Silent Runner

The next morning I caught Riley standing at her opened locker. She wore blue jeans and a dark gray, form fitted, hoodie. Her curls were pulled back into a tight ponytail. Despite my exhaustion I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.

“Hey, there.” I said, leaning against the adjacent locker.

It was only then I noticed that something was wrong. Her expression was a terrifying mixture of horror and fury as she studied a sheet of paper in her right hand. The fingers of her left hand wrapped tightly around a key chain from which a small silver whistle swayed.

Her hands were trembling, causing the whistle to swing, catching the light at random intervals. Her normally fair skin was a ghostly shade of white, and I could hear her breathing erratically.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, suddenly feeling defensive.

Without a word she stuffed the paper in her bag. Then whistle still in hand, she spun on her heel and stomped down the hall. I followed hot on her trail as she stormed to where Brittney stood with her friends. Brittney flipped her blonde hair laughing fakely, completely unaware of Riley closing in from behind her.

Riley grabbed the girl’s shoulder and violently spun her to face us. I had never seen a girl fight but something told me this wouldn’t be evenly matched. Even being several inches taller than Riley, Brittney looked weak and pathetic next to her.

Brittney stumbled grunting angrily, but as soon as she saw Riley her glossy pink lips spread into a malicious grin. “Oh, Riley. How are you doing girl?”

‘How did you find out?! How do you know?!’ Riley sighed so adamantly I flinched at the movements. Whoever said you couldn’t yell in ASL never met Riley.

“Oh, sweetheart. I don’t have time for charades today.” Brittany smirked, her eyes gleaming victoriously.

Before I knew what was happening Riley’s right arm pulled back and swung forward in a beautiful arc, worthy of professional attention. The resounding crack of flesh on flesh and Brittenys nose breaking seemed deafening.

It took me a minute to realize that I wasn’t deaf, everything and everyone in the hall had stopped. Brittney was the only one who moved at all. She stumbled back into her friends, who pulled away trying to avoid getting blood on their clothes.

I felt like the world was going in slow motion as I stared slack jawed at Riley. It took less than a second to realize she wasn’t done. I couldn’t let this happen. She was already going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble.

I wrapped my arm around her waist and scooped her up into my chest as she lunged forward again. I wasn’t surprised that she fought me. I pulled her around to face away from her target before releasing her just enough to grab her arm and drag her back away.

“Riley and Ethan.” Mr Cook, the P.E. teacher barked. “Principal’s office. Now! Brittney, head to the nurses office then go to the office as well.”

“Shit.” I mumbled under my breath.

Riley pulled at her arm still trying to turn back to Brittney. I tightened my grip slightly, careful not to squeeze too hard. I led the way down the hall and into the secretary’s office. Riley eventually relented and walked with me, but I could still feel the fury radiating off of her.

“You can head right in.” Ms. Daniels said, sounding bored out of her brains.

I nodded my thanks before leading the way into the principal’s office. Mr. Brookes sat behind his large desk looking as if he felt mighty important for handling disgruntled kids. Marcus and I had frequently gotten a kick out of how seriously he took his job.

A middle aged man with a large gut and receding hairline, Mr. Brookes already had his disappointed face on. He looked at us as if he expected so much better from such outstanding students. We all knew that was total bull shit, I especially had a reputation for fighting, and so far Riley was joining the club quickly.

“Does someone want to explain way Mr. Smith, a highly respected lawyer, is calling me livid about his daughter having a broken nose?” Mr. Brookes asked, running his hand over his face.

’She broke into my locker and-” Riley started but he cut her off.

“Ms. Baker.” He started, holding his hand up to stop her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you are trying to say.”

When I glanced over Riley looked as if she was torn between screaming or crying. My heart hurt for her. Whatever Brittney had done this time, she had gone too far. I was suddenly afraid Riley was going to get herself into more trouble here.

“I’ll translate.” I spoke in as reassuring a tone as possible.

I laid my hand gently on Rileys shoulder, trying with all my might to relay that she was going to be okay. To my surprise she didn’t flinch, or pull away. Instead she seemed to lean into the touch.

“Okay. Thank you Ethan.” Mr. Brookes nodded leaning back in his chair.

Riley looked at the whistle in her trembling hand, and squeezed her eyes shut. She seemed suddenly unsure as to whether she should even talk. She looked up suddenly, meeting my eyes with her own swimming brown ones. When she finally started signing she looked down avoiding my gaze.

“Brittney broke into Rileys locker to leave a note revealing that she knew some very personal information.” I translated.

“What kind of information?” Mr. Brookes asked.

“She wants to know why that’s relevant.”

“Because I am still not hearing why you felt it was appropriate to break her nose.” Mr. Brookes snapped.

With shaky hands Riley reached into her bag and pulled out the piece of paper. Eying me resignedly she handed it to the principal. She looked as if whatever was on that paper she felt would scare me off.

It felt good knowing she clearly didn’t want me gone. I knew that nothing I learned about her past would change my opinion of her. At the same time I wanted to know what was going on.

Mr. Brookes went pale as he read over the paper. His eyes bugged in revulsion and his lips pursed. When he glanced back up I winced at the look of sheer pity in his expression as he turned to her.

“Is this real?” He asked.

She nodded one quick jerky movement. She held her head higher and shoulders back, swallowing hard.

“What is the gift it mentions?”

She held up the whistle stoically.

His face reddened with outrage before he took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that somebody did this. However, you have no proof it was her. Considering the circumstances I’ll be lenient on your punishment, but I can’t let you go around hitting people. One week suspension for both of you, starting now.”

With a trembling hand Riley accepted the paper that he held back out to her. She looked as if she was holding it together by sheer force of will. I reached out taking her hand as we turned to leave.

“Riley.” Mr. Brookes stopped us before we could leave. “I’m so sorry this happened. I will be looking into it.”

Riley nodded before walking out, pulling me with her.