Shattered

Chapter 16 Mark

"Once upon a time, you and I were best friends. And that means that whenever you need me, I'm here. Anytime, anywhere, any place. Forever." Dawson's Creek

Mark had never been inside Emma's house. He was surrounded by Bradley, Phil, Tommy and Brody, and yet his nerves were increasing with each step he took towards the back door. On Phil's insistence, they hadn't texted Emma asking for permission to show up at her house. Phil was taking a gamble that Emma would be willing to talk to them and her parents wouldn't murder him for trying to kidnap their daughter. Phil was acting brave until the sliding patio door opened and Emma's father appeared. He sidestepped Bradley, putting her front and center. Bradley was with four boys her father had never met before; this wasn't going to go well.

"Mr. O'Donnell," Bradley smiled, "How's Emma feeling?"

Emma's father's gaze landed straight on Phil, as if he already knew who he was. The man was at least ten years older than her own father, and his strawberry blond beard was blended with salt and pepper. "Emma's doing better, she's resting right now."

"Oh," Bradley didn't sound disappointed. "Well, can you tell her I stopped by to check on her and we can catch up another time?"

Mark was almost certain Bradley was all too quick to suggest meeting another time. She was hiding something from him and now more than ever, Mark was aware that Bradley knew who her attacker was. Mark caught Phil's pleading eyes, wanting him to interject but there was no way Mark was getting in the middle of this one.

"Dad? Who's here?" a faint voice called out.

"It's Bradley and four boys," he answered, still staring Phil down.

Emma kissed her dad on the cheek and stepped onto the patio. Mark had never seen her look so worn down before. She was wearing flannel boxers and an oversized forest green t-shirt. Her hair strawberry blond hair was loosely piled on top of her head. Emma rolled her hands in the hem of the t-shirt and sank into one of the chairs at the glass table.

"This...seems serious," she sighed.

"It is," Phil said taking the seat next to her. Bradley looked just as nervous as Emma did. "How's your head?"

Emma stared straight through him with her piercing green eyes. "Besides the killer headache, I'll live. What are you really doing here?" she asked quietly.

"We need to know what happened to you the other night."

Emma blinked at Bradley several times and fidgeted with her hands under her t-shirt.

"I...ummm...I already told the police..."

"Told them what?" grilled Phil.

"That I don't remember," she answered faintly.

"It's okay, Emma," Bradley put a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "I don't remember either."

Emma looked at her friend with her big green eyes. "Emma," started Mark, not sure if he believed her or not, "can we go back to the beginning? I know...look stuff has been said, about us, about you, and the police were involved. I think that we all want answers, more than just about what happened the other night."

"No shit," Brody spoke. "You told the police Phil and Mark kidnapped you!"

"I never touched you!" Phil defended raising his voice to match Brody's intensity. "Why would you lie about that?"

"Makes what happened the other night almost unbelievable," said Tommy, taking a seat across the table from Emma. He was calmer than his friends. "Except, we believe Bradley, so we know something did happen. Just tell us the truth."