Chapter 17 - Black Danger

Section Four

Cody Resident

"Come on Rex, come on," Chase said sweetly to the baby boy with dark curly hair and dark brown eyes, who held onto the wall to walk towards him, he giggled as he moved slowly.

"Come on" Chase cheered for him, he came slowly but didn't make it, before he hit the ground Chase caught him, raising him up.

"That's a good step," Chase said tickling him, he giggled. Renee walked in seeing the scene, she smiled.

"Alright it's time for Rex to go to bed," she said walking towards them, Chase smiled handing Rex to Renee who smooched him.

***

A few Minutes Later

Renee shut the door of Rex's room silently, careful not to wake him up or it would be war. She walked to the living room and found Chase staring at a picture of her and Max.

"Shall we?" she said grabbing her coat.

"What about Rex?" Chase asked.

"Well, my aunt is in the living room let's just hope she doesn't fall asleep" Renee said motioning to an elderly woman watching TV.

"I can hear you," she said her eyes fixed on the TV.

Chase chuckled slightly.

***

Cemetery

An SUV pulled up outside the black gates of the cemetery. Chase and Renee got down walking in. They got to a grave that had 'Max Cody' on it. Renee slowly placed the bouquet of lily flowers on it, they were his favorite.

"Hi, Max" Renee began smiling. Her eyes watered just by staring at his grave.

"Rex is so handsome, he has all your looks but my eyes" she sobbed.

"He's already walking but has to hold on to something, if you were here then he would hold onto you and lean on you" she cried.

Chase slowly walked towards her placing his hands on her shoulder.

"It's only been a year, I know I should move on but I don't think I can Max, it's hard not being able to see you and to hold you anymore". She tried cleaning the tears on her cheeks but it just kept coming.

"I miss you so much" she broke crying hardly, Chase wrapped his hands around her as she cried her heart out.

"I want him back" she cried.

"I know," Chase said softly.

"Me too" he adds.

But who were they to cheat death, Max was gone and the news kept bringing more pain.

***

Section Five

Riley slowly walked along the streets to her apartment, lost in thought. Only the sound of her shoes could be heard in the lonely streets, cars passing by. Riley was unaware of the world around her. She turned to the next street, walking upstairs to her apartment.

Clicking the door open, she walked in locking her door. Riley just dropped her bag sitting on her bed, she took off her shoes bumping to her bed, she pulled the covers around her in a tight hold, her eyes fixed on the window in endless thought. The tears fell on their own silently, she sobbed burying her face in her pillow, silently crying herself to sleep. This normal life was just a glass mask for her, when the glass is broken there are no pieces to pick up.

***

Morning

*Loud Buzzing Sound*

Riley groaned opening her eyes, she sat up holding her head, the buzzing sound came again, she blinked, her eyes landed on her clock it was past ten.

"Shit" she cursed, she already missed lectures, she must have slept in again.

The buzzing sound came again. She growled heading towards it, she opened the door and met with a worried Cindy.

"I called so many times, no text and most importantly you missed classes" Cindy blabbed as she walked in.

"Well nice to see you too," Riley said shutting the door. Cindy faced her.

"Look Riley, if there's something bothering you then you can tell me am all ears, okay?" Cindy said firmly, Riley smiled nodding.

"So" Cindy began smirking.

"I heard you got invited to a frat party" she add with a wink, Riley just rolled her eyes, walking past her heading for the fridge.

"Oh my God it's true, please tell me you have something to wear," Cindy said excitedly.

Riley drank a whole can of water before turning to her.

"Check for yourself," Riley said bored.

Cindy opened Riley's wardrobe going through the clothes.

"l will take it you don't have any" Cindy said nodding her head. Riley walked in fully freshen up.

"Or I could just wear anything" she shrugs.

"Oh no we are totally going shopping," Cindy said.

"Really?" Riley made a face. She knew Cindy wasn't gonna let this go.

***

Riley and Cindy walked out of a boutique with one bag each.

"This is so not me," Riley said sighing.

"Oh I think I forgot something," Cindy said rushing back in.

Riley sighed again, she turned to look down but instantly bumped into someone, her bag on the floor.

"Sorry," Riley said squatting to get her bag but another hand came in their hand's touch for a moment.

"I should be the one who sorry".

