Seven:

Rhyder's POV.

Alexis was sobbing uncontrolably. Her entire body rocked with each fresh wave of sobs that tore through her.

"What do you mean? What happened? What are you talking about?"

I tried to get an answer from her - any kind of explanation. But she only choked on another sob and clutched at the fabric of my t-shirt.

She was inconsolable.

I didn't know what to do. My heart went out to the state that she was in. I had no idea what she was talking about, but whatever it was had to be horrible for her to be this broken.

I wrapped my arm around her and gently stroked her hair with my other hand.

At first, she only cried louder. I pulled her closer and after another few moments she finally calmed down enough to look at me.

I've never seen anyone look as sad and as shattered as she did in that moment.

I was almost too scared to ask again.

But I knew that I had to.

I slowly wiped the tear stains from her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ears. I kept my voice low.

"Talk to me. Pleas