Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 2

"Riley Blake," a woman calls my name and Nathan stands up with me in his arms. I cling to his neck as we walk towards the woman. "Right this way," she says and we follow her down the corridor and into a side room. "Okay, set her on the bed." Nathan lowers me on the bed. 
    I watch as the nurse hooks me up to the machine like last time. "I'll go and get some equipment for your wound. You have a bad wrist?" she looks at my brace. 
    "I broke my wrist in a car accident. I removed the cast as it was suffocating me. My boy-- my friend made me wear this instead until it's healed." 
   "How did you remove it?" she asks concerned. 
   "I pulled it off. I couldn't handle it and then I hurt my wrist when I fell off the zip wire." 
   "Can I re Xray?" I shrug. 
   "If you want but I'm not getting a cast again." 
   "Thank you, I'll order the Xray and I'll be back. Your heart is slightly high but I see from your notes that it's normal, for you." She leaves the room. 
    I shut my eyes sleepily. I stay awake until the nurse comes back. She removes the towel and it seems to have stopped bleeding. She numbs the area first and starts cleaning it. "What happened?" The nurse asks. 
    "I fell and landed on glass. I was a bit drunk," I admit. 
    "Are you sure?" she asks looking Nathan up and down. What is she trying to say? 
    "I'm sure," I snap. "You don't need to be concerned. I've been on the receiving end of an abusive boyfriend. I don't intend to go there again." 
    "You what?" Nathan growls. "Was it Flynn?" 
    "No, calm down Nate. My ex, he's the reason I'm so fucked up." 
    The nurse starts stitching the wound once she's sure it's numbed enough. Nathan leans down and kisses my forehead and I shut my eyes. "You aren't fucked up, you're a Spanner." I laugh and he holds my other hand. 
   "Ty," I whisper. I'm so sleepy. 
   "I'm here, sis. I'm not going anywhere." I smile and he grips my leg. "Sleep, Lee. I won't leave you." I nod and I let the darkness find me. 
    "Riley bear, look at you." I groan. My head hurts and I feel sick, my stomach is churning. My eyes fly open and the stalker is staring right back at me. "Hey, Riley bear," the blue/green eyes that haunt my nightmares stare back at me. My eyes widen and his hand clamps over my mouth. "Shh," he says softly. 
   He looks so real, he feels real as his hand clamps my mouth. "I've missed you, Riley bear." That was my nickname from James. Is this all in my head? Am I still dreaming? "I've been watching you for so long. I couldn't stay away any longer, I'll let go as long if you promise not to scream." I nod and he removes his hand. 
   "You're dead. . ." I whisper. 
   "Regardless, I'm here with you. You need me, so I came back for you," he strokes my face and I shut my eyes. "Did you miss me?" 
   Since Flynn I've always said that I didn't love him, not like I love Flynn at least but seeing him again after all this time has altered something inside of me. "Yes, but you don't love me," I whisper. 
    "I was a jerk back then, I didn't know what I had until I lost it. I always did love you, that wasn't a lie. Things got in the way of us and I wasn't seeing clearly. It took me losing you to see that I loved you Riley bear." I open my eyes and his eyes seem to portray the truth. 
    "You said. .  ." he places his finger in my lips to hush me. 
    "I know what I said. I was embarrassed that I was caught. I should have told you about the video, it was a momento. You are just so hot that I wanted something to look back on when I was cold and lonely." 
   I shake my head, "You hurt me." 
   "Only because I love you so much. I was afraid to lose you. I was young and naive, this accident changed me. I didn't show my feelings like I should have back then. I've stayed faithful to you since we've been apart. I've missed you so much, Riley bear." 
   He was always able to get me on side and I hate to admit he still can. I am officially crazy now. Talking to a ghost, falling back in love with my ex that abused me that used me! "I've got to go Boo. I'll see you soon, okay?" I smile and nod. He leans down and his lips claim mine. I grab the back of his neck and pull him to me. He smirks as he deepens the kiss his stubble scratches my skin. I await the piercing but it never comes. Damn it, everything has changed. 
    James pulls away and leaves the room. I shut my eyes and begin to panic, "Tyler!" I scream. He said he wouldn't leave me. "Ty," I cry. Tears stream down my face. A nurse runs into my room, "Where's my brother! Tyler!" I scream. 
    "Calm down, Riley. I'm sure he will be back soon." She holds me down as I struggle. 
    "No! Tyler!" I scream. I look at the door and he comes running in. "Ty!" I sob. He rushes to my side and holds my hand. 
    "Hey, I'm here." He strokes my head with his free hand. "What's wrong?" 