The moment Riley heard those voices she froze raising her head, her eyes slowly widen in shock, she could recognize that face anywhere.

"No no it's fine," Riley said taking the bag from him seating up straight.

Chase blinked wondering why she was startled, he rose to his feet, there was something about her eyes like he had seen them before but he couldn't place them where.

"Riley" Cindy rushed to her side. Her eyes landed on Chase.

"Well who is this handsome gentleman," she said sneaky. Chase was about to say something.

"Cindy let's go we're gonna be late," Riley said taking Cindy's arm as they walked out.

"Riley what's with you" Cindy protests.

"Not now Cindy let's go" Riley whispered to her as they walked away.

Chase's eyes were fixed on them until he turned rubbing his neck still trying to remember where he saw those eyes from.

In a distance Riley turned a bit and spotted Chase walking away, she faced front, her looks darken. She and Cindy walking down to the train station.

Chase halted when he saw Seth a few distances in front of him, he smirked walking towards Chase. He brought out a black queen pawn from his pocket and handled it to Chase. Chase blinked confused, Seth smiled.

"What is this suppose to mean?" Chase asked puzzled.

"Let the game begin," Seth said amused.

"And this time am gonna win" he added darkly.

***

Section Four

Hilton College

Riley was unease after that day, her fingers tapping on her desk, the professor's words were like faint sounds to her ear. She knew Chase should recognize her but she figured he didn't but still, it was a big risk for just meeting him, her identity could have been exposed in a split second but it was like fate was on her side but for how long, she just hoped she could keep up this normal life, it was the only thing she had, she had no family, no friends that knew her for what she really was, sometimes she wondered if this normal life was a good idea.

.

.

"What would your father want after all this?"

"He would want you to put all this behind and live a normal life".

.

.

She could still remember Liam's words clearly like it was only yesterday, would her father really want that, she knew he would, it has always been her father's idea but she chose to ignore it but right now she was slowly bending to it and it scared her.

"Riley?".

"Earth to earth Riley!". Riley gasped getting herself, she turned to Cindy who had a worried expression.

Riley figured she should just act normal, she didn't want her friend to worry.

"What?" Riley shrugged.

"The bell rang ages ago," Cindy said referring to the almost empty classroom.

"Oh" Riley just made a sound.

"Don't oh me Riley, something is definitely up with you. Ever since that guy at the boutique" Cindy said sternly. Riley looked away.

"I will head out first," Riley said gathering her books, leaving. Cindy blew a hair strand off her face, she rushed after her.

"I hope you haven't forgotten about our party this weekend," Cindy said.

Riley halted turning to face Cindy, she smirked folding her arms. Riley sighed.

***

Section Five

Riley walked to her mirror, her heels sounding, her hair was down, she wore a dark blue short gown that reaches her knees, along with black heels. Cindy came behind her, dressed also.

"You marvelous," she said amused.

"Really?, Cause this was your choice of clothing, not mine" Riley reasoned, Cindy rolled her eyes.

"Well I have good choice of clothing just cheer up," Cindy said.

"And just make sure you don't leave the party before it's even started," Cindy said walking to grab her bag.

Riley sighed looking back at the mirror, she pulled some hair close to her face behind her ear.

"Just consider this night where you have no worries," Cindy said from her room.

"Yeah I wish I could," Riley said softly, she really wished she could, it would be a relief but her mind was constantly glued to the past like a magnet.

***

Section Four

Fraternity House

A rock song played outside the house faintly but inside was roaring.

A taxi pulled up, Riley and Cindy stepped out, the taxi man was paid and he drove off.

"Well it's crowdy," Riley said looking around.

"We should go" she adds turning to leave.

"No no no, Riley you promised Edward you will come, don't back down now," Cindy said firmly, Riley sighed in defeat, her eyes drifting to the building.

"Okay then, what's the worst that could happen".

Inside

The music bang loudly, everyone on the dance floor dancing in styles with their partners or by themselves. Color lights reflecting everywhere.

Riley and Cindy made their way through the dance floor ignoring the dancing people around them.

"Riley there's Edward". Cindy pointed upstairs, they took the stairs.

"You made it," Edward said amused.

"Yeah she wouldn't have come if it weren't for me," Cindy said winking.

"Ok then," he said his eyes fixed on Riley.

"Drinks! I will go get drinks" Cindy said rushing out.

