There really was no place to hide and the car was getting close. He knew he had to do something. He remembered Eric lived close by but the only way to go unspotted until he got there was go through people's backyards.
He knew that's trespassing (just guessing) but under these circumstances he could care less. He darted for the backyard of the house that was closest. His heart was pounding so loud he thought he could hear it and his adrenaline was sky high.
He waited a little while til the car was gone. Little did he know that Cassie was waiting at the end of the street. He ran threw people's backyards when he was one block away from Eric's. He stopped when he saw Cassie coming towards him.
He decided it was now or die and never have the life he wanted. He chose to run. He darted off down the side yard of the house and saw Eric's house on the next street. He was glad that his adrenaline was running cause without he thought he wouldn't make it this long. He turned his head which was a mistake,Cassie's was hot on his tail.
He ran faster than he'd ever ran before. He was now going to Eric's front porch. He better be home he thought or I'm so going to die. When he reached his front door he started pounding on it.
His car was there and the lights were on. Cassie now was coming up to Eric's house.
Eric was in the kitchen when he heard someone pounding on his door. He was going to ignore it when he thought it sounded more desperate. He went to open his door when he heard screaming.
Cassie was now on his drive way and Ryan was starting to freak out and he pounded harder and beat on the door all of a sudden Eric opened his door. He didn't even wait for Eric to say anything,he just shoved Eric back inside and locked the door behind him.
Cassie reached the door and said, "May I please have my boyfriend back. He totally freaked when I told him I was pregnant."
Inside, Ryan looked at Eric and shook his head no. Eric knew something much bigger was going on. "Miss,if you don't leave,I'll call the cops for trespassing and harassment.
They heard Cassie leave and Eric made sure. He then looked to Ryan for an explanation. "What was that all about?"
Ryan dreaded this question. He wondered if he should tell him or not. Well,he could tell him,but it wouldn't be the truth. Eric could see the debate he was having. He knew something was wrong.
"Ryan,I want you to tell me the truth or I will call Horatio right now and he'll come over here and you'll have to explain it to both of us. Friends just don't pound and scream for their friend to answer the door."
Ryan dropped his head. Was this how he really wanted people to find out. He decided he can trust Eric and knew that he needed to talk to someone.
"Eric,"he said moving to the couch. He sighed. "Eric,she beats me,"he said bluntly. No sugar coating it,no stretching it out,just the truth.
Eric was in shock. His best guy friend getting beaten and he didn't even know. "How is she and how long,"he asked looking over Ryan's face. He could actually see the bruises and cuts on his face.
"She's my girlfriend and two years." Eric was even more shocked,two years and Ryan hadn't told anyone.
"Ryan,why didn't you tell anyone?" He sighed again. "Because,I was scared. Every single day,I'd come home and she would beat me. She always said it was my fault. I caused her to do this to me. She told me that no one else would want me so I should be lucky that I've got her cause there are better looking men out there than me. Then she would apologize right after and said she would stop,but she didn't...it just got worse,"he said very quietly.
"Where else would she beat you?" He knew he would probably regret asking this,but he needed to know. Instead of telling him he took off his jacket then his shirt. What Eric saw made him sick. There were bruises on top of bruises and cuts on top of cuts.
He didn't know what to say so he just hugged his friend careful not to hug him to hard. He could feel Ryan's tears falling. "You know I need to tell Horatio right,"he asked pulling away to see his reaction. He just nodded.
"I'll give him a call and you can go take a shower if you want,"he stated reaching for his phone. He got up and grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. Eric watched him walk and noticed he had a limp in his walk.
"Caine."
"Hey H it's Eric,listen,I need you to come over soon as possible. It's about Ryan. I think he's in danger." He hung up the phone knowing H would be there in fifteen or so.
The shower only lasted for five minutes since it hurt his cuts to much. He came out of the bathroom in jeans and a T-shirt. "H is coming over." Ryan just nodded.
It was silent for the next fifteen minutes. Neither one knew what to say and were consumed in their own thoughts when the doorbell ringed. Eric opened the door to reveal a very worried Horatio.
"So gentlemen,what's going on?" Ryan looked at Eric and Eric nodded. The younger man took a deep breath and said, "Horatio,I...uh...um..I...Iwasbeaten,"he responded very fast. "Mr. Wolfe,speak slower and clearer."
"I was beaten." Eric looked at him to continue with the rest of the information. "By my girlfriend for two years,"he said very slow. Casting Eric a evil glare. Wait,did he seriously tell H,oh my gosh,what have I done he thought.
"Actually H,she didn't,she..uh..beat my cat with a branch,not me,"he said hoping H would believe that. He doubted it,but it was the only lie he could come up with on such short notice. Horatio and Eric were just looking at him.
"Mr. Wolfe,that is the worst lie I ever heard from you,and I've head bad ones before. Ryan,this is serious,if she beats you then we need to report it. She's an abuser,and no person deserves to be beaten by a horrible person who has anger issues,"he stated thinking of his own father. He shook that out of his head,he needed to focus on Ryan.
"Can I see where she beat you?" Both Eric and Ryan looked at each other and looked down.
"H,trust me,you don't want to,"said Ryan trying to avoid this. "On the contrary Mr. Wolfe,I do,"said Horatio moving closer to him. Eric could sense Ryan's uncomfortableness and said, "I think I'll give you two some privacy to...show and tell." while walking towards the kitchen giving a hint to Ryan that he better show Horatio.
After he left,Ryan returned his attention to Horatio who was still waiting. "I guess I can't get around this can I?" he asked looking at Horatio.
"No you can't son,now I want you to show me,"he responded in a comforting voice. "I can see he cuts and bruises on your arms and face,they look infected." Ryan just nodded.
He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and took it off. Horatio couldn't believe what he was seeing,his youngest CSI had more cuts and bruises than he's seen in his life. He noticed them on his back to and strangulation marks on his neck. He could feel his anger rise and knew that he was going to get his girlfriend for this.
"Ryan,they look infected,have you taken car of them,"he asked sitting down on the couch next to Ryan. He shook his head. Then Horatio nodded. "Come with me." He led Ryan into the kitchen where Eric was and told him to get peroxide,nerosporin,soap and water with towels.
"Ahh,"screamed Ryan.