Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 9

When I wake I'm in a hospital room. I look around the room and I notice a hooded figure in the corner of the room sat on a chair. "JJ," I croak. Everyone expects me to be scared of him but I'm not which is why he is dangerous to me. He stands up and walks towards me.
    He sits on the edge of the bed and strokes my cheek. "Hey, Riley bear, I was worried about you." I smile and close my eyes his lips touch mine and I hear the door open.
    "Get the fuck away from her," Flynn growls and my eyes fly open but James only laughs. Why is he laughing? Flynn is literally going to kill him right now or visa versa. Hell, I don't know who will win in this situation. Flynn launches for James knocking him to the floor.
    "Stop!" I scream holding my throat. That hurts, neither of them stops which only causes more panic. I climb out of bed and try to break them up but I'm tossed across the room. I gasp in pain and I jolt awake.
    I sit up holding my ribs and Mom is by my side. It was another nightmare. I search the room for Flynn but he's not here only Mom. "Oh, Lee. Your nightmares are still bad honey." She says stroking my sweaty forehead. "They've gone to get breakfast, he didn't want to leave you but he needed to freshen up." I nod.
    "Home," I demand.
    "Later Honey, they will be discharging you soon." I move the covers off my legs and swing my legs off the bed. "Honey, what are you doing?"
    "I need a wee," I unhook myself from the machines and slide out of bed. I hold my ribs as I walk to the door.
     "Honey, let me help you," she says walking close behind me.
     "No, I didn't. . .break my legs, Mother." I walk out of the room and look up and down the hallway. There's a police officer at my door. I follow the signs to the toilets. Mom continues to follow me and it pisses me off. "Mom!"
     "Lee, you can't go anywhere alone and you haven't had the all-clear from the Doctor yet." I continue to walk down the hall. "Riley!" She scolds. She touches my arm and I push her off me.
     "Don't touch me," I growl and she holds her hands in front of her. Her prosthetic still looks weird to me.
      "Ri!" I jump and spin around to face him. Tyler and Dad are with him carrying coffee cups and a bag with food I assume. "What the hell are you doing?" He walks towards me and scoops me up into his arms and I call out in pain. He heads back to my room.
      "Flynn, I need. . . a wee." he sighs and heads back in the other direction. I cling to his neck as he heads down the hall.
       "I thought I could leave you for half an hour without causing trouble."
       "I had. . . a nightmare, it felt. . . real." He hushes me and walks into the ladies toilets.
       A woman glares at us but Flynn ignores her. "Hey, you perve!" She accuses and I frown. "It's a woman's bathroom."
      "Gah, I hadn't noticed. Thanks for informing me, you can relax I only have eyes for her," he huffs and I smile. He sets me on my feet and I hold my ribs. "Hurry up, I'll wait here." I roll my eyes and enter a cubicle. I lock the door and awkwardly slide my panties down and sit on the toilet.
     "I need. . .my phone," I say through the door whilst I go for a wee.
     "Yes, Ri, I know. We will be home before her phonecall." God, why is it so hard to do day to day activities? I stand up and flush the chain. I shuffle to the sink and wash my hands. I feel him burning me as he watches me. "You do realise that the back of the gown doesn't cover much," he says and I turn my head and see him checking out my ass.
    "Flynn," I whine and he shakes his head. He picks me up and walks out into the hallway. I watch him as he scans the hallway before walking towards my room. I didn't even wake last night when I was obviously moved to a private room.
    When we reach my room the officer stops us, "If you need to leave the room you need an escort," he warns me. "Let me know next time, okay?" I bury my face in Flynn's neck.
    "She won't be going anywhere. Once she's home it won't matter," Flynn says and the officer moves out our way and Flynn walks inside. He lowers me on the bed and he covers me with the blankets.
    "Sis, I got you a smoothie and pancakes if you can swallow them but have the smoothie first." He passes me the smoothie cup and I put it on the side table. "Sis," he warns. I shake my head. "Bro," he sighs. Flynn rolls his eyes.
    "Move forward, Ri," I carefully do as he says. He climbs in behind me and grabs the cup again. He holds it in front of us. "Come on, just try it." I shake my head, "Why did you have to create such a stubborn daughter, Abigail?"
   "In all fairness, she wasn't always so stubborn. Besides, why did you have to fall in love with my stubborn daughter?" I frown, "See, we have no control," She chuckles.
   "Ri, I know it hurts. Please, for me. For Miley," I grumble and hold the cup over his hands and our fingers entwine around the cup. I take a sip and swallow but I cough spluttering the drink everywhere. I push it away but Flynn keeps my fingers entwined with his. "Try again, Ri. We knew this would be hard." He removes one hand from the cup and strokes my hair calming me. I take another mouthful and swallow hard.
