Chapter 24: Lies

Cove's hoodie^^^

Cove's POV

"Thank you River, I had sooo much fun today!" I smiled up at him.

"Anything for you baby, you know you're so special right? I'd do anything for you."

I smiled and nodded at him. I expected to see him smiling back at me, but instead his expression became serious and worried.

"I'd even die for you."

Those words took me off guard and I made eye contact with him, only to see his eyes looking completely empty. It's scaring me.

"River? River are you okay!?" He opened his mouth, but no sound came out of it.  His eyes shifted downwards and filled with terror.

I looked down to see what he's looking at. My eyes filled with horror at the sight before me.

Oh gosh, no no no this can't be happening.

There's a huge gaping bullet hole in the middle of his chest. Blood is seeping through his shirt, staining it a dark reddish brown color.

I look up at his face again in order to free my eyes from the terrible scene in front of me.

Except that only made things worse. His face, it's look so broken. Blood is spilling out of his mouth and falling onto his shoes.

His eyes. His eyes are full of tears.

"No no no, River. Please no. You're okay River, you're going to make it through this. I'll be here with you, I won't go anywhere. We can be together forever."

A tiny smile grazed his lips. I smiled back at him, he's okay! Everything will be okay. We're going to get through this.

But his smile fell just as quickly as it came. His eye lids stared to get heavy, and he closed them.

"No River, no! Open you're eyes, everything will be okay."

His face dropped and he fell limp against the wall behind us, slowly sliding down until he hit the ground.

"No River please! Please open your eyes!" I cried.

He didn't.

"No no no no no, this can't be happening! You're okay! You're fine, you're going to be okay look at me!"

He didn't respond.

"No no no no no," I fell onto the ground and clutched his hands. I moved my hand to his wrist and felt it.

No pulse.

He's gone.

I woke up with a startle. Air came into my lungs in deep breathes as I tried to compose myself.

I'm okay. River's okay. Everything is okay. No one can hurt us, everything is fine.

I felt around until my hand came in contact with River's face. He's fine, he's right here sleeping soundly without a single worry in the world.

I pressed my head against River's chest and listened to his steady heartbeat.

Thump-Thump. Thump-Thump. Thump-Thump.

I took deep breaths and followed his breathing until mine fine back into a consistent pattern.

There we go, all better.

All night I've been shifting in and out of sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see the guys in black running around shooting their guns at innocent people.

I hear the blood curtailing screams of innocent, terrified people echo through my head. I keep thinking of the sinking feeling that I felt when I realized that either River would die, or we both would.

This is my fourth time waking up in just these last few hours due to the same repeating nightmare.

I have so many questions, who are the men who were there afterwards? What happened to those three guys? Why did they want to kill River? Did River kill them?

"Baby are you okay?" River's tired voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Darn it, I must have been moving too much and I woke him up.

"Y-yeah I'm okay, sorry for waking you up." Okay that was not convincing at all, way to go Cove.

"Baby what's wrong? You can tell me," he coaxed while sitting up and pulling me towards him.

I sighed and laid my head on his lap. He started to stroke my hair as encouragement to tell him.

"It's just that, I can't fall asleep without having the same nightmare where you get shot in the chest and die. Every time I close my eyes, I hear their screams River," I blubbered.

River hummed in response and lightly traced my cheek with fingers. It went silent for a couple of minutes, and honestly it felt peaceful. Sometimes you don't need someone to say anything, you just need then to be there with you.

Just as my eyes start to close, River leans down and places a kiss on my forehead.

"Baby I'm so so sorry that you had to experience that. But we're okay now, I'm okay. No one can hurt us." He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I know that it's going to take some time for you to heal because that was terrifying. I breaks my heart to know how bad you're going to feel, but just remember that I'll be here with you every step of the way," he promised.

A small smile grazed my lips and I looked up at him with appreciation in my eyes.

"Thank you River," I mumbled. He smiled and laid back down, pulling me to his chest and wrapping his arms around me securely.

"It's okay baby, you can close your eyes. I'm right here, no one can hurt you," he coaxed.

I listened to his command and tightly shut my eyes. I didn't even take a minute for the memories to start flooding in, but I pushed them away.

I cuddled further into River's body, reminding myself I'm okay and It didn't take long after that for me to finally fall into a nightmare-less sleep.

The next morning:

I woke up to a knock on my door."Cove, we're leaving sweetie," my Dad's voice rang. I quickly hid River with the blankets just in time for my parents to open the door and walk in.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, then hopped out of bed to go hug them goodbye.

"Bye bye," I mumble tiredly.

"Bye sweetheart, we'll be back pretty late. But we took tomorrow off for your birthday!" Dad informs me.

