" Raymond yelled. "This? This is a big mistake. And if it's too late, it isn't to tell them." He walked past him, starting for the door. "Heather's next."

Luc gripped his arm. He turned until the light of the living room struck his profile. A raw bruise tainted his cheekbone, bluish-purplish in color. My stomach queased just staring at it.

"Like hell you are."

"Try and stop me," Raymond taunted while approaching the exit.

Luc immediately sprang forth to take the offer. A roundhouse kick in the abdomen caused Raymond to double over. He retaliated, as quick as a bullet, with a serious blow midriff. Their movements blurred, mingled with profanities, and a whirlwind stormed through the living room. Papers flew to the ceiling, the lights flickered and the fan powered on by itself. CDs rattled off shelves, glass cases falling to the floor.