Gun shots echoed through the hall, making the hairs on the back of Rydels neck raise. A lump forms in her throat as thoughts race through her mind "Wheres Riker and Vanni? Wheres mom? Wheres the boys? Wheres the shooter?"
Rydel leans her crutches against the wall and borrows a wheel chair so she doesnt draw any unwanted attention to her with the clicking. She looks down at her phone in her hand, hoping to see a text or missed calls- 2 new messages
She quickly taps on the notification, sending her to the messaging app. The texts are from Ellington and Ross.
From Ellington, it reads 'Hey Del! Hope ya feel better! Want me to bring you up some more In N Out?'
Her heart beats faster as she responds 'NO! DO NOT COME TO THE HOSPITAL!!'
The text from Ross says 'Me and Rocky went home to shower. Tell mom we'll be back later'
Rydels fingers move quickly over the keyboard, typing 'Ross, STAY HOME! Whos all home with you? DO NOT COME BACK TO THE HOSPITAL'
She slips her phone into her hoodie pocket and quietly pushes the wheels, rolling forward. Theres no one in the halls allowing her fast heart beat to be heard in her ears. Rydels room is just around the next corner when footsteps echo on the floor behind her
She freezes and a lump forms in her throat. Hands grab the handles of the wheelchair and push Rydel forward
'shh..' a voice whispers next to her ear
A chill runs down Rydels spine. She doesnt dare turn around.
What if its the man with the gun!?
As she's pushed forward, an involuntary squeak escapes her mouth. A slender tan hand clamps over Rydel's quivering lips
'its me Rydel'
That voice.. I know that voice..
The mystery person backs into the door to Rydel's room and pulls Rydel in. Rydel, still scared but curious, looks over her shoulder
'Courtney!?' she gasps, seeing the face of her friend
Courtney slides a bookcase in front of the door 'be quiet Del.. youve seen enough crime shows to know better'
'h-how.. why are you here court?' Rydel lowers her voice
'i came to see you and riker.. i was outside your room, but then I heard the gunshots. everyone went into a panic, running 'round like chickens with their heads cut off!' Courtney explains
Rydel hops into the bed 'did you see riker and vanni? or my mom and brothers? ellington?'
'no, and none of them are answering their phones'
~~
The halls are empty and quiet. If it were a movie, youd hear crickets chirping loud and clear.
'Where is he?! Where is that blonde headed boy who killed my fiancé?!' the man screams
In Rydel's room, Courtney presses her ear to the door 'listen... its him..'
'what's he saying?' Rydel inquiries
'hes.. talking about a blonde man that killed his fiancé'
Rydel remembers something she over heard the other day "She had bad head trauma and major internal bleeding Mr. Evans. We tried our best to save her.. I'm sorry for your loss"
'He's talking about Riker..' Rydel mumbles
Court turns around 'What? What do you mean Rydel?'
'A few days ago I overhead a doctor talking with this.. guy. The doctor was telling him his fiancé died in a car accident'
Courtney shakes her head 'What does that have to do with Riker?'
'I'm getting to that.. So anyways, his fiancé died right? Well there was another car involved in mine and Riker's accident. They were in the other car..' Rydel continues
Rubbing her temples, Courtney asks 'Are you saying what I think youre saying?'
'That depends.. What do you think Im saying?'
'He thinks Riker is responsible for his fiancé's death. And he came to the hospital-' Courtney starts
'To kill Riker..' Rydel states
'And any one he cares about..' Courtney adds
YOU ARE READING
