Along the River
Chapter One: These Walls

By: Gravilove19

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who has read this story or edited it. I'd especially like to thank my love Rinifer. He is definatly the muse in my head. For all those who have already read this, this chapter has had some major revisions, so you need to read it again. Thanks again. Please read and review 3333

The hills rolled by as River looked out of the window, all he could see for miles was vast hills and plains. River knew this was just another town that he would soon be removed from. His father Daniel Ward was the CEO of a major money firm, that gave out high sum loans. Daniel Ward was a stern man and tried to keep his family matters as far as he could from his professional life. Although his father made plenty of money it did not prevent River from feeling dislocated from his father’s life.
Eventually River saw the outline of a small town coming into view. River had been here only a handful of times before and knew that although a small town it was grand in its culture. Carlisle was in the middle of no where and had a little over ten thousand people. This was the third move for River and as such he had become accustomed to blending into the background waiting silently for the date of his next move.

River's mother had died several years prior and it was at that time that Mr. Ward had began to spend more time at his office and less time trying to spend time with his son. Left to his own devices River had been raised by his father’s staff, under strict instruction. Although his father’s main residence was in London, England River had never really considered it his home, or even a residence. Most of River’s memories of the house were from his younger years as a child and even those were not always pleasant.
As an artist he always looked for inspiration in the world outside his own, his father however found nothing flattering about his son taking part in a activity that was so feminine, Daniel Ward’s discovery of his son’s love for the subject had resulted in River’s first move. Once more turning his attention toward the passing buildings and streets River saw that they were pulling up to a large house with two stories and a grand front porch. Although River had not been to the house many times he knew the house well, some of River’s fondest memories as a child were visiting this house and his grandparents. Glancing up River saw his driver Frank holding the door open for him and waiting for River to get out.

“Mr. River, we have arrived. Please leave your bags and go into the house, Dannetta should be waiting.”, the driver said as River climbed out of the backseat.

“Thanks Frank. Are you returning back home now?” River asked, feeling sorry for the man because he had already driven so far for him.

“Yes Sir. Your father has requested my presence at his office. I will let him know you arrived safely. There is another car here for transportation in case you should need it. Your new driver is Mark and he will be happy to assist you, until I return. ” Frank said indicating the car that was parked not to far away.

Thanking him River grabbed his laptop bag. He had never been fond of heavy luggage and already knew his father would have already set his wardrobe up for him. River had been raised with modest polos and slacks all his life. Never had his father allowed any of those “filthy t-shirts” or “tacky jeans”. No Daniel Ward insisted that River live in the lap of luxury while still remembering that his father loved him very much, but just didn't want or have time to spend with him. It amazed River as to how although his father was always too busy to spend any time at home, he had enough time to schedule everything about River's life.
Looking at the house in front him River knew why his father had moved him here. He would be turning eighteen soon, and as such the cameras would be all over him. Having a major CEO for a father and a famous mother always guaranteed press attention. However, the press wasn't allowed to capture his face on film and the tabloids could only speculate to find what was so wrong with the young Ward. River had always been told to “Don't screw up, or get near any cameras.” This trip was to him one last resort for his father to get him out of his hair and away from any public eye. River knew that in a town this small nothing ever stayed a secret for long and although he did not enjoy confrontation he knew that he would eventually encounter it.
The house also known as the Maxi House had been built in the late 1800's and had been remodeled numerous times I had a plantation style theme or the old Untied States South and as such held great white pillars on the front porch and solid wooden walls and flooring. It wasn't awful looking in architecture and was probably ahead of its time when built. River's father had purchased the school a short time after Martha Ward's death, in hopes of retaining every last memory of her life. Carlisle housed a couple of diners, a store, and three schools: primary, junior high, and High School. River was to start at the local high school Carlisle Academy the following Monday.

Making his way into the house River made his way to the kitchen in hopes of finding something to eat before settling into his new home. He knew Dannetta would be looking for him, but preferred food over mothering Finding that the cabinets had not been stocked and the refrigerator was also empty River moved from the kitchen to find his driver Mark to take him into town to a small diner.

The local diner was quaint and was a typical hangout for high school teens; the very thing River hated. It wasn't that River didn't enjoy the friendship of his fellow peers, but having moved several times in the past few years he had been content with the companionship of his servants and computer.