    "I think I had a nightmare." 
    "You think?" 
    "It felt so real, Ty. He was here." The nurse checks my machines around us and I focus on Tyler's soothing hand. 
    "Who was here?" he frowns at me. 
    "James!" I panic. 
    "Hey, it was just a nightmare okay? I'm sorry I left you, I was speaking to the doctor about you being discharged. It wasn't real, he can't hurt you." 
    "I'm scared Ty. I. . . am feeling things I thought were long gone." 
    "What do you mean?" 
    "Seeing him again, feeling him again. I. . . remember. I love him, I know it's not healthy but I do. I remember why he could get what he wants from me." 
     "You don't need to be scared because he's dead. Although I hate it, you love Flynn, hold on to that," he urges. 
     "I guess you're right." I sigh. 
     "We've monitored your heart over night Riley. The Doctor will see you shortly and then you'll be discharged." I nod and she leaves the room. 
      "Flynn," I whisper.
      Tyler frowns and shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Lee. He checks in but he's not coming." My heart drops. 
      "Please, let me call him. Just once and then I won't do it again," he sighs and passes me his phone. I dial Flynn's number. 
      "Is she okay?" Flynn says worriedly. 
      "Flynn," I cry. 
      "Ri?" he gasps. 
       "Flynn, please. I need you, I had a nightmare. He was here and he can still manipulate me. I don't know what to do." 
       "Who, Ri?" 
       "James," I sob. 
       He sighs, "He's dead Ri, I'm not sure why you keep seeing him." 
       "He kissed me." I hear him suck in a breath. "And I let him, I miss him." 
       "Fuck Ri, you don't miss that arsehole! You're just upset right now." 
       "No! I told you, he can make me do anything! I'm scared and you aren't here." 
       "I can't Ri, I want to but you know I can't be there. I hurt you more than I protect you. They are just nightmares Ri, they can't hurt you." He's wrong, they still hurt mentally. They fuck my head up so much that I live life differently than what I should. 
      "So that's it? I'm alone?" 
      "You aren't alone, Ri. You have your brother and your parents." 
      "It's not the same!" I growl and hang up. I pass the phone back to Tyler. "Nate?" I ask Tyler and he shakes his head. 
      "He stayed a while but he needed to go for Uni." I nod and curl up on my side with my back to Tyler. He puts his hand on my hip. "Lee, Mom wants to speak to you. I told her you'll call when you're discharged." 
      "Okay," I sigh. I need to hold onto my sanity for Miley. What if I'm truly insane? I can't have custody of a little girl like this. She deserves better than someone who is seeing ghosts. I need to get my head straight. The doctor discharges me, tells me my wrist is healing and to keep the brace on for a couple more weeks. He isn't any more concerned about my heart. It still seems the same as last time. 
    Tyler escorts me to my apartment and I change ready for the rest of the day for Uni. Tyler takes me to Duke and I sit through my morning classes. I walk out of my last class before lunch and I see a hooded figure outside. I freeze but it disappears before my eyes. I pick up a run towards where I saw the figure outside. It's raining today so the minute I get outside the rain hits my skin. 
    I search the area and the hooded guy is walking further away out of sight. I run after them and head down the quiet pathway. I lose him and I panic, where did he go? If he's in my head then he should appear when I want him to. I turn another corner and I'm pulled behind a building out of sight. The figure pushes me against the wall and my breathing hitches. 
   "Why are you following me?" the husky voice says. The hood is covering his face. I gingerly reach up and slide the hood down. The roof is somewhat shielding us from the rain but the odd drip hits our skin. 
    "You're watching me," I reach up and slide my fingers through his unruly blonde hair. It used to be so short when I was with him. If he's in my head why wouldn't I see him as he was? 
    "Yes," he confirms. "I told you I was." 
    "Why?" 
    "I told you, I miss you." He grabs my arm and slides my coat up revealing the bandage on my arm. "He's not right for you Boo. Look what he did to you." I look into his eyes and I see danger but also pain. 
    "Then don't go, I'm sick of people leaving me," he rests his forehead on mine. Why does he feel so real? 
    "You don't mean that, Riley bear," he sighs. I do in this moment. The longer I'm with him the more I feel what I used to feel. Time was good for me, it made me see how dangerous he was to me. The feelings faded. Now I'm sucked right in, I just don't understand why my body is doing this to me now. I know he's dangerous yet, my heart is being treacherous. 
    "I do, JJ. Please," I beg. He nuzzles my nose with his and then he kisses me. I've forgotten how forceful he is but I roll with it. His hands secure my wrists so I can't move and his free hand grabs my jaw so I have no way out. He pins my hands above my head so he can push himself closer to me. 