    Flynn relaxes as I keep drinking the smoothie. I look around the room and they all seem to have relaxed as they eat their food. "So we are heading out today, you joining us tomorrow?" Mom asks.
   "Yeah we are, we will leave around 10 am."
   "I'm. . .not going," I croak.
   "Yes, you are honey, you are always home at Christmas." Mom pleads.
   "No. . . Miley. . . Alone. . .She will. . .hate me."
   "Enough with the bloody kid again, Lee. She's not your child, she's not your responsibility." I glare at him as he takes a bite of his sandwich.
   "You're wrong. . .do you know what. . . she called me?" They all look confused waiting for an answer. "She called me. . .Mommy." They all gasp. "So,  if you think. . . I'm leaving her. . .you're mistaken."
    "Do you see what you've done bro? If you didn't fuck her as I said, she wouldn't be so involved in your life! She should be at home with her family. Not with yours," Tyler yells and starts walking towards the door.
    "Ty!" I shout holding my throat and he stops but doesn't face me. "Flynn is. . . family so. . .that means. . . Miley is family. Not because. . .of us but because. . . of you. He's your. . . brother."
    "I fucking hate you sometimes. Stating the truth frustrates the hell out of me."
    "Go. . .find Ruby. . .I guess you won't truly. . . know what I do. . .for you but. . . being apart from. . . Ruby for two weeks. . . you'll get an inkling. . . of how I feel," he turns and glares at me and storms out the room.
     "Go easy on him Lee. He's hurting too," Mom says softly.
     "Hurting? I'm sorry, so he's got a. . .stalker boyfriend. . . who abuses him. . . who only has one person. . .that makes him feel safe. . .that he can only truly love. . . yet his sibling forces. . . them apart. . . and I have to go. . . easy on him? I have. . .more pain than. . .him yet. . . I need to go easy on him, ow." I croak.
    "Ri, what part of not talking, do you not understand?" Flynn warns. He passes me a coffee cup and I take a sip. Hmm, not what I expected but so much better. Chocolate milkshake always soothes my throat when I'm poorly. "It's not all on him, Ri. Don't hate him for my problems."
    I take a breath to talk but he covers my mouth, "Don't Ri, I'm going to tape your mouth shut." I groan and curl up on his chest and he releases my mouth so I can keep drinking my chocolate milkshake. It's cold and it numbs my throat.
    "Miss Blake," I look at the Doctor and he's smiling at me. "You're looking better," he observes. I roll my eyes. "How do you feel," he asks. I don't reply because Flynn told me not to.
    Flynn laughs, "Oh, so you're actually listening to me?" he chuckles. "Doc, she's fine. She's sulking."
    "Okay," he chuckles. "I'm discharging you. If you have any concerns make sure you come back. Remember rest for at least a week."
    "She will rest," Flynn insists and I roll my eyes. I sit up and groan, home time.
    "I'll leave you to it," the Doctor nods and leaves.
    "I brought you some clothes from home, Ri." I nod and Flynn climbs off the bed.
    "We will meet you outside," Mom says and they leave the room. Flynn lifts the gown over my head. He stares at my bruised body but stays silent.
    "It's okay," I reassure him.
    He shakes his head and grabs some jogging bottoms and I screw my face up, "Ri, you need something comfortable and no it's not okay, Ri. When will you see that? You love the wrong things. People that hurt you."
    "Then go, Flynn. If you. . . are so wrong for me. . .then leave. I'm done. . . with this shit. I'm stronger than. . . you all think." I push his hands away but he proceeds to slide the bottoms on.
    "Just stop talking, Ri. You are in no way shape or form a good judge of character. You love him!"
    "Yes!" I scream and whimper. His face screws up in pain, "But I love you. . . more! You aren't a monster. . . Flynn!" My eyes water at the pain of shouting. He covers my mouth and I wipe my eyes. He releases me when he knows I'm going to stay quiet. He slides a top on and then one of his hoodies. He goes to pick me up, "No!" I protest but he lifts me up anyway. "Stop!"
    "Ri, enough. Don't fight me, we both know that I won't let you push me away."
    "But it's okay for you to. . . push me away!"  he rolls his eyes and he joins my parents in the hallway. "I can't. . . do this anymore," I whisper and he looks down at me.
     "Do what?"
     "You, act like you care. . . only when it. . . suits you. My love for you. . . is eternal, always. . . yet you pick. . . and choose when. . . we can be. . .close. I'm done," I whimper at the pain.
     "I'll always care, Ri. Fuck. . . This is me protecting you. Do you not see? I love you so much that I'll lose you to protect you."
     "I don't need. . . protecting from you. Maybe I should. . . be with JJ. At least he wants. . .me. He doesn't care if he. . . hurts me." Flynn sets me on my feet and I hold my ribs.
