Shoutout to Fran! She's the best!

boy

"Hey," Riley nods as I slide into the passenger seat.

"Hey," I echo, cutting my eyes to Bella's reflection in the rearview mirror. I wasn't expecting her to be here this morning. She's been hitching rides to school with her friends to avoid interacting with me.

"Are you okay?" I ask, turning in my seat to face her and motioning to her ghastly state. She attempted to use makeup to cover her many bruises with little success. Aside from that, her skin shines with sickly hue, her hair is unkempt, and her clothes are rumpled. Even if she claims that she's okay, she's clearly not. Her appearance alone speaks volumes.

Her eyes meet mine, flashing hotly in warning. Message received.

"She fell down the stairs." Riley supplies as he carefully navigates out of our neighborhood. "She's hopelessly uncoordinated. Always has been. You'll never find Bella without a bump, bruise, or scrape."

My back stiffens at his words. I can't help but wonder if those injuries are truly caused by klutziness or … something else. Something much more sinister.

Phil.

"Where were you yesterday?" I decide to change the subject as I settle back into my seat. "I stopped by, and you weren't there. Phil said he'd let you know."

"Funny," Riley murmurs humorlessly as his hands twist around the steering wheel. Just the mention of his name has him acting like this. I wish Bella could see what I do. "He didn't say shit to me. I was at Jasper's house, shooting the shit. He and Alice broke up."

"Bummer," Bella mutters sarcastically.

"Be nice," Riley lifts his head so they make eye contact through the rearview mirror and opens his eyes wide in warning. "Alice is pretty beat up about it."

"Sure," she answers, rolling her eyes as she turns to face the window.

The rest of the ride passes in silence. I had planned to fill Riley in on my suspicions this morning, but I didn't anticipate Bella's presence. Now, I'm going to have to regroup and figure out how to approach this. Riley needs to know, either way. He can't go on thinking that he's alone in this. Neither can Bella.

"Bye," Bella drones, jumping out of the car as soon as Riley puts it in park.

The moment she disappears from sight, Riley leans forward in his seat, fists his hair, and lets out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, man." He murmurs, voice laced with guilt. "I know you probably think I'm avoiding you. I wish I could say I'm not, but … I think I am."

"You think you are or you are? Which one is it?" I don't mean to come off sassy. I'm not all that offended. I figured Riley would put some distance between us after how … swimmingly our last conversation went.

I was right.

"I am." He answers tiredly. "Which is why I'm apologizing. I shouldn't have done that. You were right to be concerned, man. I unloaded some shit on you. If it had been me in your shoes, I would have done the same."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about yesterday," I tell him, spotting my opening and taking it.

"Look," Riley butts in, face drawn in an unpleasant frown. "I told you my story. I apologized for avoiding you. I think we've talked this thing to death."

"No," I assert, making deliberate eye contact. 'Stay firm,' advice my father gave me years ago sounds in my head, 'keep pushing, and you'll get what you want.' I don't want to think about him right now, but I do take his advice. Shoulders squared, I push. "Now, it's time for you to listen. Yesterday, your front door was open when I stopped by your house. I didn't get a foot inside before Phil was ushering me out. While we were talking outside, we heard this loud bang. Phil said Bella threw a book down the stairs … I'm pretty sure it was…" I trail off, letting him put the pieces together himself. His face slackens when he realizes what I'm implying. "And he just … left. He didn't even go inside to check on her."

"That bastard!" He curses, slamming his hands down hard on the steering wheel. "I could kill that fucker!"

"Riley, um…" I sigh, swallowing before readying myself for delivering the worst of my news. "There's more … What you told me Friday night got me thinking. I did some research and … well, I don't think you're the only one Phil targeted."

"What are you saying?" Riley's face contorts in a mix of confusion and anguish.

"The way Bella's been acting – the mood swings, the drinking, the acting out sexually – are all clear signs of sexual abuse."

Riley's breath leaves him in a shuddering gasp. "But, you're not sure, right? It's just a hunch, right? She can't have been … He would never … I would have noticed if…" He trails off, digging his fists into his eyes.

"I went back after Phil left yesterday. I saw her – through the window. She was face-down on the stairs, not moving at all. I called the cops and … informed them of my suspicions. She was so mad at me when they arrived. Adamantly denying the story I told them. Jumping to Phil's defense. Even after he left her there on the stairs!"

"Maybe you're wrong?" Riley sighs hopelessly. His words say doubt, but his eyes tell me all I need to know. He knows. He sees it. I'm getting through to him.

"No. We both know I'm not. I wish you could have seen her face when I voiced my suspicions. She looked terrified. I'm convinced Phil has her brainwashed. Why else would she protect him?"

"Maybe she thinks no one will believe her?" Riley drops his head back on the headrest, sighing heavily. "She's probably right to think that. Phil practically controls the whole town. She's pretty much alone in this. Without physical evidence, her case will most likely be dismissed."

Physical evidence? I'm pretty sure she has plenty! I dismiss that thought and decide to use another tactic. "But, is she alone in this?"

Swallowing, Riley sits up. Eyes bright, he shakes his head fervently. "No." He says, voice strong and decisive. "No, she's not. I'm sorry, Edward. I'll see you later. I have to go find my sister."


Yeah ... that happened! What's next, though?

Find out Thursday!

xo j