The Shadow Recruit | • Editing mode •

Chapter 33

Ryan's POV continues

Uhhmmm... Yeah it sounded like banging against a metal cupboard or ... Or a locker. 

Oh dear, she is been trapped in that locker with that Rick. I need to hurry. And with all my strength I went to the girls locker room and it was empty. How can it be empty? Did he take her somewhere? Damn it! The guys locker room above, it has to be. 

I ran upwards realising, the more time I waste the chances of Riley getting hurt will increase. 

I reached there only to find the door jammed. I pushed it hard and landed in. 

POV end.

There this monster was trying to forcefully kiss me. I couldn't let that happen. I mustered up all the strength I had to create a small gap between us. I drew my knee up and hit him in the nuts. "You bloody bitch! That f*cking hurts", he fell down screaming. I crossed him over an ran from the end of the room to the door. 

And my fear was relieved on seeing Ryan coming in through the door. I just hugged him tight as if it were the most precious moment of my life. I was shaking terribly in his arms.

Ryan's POV

Riley came running and hugged me tight. I could feel her tears through the face still running down and her body shivering with shock. Before I could ask her what had happened, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around only to see Rick smiling at me as if nothing happened. Why was it so contrasting to see two people and their different reactions.

" She was about to fall and I caught her in time, feeling embarrassed she ran away", he said apologetically adding a "sorry for scaring you Riley". 

I turned around such that I was between them and Riley clutched my shoulders tight, trying to hide from Rick. 

I made a mental note of his dishevelled hair, the unusual creases on his shirt and swollen knuckles. He was lying.

Me: Its a good thing you saved her from falling. In case you have anything left, kindly leave us alone.

Rick: Sure! Let me just get my bag.

I turned back to Riley who had turned pale and still not able to speak. I observed her in a look, pulled out hair, scratches of nail, redness of her cheek, those tears...everything was screaming terror. When I was about ask her, she panicked seeing the sight. 

POV end.

Rick's POV

I composed myself, straightened the attire on hear the door unlock. I smiled back telling a false story to Ryan and planned to leave. But he seemed unprepared. I could easily take him down and still have her. 

'More the obstacles, more the fun it is to claim the price'. 

I could take him down or deploy my escape plan. A win-win scenario. I removed the baseball bat from my bag and walked towards Ryan to hit him. 

POV end.

Ryan's POV

I saw the reflection of Rick coming towards me with a bat and in that split second, I moved away and pushed Riley on the side. He missed the blow. She got hurt due to her sudden dash with the locker. 

He balanced himself and started attacking me with punches to which I kept my guard up and retreated back on him. He seemed kind of trained to hit me, back to back with strong forceful punches and kicks. We kept on attacking and defending but at the moment, when we were near the door, he just pulled Riley between the fight and pushed her to my side. 

I instinctively moved to catch her and we both fell on the side. He escaped by closing the door, leaving us locked. My attention turned back to Riley who probably had suffered mental and physical trauma. 

We sat up straight but her head was still down. I tried to tilt her chin up by placing my hand, yet her eyes were low, drops of tears still trickling through them. 

She was loosing herself but I didn't want to loose her. 

POV end.

He pushed me aside , Ryan caught me before we tripped and that Rick ran away. I propped myself up to sit. 

I was still frozen because it was a lot to take in. My brain just gave up thinking. It was plain emptiness. Ryan tried to look at me but how was I suppose to look in his eyes when I couldn't face them myself. Who will accept me if I can't do it myself. 

When I was crying, I felt Ryan's hands cupping my face and his thumb wiping off the tears. He came closer, I could feel him breathe against me. He placed a gentle kiss on my lips. I didn't respond. He softly puckered my lower lip as if begging for one last kiss. My lips parted to his generous move and he started kissing me back with more passion but gently. I closed my eyes and tried to loose myself into it. 

Then my eyes opened up hearing the door unlock by the janitor and we separated in shock. He didn't react but just went ahead asking us to empty the room for cleaning.

 Ryan pulled me up to stand. When I was about to leave, he caught my hand, saying that I had to stay over at his place till he files a complaint with the college authorities. My safety was his duty. I nodded blankly. And followed him as he held my hand and walked towards his car.

A/N: Riley may not be a fighter but her presence of mind saves her always. It's great that Ryan fixed the puzzle together and found her in time! And that ra*cal Rick tried to trick him, as if Ryan is dumb! They should have caught him but he escaped. 

Amidst the chaos, Ryan tried to pacify Riley and they shared a kiss. Now Riley is his responsibility. Very few people can do that. Putting someone else's need before ours is a sacrifice. And this proves the stronger connection he feels for her.

Stay tuned to the journey ahead!

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