     "You are too corrupted to see the control he has over you! You are blinded!" he walks briskly away from me. I continue to hunch over my ribs. I watch him as he walks further away from me. Mom and Dad are by my side and starts pushing me towards the exit. Flynn has now disappeared out of view. Great, that's two people I've upset today.
    They don't say a word whilst we walk to their car. It's raining so I pull my hood up. I climb in the back of the car and bring my knees to my chest. "Honey, he will come around. He loves you." Mom says.
   "Maybe. . . I deserve someone like. . .James. I hurt people, it's karma."
   "Don't ever say that Honey, you do not deserve to be someone's punch bag. You are kind and sweet. He changed you and then Flynn changed you again into a better person. Flynn made you protect yourself, he made you fight in what you believe in. He gave you a voice," I frown.
   "Then why do. . . I let him. .  hurt me?"
   "Because the Riley that loves James lets him. You need to let go of him, Lee. Let Flynn consume you," Consume me? That sounds like a bad thing.
   "But Flynn. . .won't choose me. How do I give him. . . all of me when. . . he won't take the risk."
   "Oh Lee, do you not see? He chose you ages ago. He just doesn't know it yet." I frown. My mom always gives great advice but is she right about this? Dad drives us to my apartment whilst I stew on our conversation.
    Mom and Dad settle me into my apartment and they give me a farewell. Miley phones me for twenty minutes and I hang up. It's now 4 pm by the time my parents settled me in and Miley's call.
JESSE- Joe's bar. X
    ME- Can't. 
    JESSE- Bull, see you in a few. X
   I groan, I get up and shower. I scrub for ages but again, nothing works. Well, Flynn and Tyler aren't watching over me. I reckon I'd be safer around people. I get out of the shower and dress in my blue dress that Mom bought me for my birthday. I put on some black tights, to keep me warm and to hide bruising. I apply makeup to my face and neck and dry my hair. I curl it and shrug on my jacket.
    I spray perfume on and slide on the shoes my Mom let me borrow that I somehow acquired. I grab my shoulder bag and slide in my phone. I leave the apartment and lock my door. I clutch my side as I leave the building. I pull my coat around me as I walk to Joe's bar.
    They forecast snow in the next day or so, it's freezing. I step into the warm bar and I feel eyes on me. I walk to the bar and Jesse spots me and he picks me up and I groan. "Ow," I mutter. He sets me on my feet and I lean against the bar catching my breath.
   I feel burning eyes on me and I sigh. "What do you want to drink?" Jesse asks.
   "Pepsi, please." He nods and calls the barman over. Tyler comes towards me and grabs my arm. He pulls me into a quiet corner.
    "What are you doing?" he barks.
    "Well, I was alone. . . So, I thought I'd be. . . safer with Jesse. . . when he texted."
    "What part of rest do you not understand?"
    "I'm fine. . .bro." I roll my eyes and walk back to Jesse. My drink is sitting on the bar when I return and I sip my drink.
    "Yo, Blake! Come play pool." Matty calls and I nod. We walk over and Nathan is with him. I walk into Nathan's arms and he holds me gently. I glance at Tyler's table and Flynn is glaring at me as I hug Nathan. He looks intoxicated already. I walk out of Nathan's hold, "Ladies first."
   "Pfft she's no lady," Jesse grins. I take the cue and I look at Flynn and flutter my eyelashes. I look at him whilst I bend over the table. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat and I smile. I focus my attention on the pool table and I hit the white ball into the balls.
    "Stripes," I choke. I aim for a stripe and I pocket it. I look at Flynn again as I remove my coat and he cocks his head at me. I lean over the table showing my boobs and he bites his bottom lip. I focus on the table again and I miss the next one. Darn it. I pass the cue to Jesse as Nathan takes his go.
   I walk to Matty and he puts his arm around my shoulder and I look at Flynn. I smile when he's pissed as hell at me. Tyler is trying to calm Flynn down but Flynn doesn't take his eyes off me. Ruby is also with them.
   I spend the next hour annoying Flynn. We are on our second game when Flynn comes towards me and pulls me to the bar. "Ri," he whispers in my ear. I can smell the jagerbombs on his breath. His lips brush softly against my ear and I groan. "Don't tease me. You wanted this."
    "No, I want you. . .but you. . . won't choose me. . . you have left me. . . no choice." I move my head exposing more of my neck and he groans and pulls away.
    "We agreed, Ri, no more sex, yet you're fucking torturing me tonight."
    "How am I. . . torturing you if. . . you have the. . . control to. . . stay away from me," he glares at me.
