Page 8 of A Lesson in Obedience
My mouth felt dry when I tried to answer. Sweat percolated at the back of my neck and I just wanted all this blood off of me. Iwantedherblood off of me. I tugged my hand away from him. “That part isn’t important.”
“Riley, I think it is.”
“I don’t want to talk about that,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.
Asher shook River’s shoulder. “We know where he is, so let’s go have a talk. She’s fine here with her mom.”
“She’s not fine!” River shouted more to himself than to anyone else, taking a few breaths while looking at the ground. He curled his hand into fists and then uncurled them, finally staring at me with those green eyes I always found so much solace in. They looked a little glassy, like he was begging me to just spew out all I was feeling.
I cupped his chin with my fingers. “Let me talk to my mom, River. I need to figure some shit out before anything else. That’s all I’ll say.” I leaned down, pressing my forehead to his and he lifted himself up a small bit to peck my lips. He straightened up and nodded at his brother.
Asher gave me a once over. “Of all the powers to have, telekinesis isn’t the one I’d have thought.”
I shrugged, not knowing what to say.
“Or fire,” he added.
“Fire?” I inquired, running my hands over my arms and seeing the marks that Chancellor Fowler left. I didn’t want to think about having inherited not one but two powers from that man.
Asher nodded towards them. “I’m assuming wherever you went that you accidentally hurt yourself?” I didn’t know whether he actually believed that or if he was goading me so that I would fess up about what actually transpired.
I changed the subject. “When you see him, ask him about Chancellor Fowler.”
They both gave me a confused look. River reached into his pocket and took out his motorcycle keys. “Chancellor Fowler?”
“Yup.”
Asher scratched his trimmed beard. “What does the school chancellor have to do with anything?”
I tucked one of my braids behind my ear, getting up off my bed and repeating myself. This time I said it through gritted teeth. “When. You. See. Him, ask him about Chancellor Fowler.” My bedside table rattled and shifted off the ground, luckily it looked like I’d already made a mess with the lamp that had been previously on top of it.
I took a deep breath in, and the table skidded back onto the floor. Beau barked, jumping off the bed and curled against my leg, leaning along the side of my calf.
River gave me a solid nod and half a smile. There was a part of me that knew Grayson would spill the whole truth and that particular part of myself already hurt knowing how River would react. “We’ll ask him. Please call me if you need anything.”
I nodded absentmindedly while they gave me one last look before heading out the door.
I could hearBeau’s heavy breathing on the other side of the bathroom door before I stepped into the shower. The hot water hit my body and I should have felt some sort of instant relief since I was finally getting clean after everything that happened, but I didn’t. I watched as the dried blood started to fall off my skin and onto the shower floor. Dark red and pink danced around my feet while I watched it find its way to the drain. Any evidence of Marianne’s death was now cleansed from my body, so I should feel better…right?
I took this opportunity to wash my braids, since it had been a minute. I took my shampoo, turned the nozzle at the top and drenched my scalp in it. I massaged the area between my braids, letting my eyes close so I could attempt at some form of relaxation. I let out steady breaths, trying to create nice, pleasing images in mymind. After letting the shampoo sit, I rinsed it out and watched the water clean the product from my hands when a flash of red distorted my vision.
I took a tiny step back, sucking in a sharp breath. I breathed in through my nose and released it out from my mouth, bringing my hand back into the water spewing from the showerhead. Once the stream hit my palm, blood covered my palm, dripping from my fingertips and onto the shower floor. I let out a shriek and stepped away from the water again, feeling something at my feet. I swallowed hard before I looked down seeing blonde hair and I screamed.
I heard Beau scratching at the door, banging his body against the wood.
“Riley! Riley!” I heard my mom shout, her hand about to turn the doorknob.
I slammed my back against the shower wall, closing my eyes hard. “No! Mom, I’m fine. I thought I saw…” I couldn’t have this conversation right now. I sniffed, not knowing if the water on my face was from the shower or from the tears that had escaped. The water at my feet started to boil and bubble as if my skin was heating it up. “I’m almost done, okay? I’ll be downstairs in a minute.”
“Riley, sweetheart…”
“Just let me finish up!” I hadn’t meant to scream at her, but I just needed to know she wasn’t hovering.
“Okay, honey. I’ll make some of that hot chocolate that you like.” I waited to hear the door to my bedroom slam. I dipped my head under the showerhead, trying to stifle down my sobs.
Mom…I heard Beau say and it just made me cry harder.
I’m okay, buddy.I didn’t know ifheneeded reassurance or if I was talking to myself.
