“You’re going to be fine,” I whispered.
I stayed until I heard the sirens.
I moved my fingers gently down the side of her small face before reaching her neck and checking her pulse one more time.
Still alive.
“Just keep on fighting, little one. You’re going to be fine.”
Then I stood up and climbed back up the cliff, even when everything in me said to stay with her. To not leave, no matter the consequences. But I knew how this world works. And I knew a man with my record would be blamed for her situation, and fuck, perhaps a part of me thought I should bear the blame.
The fucker wouldn’t have thrown her over if I didn’t show my face too soon.
I quickly made my way to where my motorcycle was parked and hopped on, riding away from the path. I hid there as the police cruisers and ambulance showed up.
I didn’t know how much time had passed since I stayed where I was hiding, watching as the scene unfolded, but it was long after the ambulance had taken her away.
Just keep on fighting.
1
RYLEIGH
Seven YearsLater
I woke up with a start.
Sweat coated my forehead, even though goosebumps came across my exposed skin from under the covers.
I shivered, pulled the cover up my shoulders, and looked around at my surroundings.
It would take a while for my body to come back from wherever I had been trapped while sleeping, like it always does.
I had hated going to bed at night since I was fourteen, and it wasn’t like I had such good sleeping habits to begin with.
I looked over at the clock sitting on my nightstand. One hour before my alarm was set to ring. One hour before I actually needed to get up and ready for school.
I could usually fall into a very deep sleep at night, but I could never sleep past six in the morning.
I hated it.
I was still tired, but I knew there was no point in just lying there and attempting to go back to sleep.
It would never work.
With a tired sigh, I climbed off the bed and stumbled into the bathroom, grabbing my bath caddy on the way.
The apartment I shared with three other girls was quiet.
The sun wasn’t even up yet. I doubted they would be either. Plus, I knew they took classes later in the day.
A huge part of me was relieved I wouldn’t run into any of them soon.
The other part…
Well, I was lonely.
I was in my second year at UC Berkeley and hadn’t made any lasting or strong connections with anyone. Least of all my roommates. They had all been friends since high school, leaving me to feel like nothing more than an unwanted butnecessaryroommate.