I mumble a "Yay!" In return, too tired to process what's happening or to come up with a better reply.

"I can't believe my baby is turning sixteen! You're growing up so fast, you're going to be able to drive soon!" Mom squeals.

I just nod in response and they finally leave. As Soon as I heard the front door close, I climbed right back into bed.

Honestly, I'm feeling terrible. I have a headache from my lack of sleep, and I'm feeling very upset about what happened yesterday. I just want to sleep until it all goes away.

Before I could get under the covers though, River's shot up a grabbed my small body, pinning me underneath him. I quickly faked a smile on my face, not wanting him to see how bad I really feel right now.

"Why did you hide me, huh?" He playfully interrogated me. Before I could get out an answer though, he started to tickle my stomach and neck.

"I-I d-didn't w-want my p-parents asking q-questions and g-getting the w-wrong I-idea," I somehow managed to stutter out through laughter.

He finally stopped the attack on my sides and flipped us so that I'm now sitting on his lap and he's leaning against the headboard.

"It's okay baby, I forgive you," he said. I playfully glared at him, to which he gave me a cheeky smile in return.

That just deepened my frown and I turn my head away from him while crossing my arms in a fake pout.

"Aww baby don't be upset, I forgive you," he teased. I turned to face him again and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Okay okay, Sorry," he apologized, putting his hand us in fake surrender. What he failed to realize is that the only thing holding me up is his hands, so when he let go, I fell backwards and smacked my head on his feet.

"Owwww," I whined. His eyes immediately widened and he pulled me back up, cradling my body to his chest.

"Sorry baby, sorry sorry," he apologized while rubbing the back of my head soothingly. I just huffed and buried my head in his shoulder, refusing to look him in the eye.

"Babbyyyyyy I'm sorrryyyy," he groaned. I giggled at his antics and climbed off his lap.

"I forgive you. Now c'mon, let's go get some breakfast." River stood up and we silently walked down to the kitchen.

"Hmmm, what do you want to eat?" I asked as I started to look through the coverts and pantries.

"Bagels?" I suggested before he could even answer. He chuckled and walked behind me, easily grabbing the bag of bagels that I was struggling to take out from the cabinet.

"That's sound great baby."

15 minutes later, we had our bagels all toasted up and spread with cream cheese, mine with strawberry and his with regular.

"So River, about what happened yesterday." River visibly tensed at my words, adding to my nerves. Do I really want to know the answers? Yes, yes you do Cove, no backing down now.

He grunted hesitantly for me to continue. I nervously took a bite out of one side of my bagel (if you eat then together, you're a psychopath) before firing my first question.

"Who were those people River?" I asked. If possible, his body tensed even more as he stuttered out a reply. I've never heard him stutter.

"I-um well you know how my parents are very rich and they own a successful business?" He questioned. I nod for him to continue.

"Um well there are a lot of people who want to take me and hold me ransom. Some even want to kill me, just like those people. So, my parents hired team of bodyguards to watch over me. I have a way to let them know when I'm in danger, " he says.

Hmm, I guess that's pretty believable. I mean, who wouldn't want in on some of his parents money, they're crazy rich. And I guess it wouldn't be to abnormal for a rich couple's son to have bodyguards.

"Okay, what happened to the three guys then?" I asked. River froze in his spot, then took a deep breath before answering, almost like this is hurting him.

"Well after we left, the bodyguards turned them in to the police. Don't worry, they're gone now."

I nodded and smiled at him, showing that I believe him. There is no reason for me not to, as far as I know he's never lied to me. But I still have one more question.

"What we're those loud sounds though? We're they gunshots?" I asked. River turned to look at me and pulled me into his lap.

"No baby, they were the sound of one of the cars. Did you see that large grey truck? It makes a lot of noise when it parks," he explained.

"Oh okay, that makes sense," I beamed. He smiled down at me and we continued to eat our breakfast in peace, me now sitting on his lap.

Once we finished eating, I took the plates to the sink and we somehow both ended up sitting on the couch.

"So, do you want to do something? We can go somewhere if you want, wherever you want to go," River asked after a few moments in silence.

"Oh no, I don't want to go ANYWHERE after what happened yesterday. We should just stay home and watch TV, then I have to get ready for tomorrow," I responded.

River nodded, although I saw a hint of sadness in his eyes when I mentioned my hesitance to go anywhere after yesterday.

I grabbed a few blankets, and River turned on Pretty Little Liars, making me smile at his thoughtfulness. I'm sure that he's uninterested in the show, but he still chose it for me.

"Wait!" I suddenly yelled. River immediately paused the show and turned to look at me with confusion and worry written all over his face.

I gave him a apologetic smile for scaring him before continuing.

