Chapter 254: He Wants To Talk To You

LUMINA Through the observation window, I could see Riley and Lake talking quietly, their heads bent close together in that intimate way that spoke of shared secrets and deep understanding.   Whatever Lake was saying was clearly distressing----his free hand kept coming up to wipe at his eyes, his shoulders shaking with what looked like silent sobs.   Riley's response was to pull him closer, maneuvering carefully around the medical equipment until Lake's head was resting against his shoulder.   The embrace looked awkward given Lake's weakened state and the tubes still connecting him to various monitors, but neither of them seemed to care about the discomfort.   "They're really close," Ollie observed, following my gaze through the window. "I've never seen Riley like that with anyone else. Not even with us."   The innocent observation cut deeper than any deliberate cruelty could have.   Ollie was right----Riley had never shown this level of emotional connection with his actual family. We g