Page 10 of Bedlam
nine
Weed & Stitches
Spade
“We need to call the clean-up crew.” Ryder states, pulling me from the darkness that my mind threw me into. I look up at him and nod my head.
“I know, but I need to bury the dogs first. Then I need a hot fucking shower and sleep. Maybe I’ll wake up and none of this will have happened, this will all just be a fucking nightmare.” I spit, but he puts his hand out and I take it, pulling me up as he winces. I stand and laugh.
“You keep forgetting about that rib, aye?”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re going to have to wrap it and stitch the wound up, but we can worry about that later. We aren’t done talking, and we got shit to do. Jade wouldn’t want us crying like a bunch of bitches while her house is a mess. So let's get done what we can, then shower and maybe hit the bed for any fucking minute of sleep.” He suggests, and I nod.
“Sounds like a plan,” I reply. Taking out my phone, I see no texts from Ri. I’m borderline worried but I need to focus. I call the clean-up crew and tell them it's a big job and will pay double. Ryder goes into the garage to get shovels, and I make my way to the living room. Stopping in my tracks, I fall to my knees beside Auggie.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you. You were my best friend and meant the world to me. I’ll never forgive myself for letting them do this to you.” Tears stream down my face as I lift my dead friend and carry him out the back door as Ryder holds it open for me. We walk down the hill to the tree that holds a memory I’ll never forget with Jay and Babygirl.
Placing Auggie down next to it, I take a shovel and start digging. I remove his collar, stuffing it in my back pocket. I gently remove the shredders from his paws, placing them next to the hole. Ryder already carried the other two out and is on his way down the hill with three blankets. He hands one to me and I spread it in the hole, pick up Auggie and place him on the blanket, wrapping his stiff body. I cry as I cover him with dirt. My whole life, I’ve never had a pet; I was never allowed to be a normal kid.
Having Auggie to play with and to love every chance I got, made me feel whole, made the missing piece of my heart full, and now; my heart is shattered with no way of putting the pieces back together.
We work as a team, getting Apollo and Atticus buried as the clean-up crew work around us getting rid of the bodies. I don’t care what the fuck they do with them. They could burn them allin the yard for all I give a fuck. I just want it cleaned up.
A part of me hopes she will walk in the door and be happy that we got everything situated so she wouldn’t have to deal or see it all again. I’d do anything to make her happy and bring a smile to her gorgeous face.Goddamn it.How am I supposed to go on likethis? Without her here? Ryder clears his throat and I look up at him.
“Come on, what’s next on our list?” He says and I can’t help but laugh.
“The real question is, what else do we need to talk about?” I say as I stand.
“What was it that I missed while I was gone, prior to this tragedy?” He asks.
“We might need more tequila for this, but I’d like to shower before I get piss drunk.” I say and he nods.
“I’m down with that, but while we walk up this fucking hill, I want you to know that I know Kayla is a fucking snake. I’ve known for a while now, and thatshe’s been working with, or for someone, while holding onto secrets. I don’t think she was ever actually Jade’s friend.” He confesses, and I stop walking.
“Wait, when was the last time you even saw her? Because there's a huge piece to the puzzle that you should already know about.” I say, and he looks at me with a raised brow.
“Actually, when was the last time you spoke to Slim? He knows about all of this. Hang on, now I’m confused.” I say, shaking my head as I continue to walk up the hill.
“It’s been a while. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen either of them. We have been busy with club shit and things have been really weird.” He says.
“Did you even know that Slim was kidnapped and we went to save him?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“This is the first I’m hearing of it.” He says as we walk through the back door.
“Or that I intercepted a shipment of kids that were Kayla’s family's haul?” I quip.His eyes shoot up in surprise.
“How about that Ryker has a son named Jaxon? Who we ended up having in our care, but then someone ambushed mywarehouse killing all the kids, including Harper and Bianca, taking Jaxon with them.” I yell, and he freezes in place.
“Ryker has a son? Wait, hold the fuck up!” He says as we get to the stairs.
“Yeah man. Listen, as much as I’d love to stand here all night and divulge everything at once, I need a fucking shower. So let's put this on ice and get ourselves cleaned up. Then we can meet in the entertainment room and drink ourselves stupid, spilling all the shit.” I say, and he laughs as we get to the elevator. I press the button and the doors open. Climbing in, I push the button for levels two and three.
“I’ll go shower in Jade’s bathroom and you can go wherever your black heart desires.” I chuckle.
“You don’t know what my heart desires, but we will leave that for another time.” He admits and I visibly swallow.Is he flirting with me, again? Or am I delusional from the lack of sleep?Level two dings and he steps out with a wink as the door closes behind him. The ride up seems like it’s taking forever as it takes me up to my girls room. The doors open, I step out and walk down the hall into her room. Her scent smacks me in the face and my heart seizes in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Tears pour down my face the deeper I step into her room, it hurts so fucking much. I lost a part of me I’ll never get back. I still don’t believe any of this is real.
Walking into the bathroom, I turn the shower on and strip out of my clothes before stepping underneath the water. I wash my body fast, trying to stay in the present and not get stuck in my head, otherwise Ryder will find me at the bottom of this shower.