Never Let Go (Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter Two

Authors Note: I apologize greatly that my lack of updating has been non-existent. I get these streaks where I write and write and than it goes away and I'm at a stand still. I know this chapter isn't much but it's better than nothing and it gives a little more to Rylee's past. I do have plans for writing what happened to her 4 yrs ago so look out for that. More to come soon.

...

Rylee was grateful that Aaron joined her in the back seat letting Zak take the front. He didn't look back or even look at her but she could feel his thoughts inside her head. Her close encounter with him, he knew something and it troubled her. Questions ran through her mind over and over. How could he have heard her? What if she was mistaken and he heard every last detail, her cries and screams. Calling out her sisters name, begging the man that tormented Olivia to stop killing her. Maybe this wasn't the only time he heard her and he knows more than he was letting on. Would he press the issue and demand to know what was going on in her life that could very well affect her and her job?

Great. Just what she needed. Someone she hardly knew, knew her dark secrets.

Rylee sighed softly, resting her head back against the seat and stared up. She had to make things right, come up with some bull shit story she was good at and pray to the heavenly God that Zak would not press the issue and leave it at her excuses and accept what she says.

If only it was that easy...

Keeping secrets was never easy for Rylee, especially one so dangerously evil and complicated as being a "witness" to her sisters murder without ever being there. No one understood her or seemed to believe her...not even her own parents did. The evidence was there though. The bruises around her neck, the red marks on her chest that matched up exactly to where Olivia was stabbed. The scratches on her face and the bump on her head where her attacker hit her to quiet her screams for help. For a moment there the authorities thought Rylee was a victim as well but got away. Which that being said it unleashed a whole lot more pain...

'Why did you leave your sister to die?' Her mother accused her. 'Why Rylee, why? She was your sister. Olivia looked up to you.' Her mother's tears and blame broke her heart. Her accusations that she would leave her sister to save her own skin was damming and it still tormented her to this day.

Rylee poured her heart and soul out to her mother that she would never leave her sister to die alone. She would have fought to save her, protect her. She has always looked out for her twin sister. She loved her sister more than anything in this damn world but she was not there. She was home when it happened.

She tried to explain the marks on her body and the experience she encountered, everything that Olivia went through she went through too.

But no one understood just how connected Rylee and Olivia were.

The tears were only inches away from falling down her cheeks and exposing her to the others. She was quick to go unnoticed with a swipe of her hand over her eyes and once again bottled up the guilt and pushed it all to the side. Now was not the time to have a melt down. She had a job to do and that came first...

...

Nick pulled the van into the empty lot of The Shorewest Realtor and parked. There wasn't a soul in sight, not even another car. "Are we suppose to meet him here?" He asked, as he leaned forward in his seat and looked around.

"It doesn't look to be open." Zak noticed the lack of business.

Rylee nodded. "When I spoke to him on the phone yesterday he said to meet him here." She told them, motioning for Aaron to let her out. She did a quick glance down at her watch. "It's ten minutes to twelve. He should be here shortly. If not, I'll call him again."

The warm air was a welcome feeling as Rylee got out of the van. Her sunglasses came down and she stepped to the front to wait. It was better that way. She didn't mind waiting outside by herself. It gave her a few minutes to collect her thoughts and come up with possible questions to ask the realtor.

She fiddled with the ring on her middle finger, twirling it around in circles to help take the edge off. Her most pride possession she owned.

"That's a pretty ring." Aaron said softly looking over her shoulder and watched as she twirled the silver ring. The sunlight caught the light blue gem.

His voice crept up her spine, scaring the beejeezes out of her. She thought she was alone but she was mistaken. She closed her eyes for a moment to settle her rapid beating heart. "Thanks." She said as she looked down at the ring before she folded her arms across her chest. "It was a gift..."

Aaron nodded and smiled. "Boyfriend? Fiancee?" He asked, only his smile grew wider. "I'm sure Zak would love to hear that, break his heart all before he realizes he has feelings for you."

Rylee raised her brows, tilted her head down just enough for her to see over the rim of her sunglasses and stared at Aaron. There was never any sign or signal, any feelings...nothing that would indicate that Zak Bagans even liked her just a little bit. Why would Aaron say such a thing, something that wasn't even true.

Her expression was priceless and it made him laugh.

"I'll act like I didn't just hear that." She mean mugged him through her sunglasses and tried to keep a straight face...unfortunately she failed. "We all know that Zak hates having me around. If he could get rid of me I believe he would. But The Travel Channel wants me around." She sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. "So you guys are stuck with me..."

Aaron bumped into her lightly. "You know that's not true. Zak likes having you around. He said so himself, he's just a little stubborn sometimes letting it be known."

Rylee shook her head, rolling her eyes. "You don't have to cover it up, I've accepted the truth."

His bottom lip pouted. "Rylee, have I ever lied to you before?"

She shook her head.

"So why would I start now?"

She looked away from him. She didn't have an answer. If anyone was ever straight forward with her, it was Aaron. Even in his own goofy ways he had ways of telling her the truth. Oddly she found it comforting.

Before she had the chance to say another word on the matter, a tan colored car pulled into the parking lot.