Snowcrossed: Currently Under Construction

44. Aftermath

Song: Awaken Love - Lacey Sturm

I stared at the bar in disbelief—my heart hammering in my throat.

It wasn't as bad as dad said when he called. But it was bad.

Broken bar stools lay in shambles. A glass mirror shattered across the floor.

Janelle stepped inside behind me, her eyes following mine as we scanned the chaos. A group of customers gave their accounts in a nearby corner with the police. Locals mostly and people we knew, including Old Man Jack, who sat atop a low back chair. His complexion blanched, and guilt strewn across his face.

Bits of blood dappled the shards of glass beneath our boots, obscuring our reflections with perfect dots.

The hospital flashed—Baker's coma.

I shook my head, wending through tables and knocked over chairs to the bar where my mother stood, speaking with Constable Rory.

A stool scratched the floor, alerting her. "Did you find him?"

Worry glimmered behind her fire gaze, matching my own. I knew she was angry—torn between wanting to lash out and being frightfully concerned for Baker. Everyone was looking for him. My dad, the team. Even after he tore her bar apart, she still panicked. I didn't blame her. The destruction and the bits of blood frightened me too.

I shook my head grimly in answer.

Her lip quivered, a hand placed over the center of her chest. Nate was safe, stuffed behind the concrete walls of the cells downtown with Dallas, the man rumoured to have started the fight. But Baker was missing. And she worried, given the blood and broken glass. Baker may as well have been her son. She had a hand in raising him. He was, after all, her late best friend's boy.

A lump caught in my throat, but I would cry. Not yet. I was worried, angry, resentful—

Constable Rory turned to me, thumbs looped beneath his vest. "I'll need a statement, Hadley."

My brows rose as I slowed, standing before the police officer I knew from childhood. "From me?" I asked in disbelief.

He nodded curtly, adjusting the hat atop his bald head. "Nathan claims Mr. Sinclair assaulted you."

My mother's disbelieving stare shot to me. Her voice a clap. "What happened, Hadley Bell?"

I didn't have a chance to say anything. She cupped my jaw, catching the broken blood vessels on my neck. 

"Did Dallas do this?" she asked–her eyes like pure flame.

I wasn't given a chance to answer. Not as she snapped to Rory, long black hair whirling from her high ponytail. "I want to press charges," she told the Constable.

I knew she meant in regards to the bar and not for me. She couldn't. I was legally an adult, and the decision to charge Dallas was my own. "Mom, I–"

"No," she stated, lifting a manicured finger and doing everything in her power not to rage. "That is unacceptable, Hadley." Tears glistened, and she asked, "Has he done this before?"

"No," I answered, and it was the truth.

Constable Rory shifted on his feet. "Unfortunately, Linda, if you charge one, you have to charge all three." My mother's dilemma showed on her face. I knew she wouldn't charge Baker or Nate, but she wanted Dallas to pay.

Rory mentioned the bruising on my wrist and forearm, which I reluctantly showed him and my broken-hearted mother. 

I gave my statement, recalling everything that was said while my poor mother listened—a tear shedding down her cheek.

"Do the cameras work?" Rory asked, gesturing to the ones mounted above the bar with his pen.

She nodded, lips pressed together. It didn't look good for Dallas. According to Jack and a few others, Baker and Nate approached first, but Dallas threw the first punch, and from there, all hell broke loose. I assumed they were blaming Dallas because they knew Baker and my brother and felt the need to stick up for them, but even the handful of tourists agreed that Dallas had started the fight. I had seen Dallas's temper on the ice before. I knew what sort of damage he could inflict. But I had also seen Baker, and I knew what he was capable of.

My heart wept, and I turned to Janelle for answers, leaving my mother to speak with Constable Rory. "What does this mean for Baker and Nate?"

She sucked in a thoughtful breath, assessing the damages. "At worst, a few assault charges, but I doubt any of them want to besmirch their good names. Dallas is hoping to make the draft, and Baker and Nate both have sponsors. If anything, they'll drop them."

"And this?" I asked, gesturing to the bar.

"They might get 'uttering threats' and 'mischief under $5000' if it's their first offence. But I doubt your mom will press charges against Baker and Nate. If she does, they're looking at restitution for the damages and counselling for anger management, alcohol or general behaviour." She scanned the area, her mind calculating. "I can guarantee Dallas has already lawyered up and will try to strike a bargain to keep everything under wraps, including his assault against you. We should gather our evidence and ready for their call."

I didn't want to think about what might happen if the sponsors found out. Or this year's race director, but the worry lingered in the back of my mind. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"This is not your fault," she said, pulling me in and embracing me in a comforting hug. "They're both grown-ass men. They know the difference between right and wrong. Don't think for a second you had anything to do with this."

I nodded, but I didn't fully believe her. Had I not left the track, Dallas wouldn't have grabbed me, and none of this would have happened.

She lifted my head, green eyes hard. "I mean it, Hadley."

Tears flowed down my cheeks when my phone vibrated. "It's Baker," I murmured, quiet so Rory couldn't hear.

I broke at the sound of his voice, hearing the sorry's before I even had a chance to say hello.

Janelle followed behind me, creating a shield between the police officer that would likely toss Baker in the cells tonight if he found him and me.

"It's okay. Just tell me where you are," I murmured, keeping a steady edge. I couldn't break. I couldn't get angry. Not when Baker was like this. He'd bolt, and if he was hurt...

I couldn't think about that.

Janelle came to my side, her eyes darting over me. "Where is he?"

I lifted a hand, straining to hear. "Okay. Don't move. I'll be right there."

A/N: I tried to get this one up as soon as possible. Thank you guys for hanging in there. I appreciate you all so much <3