"I'm going to go change super quick. I've been wearing the same clothes since yesterday morning," I announced.

River nodded and sighed in relief. I gave him once last look, then ran upstairs, into my room.

I looked through my drawers and in my closet for a second, deciding on a dark yellow cat themed hoodie and some basic black leggings.

I slipped the outfit on, then ran back downstairs. I plopped down on the couch and pulled a pink knitted blanket on top of me.

"Okay okay, now we can start," I sighed. River hummed and clicked play, and the show started.

I quickly notice that River is laying without any blankets on him. It's colder then Antartica in here, he must be freezing. Plus, I didn't bring them all the way to the couch just for him not to use any.

I huffed and shook my head in disapproval, then climbed next to him, pulling a few blankets with me.

I laid down with my head on his chest and my body cuddled into his side. I then draped the pink blanket over me, a dark blue over him, and a big fluffy white one on top of both of us.

River watched in amusement the whole time, not even lifting a finger to help me. I scowled at him and muttered how he's lucky I'm nice and don't want him to freeze to death.

He laughed at that and wrapped his arms around me.

"Baby, I'm not going to freeze to death. And yes, I am lucky you're nice. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

I hummed and turned back to the TV. River surprised me by also turning to the TV and actually paying attention to the show.

When the episode finished, River silently turned on the next one. Does he actually like it? Or is he just doing this for me?

The next episode went by similarly, then the one after that. Around 15 minutes in to the fourth episode today, I heard a very dramatic gasp followed by, "no she didn't!"

I looked over at River to see him covering his mouth with wide eyes. I giggled at his expression and couldn't resist teasing him about it.

"River, you look so funny," I joked. He playfully glared at me, then looked back at the TV, letting out another dramatic gasp at what's happening.

"No way, there's no way!" He exclaims. I laughed out loud at him, then also looked back at the TV.

By the time the episode finished, River was leaning forwards, desperately crushing a pillow to his chest. I quickly decided that turning off the TV for now is probably best for his mental health.

"What! No Cove I NEED to see what happens next!" He whined like a child who got their candy taken away.

"No River, we really need to take a break," I opposed, trying my best to hold in a laugh at the distressed look on his face.

He huffed and crossed his arms, making himself look even more like a toddler.

"River, c'mon it's been like 3 hours. Let's eat and do something else for a bit, then we can go back to watching."

He sighed and reluctantly nodded, then stood up. I stood up with him and we both walked to the kitchen.

"So since I picked breakfast, you can pick lunch. What do you want to eat?" I asked. River though for a few seconds before responding.

"Sandwiches?" He suggested. "Sure," I nodded and pulled out some bread, salami and mayonnaise.

I quickly made both of the sandwiches, and soon we were both sitting down at the table eating.

"So River, what do want to do while we take a break?" I ask. He frowns at me before responding.

"We're actually taking a break?" He groaned with an eye roll.

"Yes River! We've been watching since breakfast!"

"So? Why do we need a break?"

"Because it's bad for our eyes. Plus, you're getting very worked up over it, it's just a show!"

"But-" River started to object with the cutest pouty face ever.

"No buts," I interjected. He huffed and returned to eating. I smiled victoriously and shoved the last bit of my sandwich in my mouth, then hopped off my chair and started to put everything away.

River quickly finished and he helped me clean everything up. Once we finished, I started to feel thirsty since we didn't drink anything with our lunch.

"Apple juice or water?" I asked River.

"Water is fine," he answered, not looking away from his phone that he just pulled out.

I took out two cups and pored my self some apple juice, and River some water. As I turned to hand him his cup, I noticed him frowning down at his phone.

"River what's wrong?" I asked as I sat down next to him. He looked up at me for a split second, taking his cup from my hands before looking back down.

"It's nothing baby. Just my friend being stupid." I slightly frowned at his insult, that's mean!

River glanced at me and looked amused at the look on my face. I frowned even more and gave him a hard glare.

"Aww baby, you don't like me calling someone stupid?" He teased.

"No," I pouted. River's smirk grew and he lightly tickled my side. I huffed and smacked his hand away, then turned my body to show that I'm mad at him.

"Baby!" I didn't answer. I'm not going to talk to him until he apologizes.

River's POV

I laughed out loud when Cove chose to ignore me. She's so cute when she's mad!

When she didn't make any move to look at me, I grabbed her by the hips and easily pulled her onto my lap.

"Baby don't be mad, I'm sorry." She huffed and flipped her body to face me.

"River that wasn't nice!" She scolded. I had to bite my lip in order to hold in a smile and make it look like I'm actually taking her seriously.

"I know, I know I'm sorry," I apologized. Cove huffed again when she noticed the smile breaking through my lips, although she wasn't able to hold one back either.

