Ignited ✔️

1:9

This chapter is really intense. I just want to say that this book is rated mature because of the scenes in it. It will have descriptive abusive, fighting, violent scenes. If that bothers you don't continue to read, I wouldn't want to offend any of you guys!

-EMERY-

River was quiet the whole drive back to town. He was gripping the steering wheel with so much force I was sure it was going to snap off. I didn't know what was wrong with him.

One second he was so sweet and I felt so safe in his arms then the next he's yelling at me and has a gun on him.

He thinks I didn't see it but I did.

Him having a gun worries me. I mean why would anyone in Bristol need a gun?

I turn my phone back on as we reach town and it's instantly flooded with text messages and missed calls from John and Reed.

Reed: Emery why aren't you answering your phone?

Reed: Emery!

Reed: God you are such a bitch

My eyes widen as I read over his words, he never uses that type of language.

Reed: I have done nothing to you and you treat me this way? You are such a bad girlfriend. Answer your damn phone Emery!

Anger began to bubble up inside me. Reed has never talked to me like that before.

John: You better be dead in a ditch somewhere and that's why you're not answering.

John: You are making me look bad.

John: As soon as you step foot into my house you're going to wish you hadn't. You're going to wish I killed you all those years ago!

Fear filled me replacing the anger that I once had. I couldn't read anymore. I shut my phone screen off and throw it into my crossbody bag as it continues to ding.

Ding

Ding

Ding

I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut as their threats replay in my head. I was terrified but I knew I had to go back. I'm the one that snuck out. I'm the one that disobeyed. I'm the one that is going to suffer the consequences of my actions.

Jenna and Reed are the only ones that knows John hits me and it's going to stay that way. I can't tell anyone that Pastor John is abusive. In a small town like Bristol he's practically god himself. It'd be my word against his and I'd lose.

"What the fuck is your problem now?" River snaps

I snap my eyes open and look at him as the pressure continues to build behind my eyes. It's takes all my strength the hold back the tears. I'm not weak and I'm not going to show I am by crying.

His face softens when he gets a good look at my face.

"Shit. What the fuck happened?" He asks pulling over to the side of the main road.

I look out the window and see the waves crashing against the rocks and the golden sand. My body moved on its own as I opened the passenger side door and jumped out of the car and ran. My feet sunk in the sand as I ran towards my safe place.

My foot gets caught on a piece of driftwood and I go crashing to the ground. My body shakes in fear as I run my fingers through my hair and pull at my roots. My breathing become erratic and I was struggling to catch my breath. My vision went blurry and my stomach twisted into a huge knot.

I bend over and heave as the contents of my stomach drop into the sand below me. I feel a hand brush my shoulder but I yank myself away and crawl towards the water.

Arms wrap around my waist and pick me up but I wasn't going easily. I start kicking and screaming at whoever grabbed me. If John is going to kill me I'm going to fight.

"Let me go!" I scream

The persons grip on my waist only becomes tighter.

"Stop! Please let me go!"

"Shhhh Hey princess it's okay" a voice breaks through my screams.

I stop kicking and screaming and try to let my body relax into his touch. His scent surrounded me and wrapped me in a small bubble that felt safe. I always felt safe around River which was weird to me.

He turns me around to face him and he cups my face in his rough calloused hands.

He brushes my hair out of my face and rubs his thumb along my cheek bone.

"River please" I whisper

His eyebrows draw tighter tight as he studies me.

"Please kill me River. Take your gun and shoot me please." I beg him as I fist his jacket.

"Please River I want to die. Please" my voice cracks as I cling to him.

"What the hell have they done to you?" He asks in a near whisper as he pulls me into his chest.

My body shakes as he wraps his arms around me and holds me tightly against him.

"What's going on? Is she okay?" A familiar voice says from farther down the beach.

I pull away from River and turn towards the blonde boy.

"Emery what happened?" Alex asks

"I-I'm fine. I just um, had a minor panic attack" I mumble

He lets out a breath and his shoulders relax.

"I was at the bar closing up and I heard screaming. I ran as fast as I could. Are you sure you're ok?"

I nod my head and turn my attention to the sand beneath my feet.

"Do you need a ride home?" Alex asks with a soft voice.

My muscles tighten at the word 'home' that place isn't my home and it hasn't been since mom married John.

I glance at River who has a stormy expression plastered on his face as he looks down at his phone. He seemed to have tuned out the conversation between Alex and I.

"Uh no I'll be fine, it's just down the street"

"Emery you can't walk alone at night" Alex says

"It's fine. There's nothing around."

He gives me a look before he speaks again.

"Let me walk you, I'm going that way anyway"

I look over to River again to see that he was gone. I glance farther down the beach and see him with his phone to his ear almost to his car.

He left me.

I don't know why I thought he'd stick around. Anyone who carries a gun isn't someone I want to be around anyway. I'm glad he left.

I watch him until he gets in his car and drives away without so much as a glance in my direction.

Stupid me for thinking he somewhat cared. You don't touch someone like that if you don't care. But I guess I was wrong.

"Yeah sure, you can walk me home" I tell Alex

A huge smile breaks out across his face as he extends his arm.

"M'lady"

I force a smile and loop my arm through his as he starts walking me home.

•

What's up with River just walking away?

Is Emery right? Does River care?

What do we think of Alex?

Who do you ship Emery with?

Alex?

River?

Reed?