Chapter Two

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~Skylar POV~

          I drove slowly through thick traffic. Riley fell asleep in the middle row and the guys are dead silent in the back. Three men went into that building, we all came out, with Riley. I stopped at the red light.

          I knew Riley wouldn't leave like that. I knew something was up. I searched everywhere I was lead to, secretly of course. The light turned green and I drove again.

            Damon specifically gave us orders not to look for her, saying if she loved Tyler enough to run away with him, let her be. That was before the phone call. The phone call giving us her location. The thought angered me. It's unsettling to think that Riley would leave, especially for Tyler. It's also unsettling that Damon told us not to look for her. Riley. My Riley. What'd he just expect we would all just forget about her?

            I glance at the speedometer to make sure I wasn't over the limit. I then glanced at the gas, just before empty. I looked for an exit,slowing when I saw one.   I pulled into a 24-hour gas station, because its three in the morning. I asked Andrew, from the back, to pump gas and went inside.

           I'm picking out things Riley would like. She looks skinny, unhealthy, like she lost weight. I grabbed a few beverages, for all four of us, but got double for her in case she woke up.  This convince store has pizza, so I got her a couple of slices. Then grabbed some chips and some other junk foods. I checked out and hopped back in the drivers seat. Andrew sat shotgun, with Riley and James behind us.

           I started driving, getting the bags of food situated and off my lap.

           “Dig in,” I passed Andrew's food to him. I know everyone's hungry, we were steaking out for hours.

          “Thanks man,” he said great fully.

          “Here's yours, James,” I passed back to him.

          “Ohh thank you,” he said quietly.

          I kept driving. Only about a half hour until we're home. I wonder what people will say, how they'll react to Riley's return. Will they even care? I'll ask her if she would prefer to sleep in my room tonight. I can sleep on the couch, or we could just make a pillow or blanket wall.  We've done those before, when she has slept over.

       We finally arrive home, and Riley isn't awake yet. How will I take her to my room? Damon was running around getting a team together and supplies when I left. I left him a message shortly after Riley fell asleep, saying that I have her. I remember the look on his face when Riley called. He was sitting by the phone waiting for quite a while, hoping she'd call, at least once. She left no trace of where she went. The 'note she left' wasn't in her neat handwriting.

          I got out of the car and got Riley into my arms, carrying her inside. When I walked in, Damon was sitting nearby, bouncing his knee. He jumped up when I walked in.

          “I knew it couldn't be true,” he murmured. Well if he knew than why didn't he try harder while finding Riley?

           I continued throughout the house heading to my room on the top floor, with the other 'higher ups'. I guess it looked like I was headed to Riley's room because Damon wasn't complaining, yet. I soon passed her room and braced for his persistant protests.

           “Where are you going,” Damon asked. I ignored. He waited for me to answer. A few more strides, I'll be in my room. “She isn't sleeping in there,” he whisper shouted.

           “Riley's request,” I lied. She will sleep in my room. I need to know she's safe, safe with me.

           I stepped into my room carefully, and closed the door with my foot, right in Damon's face. I was gentle with Riley, making sure her hair didn't get caught on anything. Heck, with my luck, making sure I didn't run into anything on the way. I played her down on my bed, and tucked her in, kissing her on the forehead and saying good night.

           I changed into a shirt and some sweatpants, already exhausted. It was worth the work to get Riley back.  I grabbed a couple blankets and went to lay on the couch.  Feeling uncomfortable, and shifting around as if its going to help. I need a bigger couch. The longer I lay here, the more droopy my tired eyes are. I soon give in to the much needed sleep.

   •   •   •

~Riley POV~

           I'm laying in a bathtub, in steaming hot water. My muscles are so relaxed, I really need this. The tinted curtain shields my eyes from the blinding light. I didn't quite recognize which bathtub I was in, but I'd seen it before. To relaxed to care, I sank further into the water.

          The pain from the beatings isn't there, and neither are the bruises. Just pure bliss. I took a deep breath, relaxing further if possible. Not feeling my cracked rib. Or any broken bones for that matter

           I submerged under the surface of the blissful water. I closed my eyes, holding my breath. I just laid there, until my lungs burned for air. I tried to put my head up, above the water, but I couldn't.  My lungs burned while I struggled for breath.

          I was back in the building, my head being plunged under water. I gulped for air as I was yanked by my hair above the surface of water. The torture chamber engulfed me in its terrifying evil all over again. I was plunged under again, losing air quickly in my panic.

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Picture of; Skylar

{In case that wasn't obvious (; }

Song; Drown by Bring Me The Horizon

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