Never Told You

Chapter Eleven

River drove me back to town and to the lab that following morning. He told me I was on the schedule to work, which was the last thing I wanted to do. I had just spent an amazing night with him, and the following day his concern was making sure I was at work. I was starting to think that River didn't share the same feelings for me that I had for him. I always let my mind get the best of me. I always over thought every situation I put myself in.

"Lauren? Are you with me?" I was snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at Julian.

"Sorry, I'm a little distracted." Julian scoffed at me and sighed.

"We have a new recipe, and you need to learn it fast. I don't think that'll be a problem. What seems to have you so distracted today?" Julian caught me wondering my thoughts again. I debated on telling him what happened, but I knew River wouldn't approve.

"Nothing. Don't worry about what's on my mind. What's this new recipe?" Julian rolled his eyes at me and began teaching me the new recipe. I got lost in the work, and eventually found myself in an empty lab. I sighed and continued cooking what I decided would be my last batch for the night. I suddenly heard a voice and nearly knocked everything off on the floor.

"Lauren, a friend of mine told me I could find you here. What is this lab, and what are you cooking up?"

"Hunter..." He chuckled, making me shiver. I hated this man, and I realized I left my knife and pepper spray in River's car.

"Let's talk. I have something to say, and you're gonna wanna hear it." I turned around to face Hunter.

"What do you want from me? I haven't done anything to you. Leave me alone." I thought about making a run for it, but saw his body blocking the exit. I knew I wouldn't make out. I wish that River, or even Julian, was here. I couldn't fend for myself compared to Hunter's build. I glanced at my phone and realized that I hadn't heard from River since he'd dropped me off.

"Right, let's talk about you turning me into the cops again. I know you haven't yet, and you won't be. I have incriminating evidence against River, and he'll go down with me. You wouldn't want that considering he can't be tried as a minor anymore, now would you? Also, one more thing. If you don't want River to go to jail, prison, whatever it is they'll send him to, you'll give me what you owe me from that night of the party, and the other night." He smiled his evil grin. Seeing that smile made me even more nervous. I had to do this for River. He got himself caught up in my business, and I wasn't going to let him get in trouble for protecting me.

"What evidence do you have?" Hunter chuckled.

"A witness. One of the owner's of a restaurant who's back door was in the alley. He happened to be taking trash out when River was trying to beat me to death." I scoffed.

"Compared to what you did to me, he did nothing." Hunter's eyes flashed with anger.

"I bet you're still healing, aren't you?" He punched my stab wound, sending me to the ground.

"Oh my god.." I whimpered these words, pain flourished everywhere again.

"That's what I thought. Now, you'll meet me here, at this time on this date. Show up, River stays a free man. Don't show up, you know what comes next. Bye now, baby." Hunter left, and I barely managed to get off the floor with shaking legs. I finished my batch and shut everything off. It was until I was finished, I realized my shirt was wet with blood. Hunter reopening my scab by punching me. My shirt was soaked in blood, and I got light headed. I fell on the floor and couldn't get up this time. I screamed for help, but I knew no one could hear me. I layed on the floor and watched as everything went black.

My eyes fluttered open, and everything was bright. I flinched, and tried again, able to keep them open.

"Lauren, thank god. You're awake." I looked over and saw Julian. I searched the room for River, but he wasn't here.

"Where's River?" My voice was really raspy. I noticed Julian didn't want to answer my question.

"He's away with Molly." My throat felt extra dry when he told me this news.

"Um..How long have I been here?" Julian looked more happy to answer that question.

"Two days. The doctor said if you woke up today and said if you were feeling okay, he would discharge you. I must say though, that's a pretty gnarly wound. How'd you get it?" Tonight was the night I had to meet with Hunter.

"Um, I tripped over my feet and was playing with my pocket knife." Julian rolled his eyes at me. The doctor then came in and sent Julian packing. I lied to the doctor about not feeling any pain, and he discharged me. I put my bloody clothes back on and walked out. I saw Julian sitting in his car and went over to him. I got in and asked him to take me home. He did what I asked. I got home and showered. I put clean clothes back on, and checked my phone. Nothing from River. What was going on? Alyssa walked in and locked the front door behind her.

"Where is River, Alyssa?" She sighed and looked me in the eyes.

"I don't want to tell you. I don't want to hurt you." I scoffed. I knew I could handle it.

"I'm not a baby. Why is he with Molly?" She looked surprised upon me asking that question.

"Look Lauren, River made a bet..a bet that he could sleep with you..." I processed what she said and became angry. He made a bet to have sex with me, and I was putting my ass on the line to keep him out of jail. I knew the feelings weren't reciprocated. I was angry at myself for believing he could like me.

"Who was in on the bet? I need you to be honest with me." Alyssa knew how much the bet hurt me, especially since I gave myself to him.

"Just Molly, but...all of us knew. I warned you not to get close..I'm so sorry Lauren." I nodded and slammed my bedroom door in her face. I didn't have any real friends, and I sure as hell didn't want to have feelings for River anymore.

I spent the next hours leading up to meeting Hunter catching up on the school work I had missed while I was with River. I didn't want to go. I wanted so bad to see River pay for what he did to me, but I wasn't the type of person to do that. I couldn't bring myself to be a cold hearted bitch. I found where I was supposed to meet Hunter and got the courage to walk up to the door. I stood there, not able to knock.

"Well, well, well. Looks like someone cares about River. Mm, don't you look lovely Lauren. Please, come inside." I was surprised that he opened the door, and it showed as my legs dragged me into his apartment. I didn't want to be here. Hunter closed his front door and locked it, leaving me nervous.