Page 31 of Fractured Souls

Once I'm on the next bus, I calm down and feel like I can relax since I'll be on here for a while. I take a deep breath and look out the window with a small smile. For the first time in who knows how long, I have some hope, even if I am absolutely terrified of getting caught and being all on my own with nothing but what's on my back.

Little did I know, this was only the start to a long and hard journey of finding answers, but the only answer I have for now is what step two is to becoming the devil: Learn to become your own motherfucking princess.

ChapterThirteen

Ryker

“RYKER ANDERSON!” comes from the other end of the hall.

All three of us turn, confused as shit considering we just came in from outside.

When I see Lex come barreling towards us, my eyes widen. I know the girl hates us, but what the fuck is she doing? When she gets closer, I can see the pure rage coming from her eyes directed right at me. Cade must see it too because he slowly steps up closer to my side.

Me being me and not being able to stop myself, I say, “Problem, Lexington?”

She stops in front of us and glares at me. “Don't fucking call me that. I hate that goddamn name and yes, we have a fucking problem, Ryker,” she sneers my name at me. “Harley wasn't waiting for me this morning, so I went looking for her and saw her coming flying out of the library and taking off down the hall out the doors on the westside, heading for the main road. She wouldn't stop to give me the time of day. So what the fuck have you fuckwits done to my best friend?”

My back goes stiff, and I glance at Cade and Gray to see them thinking the same thing I am. Being in my panicked state, I blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind as we all dash around Lex and take off for the west doors. “Sorry, Lexington, we can shoot the shit next time. Gotta go, places to be.”

We bust out the doors as fast as possible while also dodging students coming in and stop and look around. That's when Cade growls and takes off for the trees leading to the main road. We sprint after him to follow, looking all over, but I don't see her.

That's when we see a taxi driving by through the woods, with a redheaded girl in the back seat. We break through the trees right as it drives past.

Cade looks ready to chase the car down, and I think he would too if he knew he could outrun it. “Fuck! Where the hell could she be going? Why would she come here just to take off again? This makes no fucking sense!” I yell while pulling at my hair.

I turn to look for Grayson, who hasn't said anything, only to find him a bit away from us talking on the phone. What the fuck?

I stomp over to him, hearing Cade right on my heels. “Grayson! What could be so important right now you have to be on the phone? Did you not just see that shit? She took off!”

Grayson gives me a glare that he doesn't usually direct towards me very often. I clamp my mouth shut, then take a deep breath, hoping to keep myself in check. I can't go off the rails right now. So instead, I bring my mask down. I shut it all down and become the carefree jokester.

Grayson gets off the phone and looks at Cade and I before sighing, “That was Noah. I called him as soon as I realized what she was doing. He just sent out everyone available to go search for her. But we are to stay here like everything is normal in case she comes back here. If she does, we’ll pull her aside and force her to go with us if we have to.” He grimaces as he says the last part. Grayson doesn't like violence, so he wouldn't do something like that lightly.

I smirk. “Don't worry, brother, I will be the knight in shining dickwad who tosses her over my shoulder and carries her away.” I cackle as he scowls at me.

“Don't do that. Please don't shut down on me, Ry.”

I nod and look at him with as much sympathy I can give right now. It's too little too late for that. The second she got in that car, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it together without shutting down. Harley is a mystery among so many other things, and it's really pissing me off that we can't seem to get ahead of things with her.

Grayson exhales, running a hand through his hair, and we head back inside to go to first period, which we are now at least fifteen minutes late for.

Noah texts our group chat of him, Gray, Cade and I that they are out looking for her with who was available to help. And that they are having Church tonight to discuss everything at length because half the guys are clueless to what's happening, and they need to be in the know.

It's lunch time now and still no sign of Harley. Also, no word from Noah. My mind is reeling. Do they have her? Is she okay? What if she's hurt? What's going on? Why did she leave? Not having control of this situation is pissing me off, especially with Noah not answering.

Seriously… I'm going to kill him.

The last three classes go extremely slow. After sixth period, we race outside to stand by the bus Harley would take to see if by some chance she's here and coming to take it home. But nothing. Once the bus leaves, we head for the clubhouse.

I'm really trying to keep myself calm, but I can feel the anger building in me and breaking through my walls. This damn girl has gotten under my skin, and I barely know anything about her.

When we get to the club, no one is outside, which isn't the best sign. Usually, people are wandering around out here or smoking. We head inside, and Noah is at the bar with Rage, Sugar, the club’s Road Capitan, Axe, and the Sergeant at Arms, Stone.

I head straight towards him with Gray and Cade at my back. He sees us coming and stands up with wide but calm eyes. “Ryker—”

“Where. The. Fuck. Is. SHE?” I roar, no longer able to control my anger while seeing them all just sitting around doing fuck all.

He sighs heavily, which has me tensing. “I don't know, brother. I… I lost her.”

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