Following the waitress River looked around to see most of the diner had quieted upon his entry with Mark.. Although they didn’t stick out in the crowd people always knew when someone from out of town came in. Sitting down in a booth River could hear the chattering of a group of kids when he had come into the little restaurant.
“And then she was like, “but I want you to date me." I told her it was too bad that I already had a bedmate for the evening and that she would have to give up already. I don't know where you girls get your urges.” said a boy with short blond hair.
“Oh Adrian, you should have let up on the poor girl! Just because you have no feelings for the numerous girls who throw themselves as your feet doesn't mean those girls don't have any feelings themselves,” said another girl, looking at the boy who appeared to be her friend.
“And what else am I supposed to do in this God forsaken town? It's not like there is fresh meat walking around.” The boy, Adrian, said pretending to be bored.
“Oh, you are hopeless. Just because you happen to be Mr. All-Around-Athlete doesn't mean you are irresistible. I can't wait to see the day someone turns you down and flat out refuses your friendship and-or the opportunity to be your bedmate for the one evening,” the girl replied, eying Adrian mockingly.
“Yeah yeah, you are only saying that because you aren't allowed to be my lover since you're my sister. Besides you are one to talk Mellisa, you're just as bad as me,” Adrian said.
By this time River was tired of listening to the small talk while he had been trying to enjoy his burger.

Getting up, he moved slowly over to the table and looked at the pair. Thinking that maybe a little rejection might help.
“I would really appreciate it if you would keep your bedmate preferences to yourself. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would never sleep with either of you regardless of sexual preference. Now you can get over yourselves and find another hobby besides trampling on other people's feelings.” Turning away from the group River tried to make his way back to where Mark was now standing, waiting for them to leave. River stopped suddenly when he heard the scrape of a chair on the floor.
“Look, I don't know who you are, but you can't come into my town and tell me what to do.” Adrian said rising from his seat and moving closer to River.
“You are on my turf and you better watch your back.” Adrian was now less that a few centimeters away from River.
“Oh, really? Watch my back?” River said huffing, “Well I guess you just found yourself a new enemy, dear Adrian.” River had never been so angry in his entire life. 'How dare that punk talk about another humans life as though it had no worth but to play a trophy on his list of conquests.' Throwing a twenty on the table, River glanced around at the shocked students before he move to leave the diner. The last thing he heard was Mark saying something to him as his world went black.

When he finally came to he was sitting in the car with Mark, on his way home.

“You scared me Mr. River, and probably everyone else in that small diner. I called ahead and let Dannetta know what happened. She wasn't very happy with you.” Mark said not looking away from the road.

“Mark, did you enjoy school when you were my age?” River asked.

“I suppose, I had friends and I played sports so I always had something to do. Why do you ask?” Mark inquired.

“I always wonder if there is something I'm missing out on. All I ever am is sick. I just wish there was something more. Oh well I guess this is my punishment.” River said.

“Mr. River, I wouldn't worry about missing out, but worry about making sure you don't die in the process. It is ok to have fun, but not kill yourself for it.” Mark said
“Maybe thats what I need then.” River said as a hushed whisper.
Getting out of the car River thanked Mark.. Looking up the front steps he could see his nanny Danetta waiting on him with an anxious look.
“Mr. River, do you have any idea what time it is? I have been so worried, you were due in the blue room the minute you came home.”
Danetta was a kind woman, and had raised River since birth she had become his only friend and confidant in the entire Ward household. Her eyes always seemed to have a spark when she talked to River, almost as though she were watching her own son growing older each day. Making their way into the house River walked up the flight of stairs to the second floor, the last door on the right The blue room was just that, a room completely covered in blue. To River it looked to much like a hospital, with a sterile smell and plain white cotton sheets. River had seen too many hospitals in his life to like blue.
“River, your father said you would need two shots tonight. Doctor Hutton said that in order to keep your body under control you will be needing more medication than usual. The doctor said he thinks you may be having an adverse reaction.” Danetta said guiding River to the bed.
“Yes, father always knows best right? Sometimes I wish I could be allowed to make up my own mind.” River said while laying down.
“River I wish there was another way for us to treat your body. However this is the only way we can make sure nothing goes wrong.” Danetta said smiling down at River.
As River's world began to fade away he held a sad smile as he thought of how he only ever wished his mother were there to comfort him.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Please leave me a note by reviewing and telling me what you thought. I rely heavy on those.

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