    "It's harder than it looks, trust me. Right now, I want to drag you home and fuck you until you learn how to behave," I roll my eyes. I bite my lip and look up at him through my eyelashes. I pull myself onto the barstool despite the pain. I cross my legs and I slide my dress higher up my leg and he swallows hard. I watch as his pupils dilate. "Fuck," he groans and walks back to his table.
    I slide off my chair and wander back to the pool table. I walk to Jesse and I place my hands on his chest and lean up to his ear, "Are you going to be. . . a sore loser?" I say and he places a hand on my hip.
    He leans down to my ear, "I know what you're doing, Riley. I'll play along." I look at him, "You're trying to make Archer jealous. I know, Riley, I figured it out when he attacked Tristan."
    "Umm," I say awkwardly.
    "As long as he doesn't knock me out. I'll help you," he kisses my cheek and I look at Flynn. He gets to his feet but Tyler pushes him back down. Jesse grabs my other hip and lifts me on the edge of the pool table. He slides his hand to my thigh and moves my dress higher.
    Tyler stands next to us, "Sis, stop it," he growls at me. "Flynn is going to kill him and you. Stop this little game."
    "What game bro? You both decided. . .he can't be with. . .me. So, I should. . .have fun." Tyler grabs my hand and pulls me off the table and I hold my ribs. He pulls me to the bar.
    "Enough, Lee. Let's go home," I shake my head.
    "No, I'm having fun, Ty. Besides,  you better. . . get the most of Ruby. Trust me, two weeks is a long time. . . without your better half. Maybe I should. . . keep you two apart. . . make things even."
    "Don't be so childish," he growls.
    "Leave me. . . alone Ty. None of you. . . own me." I pull away from him and return to Jesse. I grab his face and he cups mine. He leans down to my lips but Flynn grabs me from behind and pulls me away.
     He throws me over his shoulder, holding my ass and grabs my coat, "We are leaving," Flynn growls to Tyler and he nods.
     "I'll get Ruby and we can go back to her apartment. Watch a movie or something," Tyler says. I feel Flynn nod and he carries me out of the building.
     "Flynn, you're hurting me." My weight pushing on his shoulder is hurting my ribs He ignores me and unlocks the car. He chucks me in and I groan at the pain.
      He slides in next to me and he secures the belt around me. He doesn't talk to me as he belts himself in. I shimmy my dress higher again and he hastily places his hand on my inner thigh. Moments later Tyler and Ruby get in the car. "I'm sorry babe. My sister is more trouble than she's worth sometimes." Tyler says as he drives towards my apartment, not that it's far.
   Ruby shifts uncomfortably, "My brother is a jackass. . . and you should. . . stay clear." I growl and he glares at me.
  "Ri, shut up," he glares at me. I go to undo my seatbelt but he goes to stop me but I evade his hold. "Ri, stop fighting me," he manages to pin my wrists together and replaces his hand on my thigh with his free hand.
   "Are you okay, Riley?" Ruby asks.
   "I'm good, Ruby. Thanks for your . . .help yesterday," I croak.
   "I wouldn't have left you if I had known. I'm sorry," she says guiltily.
   "You did enough," I reassure her. "Flynn. . . let me go." He releases my wrists but leaves his hand on my leg.
    "How could you be so stupid to go out on your own, Lee?"
    "You all left me. . . I thought. . . I wasn't allowed to be on. . . my own."
    "I thought Mom and Dad were with you," he shrugs.
    "You knew they were going home today."
    "You don't even seem worried though."
    "Why should I be? JJ wouldn't. . . kill me, he loves me. He wants. . . to be with me," Flynn grips my leg tighter.
     "You're like a broken record, sis. Give it a rest, already," he pulls up outside my apartment and I unclip my belt and slide to the other side and storm out before he's even switched the engine off. I don't look back as I hastily walk to the elevator. I repeatedly press the call button. When it opens I press my floor number repeatedly. I see them rushing to the elevator but the doors close. I hear them cursing as the elevator rises.
   The door opens on my floor and I open my apartment and lock the door. I walk to my sofa and sit on it with my legs on the sofa. Minutes later my apartment is unlocked and they all walk in. "Ri!" he growls. "You really are testing me today."
     I turn my TV on and turn up the volume drowning them out. "Lee!" Tyler shouts. I flick through Netflix and pick a film. Flynn comes towards me and grabs my wrist and I try pulling away but it's no use. He prizes the remote from my hand and then turns the volume down again.
    "Your sister is so annoying," Flynn groans. He climbs over the sofa and sits next to me and Tyler and Ruby sit on the other side.
    "Tell me about it," he agrees and puts his arm around Ruby's shoulder and she cuddles up to his chest. I'm surprised how comfortable they are together it's only been a couple of days since they met.
    Tyler orders food for us but I have to struggle with soup. We watch a film and we all bond with Ruby tonight. It's been nice getting to know her. I really like her and I think we will be good friends in time.