Changes

Seven

Chapter Seven

**Riley’s POV**

I was in the emergency department. I was safe. The police officer stayed holding my hand the entire time. I was seen immediately by a doctor. After scans and x-rays, the doctor told me ‘I was lucky, the knife missed all major organs and arteries’. As the doctor stitched the wounds and bandaged them, the police officer took my statement; just as we finished, Mum and the boys arrived looking worried. As soon as I saw them, they all ran over engulfing me in hugs which hurt a little but I didn’t care as I was just glad to see them. The doctor then all ushered them out of the room to finish checking me over. After I was all sorted I asked the doctor “Can I go home?” to which she replied “Yes, as long as you take it easy and let me talk to your mum first.” I nodded as she left the room to talk to mum.

**Gina’s POV**

The police called me saying that Riley was being taken to hospital and that there had been an incident. I called Beau who told me that he and the boys were on their way too, all he said is that Daniel got a call from Riley and she was screaming so they called the police , when they got to the house there were police everywhere and they were told she had been taken to hospital.

I arrived at the hospital just as the boys did, we all rushed inside to find Riley with a doctor and a police woman, the doctor was treating her while the officer was taking her statement. I rushed over to her and hugged her; the boys followed doing the same. The doctor quickly ushered us out of the room, the officer followed and explained that Ben had attacked her, how she fought back, was stabbed but was going to be fine and how Ben was arrested and would be going to jail. While we waited for the doctor to finish with Riley, the boys explained how they knew something wasn’t right by the phone call Daniel got.

Just as the boys finished explaining, the doctor came out.

“Ms Brooks?” she asked

“Yes, how’s Riley?” I replied

“She’s very lucky. The knife missed all her organs and arteries, just flesh wounds. She did lose quite a bit of blood but she is okay. She will need to take it easy for a few days and change the bandages regularly to avoid infection. As long as the police have finished, she can be discharged. I’ll go and get the paper work started. Do you have any questions?”

“No, thank you Doctor” I replied

The police officer said “Riley had given her statement so we are finished but there is one problem. Forensics are still at your house so do you have anywhere you could stay just for tonight?”

I replied, “We can stay at my parents, I’ll give them a call, but we don’t have any clothes for the night.”

“That’s ok, give them a call. I can take someone back to get some things for you and your family” , the officer replied

Before I could say anything else, Beau stood up and said, “That would be great. Mum I’ll go with Skip and James and grab us all some stuff. I’ll meet you at Nonna and Nonno’s. Ok?”

“Ok baby. Thanks” I replied

I watched as Beau, Daniel, James and the police officers left. I turned to Luke and Jai and saw Luke on the phone organising things. Jai hugged me as Luke came back and said “Nonna and Nonno are getting everything ready, Mum”, Jai then said “Let’s get Riley out of here.” Luke and Jai walked with Riley to the car while I signed the discharge forms. I walked to the car to see Riley with Luke’s sweater on and being hugged by both of them. I started driving.

**Beau’s POV**

I wish I had been there. I should have protected her. Why did she call Skip and not me? I’m glad she’s alright. Me, Skip and James are all in the back of the police car going to get some things from the house seeing as we can’t stay there tonight. We dropped James home before we got to the house. There were police everywhere still. Skip and I got out of the car, we listened to the officers instructions before entering the house. As we walked in, I saw blood on the carpet by the door, it freaked me out a bit. I know Skip noticed too as he freaked out as he hates the sight of blood. Skip helped pack for me, Luke and Jai while I packed for Riley and Mum with the help of the police officer. As we made our way back out, Skip grabbed Lala and her lead. We put everything in my car and left. I dropped Skip off and made my way to Nonna and Nonno’s. I was the first to arrive; I took everything inside and sat waiting.

**Jai’s POV**

“Let’s get Riley out of here” I said to mum while hugging her. We got Riley, while Mum was signing the discharge papers and walked her to the car, she didn’t say anything. Luke and I both realised she was cold, she was holding her sweater just looking at it, that’s when I realised it had blood on it. Luke realised it too; he took his sweater off and slipped it over Riley’s head. We both hugged her softly as Mum got in the car and started to drive.

**Luke’s POV**

I’d organised everything with Nonna, she understood. As I finished, I saw Jai hug Mum and I joined them. While Mum finished getting Riley discharged, we went to the car. Beau had gone to get our stuff, I hope he’s alright, I think he’s blaming himself. I realised that Riley was cold, all she had on was a singlet, bra and boxer shorts; her sweater was in her hand, it was covered in blood. I quickly took my sweater off and put it over her head. Jai and I hugged her all the to Nonna and Nonno’s.

**Riley’s POV**

I didn’t want to talk, I just needed time to process everything. I felt tired and I was sore. Luke and Jai took me to the car, the cool night air hit my naked skin making me feel cold. I was holding my sweater looking at the blood on it. Luke and Jai both noticed as Luke took his sweater off and slipped it over my head, then both hugged me. Mum got in the car and started to drive.