    "You'll need to prove to me that you want this or I'm gone," he says removing his lips from mine. "You can't say anything about me, to anyone. Not even your precious Flynn. If you blab, I'm gone." 
    "I won't say anything, I promise. Just don't leave me, you were right, I do need you." He releases me and steps back into the rain. 
   He doesn't say anything and he walks away out of sight. I head to my eating place for lunch. I order from my phone when I arrive. I get out my diary and start drawing James the way I see him now. I didn't think I'd ever draw him but I need to remember. My food arrives and I start to eat. "Lee, sit with us." I look over at Tyler and see him with Flynn, Ariel, Britney and Nathan. I shake my head. 
   "I'm not allowed to be around him, remember? I'll stay here," I look back at my diary and continue to draw James. I feel his burning eyes on me but I ignore him. 
    "Don't be like that, Lee Lee. Come over here," I snap my diary shut and shove it in my bag. There goes lunch again. 
    "No, god forbid I'd be in more danger over there!" I growl and stand up and leave the building. The rain continues to pour down soaking my skin and clothes. I sit on the fountain wall looking at the alleyway where I first saw him. I shiver as the cold air chills my skin. I'm so cold but who cares right? 
    I wait for him to show but he doesn't. How does this mind control thing work for god sake? My phone rings and I pull it out my coat pocket. "Angel?" 
    "Hey, baby, how are you?" 
    "I'm okay, Dr Faye said that I can write you a letter. I'm so excited to write it and I'm going to draw you a picture too." 
    "I look forward to it baby. Have you done anything nice today?" 
    "Well, I played football with Edward." 
    "Who's Edward, honey?" 
    "A boy, he's a freak like me."
    "You aren't a freak baby. Is he your friend?" 
    "No, not really. Dr Faye says I should play with the other kids. So I did, he's the only one that will play with me." Well, at least there's one kid that will play with her. "Is my brother coming to see me soon?" 
    "Of course he will, he loves you. I just. . . It will probably be without me though." 
    "No, Angel. You have to come too." I sigh. She will only interact with him with me there. How is he going to get out of that? 
     "Okay Honey, calm down. I'll be there." 
     "I've got to go Angel. I love you." 
     "I love you too baby." I hang up and put my phone away. I am soaked but I continue to wait for him. 
     "Roo? What are you doing?" I look at Nathan walking towards me. When he reaches me he frowns at me. "You're soaked, let me take you home." He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. "What are you doing out here?" 
     "Nothing, I just wanted to see something." Nathan leads me to the car park. He opens the car door for me and I slide in. Once he's in the driver's seat I shiver. He gets his phone out and types on the screen and then puts it in the cup holder. 
    He starts the car and turns the heat up. He pulls out the car park, I don't want to be leaving Duke because this is the last place I saw him. Nathan slides his hand in mine, his hand feels so warm compared to mine. I am going insane and I can't tell anyone. 
   I focus on Nathan as he drives to my apartment. We arrive at my apartment and I get out the car, the cold air hits my skin and I start to shake. I scan the streets looking for him but I don't see him anywhere. I start walking to my building and Nathan wraps his arm around me. When we reach my door I scramble around for my keys and open the door. I sit on my couch shivering. 
    "Riley, you need a bath. I'll go run you one," I don't respond and he walks into the bathroom. I hear him running a bath. He appears in front of me and pulls me to my feet. He pulls me to the bathroom and I stand shivering. "Riley?" he says. "I'm going to help you in the bath, if you don't want me to, tell me, okay?" I nod and he removes my coat. He pulls my top over my head that's stuck to my skin. 
    He reaches for my jean button and undoes it. His breathing changes and I frown. He kneels down and slides the tight jeans down my legs. It's almost painful where they cling to my legs. I hold his shoulders as I step out of them. "Riley, can you manage the rest?" No, I don't think so. My skin has goosebumps all over where I'm so cold. 
     He reaches the taps and turns them off. "Lee!" Tyler calls and Nathan calls him into the bathroom. "The hell are you doing?" 
   "She needs a bath but she wouldn't undress herself. I told her to stop me if she didn't want me to." Nathan says awkwardly. "I found her sat in the rain. She's so cold." 
    "Okay, leave. Now. Thanks for calling me." Nathan nods and leaves the room. "Lee, look at me." He grabs my face and makes me look at him. "What happened?" 
    "Nothing," I push him off me. 
    "Did you see him again?" 
    "No, I'm alone. All alone," I whisper. Tyler shakes his head. 
