Wishing Star

Chapter 22

A harsh banging on the door roused Max from unconsciousness, but her body felt heavy, preventing her from seeing what all the commotion was about.

Her eyes stared blankly at the chandelier on the tray ceiling of the bathroom, the noises in the small space getting louder and louder.

She used all the strength she had left to tilt her head to the right, and her body jerked in shock to see Clark kicking the shit out of Beck, who was curled in on himself on the ground.

Caelum rushed into the bathroom, his eyes frantically searching until they landed on hers. They widened in disbelief until they fell onto Beck, where they darkened with murderous intent.

She could tell he wanted to join his brother in kicking Beck's ass, but instead, he rushed to her side, falling to his knees.

His eyes cataloged the injuries on her body, and with each one, they grew even darker, and his jaw clenched repeatedly. He leaned over her, his face right above hers, and his eyes ran over the bruises on her neck. He swallowed, the loudness echoing in the now completely silent room.

She wanted to see what was happening, but Caelum kept her gaze focused on his. "Baby girl," he said, his voice cracking. "I am so sorry."

She tried to give him a small smile, but even that hurt. "What do you have to be sorry for?" she rasped.

He glanced at Clark quickly, but his eyes focused back on hers like he didn't want her to leave his sight.

"We looked for you everywhere. Sarah said you were going to the bathroom, but after a few minutes, we started getting worried. I was checking the one nearest the entrance when Clark called me that he could hear struggling, but he couldn't get the door open."

She took in the door that was hanging partially off the hinges. "Guess he got it open," she tried to joke, but the pain in her throat had her wincing.

His voice cracked again, and tears threatened to fall from his eyes. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here..."

He lost the fight, and a tear fell from his eyes as he looked away. He shook his head, and his jaw worked as he repeatedly swallowed, trying to get ahold of himself.

She tried to reach up with her arm, but even that felt too heavy. "It's not your fault," she whispered. "You saved me."

He shook his head again, guilt and anguish overtaking his green eyes. "Clark saved you."

She looked over at Clark, who was standing over an unconscious Beck, his fists still clenched and bloodied. His face gave nothing away as he stared down at the monster who had tried to rape her.

Tried? Did he succeed? She took stock of her body, and while she hurt, she didn't think she felt anything down there. Clark must have made it to her just in time.

She tried to roll over so she could stand up, but she immediately fell back down and groaned in pain. Clark and Caelum's eyes both flew to her.

Caelum laid a hand on her shoulder. "Don't try to move. I'm going to call and get an ambulance out here."

Clark's eyes moved from where he was holding hers captive over to his brother's. "No."

Caelum reared back in shock. "No? We have to get her to a hospital. She's fucking hurt, Clark."

He looked back down at Beck before looking back at his brother. "Of course, she's going to a hospital," he said, his tone firm. "But not the one here. We're taking her to Syracuse."

Caelum's mouth dropped open in shock. "What? Why would we take her there? That's over three hours away."

Clark looked away, his eyes moving back and forth like he was weighing the pros and cons of something he wanted to say but didn't know if he should. Making a decision, he stared hard at his brother. "Beck's not getting away with this, Caelum."