A/N: Thank you to TeamTHEFT and Sebastion Silverhand for reviewing. Here's the next chapter!
Ben had told Riley to pull off the road and we found ourselves sitting in a deserted park minutes later.
"You have the original Silence Dogood letters? Did you steal those too?" Dr. Chase asked.
"I have scans of the originals, now be quiet," my brother replied.
"Where did you get scans?" She asked again.
"I know the man who has the originals. Now shut up," he replied.
"Why do you need them?" she inquired.
Now I really had a headache.
"You know, Ben, I wasn't aware this was an interrogation," I said.
"No, she just can't shut her mouth, can she? Now look," he turned to Dr. Chase, "I will let you hold this if you promise to be quiet. Thank you," said Ben.
"Ben," started Riley, "You know what you have to do."
I moved from my spot, sitting on the floor of the van next to Riley. I put my head up against his leg, not really caring at this point. I felt him drop a hand onto my head and start running his fingers through my hair. I don't even think either of us realized exactly what we were doing at the time, but it was relaxing.
"I know what I have to do, I am just trying to think of anything else we can do," said Ben.
"Well not to be a nudge, but you do realize how many people we have after us," I heard from above me. I don't know why, but Riley's voice was calming.
All of a sudden Abigail took off.
"Not cool, not cool!" Ben called as he ran after her.
He grabbed on to her, fighting with her for the Declaration.
"Let me go!" she yelled.
I groaned and closed my eyes while Riley just continued running his fingers through my hair. Ben finally pulled the Declaration out of her grasp and let go of her.
"You're let go, now shoo," Ben replied.
"I'm not going, not without the Declaration," she said.
"You're not going with the Declaration," spoke Ben.
"I'm not letting it out of my sight," she said, "so I'm going."
"Well, you're not going with us with the Declaration," stated Ben.
"Yes, I am," she shot back.
"No you're not," came from Ben.
"If you wanted to leave me behind, you shouldn't have told me where you're going," she replied.
If I had had my eyes open and been paying attention, I would have seen how close they were. I would have seen the signs, but I was too busy snuggling into Riley's leg. Ben and Abigail both got back into the van.
"Riley, let's go," said Ben.
Riley made to move, but I wrapped my arms around his leg.
"No, don't move. I'm comfortable," I grumbled into his leg.
He chuckled.
"I'm sorry Ellie, but we have to get moving," Riley said as he gently nudged me off the floor.
I sighed and helped him get me up, crawling into the passenger's seat. Ben could stay in the back with Abigail. I was kind of irritated with him right now. I lost myself in my thoughts and looking out the windows as we drove to my father's house. Riley slowed the van down as we drove past the house.
"Looks okay," he said.
"Just park a couple blocks away," replied Ben.
"Ben, how long do you think we have?" I asked.
"We'll give them a couple hours at least," he replied.
"What do we do about her? I have some duct tape in the back," Riley asked, pointing to Abigail.
Personally, I wish we could have just left her somewhere. But of course we couldn't because Ben told her where we were going. Duct tape didn't sound too bad either.
"That won't be necessary. She won't be any trouble, promise you won't be any trouble?" he said, looking at Abigail.
"I promise," she replied.
"See? She's curious."
Curious my ass, but I said nothing. It really wasn't worth the headache. We all got out of the car and walked up to my dad's house. Ben knocked on the door and I fidgeted with my hands. I knew this wasn't going to end well. My dad opened the door and looked at the four of us standing on his stoop.
"Where's the party?" my father asked.
"We're in a bit of trouble," Ben replied.
My father looked at Abigail.
"She pregnant?" he asked before looking at me, "Ellie, you had better not be pregnant."
"Well if they were, would you leave the women carrying your grandchildren standing out in the cold?"
My father stepped back from the door to allow us in. I turned my attention to Riley.
"Riley, do I look pregnant?"
He shook his head no. I was satisfied so I followed Ben into the house, hearing Abigail ask Riley the same question. As soon as I was inside, I settled myself onto the couch, leaning back and closing my eyes.
"This had better not be about this dumb treasure," I heard my father hiss to Ben.
When he turned to talk to the rest of us, his voice had returned to normal.
"Well, have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable. There's some pizza. Still warm I think."
I brought my hands up and rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the killer migraine I had.
"I need the Silence Dogood letters," began Ben. "Yeah, it's about the treasure," he finished when my father sent him a look.
"And he dragged you two into this nonsense? Ellie, I thought I raised you better than this."
"Literally dragged," Abigail said.
Did I mention how much I disliked her at this point?
"I volunteered," said Riley.
"Well unvolunteer before you waste your life," replied Dad.
I sat up and looked at my father.
"Daddy, stop it. I have a headache, please don't start with us," I said.
"Dad, knock it off," added Ben.
"Right, I know. I'm the family kook. I have a house, a job, health insurance. At least I had your mother, forever how short a time. At least I had the two of you. What do you have? Him?" my father ranted, pointing at Riley, who was eating a slice of pizza.
That pissed me off. Riley was a good guy, my father shouldn't have been picking on him like that. Instead of saying something, I stood up and made my way down to the bathroom, digging through the medicine cabinet to find migraine relief.
"Sweet, sweet relief," I said as I took the pills with some water. Now, I am not condoning any sort of drug use. No way. But everyone once in a while, people need pain medication like Tylenol or Advil. I returned to the living room to hear Ben.
"Well maybe that's the real Gates family legacy. Sons, and daughters, who disappoint their fathers," he said.
"Get out, and take your troubles with you," said my dad.
I was appalled. I knew my father and Ben had their arguments, especially when it came to the treasure, but I never knew they were this bad. Nor did I think I would be dragged into it like this.
"Daddy, you don't mean that," I said, hurt by his words.
Everyone turned to look at me; I they never realized I came back into the room. My father's approval meant almost everything to me, and this just broke my heart.
Riley POV
"Right, I know. I'm the family kook. I have a house, a job, health insurance. At least I had your mother, forever how short a time. At least I had the two of you. What do you have? Him?" Mr. Gates said.
I noticed Ellie leave the room after that. I wasn't sure if it was because of what he said, or because of the headache she had.
"You disappoint me son. You and Ellie. I thought better of her and you dragged her into this," said Mr. Gates.
"Well maybe that's the real Gates family legacy. Sons, and daughters, who disappoint their fathers," he said.
"Get out, and take your troubles with you," said Mr. Gates.
I couldn't believe this. That was really harsh. I'd never say that to my kids.
"Daddy, you don't mean that."
Well all turned when we heard that. Looking at Ellie really hurt me. The look on her face was so sad. She looked so hurt by her father's words. It was then that I decided that I never wanted to see that look on her face ever again.
