The Strength Within (Sebastian Vettel)

36. Aftermath

Seb waited for the blow. He felt the pain in his head and he fell flat on the floor. He heard footsteps running in and then a shout. A figure shot across the garage and knocked Chris to the floor.

Joel launched himself at Chris. The iron bar clattered to the floor.
Joel straddled the startled Chris. He grabbed his shirt in one fist.

"Harry call security," he called over his shoulder to his friend, who was just entering the garage. "Get the police. And an ambulance. McDevitt and Seb are hurt. "

Chris began to laugh, sounding unhinged.

"If I don't call Talia then your sister is going to be hurt. You can't touch me."

Joel smiled at him.

"Emily's fine. Your little accomplice had second thoughts. Seems she's not too fond of the idea of hurting a pregnant woman. So I warned you five years ago to stay away from my sister. You didn't listen. So this is for her."

He driove his fist into Chris's face.

"And this is for Jacob."

Punch.

"For Seb."

Punch.

"For Scott."

Punch.

He climbed off of the beaten excuse of a man.

"Oh and this one...this one's for me," he added, kicking him in the ribs.

He rushed over to Seb's side.

"Seb, are you ok?"

"I've been better," he said. "Joel, is Emily really OK?"

"I told the truth Seb. Talia let her go." Joel worried about whether to tell Seb while he was in this state. He knew he'd have to tell him eventually, but decided to wait until they got to the hospital. Seb needed medical assistance as soon as possible.

Seb groaned in agony. He raised a hand to his head and when he moved it he saw it was covered in blood.

"Help Scott, he's worse off than me. "

Harry ran back into the garage followed by two security guards. One ran to restrain Chris and the other to help Joel with Scott. Harry went to Seb.

"Help will soon be here Seb. Hang in there buddy."

Seb began to feel faint with the pain. His thigh hurt like mad. His ribs and shoulder and head too. His head was pounding. Everything began to look fuzzy.

"Seb, stay with me," Harry's voice said, fading. Then Seb knew no more

***
Scott McDevitt was rushed straight into the operating theatre. He had a serious head injury and the doctors were fighting to save his life. Seb was taken straight for a CT scan. He'd regained consciousness just after arriving at the hospital. He kept calling out for Emily.

Joel was torn. Part of him didn't want to leave Seb alone but he wanted to be with his sister when she needed him. He tried calling Emily, and Demi, but neither were answering.

The porter wheeled Seb back from his scan and xrays. Seb grimaced as he tried to sit up.

"Joel, I can't thank you enough."

"What are brothers for?"

"Joel, where's Emily?"

Joel bit his lip. He couldn't keep this from Seb any longer.

"Seb, try and stay calm. Emily is being checked over by the doctors."

"What happened? What did Talia do? You said she was ok."