    "Christ," Tyler gets his phone out his pocket and brings it to his ear. "Get to her apartment, now!" Tyler growls and puts his phone away. "Will you get in the bath?" I shake my head. "Why were you in the rain, Lee? Are you sure you didn't see him?" 
     "I just needed to breathe. You all suffocate me, it was all in my head. I don't even think it was him. My head is just making shit up." I hear the front door open. 
     "In here, bro!" Tyler calls. Moments later Flynn enters the bathroom and he does a double take. His eyes rake my body. "Stop it, don't make me regret this." 
    "Regret what?" Flynn looks at Tyler. 
    "She needs a bath and I don't really want to see my sister naked. I refuse to let Nathan do it." I frown. 
    "Nathan? What does he have to do with anything?" Flynn snaps. 
    "How do you think she ended up in her underwear?" Flynn growls. "Get her in the bath, okay?" Flynn swallows and nods. 
    "No, he could hurt me. You need to get out Flynn. You're a danger to me," they both roll their eyes and Tyler leaves the room. 
    Flynn reaches for my bra and I stop him, "Don't, Ri. Just don't." I drop my hands so he can undo my bra. He unclasps it and lets it fall on my feet. He kneels on one knee and pulls my panties down. He lifts me up and eases me into the hot bath. He removes my brace once I'm in the bath. "Something happened." 
    "No," I whisper. 
    "Tell me," he insists. 
    "Nothing happened." 
    He sighs, "When did you start keeping things from me?" 
    "When you decided for the both of us to stay away from me. I needed you this morning but as long as I'm not physically in danger who cares right?" 
     "Don't say that to me. You know I care," he says sternly. He takes the jug from the side that I use for Miley and he pours water on my hair. Once it's wet he squeezes shampoo on my hair and then starts massaging my head. A groan escapes my lips. 
     "So you say until it really matters." He starts rinsing my hair and I push him away. He glares at me. 
     "Leave me alone, Flynn. You don't need to keep picking me up when I fall. I was cold, I'm okay now. You can leave now, you could flip out and hurt me again." 
     "This is serious, Ri. It's not a joke," I roll my eyes. 
     "Are you sure? It seems my whole life is one big joke. Now leave, don't worry. I'm not going to drown or burn myself. Just go!" he sighs and gets up and leaves the bathroom. I don't need him, he made his choices and I am making mine. I finish washing and get out the bath. I grab a towel and head to my bedroom. 
     I put on some PJ's and leave my bedroom. They are still sat on my couch. Flynn gets up and walks into my bedroom. I sit down on my space on the couch. Flynn returns with my hair dryer and starts drying my hair. I sigh and bring my knees to my chest. I still feel cold but I'm always cold. Once my hairs dry he walks back to my bedroom. He sits on the couch and holds the brace open. 
   I grudgingly place my hand in the brace and he secures it. He grabs the blanket off the back of the couch and places it on me. "Ty, go. Please, I don't need you all fussing over me. I was cold, I'm good now." 
    "Food, and then we will go." I roll my eyes, "I ordered pizza. It will be here soon." I sigh I want them to leave. 
    "Maybe he will suffocate me with the pizza." 
    "Lee, stop joking around," Tyler warns. 
    "What? Maybe he will give me a papercut from the box." They both roll their eyes at me. "Or will it be some incurable disease he's passed on to me?" 
     "Christ Ri, really?" 
     "What? If you're really that dangerous, why is now an exception?" I don't get an answer and we wait for the pizza. I eat half a pizza before I'm full and I curl up on the couch. My eyes droop and I start drifting. 
      "Who the hell is that?" Flynn keeps his voice low but I can hear him. 
       "That's odd. Why is she drawing James? I mean he didn't look like that but it's definitely him. The hair is longer, messier. He never wore a hoody either. He almost looks homeless." Fucking Flynn looking at my diary again. 
     I hear my phone beep and I jump off the couch and find my phone in the bathroom. I pull it out my coat and look at the text. 
     UNKNOWN- Get them to leave. J 
     Am I imagining text messages too now? Hell! I walk back into the living room, "I bathed and I ate now I want you to leave." 
    "Calm down, Sis. I'll wait until you're asleep." 
    "No, I want you to leave now. I'm want to go to bed and I want to bolt the door." They frown at me but Tyler gets up. 
     "Maybe I should stay," Flynn says and I shake my head. 
     "No, I don't want you to. You could smother me with a pillow when I'm sleeping." He curses and storms out my apartment. Tyler blows me a kiss and follows Flynn out the apartment. I sit on the couch and get my phone out. I start composing a message but there's a knock at the door. I jump up and open the door. My stalker stands in the doorway.