Everything Opposite

Chapter Thirty Three

Logan
Ryleigh was missing for over a month. I totally lost it when Josh called Dad. I immediately booked a flight and flew out to Baltimore. I wandered the streets by day and stayed in hotels at night because I didn't want to bother anyone. She was just gone without a trace.

I was wandering the streets again, my earbuds were in and on low. I kept my head down when suddenly I saw a bare foot on the sidewalk in front of me. I instantly started running. I gasped when I found Ryleigh laying in some bushes. Even with the bruises and malnutrition I knew it was her. A quilt was lightly wrapped around her naked body. I unplugged my headphones and dialed 911. We went through the procedure, same as all the other times I've had to call it in my lifetime.

"Ryleigh, wake up! Who did this?"I asked, gently shaking her shoulder. I wanted her to wake up. Her eyes stayed closed. I was relieved she was breathing and alive at this point. Her eyes fluttered open a few minutes later. She tried to move, panicked but didn't make a sound. "Ryleigh, don't move. An ambulance is on the way,"I said with a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. Her eyes drifted shut once more as sirens filled the air.

They loaded her into the ambulance. I tried to climb in with her when a medic pushed my shoulder back. "Are you family?"he asked. I thought about it, technically yes we are a band family. I shook my head no. "Then I can't allow you in the ambulance. She's the victim of kidnapping and you could be a suspect. Family only,"he said and shut the doors before they sped away, leaving me on the street to watch them fade away.

I wandered around some more, looking for a hospital. I couldn't imagine how scared she would be waking up alone if she woke up again. I wanted to know who the fuck did this to her but right now I needed to find her. I eventually came across a hospital and made my way inside. I wandered aimlessly, afraid to ask for help. I went down a hallway and came across a glass door. Inside, Ryleigh lay on a hospital bed and Zack Merrick sat in a chair next to her. The guys were all there, I didn't see Josh yet.

Ryleigh and Zack spotted me and I saw them mumbling. I tried to pretend I didn't notice and started back down the hallway I came from. "Logan, wait!"Zack called out. I stopped and looked at him. He motioned for me to come closer. "Thank you,"he said and hugged me before letting me into Ryleigh's room. Ryleigh starts crying once more as I embrace her tightly.

I mumbled as coherently as I could manage into her ear. Zack and Alex snuck out into the hall with her doctor as I tried to console my best friend. I knew she was probably going to struggle to get back to who she was. She would probably never be the same.

**********

Ryleigh
I was released from the hospital a few days later. Josh has been staying with us to help out. All of my siblings have stopped by along with my parents. Brendon and Sarah flew out, Logan pulled a lot of all nighters. I still haven't seen my baby girl. Lisa has been watching her. I just wanted some sense of normalcy. I still felt dirty, used, and depressed.

The psychologist at the hospital prescribed some anti-depressants and suggested I continue talking to a therapist. Zack has been keeping an extra close eye on me and I know it's because my doctor mentioned slipping back into old habits. I slid Alex's hoodie over my head, welcoming the familiar scent and how loose it fit.

I almost cried when I caught sight of myself in the mirror. I turned away and walked back into my hospital room. Alex was signing the discharge forms. Josh and Zack went back to our house to clean up a bit. I would be riding home with Alex. "You ready?"Alex asked. I nodded and he looked at me like asking permission so I nodded again and he put an arm around my shoulders. He guided me outside where several papparazi waited. Alex shielded me from their view and helped me into the car before we left.

"Are you okay?"Alex asked me as I stayed silent as we began our drive to the house. I shrugged. "Ryleigh, don't shut me out. Please don't shut down again,"Alex begged me and I met his gaze briefly before he returned his attention to the road. "You know I can't promise you that,"I whispered. "Ry,"Alex said. "Alex, they hurt me. I don't even know how they found me but they did. I thought I had finally escaped my past but it found me again,"I said.

We finally pulled in the driveway. I was relieved to see Clarity and Lisa in the yard. I climbed out and went inside. I immediately went upstairs to the room I share with Zack and laid down. I heard them talking downstairs as I stared at the wall. The weight on my chest was unbearable as I let myself cry again. A door slammed downstairs. Footsteps climbed the stairs. A knock on the door alerted me to someone's presence.

"Hey, hey,"Josh said, running to my side and hugging me. I sobbed. "I'm so fucked up,"I cried. "No, you aren't. You're a survivor and you're beautiful,"he said, rubbing my back. "Zack hates me, doesn't he?"I asked. "No, he doesn't. He just needed a minute. Lisa is keeping Clarity over at their place tonight. Alex, Jack, and Rian are downstairs,"Josh said.

I couldn't have been bothered to get up. I eventually fell asleep in Josh's arms. I woke up alone around 3 hours later and went to check the time on my phone except I noticed a bunch of notifications from Twitter and Instagram. When I opened Twitter, the post I saw caused me to gasp and burst into tears all over again.

A/N: Hey y'all! Here's another chapter and the first official post of 2020. Happy New Year! I hope this year is wonderful and amazing for all of you. We're in the Roaring 20s and it might not be my weekend but it's gonna be my year. (Sorry, too soon?) In other news, All Time Low is being cryptic and it's the first thing I saw this morning. That's about it. Much love!

B