Saving Riley

61

James' POV

It's been hours and we still haven't be allowed into see Riley. Nobody will tell us damn thing and I'm going insane
All I need to hear right now is that she is going to be okay
Save the bad news for another time. Just give me a little bit of hope please..

"Do you remember when how much Riles used to play up when it came to her jabs?" John said with a little chuckle causing Paula and I to both look at him
"You would bribe her with money for chocolate and she's soon behave" Paula replied with a smile
"I don't think she'd be a happy bunny with all those wires if she was awake" He confessed and I nodded
"she would hate it" I replied looking into the room again
"I remember the day Emily and her got her ears pierced" Paula laughed
"she came to dance that night cursing at Emily" I smiled 
"She hated needles but she would be the first to complain if we didn't get her vaccinated" John laughed
"She's certainly something" I chuckled looking into the room to see the doctors all seeming to head this way
"Guys" I said making both Paula and John to rise to their feet as all the doctors came out

"Riley Raymond?" One asked and the three of us frantically nodded
"First of all, we want to say that she is an incredible fighter" The doctor said after everyone else had left us
"She's been through a lot and her body is trying it's best to fight but hopefully with everything we've done, it will succeed" He smiled
"What's happening with our baby" Paula asked almost in tears

"Now when she was brought here, you have to understand the condition. She was found in a filthy basement with concrete surrounding her and I'm certain some of that concrete is the cause of her injuries" He explained making my heart sink more and more with every word

"Riley has a severe concussion that then later ended giving her Secondary Impact Syndrome" He said losing us completely
"She developed a second concussion causing her brain to swell which we believe is one of the reason's she passed out" He continued making us all nod
"She also has a few open wound, one on her knee that looks recent, possibly again from the concrete and another on her stomach that looks like it's at least a week old and most likely done by a blade." He said making my hands turn into first

"Both wounds were terribly infected and Riley has Cellulitis in both wounds. We are treating it with antibiotics and fluids in the hope it'll soon flush out of her systems. Both wounds are to be redressed bi-hourly with wet dressing. It won't be pleasant for Riley at all. But it's something that cannot be skipped" He said and we all nodded
"She'll be asleep for a little while longer, we gave her some medication to make her sleep while we did the bulk of her tests" He explained
"You are welcome to go in and sit with her but know that Nurses and Doctors will be in and out frequently and if Riley was to deteriorate at any point we'll have to remove you" He said and we nodded

I looked over at Riley's parents who looked as heartbroken as I was feeling. That dick did this to her and now Riley is sick, none of us will every understand what Riley went through in that basement but god I would love to make Lucas feel at least half of this pain

"Oh my baby" Paula said as we all walked in, John and Paula took a seat on the left side of her bed while I sat on her right
Looking at her right now it was hard not to break down again
She was pale, lifeless even
All because of Lucas. I swear to god, I will make that boy pay I promise

Time passed and we were all sat in silence until Paula and John rose to their feet
"We're going to get some fresh air and a coffee, can we get you one?" John asked. I looked at Paula and I could tell she was about to cry. She didn't want to do that around Riley..
"Yes please" I replied, they both nodded before leaving 
I shifted my gaze back over to Riley giving her hand another squeeze, I hadn't let it go since the moment I got by her side
"I'm so sorry Ri, I really am" I cried leaning my head against the bed
"I should have been there to protect you" I continued
"I let you down, I know. But I promise you, I'm going to make it up to you" I cried
"The moment we're able to go home, I'm going to make you the happiest girl on this planet" I said wiping my tears
"You're the girl for me Riley, you're the one I'm going to settle down with, marry and have a family with. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you're safe from now on" I said choking on my own words

"Nobody will hurt you ever again. I promise" I mutter kissing the back of her hand