"She's doing that again," Edward said, Riley smiled.

"You look-". Edward was lost for words, she was quite the beauty.

"-Gorgeous" he adds mesmerize.

"Thank you," Riley said blushing slightly. She looked around hoping to see Cindy back by now.

"I don't think Cindy will be back anytime soon," Edward said his eyes fixed on the dance floor, Riley looked, Cindy was enjoying herself on the dance floor like a wild cat. They giggled at her antics.

"You have a pretty good friend" he commented.

"Yeah she's one of a kind," Riley said smiling warmly. Edward's eyes drifted to her, he was lost in her beauty. Riley noticed his stare and turned and their eyes met.

"Wanna dance?" he asked softly.

Riley swallowed.

"I would love to," she said.

He brought out his hand, Riley's eyes drifted to it, it took a moment before she took it. He leads her downstairs slowly.

A slow beat song started playing, everyone danced to the slow cool beat. They got to the dance floor.

"May I?" Edward said referring to holding her waist.

"Yeah sure," Riley said, he took it bringing her close slowly, she placed her hands on his shoulder as they danced to the beat, their eyes locked.

"You know when you avoided me I thought maybe you had a boyfriend," he said amused, Riley chuckled.

"Well I don't, the truth is I have never been with a guy before," Riley said firmly.

"Seriously?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously," she said smiling, he stopped their dance, Riley stared at him puzzled.

"Well I guess am a lucky guy," he said smiling, Riley blinked, he slowly leaned towards her, Riley froze when his lips came for her, their lips met in wonder, circling and consuming but Riley was having a hard time feeling a connection, it was odd and weird, but Edward seemed to be in the moment.

Edward broke the kiss noticing Riley wasn't kissing him back.

"Is everything okay?" he asked worried.

Riley was about to say something, but it was like time stopped when Riley's eyes only, drifted behind him. Only the sound of her heartbeat could be heard. Her eyes widen when she saw a paled man with blond hair smirking, what frightened her was his ghoul's eyes. Riley gasped when his Claw came out unnoticed about roaring.

"LOOK OUT!" Riley shouted but it was too late, chaos broke as the Claw devoured a student coming for more, screams and shouts could be heard everywhere.

"Riley we have to get out now," Edward said panicking, others rushed out in panic bumping into them.

"Cindy! I have to get Cindy" Riley said worried, she ran to the scene.

"RILEY WAIT!" Edward shouted following behind her.

Riley got to the almost empty dance floor, the place cleared, and then she saw Cindy on the floor struggling to get up.

"Cindy" Riley said worried about going to get her but she froze when the paled man stepped forward along with his Claw.

"V-Ghoul" Riley said without a doubt, they were some ghouls who resorted to the rage thereby losing their sanity, she has never seen one before except now.

The man smirked as his Claw came for Cindy who was frozen in absolute fear.

"CINDY!" Riley shouted as her eyes changed, the white part went all black, her eyes changed to beaming gold and her Claw roared out in speed.

The man's Claw grabbed Cindy as she screamed flinging her to the wall causing a crash.

Riley's Claw kicked the other making a loud thud sound, the Claw's were thrust to the next building crashing in--in a heated battle.

The man snaps to Riley in surprise that she was a ghoul.

"Protecting a human? Don't you have any shame?" the man hissed.

"They are innocent, not all of them are a danger to us," Riley said darkly.

"Pity". The man said.

"I thought you're one of us".

The moment he said that he threw a dagger at her, Riley saw this coming as she shifted, the dagger passing her, her eyes traveled fast as she caught it.

Before the man could blink it penetrated in his chest deeply. The man coughed out blood holding the dagger that duck in his chest.

"You're no different from the agents who hunt us," Riley said as the man dropped to the floor in the pool of his own blood, his Claw vanished on dust.

Her Claw stepped forward reversing back inside her, she sighed turning to Cindy but froze when she saw Edward holding a passed-out Cindy with wounds. Edward's eyes shaking. He couldn't believe this.

"Edward," Riley said knowing he saw everything, he didn't answer he was still in shock.

"Edward," she said coming to him.

"Don't!" he hissed, she halted instantly.

*Loud Wailing Sirens*

Riley knew the authorities were here as well as agents, she turned to Edward.

"Am sorry" she said walking away, her so-called normal life was all over now.