Aaliyah stood still, watching the world spin around her. Her world however stopped the minute the teacher said them words- "Riley's father came to collect him about an hour ago". Aaliyah felt sick, she could hear muffled voices in the background. She could hear the police taking a statement from the teachers. She could also hear Heath, who was now on his cell phone to Brax explaining what was going on. As Aaliyah closed her eyes she imagined the last time she saw Riley, and pictured him talking to Dylan…Dylan, it had to be him! Her thoughts were interrupted by a police officer asking the young teacher for a description of the man "Er. He was about 6 foot tall, dark hair, he was wearing a Dark blue hoody, dark jeans and a pair of trainers" Aaliyah spun around quickly and saw the police officer write it all down in her little book. As she started walking over to them she was stopped by Heath, who gently grabbed her arm. "Brax is meeting us at your place" he said softly. "What no, I'm not going anywhere" Aaliyah gasped. "Listen, the boy's wanna help. But they are gonna need photo's of Riley, so they know who they are looking for" Aaliyah nodded. She knew that 20 River boy's had more chance of finding him than just her on her own. She followed Heath to his Ute. "What about my car" She asked not really caring what happened to it at this moment in time. "It's ok, I'll get one of the boys to pick it up" Heath replied, he knew Aaliyah was in no fit state to drive.
As they pulled up outside the house it hadn't occurred to Aaliyah that Heath had parked on the opposite side of the road. Both their driveways were swamped with pick-ups and cars. Heath slowly led the ghostly figure inside the house.
Aaliyah's lounge and Kitchen was full of River Boys, there must had been at least 15 stood around waiting for her to arrive. As she walked further into the room she was handed a glass of Whiskey by Brax. She knocked it back and gave him the empty glass back. She then quickly disappeared into the bedroom.
"Has she said anything" Brax said as he watched the blond disappear off into her bedroom. "Nah, nothing" Heath shook his head. Darcy had gone to play with some of Riley's cars.
A few seconds later Casey came through the door. "What's going on" he asked concern written across his face. Heath stood up and went to check on Aaliyah. "Riley's been taken out of school, by someone who is claiming to be his dad" Brax explained. "What! Where's Ali" before he could move anywhere he saw her come out of her bedroom with Heath. She was holding what looked to be a photo album.
Aaliyah gently opened the album, revealing 6 photos of what looked to be Riley's 6th Birthday party. Aaliyah started to cry when she looked at the happy little boy playing in the garden with a party hat on. Casey could see her break down he rushed towards her but before he got there, Heath had pulled her into a tight hug, passing the Album to one of the River Boys. Casey gritted his teeth; all he wanted to do was comfort the young mum.
"It's Dylan" Aaliyah said pulling away from Heath's arms. "How do you know?" Brax replied, he was now stood beside her. "I overheard the police taking a statement, the teacher described him. The guy who took Riley was wearing the same clothes Dylan had on this morning"
Brax had broke the boy's down into groups. They were each given a photo of Riley and sent to different areas. He was going to Mangrove River with some of the boys and Heath was heading to National Park with some others. The other 2 groups would concentrate on Summer Bay and Yabbee Creek. Aaliyah had been told by Brax to stay at home just in case the police needed to get in touch. Casey offered to stop with Aaliyah; he didn't think she should be left on her own.
Aaliyah hadn't moved off the sofa for nearly 3 hours, it was now dark outside. She had the house phone and mobile griped tightly in each hand. Casey had his arms wrapped tightly around her, he could his sleeve getting wet each time she started sobbing. She was an emotional wreck.
Aaliyah shot out of her seat when she heard the door open; her heart sank when she saw it was Brax. He looked grimly at her "Well" she urged. Casey was now stood beside her. "Nothing" Brax managed before Aaliyah let out a cry "Oh god" she screeched turning into Casey's tight hug. "The guy's are still out there looking" Brax tried to reassure her, before Aaliyah could say anything there was a sharp loud knock at the door. "Maybe they have found him" Casey hoped as he rushed to open it. Aaliyah's heart stopped when she saw Charlie and Watson. "We need to you come down to the station; we have found something that we think could belong to Riley.
It was a long agonizing drive to the station, Casey went with her in the police car and Brax followed in his Ute. Casey looked across at Aaliyah who was picking at her finger nails. He took her hand and linked his fingers with hers, gripping it firmly, before hiding it between them. Aaliyah looked up at him and forced a smile, she wanted him to know she needed him. After getting out of the car Brax took Aaliyah by the hand and led her into the police station. Aaliyah gripped tightened as they got to the desk. Casey followed closely behind; he couldn't help but feel a little jealous as he watched Brax holding and comforting Aaliyah. Little did he know a certain police officer was also sharing the same jealous glare.
Brax went into the room with Aaliyah. He wasn't sure what they were going to show Aaliyah, if it had blood on it, then Brax wasn't sure if Casey could deal with it. Casey paced the waiting area frantically.
Aaliyah and Brax both took a deep breath when Charlie placed the purple Mangrove River book folder on the table. Aaliyah let out a cry and nodded "Yes…yes that's Riley's" Brax put his hands on his face and pulled them downwards, before putting his arm around the now sobbing woman beside him. "Aaliyah, do you know anybody who might want to hurt Riley?" Charlie asked softly. Aaliyah nodded, she wasn't sure if she was doing the right thing but she was desperate "His name is Dylan McKenzie" Aaliyah replied, Charlie was shocked "What as in Shane McKenzie's brother?" Aaliyah nodded. Charlie rushed out of the room and made a few calls. Before Aaliyah knew it there were police officers rushing all over the place. Charlie finally came back into the room and asked a few questions before telling Aaliyah to go home and try and get some rest. Yeah, like that is going to happen, Aaliyah thought to herself as she walked back into the waiting area, followed by Brax.
Casey stayed with Aaliyah in the waiting area, while Brax went outside to make a phone call.
"They have found Riley's book bag, some where near Wilson's Beach" Brax informed a worried Heath
"Yeah I think we might have found something here" Heath replied looking over at the boys who were stood staring at the ground.
"Shall I come to you?" Brax replied
"No, I'll meet you back at Aaliyah's house" Heath mumbled before hanging up.
As Brax pulled onto the drive he realized Heath wasn't back yet. He quickly climbed out of the car and helped Aaliyah out of his Ute. Aaliyah walked slowly to the house, she didn't want to go back inside. It didn't seem right going home without Riley. Before Aaliyah had chance to unlock the door, a car screeched to a halt on the roadside. Out of the car jumped Heath and about 4 River Boy's. Aaliyah found her stomach churn when she looked down at Heath's hand. He was carrying Riley's school uniform "Oh my god" she gasped as she staggered. Casey quickly grabbed her. Brax threw Heath a glare "Come on lets get her inside" Brax led the way to Aaliyah's front door. Aaliyah unlocked it and opened the door, she turned on the light. As she looked into to the room she almost had a heart attack. Sat there at the table was Riley "Oh my god Riley" Aaliyah screamed running over to him. "Where have you been!" she sobbed, scooping him up into her arms and squeezing the life out of him. "With daddy" Riley's reply was simple and calm. The happy faces of the Braxton Brother's had now disappeared. They all shared a confused look.
Riley smiled at Aaliyah before looking over to his bedroom, Aaliyah followed Riley's eyes and sure enough appearing in the shadows there he was…
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter? What do you think will happen next? Please R & R. I love hearing what you think :-).
Coming up-
Who do you think is posing as Riley's dad?
Is Aaliyah's life in danger?
A River Boy turns on Aaliyah, will Casey give their secret away when he steps in to defend her?
