The Bad Boy's Secret (Book 1)

Chapter 25: I Am Safe. With you.

-Noah-

My heart was hammering too hard against my chest.  They found him.  He’s okay, I hope.  He’s in the hospital right now, but Alex is going to be okay.

                I stood from Willow’s bed, meeting her in the middle of the room.  “Do you want to go?” I offered.

She smiled, lightly shaking her head.  She moved a hand to touch my arm, “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.  Call me later and let me know how he is.  Tell him I’ll come see him tomorrow and I’ll bring his favorite ice-cream.”  Something about the way she cared about Alex made me like her way more than I should.  I just keep thinking about Ash finding out.  I’ve never seen him get angry, but I can imagine it’ll be brutal. 

                Willow stood on her toes, leaving a small kiss on my cheek.  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said as I backed out of the door.  Her smile was the last thing I saw before I turned around and ran down the stairs.  I hopped in my car, trying not to speed through the streets because of the patrolling.  But this is a rare occasion and my mind could only process the fact the Alex has been found.  I can only hope they found Joel, too.

                I pulled into the hospital parking lot, parking as quickly as I could.  I ran up the sidewalk and through the sliding glass doors.  I nearly slammed into the front desk, but I couldn’t find my breath to speak.  “Can I help you?” The lady asked.

I nodded, “Alex Lockwood.”

She typed something on her computer and looked up at me, “Room 112.  Go through these doors and make a left.  It should be on the right.”

She buzzed the door and thanked her before taking off.

                I paced down the hallway, made the left she informed me about and found room 112.  I didn’t know what I was walking into, but I knew it wasn’t going to be good.  I didn’t need to cry in front of my brother.  I found my breath, exhaling slowly as I touched the handle.  I pushed the door opened, bracing myself for what I might find on the other side.

                 It was pretty much a slap to the face.

                He was hooked up to an IV, but he was awake.  Barely.  But a small smile touched his lips when he saw me.  Don’t cry, Noah.  “Hey.” He croaked, reaching out for me.  He looked so fragile.  There were faint bruises around his wrists and sleepless circles colored his eyes.

                “Hey, Little Man.” I grabbed a chair, sliding it beside him.  “How are you feeling?”  I let his hand fall into mine and cupped my other hand over it.

                “I’m fine.” He said too softly.

He’s not fine.  Well, he’s fine.  But not mentally.  “You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

He smiled and nodded his head the best he could, “I have an idea.”

                “Where’s mom and dad?”

He shrugged his little shoulders, “They went to talk to the doctors.  They said I can’t go home yet.”  His smile fell into a frown.  I watched his bottom lips quiver.

I squeezed his hand tighter.  “I’m so sorry, Alex.”

                “It’s not your fault.” His voice was starting to shake.  “It’s not your fault, Noah.”

But it was my fault.  “I promise nothing is ever going to happen to you again.  I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

That brought the smile back to his face.  “And what about baseball practice?”