Stage Fright

Chapter 61 ~ The Aftermath

Josh

Please let her be okay. 

I knew I shouldn't have left, what was I thinking? What if he'd hurt her and the police hadn't been fast enough?

A million thoughts were running through my head as I wait in the driveway with her dad, Eleanor, and the security people. So much for them. They evacuated the house, informing her father that they were shooting to kill and they didn't want any bystanders.

I wait for something to change after the gunshot, I hoped it was from the police and not Zeke. I knew something was off when she called, her tone was more than enough if it wasn't for the sound of the heavy breathing on the other end.

I watch in horror as someone carries Heather out to the front of the house. She's in a police jacket and it looks like she's naked. Oh god. 

"Heather!" I call but she's limp like a noodle. What had he done to her?

Her father and I rush over to the man carrying her and walking down to the ambulance. 

"What happened?" Her father asks and the paramedics lay her on the stretcher. 

"She's unconscious." The officer says, letting the paramedics take over. "She needs to get to a hospital, she was punched a few times. She might have head trauma." 

"Ride with her." Her dad says. "I'll take care of everything here and I'll meet you at the hospital."

"Okay." I say weakly, still worried about why she's not wearing her clothes. I climb into the ambulance and watch them hook her up to an IV and a few other wires and tubes. She does appear to be breathing which is a good sign.

"Boyfriend?" The paramedic says and I nod. "Don't be too worried most of this stuff is just routine, they'll give her a good once over at the hospital but it's all precautionary."

"Thanks." I sigh, looking at the bruises starting to form on her face and the sides of her neck.

"You can hold her hand if you want." He adds. I immediately take it into mine and I feel tears leak over my cheeks.

"What was I thinking?" I ask quietly. "How could I have left her there?" 

"Man, I've seen a lot worse than this." He says shaking his head. "I've seen boyfriends do this to their girlfriends. She's going to be alright."

"I know." I mumble. "I should have stayed with her, protected her."

"You can never say when these things are going to happen." He assures me. "People snap, she seemed like she should have been safe. I'm sure no one blames you, hell, I'm sure it's the opposite. You called nine-one-one, you saved her." He says and I nod.

I needed this paramedic around more often to convince me everything would be alright. I look at her and sigh, stroking the back of her hand.

"I love her." I say quietly and he smiles. 

"She loves you too." He laughs to himself and I furrow my eyebrows.

"What?" I ask. "How would you know?"

"The officers who brought her out said she asked for someone named Josh before she passed out. That's you right?" He asks and my eyes widen.

"That is me." I say quietly. My poor baby was hurt and confused and I hadn't been there for her. "What happened to Zeke? Or do you know?"

"He's dead." He says, shaking his head. "Shot right between the eyes."

"Oh jeez." I mumble, knowing Heather had witnessed that. "Well at least he's gone, he'll never do this to her again."