Chapter 23 (Riley's POV):

After fifteen minutes, I was still sitting on the floor, right next to Emily's bed. I looked at her every two seconds, just to be sure that she was okay. I mean... She wasn't okay, that's for sure... How could I let things get to this point? To the point where I shut myself from everyone else because of my own problems and I let my little sister get hurt?

"Riley...?" Nate said, entering the room with Kyle. I stared at them with a confused expression, because I didn't really know what to say. They looked at me sadly and I realized they were feeling sorry for me.

"You better keep it down, she just fell asleep..." I warned, looking down. Nate came down on his knees in front of me and just stood there.

"You've been here for a while, are you sure you don't want to go outside and get some air or something?" he asked, concerned. I shook my head.

"I'm staying here." I said. Nate sighed and got up, shrugging his shoulders to Kyle.

"Nate, can you leave us alone for a bit, please?" he asked, making me raise my eyebrows. What would he want now?

"Okay, I'm right outside." he informed, leaving. After that, Kyle sat next to me, as he stayed in silence.

"You should go out." he said, finally.

"I don't want to... I'd rather stay inside..." I explained.

"Nate's right, you can't shut yourself in here forever."

"I don't mind. I can't leave Emily alone again."

"That's why you don't want to leave? You're afraid that Emily... Will get hurt again?" he asked, staring at me with a sad expression.

"That's what happened, right? I 'forgot' about my sister and someone tried to rape her. I can't afford to leave her again."

"Riley... You can't put this much responsibility on you."

"She has no one else. Even if things end up well for our parents, I'm the only family she's got here."

"Still... You can't blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault."

"I wasn't there for her, Kyle! She loves you and you love her back and the only thing I did was try to ruin your relationship! That's not something a sister does!"

"You were worried about her. And I understand why, I admit I am a bad influence for Emily. You did nothing wrong." he guaranteed, placing his hand on my shoulder. I tried to hold my tears. I knew he was only saying that to make me feel better, but, still, it was very noble of him to do that to someone who hated him... "You should go outside, I'm serious. Clear up your mind, think things through."

"But-"

"Nate will stay with you, you have nothing to worry about."

"And what about Emily?"

"I won't leave this room, I swear. I won't let anything happen to her." he explained. I nodded and slowly got up, staring at Emily. She was sleeping so calmly, like nothing happened... Then, I turned to Kyle. I had been so mean to him... And he saved Emily!

"I'm sorry." I mumbled. "I know I exaggerated a bit with you-"

"Don't even think about it, I get it."

"Thanks for saving Emily." I said, hugging him with tears in my eyes. I realized he was surpised, but he hugged me back. I stepped back with a sad smile and I left the room.

"Seems like Kyle did it." Nate said, smiling. I kept my sad smile and he put his arm around my shoulders. "Everything's going to work out just fine, you'll see."

"Can we... Just go to the lake, please?" I asked, in a very vulnerable voice. So vulnerable that it actually scared me. He nodded and kissed my forehead.

"Let's go."

We walked in silence until we got to the lake, and I just stood there staring at everything around me. Now that I thought things were going great, this horrible tragedy falls on me and makes me realize that not everything's perfect. That awful things can happen to any of us, just like that...!

"Do you know the person who did this to Emily?" I asked, suddenly. Nate looked surpised, but understood he had to answer, since I glared at him.

"No, I don't. But, even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. The last thing you need is to run around town like a crazy person, looking for a guy just to beat him up:"

"Oh, come on, wouldn't you do the same if it were you? If someone grabbed the person that is the most important to you and... And..." I stuttered, not being able to find the right words. I found myself crying again. Nate looked at me with a sad expression and hugged me. I hated that. I hated being so vulnerable and crushed that I couldn't even hold back the tears for five minutes... So vulnerable and crushed that I needed to depend on someone else.

"You don't even know who he is, Riley. The best thing you have to do now is... Focus on helping Emily get over this." he suggested. I shed a few more tears, still grabbing his shirt. How would I be able to help Emily get over this if I coudn't even get over this?

