Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ True Fear ❯ Henry's Theory ( Chapter 3 )

Author's Note: Hey, I'm sorry this chapter's kind of late. I had the flu, not to mention a writer's block. This chapter may be a little boring, but it's necessary. Don't worry, this story will get some action pretty soon, I promise. I have this story planned out, I just need to put it into words, that's all. Well... on with the chapter!

"Takato!" Henry called. Takato was in his normal spot with Kazu and Kenta where he always ate his lunch.

"Hey, Henry!" Takato greeted.

Henry didn't waste any time at all.

"Takato, I need to talk to you... in private," he added, turning to Kazu and Kenta.

"Hey, whatever Henry has to say, he can say it in front of us. Right, Kenta?" Kazu asked.

"Yeah! Your secret's safe with us!" Kenta exclaimed.

Seeing the look on Henry's face, Takato could tell that he was in no mood to deal with Kazu and Kenta. Takato spoke up...

"Uh... guys... I think you'd better leave."

Kazu let out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine, we've got better things to do anyway. Come on, Kenta." With that, the two walked off.

"Don't worry, Henry. They'll get over it," Takato assured, but seeing the worried look on Henry's face, Takato became concerned. "Henry, what's wrong? You don't look so good."

"Takato, have you seen Rika?"

"No... why?"

"Something... something's wrong with her."

"What is?" Takato asked, becoming even more concerned.

"Today, when we were in English class together, our teacher was giving us a lecture on incest..."

"Yipes... and...?"

"...and through the entire time, Rika was squirming in her chair, looking very pale and sickish."

"Was she okay?"

"Well, she didn't pass out or anything, but I doubt she was anywhere near okay."

"Why is that?"

"Well... I'm not sure... this is just a theory, but... ever since I've known Rika, she's been so distant... so tense... like, whenever I or any guy for that matter just taps her on the shoulder, she gets all jumpy and looks at us as if we're some sort of threat."

"Well... Rika does tend to get all uptight around us guys, but what are you saying?"

"Rika is always keeping to herself. She refuses to tell us anything about her past... or her father..."

"Her... father...?" Then it hit Takato. "Wait... are you saying that maybe you think that..."

"...Rika was hurt by her father... in one of the worst ways possible?"

Takato nodded silently.

"I don't know... possibly..." Henry responded, shaking his head. "It's hard to even think of such a thing happening to Rika... to anyone..."

"Have you tried talking to her yet?"

"Twice," Henry replied. "First was after English, second was not that long ago. First time, I asked her if she was alright, saying she didn't look so well and she told me she was fine and that she didn't need me watching her every second of her life." Henry paused for a few seconds before continuing. "The second time, I found her eating outside by herself. When I sat down to join her, I asked her again if things were alright and she got kind of mad and told me that everything was fine. Well, anyway, after some persistency, I finally made it clear to her that I knew something was wrong and that she couldn't hide it from me, but when I brought up what happened in English class with the teacher talking about incest, she got really uptight and stood up to leave. Now, what really bothers me is when I stood up and told her that I wasn't trying to invade her privacy and that I didn't want anything bad to happen to her, she muttered something under her breath. I couldn't quite make out what she said, but I could've sworn I heard something like... 'too late' or something like that..."

"Oh, geez..." Takato muttered. He could not believe what he was hearing. He had suspected that something was wrong with Rika, but he never imagined that something could be so horrible.

"...and that's not all..." Henry continued. "When I asked her what she had said, she refused to answer, saying it was nothing." Henry paused once more before continuing. "So, when she tried to leave, I grabbed her arm only to have her lash out at me. The look in her eyes... they told me... something's wrong... Takato... I'm worried about her."

Takato remained silent. He was shocked from the whole conversation. Henry continued to speak....

"Takato... do me a favour... don't tell anyone about this, okay? The last thing any of us need is people spreading rumours about Rika."

"Yeah... sure..." Takato replied.

"I'm going to see if I can find her after. If you see her, do you think you could try to talk to her and let me know?"

Takato nodded.

Just then, the bell rang to indicate that lunch was now over and that fourth period would be starting shortly.

"I guess we better get to our classes," Henry suggested. "I'll see you later, Takato."

Henry strode off to class, while Takato stood there, dumbfounded. He just did not know what to think. He quickly realized that he needed to get a move on if he were to be on time for class. He hoped Rika would be alright... he hoped...

To be continued...