"It's okay!" She beamed. I chuckled at her and just as I was about to say something else, my phone ringing interrupted me.

I picked it up, Ryan. Shocker. He can't handle the attention being taken away from him for more then 30 seconds.

I rolled my eyes and walked to another room, then answered.

"Dude! Why did you stop replying!? I was going to tell you about how that new kid is already trying to get back out, the f*cker really didn't take you seriously. What has it been, a few days and he's already regretting his decision!" Ryan voice answered.

"I don't have time for this right now Ryan, you can tell me all about it later. Maybe you can even tell me about how your mommy didn't buy you the right pair of shoes as well!"

"Oh don't be like that River! Just because you're all serious gang leader right now, doesn't mean some nice tea won't do you some good."

"Well I'm kinda busy right now. Why don't you go pick out a movie and some cute pink pajamas and I'll be right over."

"I mean...I'm not opposed to the ide-"

"Shut up! Go smoke a cigarette or something."

"Woah woah woah, what's got your panties in a twist? Is it that girl you were with yesterday?"

"Yes, yes it is. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get back to what we were doing."

"Oh okay, maybe some glock glock 6000 would do you good. I'll leave you to it."

With that he hung up. I rolled my eyes and slipped my phone back in my pocket.

I honestly don't know how we're even friends. He never takes me seriously and he's very sarcastic, which is the opposite of what gang leaders usually like.

But somehow through everything, he and I are still friends. As cringy as it sounds, he's one of the only people I can actually get along with and can be in the same room with for more then an hour without want to shoot their brains out.

That's a compliment. Only a handful of people have earned that tittle, including Cove.

Speaking of Cove, she's probably waiting for me. I walked out of the random room I went to and headed over to Cove.

Right now she's washing the dishes with her back turned, so this is the perfect chance to "surprise" her.

I tiptoed until I got right behind her, then in a flash I grabbed her sides and lifted her up. She let out a scream that turned into giggles as I spun her body around.

"R-River p-put me d-down!" She demanded breathlessly. I followed her command and plopped her down on the floor.

I watched in amusement as she bent over with her hands on her thighs, trying to catch her breath.

"R-River why would you do that," she tried to scold me. I shrugged with a smirk and walked back over to you.

"Because it's fun," I answered as I dragged a finger down her red cheeks. She blushed and attempted to lightly shoved me away, keyword: attempted.

I smirked and her face grew frustrated when she tried again with the same result. She tried a few more times before finally giving up and stepping back.

"You're too big River!" She groaned. I chuckled and led her back to the living room.

I gave her a pleading look once we sat down, begging her to turn the show back on. Pretty Little Liars is surprisingly super good, and I'm getting addicted.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, but grabbed the remote none the less.

"Only because I'm nice," she mumbled as she switched it on.

I grinned and pulled her next to me. She laid her head on my chest and I softly played with her hair as we watched.

We ended up watching the seventh and eighth episode, then Cove begged me to watch something else.

"Fine, only for you angel." She grinned and started to look through movies. After 5 minutes we decided to watch Murder Mystery.

She quickly got up and dimmed all the lights, then sat back down with her head on my shoulder.

We started the movie and Cove grabbed my hand out of habit. I smiled and kissed her forehead, making her smile back.

As the movie went on, I tried my best to pay attention but Cove is just too distracting.

I relished in ever single sweet giggle that came out of her mouth, watching her mouth open slightly whenever she's focused.

When the movie finished, I decided that it's best if I leave. I still need to plan our her birthday surprise for tomorrow and buy her a present.

We stood up from the couch and I turned Cove around by her shoulders to face me.

"Cove baby, it's getting dark. I need to go home," I announced. Her bottom lip jutted out and she looked up at me sadly.

"Okay River. I had lots of fun and I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she sighed. I grinned at her and kissed the top of her head, her forehead, her cheeks and finally her lips.

"Good girl," I praised as we pulled away. She nodded and walked me out to my car.

"Bye baby, see you tomorrow."

"Bye River, see you."

Cove's POV

Once River's car completely faded into the distance, I walked back inside and turned on the TV. I turned off Netflix, deciding to watch something else for a change.

The first channel that came on just so happens to be the news. There's a news reporter standing in front of the little shopping center, so I decided to watch.

"Breaking news: Yesterday evening there was a mass shooting at our local shopping center. Several armed men shot at innocent civilians, harming 27 of them and even killing 2. NONE of the suspects have been located or caught yet, so be on the lookout and stay indoors as much as possible until further notice."

My eyes widened at what she said. Not only did two people die, but she said that none of the shooters were caught. That means one thing and one thing only:

River lied.

4152 words.

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