The Killer Fix

Chapter 10

A long, sleep deprived night is relieved lightly by streams of sunlight appearing on the horizon and reflecting off the water on the bay. Once Riley sees the day arise, she can breathe a little easier. 

In the safety of the daylight, she allows herself to step outside, and spends the rest of the morning sitting on the little dock down by the waterside. Hours of staring into the half frozen harbor, adjusting to the recent developments in her life, leaves her in low spirits, but calm at least. As horrifying as last night's experience was, it proves once more that she's only trying to avoid her worst nightmare. Losing her sister. It also confirms that giving up is no longer an option. She's unsafe either way. 

The coat suddenly being dropped on her shoulders comes as no shock to her. Footsteps behind her alerted her early on. As Aaron lands on the worn floorboards next to her, Riley's eyes don't wander. Even when she feels him observe her, she refuses to abandon the spot in the water she's been monitoring. 

'Bryn called your mother, informed her we're heading back to the city. Sofia and Alice are almost done packing up the car and cleaning up the house. We can leave when you're ready.' 

Riley pulls her black and white plaid coat tightly around her neck as she only blinks in response. Wishing to connect with her, to understand how she is feeling, he tries to catch her line of sight. But her big green eyes remain adamant, gazing into the distance. Those eyes always entranced him, wide open as they are, nothing could ever get past them. But eternally unable to hide how she's feeling, like a gateway to her soul. 

His hand wavers in between them for a moment, wanting to reach out and hold her, comfort her somehow. But that border drawn between them two years ago is something he doesn't dare cross. He had hoped he could break it down, be the one to help and support her through this. 

Instead he is now forced to watch her be aided by Milo's brother, who he doesn't trust for a minute. A wave of anger hits, brought on by obvious jealousy, but also by knowing there's someone out there who wants to hurt her, who already has. Feeling so powerless, he would prefer to just throw her in his car and drive her to Seattle, away from everything.

'What are you going to do when we get to the city?' He finally asks, suppressing his frustration.

'The only thing I can do, I'm going to pick up where I left off, keep trying to find the truth. Unmask whoever... drugged me last night. With Gray's help, I'm getting close, soon this'll all be over.'

'Gray, huh?' It isn't until Aaron points it out that she realizes she said Gray, instead of Grayson.

'Do you really trust him?'

'I do. I can't explain it, there's no logic behind it. I just feel like I can trust him.' She finally looks at Aaron, only to see now not the concern she'd been expecting but anger.

'I just don't want to drag you into it,' Riley rationalizes. 'Or Bryn, or Sofia. I don't want you guys to get hurt. Grayson can handle himself, he's been surviving on his own for a while now. I think he can keep me alive too.' 

In turn, Aaron won't grant her eye contact now. She realizes he must think her trusting Grayson means she doesn't trust him, and is about to tell him otherwise when she spots Alice behind them. 

'Riley, can I talk to you for a minute?' Alice requests. As Riley raises herself onto her lace-up red boots Aaron rises as well, instantly departing as he mutters 'I'll wait at the house'. Alice's face signals urgency.

'What is it, Alice?'

'I have to tell you something. Something that's been in the back of my mind ever since Ivy Ross was killed. A connection I made early on, but I wasn't sure, so I didn't say anything. I'm sorry, Riley, I should have.'