"I can't... I can't face her again..." I mumbled, lowering my head. "I'm scared that I'll fail as a sister again."

"Riley-"

"I have to do what I can. Which is, punch the animal that tried to hurt her."

"Has it crossed you mind that, if he almost raped Emily, he can do the same to you?" he asked, concerned. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't care."

"But I do! How do you think Emily will be if something happens to you? How do you think I'll be if something happens to you? I can't lose you, Riley!" he said, with panic in his voice. I was stunned. That was his concern? Me?

"Nate..." I stuttered. It was hard for me to hide that I had no idea what to say. With this whole Emily thing, I completely forgot about our... Relationship or whatever it was that Nate and I had.

"You might think that this is lame, but trust me, I didn't plan any of this. What happened with us at the bar... It started with a bet I made with my friends. It was just a stupid bet. But, if it wasn't for that bet, I would have never met you. I just want to show you how small things like this can change the course of a life."

"Change the course of a life?" I repeated, confused.

"I'm having a couple of family problems... And I was sick of trying to pretend that everything was okay. So, I was going to run away. I went to the bar with my friends, like it was a 'goodbye party'. I wasn't suppose to meet you. But I'm glad it happened."

"You're saying I...?"

"I stayed because of you, Ri." he explained. I just looked at him, with a stupid look on my face. That was the last thing I thought he would say.

"Nate, I... Hum..." I stuttered, nervous. With this whole conversation about small things, I was afraid to say something wrong.

"I know this might be asking too much, but do you think you can... Take it easy with this 'Emily thing'?" he asked. I felt like crying again, so I took a deep breath.

"I... I promise I'll take it slow this time." I guaranteed, forcing a smile. He hugged me and I felt tears running down my face again. "Let's go back to the cabin, okay?"

"Okay." he agreed, following me. When we got there, I opened the door slowly and I noticed that Emily was still asleep and Kyle was exactly where I was before.

"How is she?" I asked.

"Normal, she hasn't woken up yet. But maybe it's better this way..." he said. I nodded. "Riley... About the guy who did this to her... Maybe it's best for you to know who he is."

"Why?" I questioned. If they insisted so much in keeping it a secret, why the sudden change?

"Because you know the jerk."

"I... I know him?"

"Kyle..." Nate warned, but Kyle raised his hand so he would let him finish.

"She needs to know." Kyle insisted, turning around to face. "It was... Sean."

"Sean? The Sean who... Sean?" I stuttered, horrified. I felt all my blood rushing to my head and I closed my fists in anger. I started to breathe really fast and I cleaned the tears that got out of my eyes. "I have to go."

"You don't know where he is." Kyle reminded me.

"It doesn't matter, I'll find out. I trusted in that idiot and he is going to pay for making my sister suffer." I threatened, leaving. Nate followed me and grabbed my wrist.

"Riley, you can't. What if he does something to you?"

"You don't need to worry. I know Sean, I was able to survive almost a year with him."

"Ems is waking up, what do you want me to tell her?" he asked, seeing my sister open her eyes.

"Tell her I'm going to settle some things with Sean, that's all."

"What if something happens to you?"

"It won't." I guaranteed, walking away. But I suddenly stopped. What if something actually happened to me? What if I would never see Emily or Nate again? "There's something I need to do first."

I went to the cabin and kissed Emily on the forehead, as I hugged her next.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Out, the guys will explain everything to you." I said, looking at Kyle. He understood that I wanted him to take care of Emily, so he nodded. I left, walking to Nate. "And... Now I just have to say goodbye to you."

"God, Riley, don't say it like that. It's like you'll never come back again. Stay."

"I can't. We'll talk later." I said, staring at him. Then, I stopped thinking for a few seconds and I kissed him. I didn't care about the consequences. All that mattered was 'right now'. "I hope this one meant something to you."

I ran out of there without looking back. I assumed Sean was in the bar I met Nate, because it was his favourite place: girls, drinks... Perfect for a pig like him. A pig that was going to get his ass kicked.