I Wish You Would

*Chapter 24*

Finally Update :)

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Austin was lying behind the couch, a tiny pool of blood around his head. He was unconscious but breathing, judging by the heaving of his chest. I stared shell shocked. I wasn't able to process what was going on. I vaguely remembered the ambulance being called. The police slowly guided my mother to the chair and made her sit down. Jonathan put his hand around my waist and slowly guided me upstairs. Rachel, Dylan and Ashley followed, sober and silent.

I sat on the edge of the bed, too pale and still in shock to react. My eyes had suddenly become dry, all tears vanished. All four of them were staring at me, contemplating what to say. Dylan stood with his back against the wall, scrutinizing my face. Rachel herself was too upset to control her tears. She had seen Austin ever since he was born and was like a little brother to her. Jonathan was rubbing small circles on the back of my hand while my head was on Ashley's shoulder.

We sat in silence. Suddenly I heard the wail of the ambulance. Before anyone could react, I jumped up and ran down the stairs. I stumbled and rolled down the remaining five or six. Ignoring the pain, I ran to grab my coat and follow my mom to the hospital. Austin was already taken to the ambulance via a stretcher. Mom was in, wiping her tears and calling my Dad.

She turned to me, "Kaylen, stay home. You need to rest. I am going with Austin and will meet Dad there okay? Stay home and rest. You have had too much of a shock. You are already overworked. Mrs. Miller will send you something for dinner. But you will have to stay alone at night. The police will be coming again for questioning. I need you here. Have someone stay over if you want. You don't need to go to school tomorrow okay. I love you. I will let you know what happens."

"No Mom! I want to come! I want to be with Austin. Please! I have to. Let me come. Please. Don't leave me alone. What if the robber comes again? What will I do? Please let me come with you. I cannot stay here not knowing what is happening." The others had come down by now and were watching. Jonathan rushed past the door to go back home and talk to his grandmother. Rachel, Ashley and Dylan moved to my side.

"You have to stay home sweetheart. I am sorry. I will let you know. I love you." Mom replied as they were shutting the door of the ambulance. I bolted out of the door, in nothing but my t- shirt and shorts. The cool wind hit me, causing goose bumps over my naked arms and feet. The ambulance had however gathered up speed and left the driveway.

"Mom! MOM!" I screamed, standing in the driveway. I was numb. I couldn't feel the cold. Dylan was at my side immediately. "Kay, come on in. It's cold. Come on. We all are here with you", he whispered in my ear dragging me inside. I wouldn't budge. My feet were frozen to the ground. Dylan picked me up and brought me inside the house. By that time I was sobbing, wreaking heavy sobs. He continued up to my room and gently laid me on the bed.

"I am sorry. I got your shirt wet." I stared up at him, emotionless. "Don't worry about that. It is fine." Dylan tried to give me a small smile but it turned into a grimace.

"Is there anything we can do?" Ashley slipped into bed next to me. She put her hands around my shoulder and I leaned into her. "How can we cheer you up?" Ashley was looking at me with worried eyes. "He will be okay sweetie. Don't worry. Austin is a kid, but he is a fighter." Rachel said. "But what if, something happens. Like, the wound he has isn't as shallow as it seems? Or what if he gets a concussion? Or he loses his memory? Or he goes into coma? Or his brain is damaged so much that he...that he...." I choked up, not even able to think about the worst possibility.

"SHUT UP!" All three of them shouted in unison. "Nothing is going to happen to him okay? The robber didn't hit him hard, or there would have been much more blood. It is more likely a flesh wound. Relax Kaylen. Don't overwork yourself." Dylan was chastising me. "It is all my fault. I shouldn't have fallen asleep. I would have been awake and alert for the intruder. Austin would have never been hurt. This is all my fault." I wailed.