Despite some advice from a friend -- I am resubmitting this chapter. I think it will flow significantly better with what I have planned. I have left it LARGELY the same, but have made minor updates to bring in more of that intense emotional realism you all seem to be enjoying -- and I really LOVE writing. Thank you to those that have stuck this out. Chapter 5 is in the works.
*
Julie and Megan have left by the time that Matt knocks on the door. It's the middle of the night now, and he's half asleep. But Ben called him in a panic and he felt like he had to come over.
Abby lets him in. Ben is in the living room, confused and unsure what to do. Matt approaches him. "Ben, what's going on?"
Ben looks at Abby. "Maybe you should get to bed? There isn't anything you can do right now."
Abby nods. She knows she won't sleep -- but she senses Ben's cue that he wants to be alone. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and disappears down the hall. Ben looks at Matt, not sure what to say.
Matt repeats himself. "What's going on, Ben?"
"I need your help."
"Okay. Do you want to sit down?" Ben nods and the two sit on the couch. Matt can sense something terrible has terrible has happened. "Whatever you need, Ben. I'm here to help."
"Gavin and Chase took Riley." He chokes the words out.
Matt stares stunned for a minute. "Are you sure?"
He nods. "Chase called me. About two hours ago. He had her."
Matt is still shocked. "Is she okay? Did they hurt her?"
"She's scared, but no, I don't think so. Not yet."
Matt pauses to ponder his partner for a moment. "Why'd you call me? We need to call John. We need to get a team together."
Ben looks at him. "We can't."
"Ben, this is our job. They always say not to involve the police, but this is our job. This is what we do. We can find her. We can get her back before they hurt her."
Ben shakes his head. "You don't understand. We can't," he tells him. "There are some things that I have to tell you about my father. And Robert Sharpe." He pauses. "It's bad."
Matt nods. "Okay, let's talk," he says.
* * * * *
Logan enters Riley's room with a glass of water and some pain meds. He doesn't know why he's there -- maybe to check to see that his uncle didn't kill her. Her back is to him. She's lying on top of the blankets, in clothes that are not hers -- a loose t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Based on the sheer size of them, he's guessing they're Gavin's. She holds in her breath when she hears footsteps in the room, not wanting to know who it is. Thinking the worst -- that Gavin has come back for her. She notices, however, that she doesn't hear the sound of a lock on the door. He's left it open.
"I know you're awake," Logan says.
Riley contemplates ignoring him, but at this point, it feels like a wasted battle. She turns over on the bed, and faces him. Her hands are tied together in front of her, and one of her ankles is tied to the bed frame. She has a welt on her face, and a bit of a swollen lip. Logan winces when he sees her.
"He hit you?"
She nods. "It feels worse than it looks," she says smugly.
"I brought you some water, and some pain meds. It will help." He moves towards the bed, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her into a seated position.
She winces and shakes his hands off of her. "I don't want it. Just leave me alone."
He sits down on the bed next to her. "You don't trust me, now?" He smiles, trying to be charming.
She scoffs. "I mean, I can't imagine why I wouldn't. What with all the lying, pretending you were someone else and luring me into a trap thing."
He rolls his eyes. "I didn't drug the water. And these are just aspirin. You can see. I brought the bottle." She shakes her head. He can tell how weary she is. "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face, Riley. I know I put you in this mess, but I'm trying to help you now."
He's right. She doesn't want to admit it. But he's right. She nods. "Okay," she says. He uses a knife to cut through the cable ties on her wrists and her ankle so she can sit up more comfortably. She takes the water, and the aspirin, taking two from the bottle. She drinks the entire thing quickly. She hands him back the glass.
He looks her over. Looking closer, he can see bruises all over her. "You should sleep. You look exhausted."
She has to get out of here. She watches him look at her -- still longing, and yet angry. "Logan?" she asks. He pauses. She shifts her eyes down and softens her voice. "Should I be calling you that... I... It feels weird to call you Austin."
"Yeah," he says, kindly. "It's fine. You can call me Logan. What is it Riley?"
"Will you stay with me?"
He pauses. "Riley, I don't think that's such a good idea." He looks at her. She looks so sad and helpless. "You should get to sleep. I'll bring you something to eat in the morning." He turns to leave and Riley thinks of the only thing she can to make him stay.
"He raped me." Logan stops as she confirms what he expected the moment he saw she wasn't wearing her own clothes. He doesn't turn around. He doesn't want to face her. "Three times." She is manipulating him, yes, but the truth of the words on her tongue causes her to lose it. She starts to cry. As she sobs and sniffles, Logan watches her. His heart aches for her. He remembers how scared she seemed earlier that night, when she was telling him that she didn't feel ready. To have that, only hours later, taken from her without her choice -- he sympathizes with her for the first time. He stares at her for a moment, contemplating what to do. "I don't want to be alone," she tells him.
He walks over towards the bed. He puts a hand on her back, comforting her. "I'm sorry, Riley. I'm sorry he did that to you." Now she has him where she wants him. She rests her head on his shoulder, the sound of her slow crying in his ear. "And I'm sorry for my part in it."
"Can you just stay, please?" she asks. "I don't want to be alone." He nods and lays down next to her on the bed. Riley leans over, resting her head on his chest, and wrapping her arm around him. "Just hold me, okay?" she says.
Awkwardly, he puts his hand on her back, rubbing it gently, and running his fingers through her hair. She knows she has him right where she wants him. She nuzzles her face against his chest, her hand lightly brushing against his body. He sighs, enjoying this protector role. He closes his eyes. He is asleep within minutes.
Riley waits him out, making sure he is sound asleep, before she crawls out from underneath his arm. She stands up, making sure to silently tiptoe across the room. Whether its early or late, she can't be sure. It's still dark out and she is banking on everyone being asleep.
