Not As It Seems

Severe Consequences

It was time; now or never. You and Madeleine stood outside the police station, ready for you to face what went down the previous day. Safe to say you were nervous about how it would all go down, there wasn't any doubt in your mind that your stepfather and Henry had already been down to talk about what happened from their perspectives. You were scared, but Madeleine was there with you so you did have some comfort.

"Ready?" She asked and you nodded your head before the two of you went up the steps to enter the station, approaching the desk to give your name. "I want to hand myself in for questioning on the incident that went down at my school yesterday" you said with Madeleine saying she would also answer any questions necessary seeing she was also there.

The police officer behind the desk said that there had been reports on what happened and so asked you to follow him to a room for questioning; Madeleine would have to wait a bit for her turn.

It was nerve wracking; your heart pounded in your chest as you were questioned on what went down, being informed that your stepfather and Henry have indeed already been in with statements of their own (though due to protocol of confidentiality the officer failed to state the names of the statements but you knew who they were). So you answered the questions, admitting what you did but stating why.

"I was just trying to defend my friend who was defending me; Henry went to attack Maddie so I pummelled him. My stepfather then showed up and taunted me about my situation. Did I threaten his life? Yes, should I have? No" you said before the questioning concluded and you were escorted to a cell for the time being as Madeleine went in for her own questions. Only then could your situation be determined.

During her interview, Madeleine backed you up with everything you said. She recounted what went down with Henry, how you protected her but went too far, then she mentioned your stepfather's arrival. "He mocked Y/n, taunted him about what happened to cause him to get a record, Y/n isn't a bad person, he has been condemned over twisted truths, his life has been damaged and people expect him to just walk it off and avoid getting angry when people mention what happened? No, I will stand with him through this!" Madeleine stated firmly to conclude her own interview.

From then it was a long wait, a few hours as the statements and interviews were discussed. The time you spent in that cell felt agonising, so claustrophobic. But then you received a visit. An officer arrived at your cell and you looked up from the bed where you were sitting. He was silent for a moment, filling you with dread that you would be the one locked away. And then he spoke.

"Considering the statements we have received, a further investigation will take place of not only what happened yesterday but also of the reason why you have your record" the officer said, confusing you but you assumed Madeleine's backing you up triggered a further investigation. "As for you; we will let you out but do strongly caution you to watch your actions as we investigate things, all actions have consequences" the police officer said before escorting you to the front of the station where you were allowed to leave.

Outside, Madeleine waited, expecting some news of the outcome of your statements. Then she saw you leave the station and a smile turned up on her face as you laughed and cheered whilst hopping down the steps. It was a sense of freedom and you celebrated by lifting Madeleine up and spinning her in the air.

"You did it Maddie! You saved me in there, God, I could just kiss you right now!" You exclaimed as you spun her around before setting her on the ground as she laughed. "What's stopping you? She asked and a silence instantly fell between you.

The two of you looked at each other before you laughed nervously. "Uh I-I mean, can I? I mean uh" you stammered out as Madeleine blushed from what she just said. "Why did I say that?" She thought to herself before feeling you kiss her cheek and step back. "Well, uh, thanks, I owe you big time, they said they're going to investigate things further about yesterday but also the incident of the night I attacked my stepfather, you honestly saved me, Maddie" you smiled before embracing your friend.

Madeleine immediately returned the embrace, her cheeks burning a little from what she said but also when you kissed her. Sure it was on the cheek but from the cause of it, she couldn't help but blush, but she also felt a warmth in her chest. But then there was a voice behind you.

"Come to hand yourself in?" Your stepfather asked as you and Madeleine looked at him. A smirk turned up on your lips as you answered his question; "no, actually I was just let out" you said and the man before you asked why that was after what you did the day before which only made you laugh. "Well considering what was said in the statements, an investigation will take place, but not just for yesterday, but also of the night you attacked my mother, the truth will come out you bastard" you spat as your stepfather glared.

"This is because of you isn't it? You little bitch!" He spat at Madeleine but knew if he tried anything at the moment then it wouldn't end well, you were still in front of the police station after all. "You should have stayed out of this, all actions have consequences" your stepfather spat to which you replied that you have been told such a thing before.

He then turned to walk away and you looked at Madeleine. "We should probably head to school, we missed a few lessons already" she said but you stopped her a moment. You had to mention something. "Just before he arrived, about that kiss thing" you began and Madeleine looked away with a blush. "You know what? We'll discuss it later, I don't think I could take any more excitement right now" you said and she nodded so the two of you started to make your way to school.

As you were walking, the two of you were talking about your interviews; you said how it felt like your heart was going to explode but you did have some comfort in knowing Madeleine was there to back you up. "You have been there for me, you've been my friend when everyone was against me, seriously Maddie, thank you" you said and she smiled.

"It's fine, you needed a friend and I was happy to take that role" she said and you nodded before saying she had saved you; "know that I'll return the favour some day" you said, unaware of just how soon that promise was to be kept.

As the two of you were walking across a road, Madeleine dropped her phone out of her pocket and paused to pick it up as you kept walking. That was when the rumbling was heard, rapidly approaching and gaining in volume. Both you and Madeleine turned with your eyes widening as a car was heading straight for her, inside was none other than your stepfather; the look in his eye had dark intent.

However, it wasn't Madeleine who was hit.

It was all in slow motion as you shoved her out of the way, your eyes meeting for a split second before you were struck and sent over the hood of the car. The impact rocked your entire body as you flipped in the air and landed on the ground with a thud.

There was nothing for a moment, no pain at all before it all piled on in an instant. But you didn't scream, you couldn't as your voice just stopped working at that moment. Your bones rocked with pain but you still tried to drag yourself off the road with what little strength you had in your right arm. Your efforts made it so you were just about off the road, rolling onto your side, but one of your legs was still out there. And then agonising pain shot up your spine as the wheels of the car which your stepfather drove ran over your leg again.

From there you just blacked out from the pain, maybe it was a defence mechanism of sorts so you didn't suffer through that agony but it meant you didn't see what happened next.

This was all near the police station still so your stepfather didn't get too far away. He was actually dragged out of the car by two random guys on the streets who held him down as the police arrived. He spat and cursed at both Madeline and your unconscious form as Madeleine rushed to your side.

"Y/n! Oh my god! Speak to me!" She panicked as she knelt at your side, an officer pulling her back so she didn't move you. Her voice was unheard to you as you laid unconscious, your leg mangled from what had just happened. It was a miracle that you were unconscious, the pain would have been immense. It was a miracle you were actually alive as that impact was literally driven with an intent to kill.

After all this, what you were told numerous times only rang more true. All actions have consequences.