𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 |𝟏𝟖+|

48

Miguel Raffetò POV

"We're gonna go get something to eat darling, can I get you anything from the cafeteria?" It's been a couple hours and Etta's mom had just given me and Meg the go ahead to sit with her.

"I'm okay thank you."

Pollie piped up. "Guel, you need to eat something. You're no good to her like this."

I shrugged, saying nothing and looking down at the floor. I just wanted to get in there and see her.

"I'll come with you." Pollie said to Jeremy as Grace warned us.

"When you go in there, just be prepared that she looks..." Her lip quivered. "She doesn't look like our Etta, put it that way."

Oh lord.

I nodded solemnly before Pollie and Carter walked out with them, leaving Rome and Zero.

I looked to them, searching for words I didn't have before Z tugged me in for a hug. "We'll be out here when you come out."

I nodded once before turning with Meg and heading down the hallway to the room Etta was in.

"Miguel, I'm scared." Her best friend said, tugging at my sleeve as silver lined her eyes.

"I know. I am too. But it'll be okay. We've got each other, right?"

Meg nodded, wiping her eyes on her sleeves as we both took a breath.

I pulled the handle and froze in the doorway.

There, lying in a hospital bed hooked up to to various machines was Etta.

And her mom was right to say she didn't look like herself.

My poor baby's face was battered and bruised, her nose in a cast with two black eyes already forming from the swelling. Her arms lay at her side - fingers and wrist in a cast, whilst the sheets covered the view of the continuing injuries.

She looked broken. And I was the one who caused that.

But whilst she did look somewhat unrecognisable, I knew it was her from a mile off. My soul calls to her, and right now it was in agony.

Meg choked on a sob, following me in the room as I took the seat closest to Etts.

I reached a careful hand out and picked up her unbroken one, raising it to my lips as silent tears ran down at the feel of her.

My baby.

"I hope they find the bastard who did this." Meg seethed, staring at her best friend in agonised horror.

"They will." I replied. "I'll make sure of it."

And so we sat with her for the next fifteen minutes, exchanging a few words before Meg excused herself to use the bathroom.

I was alone with her.

"I'm so sorry baby. I'm so sorry. You should've never been there, my beautiful strong girl." I kissed her knuckles again, but when I pulled away, her fingers twitched.