Never As It Seems

Chapter 37

The Hotel went out of their way to make Amber comfortable when they arrived back from the hospital. Their efforts at baskets of snacks and extra blankets and pillows were lost on her though when she saw her father, who had been waiting with Erin and Callum. His embrace made her feel like a little girl again. Warm and safe from harm. She felt a sob rising to her throat but suppressed it as her sister and brother muscled in on the action. She scanned the room for Jay. Nervous to see him after last night but disappointed he wasn't there.

Once she was settled on the couch with more pillows and blankets than would ever be necessary, there was a knock at the door. Somebody opened it but Amber couldn't see who it was from where she was lying so she listened intently. A female voice greeted her father's and Amber's heart sank a little. Where was Jay?

"Honey it's time to talk with the police now." Her father said, crossing the room.

She sat up to see the same officers from the night before smiling in her direction.

"Hi Amber." The woman held out her hand to shake."How are you feeling?"

"I guess I'm ok." She smiled back while they sat down.

"We just need to ask you a few questions about what happened last night and to talk to you about what happens from here. Is that okay?"

Amber nodded.

She answered their questions, not really being able to offer any more than what the woman by the fountain had told her. Once she had hit the water, everything was a blur. They explained that from those they had spoken to at the scene, Amber had not provoked the attack and was in no way to blame for what happened and all that was left was for them to ask what she wanted them to do.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Would you like to press charges against the young lady who attacked you? She is known to us and we are prepared to bring her in and charge her." The man asked.

"Um." Amber looked to her father. "Shouldn't that be up to Rob? I mean she's his stalker."

"Not in this situation. She attacked you, so you need to decide." The man said leaning forward in his chair.

"Do I have to decide now?" Everyone in the room look surprised.

"No you don't" The woman responded. "But soon. You do understand that this was an unprovoked attack. I can't sway you either way but you really should consider it carefully."

Amber nodded. "I will. Thank you."

The officers said their goodbyes and Amber's father returned to the sitting area. Moving a blanket aside, he sat down close to her.

"Sweetheart, why wouldn't you press charges?" He asked, seeming genuinely perplexed.

"I don't know. It doesn't feel right. I know she hurt me and all but you didn't see her Dad. There was something just so sad about her. I don't want to mess her life up."

"But she could have killed you! She would have done from what I just heard."

"She didn't though did she. I've been thinking about something Mum said about choices. That girl made a bad one, that's all. I'm sure she's learnt from it."

He shook his head and studied his daughter. "I don't get it but I'm not going to argue with you. Just please think about it a bit longer."

"I will. Now go away and let me sleep." She pretended to push him away and he smiled as he left her.

Amber checked her phone. Nothing. She thought about texting Jay and Rob but changed her mind. She couldn't think of what to say.

The next morning, after a day on the couch and a movie with her family the night before, Amber was feeling more herself. Shooing her mother away from fussing around her at breakfast, she checked her phone again.