WIP: Ryder Investigates
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After encountering someone you hate at first sight, accidentally get carried away and injuring the girl during a basketball game, then finding out she's not actually going to the hospital, what's your gut reaction? Let's consult the Internet.
Wow. I sat back in my chair, stunned. Kiya’s name populated the first two pages of a search. Gymnastics and track star as a kid. Basketball state champs in middle school. Starting softball player on Varsity since seventh grade. Even recognized for her academics and the highest regional GPA… Kiya literally did everything.
But the search terms didn’t show anything of relevance in the last three years. It’s like she dropped off the map. No news reports on any accident, as per Josh’s information, and nothing to indicate any other issues. The basketball team she had been on still existed, just without her. Even the softball team was still a Varsity sport at West Hills. But no Kiya.
“Wow, so you’re stalking her now?” I jumped at the voice in my ear just as Isobel pushed the keyboard away so she could sit on the table. “Did you really think I’d let you off that easily?”
“I wasn’t actively avoiding you, if that’s what you’re asking,” I replied. Isobel dropped two backpacks to the ground, including Kiya’s leather jacket. I pointed down. “Kiya’s stuff?”
“Yeah. She’s fine, by the way.” She looked back at the computer screen. “Find whatever it was you were looking for?”
“I think you know I didn’t.” I folded my arms. “Find the MRI machine at the hospital?”
Isobel narrowed her eyes. “I’ll play your game. You get one question, so do I. Honest answer.”
I smiled. “Deal. What happened to make her… you know…”
“Paralyzed?” Isobel asked. “I should dock you for being too scared to finish your question.” She sighed. “She had just turned sixteen and entered a physical competition. I think almost everyone was rooting for her to lose, even though they knew she would win. There was a… malfunction during one of the events. An explosion knocked her back into a wall and a rock punctured her spine. Broken bones, ripped muscles, torn nerves, you name it. Lost use of her legs for a bit and she took a year off of school to recover. Of course, liability and such, everything was hush hush.” She pointed back to the computer. “That day stole a lot of things from her, but not her spirit. Actually, after that event, it really just hardened. What you see is what is left, which is hard to take in.”
“You’re still friends with her,” I said.
Isobel nodded. “Of course I am; she’s my best friend.”
