Stiles was grateful for the fact his father was out of town because it meant he could keep an eye on Riley, Maya had been texting him none stop about how she was. He always replied the same, she had yet to speak. Her leg had healed, and her concussion was gone but all she ever did was stare at a wall or watch TV. She had sent him to her motel where he picked up her clothes but other than that there was absolutely no interaction.

Topanga had talked to her daughter over the phone, so far, she was the only one to elicit a response, Riley had screamed at her mother and promptly told her she would run away again. Topanga had in turn told Stiles to keep an eye on her and Maya would visit at the end of the month. Stiles had told them he would take care of her but truthfully, he was oh so confused. He knew something had happened but not what had happened, and he didn't know what to do. That was about to change

He had all but neglected his friends, so when Scott had suggested a night out Stiles had reluctantly agreed. He had told Riley of his plans to which he rec9ived no response until he was about to leave.
"Be safe" was all she said, Stiles looked at her, confused.
"Always" he promised before leaving.

On any other night Stiles would have had an amazing time but he thoughts were preoccupied with a certain brunette. His friends noticed to
"So who's the girl?" Jackson asked. Stiles raised an eyebrow at Scott
"Don't blame me, they wanted to know why you ditched school" he defended.
"Is she okay, Scott mentioned that she was hurt" Allison piped up. Stiles smiled
"She's better" he answered. He then dodged questions about Riley for the rest of the night, not wanting to say the wrong thing. He eventually gave up
"Look guys, I got to go, she's on her own" they all said bye, Jackson made a comment about pretty young things to which Scott punched him in the face. Stiles laughed and jumped in his car, driving home.

When he entered his house he heard crying, his senses were on high alert, switching on the light he found Riley crying in her sleep.
"No, Farkle, Auggie!" she screamed. Stiles was by her side without a second though
"Riley, Riley!" he shouted, the girl shot up.
"Huh..." she muttered before bursting into tears. Stiles wrapped her into a hug, calming her down by rubbing soothing circles on her back. When she calmed down she pulled away, her face red and puffy.
"Sorry" she apologised. Stiles laughed
"It's fine, are you okay? You were shouting about Farkle and your brother" at this her face paled. Stiles almost felt guilty for bringing it up, but he was desperate to find out what was wrong with her. When she said nothing, he sighed
"Riley, I can only help if you tell me what's wrong"
"Who says I want help?" she criticized. He shook his head
"I'm going to bed, when you wanna talk you know where I am."

When he woke up the next morning Riley was gone, on the table was some breakfast and note saying she would be back before noon. Stiles panicked, he grabbed his keys and began looking.

Riley was wandering around the woods, she knew she was being awkward, but she couldn't face it. The more she ran the less she feared, and she couldn't stand the fear, not when it nearly killed her.
"Hey" someone shouted. She turned around to find Allison.
"Are you okay, you look a little lost" Allison asked. Riley wanted to say yes, to tell this stranger that she was fine, but she couldn't, she was lost.
"I… I… guess I'm not?" Riley said. The stranger sat next you
"I'm Alison" she said, extending her hand
"Riley" the younger girl muttered in response, Alison looked shocked for a moment before shaking Riley's hand.
"I've got to ask, why are you here on your own?" Riley laughed
"So are you" she pointed out. Alison bowed her head slightly
"Noted, I'm actually out here waiting for my friends, you do know there are wolves in these woods, right?" Riley shrugged
"I really don't care" Alison didn't respond and for a moment they sat in silence. Riley looked down
"I ran away from home, I came to find my friend, but it was more complicated than I remember" Alison raised an eyebrow and motioned for her to continue
"I… I experienced some stuff and it makes me afraid, I have everyone and no one at the same time, does that make sense?" she asked. Alison nodded
"So why are you waiting for your friends in the woods?" Riley asked.
"One of my friends, friend has gone missing so we're looking for her, oh here he is now" looking up Riley saw stiles running towards her. He stopped right in front of her and examined her before bringing her into a hug
"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded
"I swear to god Riley I'm going to kill you for worrying me like that!" he yelled. She looked down
"I left a note"
"A note! Because a note is going to ease my mind isn't it? It's going to let me know you're okay of course it is. I took you in and you run off when all I want to do is help!"
"I know!" she yelled back. Stiles threw his hands up the air
"Then why won't you talk to me?"
"Because I'm scared!" she screamed. A silence settled over the wood, Stiles inched towards her
"Afraid of what?" he asked
"Everything!" she fell back onto the log
"Everything stiles! My mind is constantly working overtime and my heart is continuously palpitating and I'm scared all the time. I just want to be okay!"

He stared at her
"What happened Riley?" he asked. She just sighed
"two years ago I was dating this boy, I loved him, but he began to want more, and I wasn't willing to give it to him. So, I broke up with him, he kept pleading with me to give him a chance that he could change but I didn't. I told him, I said that we were through. Then… then one after noon me and my best friend, Farkle were babysitting my brother at Topanga's and he came. He began shouting and swearing and saying I wrecked his life. I begged him to leave, Auggie was scared and I couldn't do anything, so Farkle tried to force him to leave… we didn't realise though" she stopped as her faced paled, but Stiles encouraged her to go on.
"Realise what?"
"He had a gun… he shot Farkle, I begged him to go that Farkle needed help. He laughed Stiles, he laughed at the fact that he had shot my best friend. He told me that I was going to be next, that I was a fucking whore who was only good for sex. So… he raised his gun at me and Auggie, my sweet innocent little brother threw himself in front of the bulled. I… was too afraid to move Stiles and I couldn't save him!" She began to sob, and Stile pulled her into his arms.
"It wasn't your fault Riley" he whispered. She was too upset to comprehend him, so he just sat there and let her sob. She grasped into his shirt like a lifeline whilst repeating that they were dead. Stiles just rocked her and tried to calm her down. When she stopped crying none of them moved, they stayed there into darkness hit. Riley eventually fell asleep in his arms and Stiles promised he would help her, he wouldn't let her get hurt again.