The Quiet One

Chapter 18: Collin

   I got home and bathed as I thought about how happy I was going to make Elizabeth. I woke up the next morning and got ready. I decided I was going to pick up Elizabeth until Asher called me.
Asher: Collin, man I'm so sorry. Teresa just told me.

Collin: Sorry about what?!

Asher: Damn Collin I thought you knew. Elizabeth is in the hospital. We're on our way there do you want us to pick you up?

I felt my heartache. Why was Elizabeth in the hospital? Why hadn't she call me? Was she okay? Of course not she's in the hospital! She was fine... Frank.

Collin: No just tell me the hospital and I'll be there.

Asher texted me the name of the hospital and I ran down the stairs fast as hell. My mother stopped me. "Hey! Hey, where are you going? You haven't eaten!" She said worried and looking at my father for help. "'Mom not now! She's in the hospital! Please let me go to her!" I pushed past her to only see my dad in front of me now. "Hello we are talking to you! Who is in the hospital?" he asked sternly. "The girl I love Dad! The girl I love!" I yelled running down the from porch and into my car and I drove to the hospital fast.

I walked in and I saw Teresa and Asher in the waiting room. Asher was holding Teresa as she was hysterically crying in his arms. I walked over to them. "Where is she?" I said crouching down to Teresa. "She's on the second floor but they won't let us in," she said wiping her eyes. Asher stood up and walked me over to the front desk. The woman told me the room number and I ran up the stairs. When I got the floor and ran to the room there was police in front of the door blocking it. I heard crying. "Hello! My girlfriend is in there! Excuse me I need to see her!" I said trying to get past the guards. They told me to calm down or they were going to have to arrest me. I anxiously started to think about what happened. I heard my name get called, which snatched me out of my thoughts. "Collin?" I heard Elizabeth say faintly. She was right on the other side of the door. A woman who looked like Elizabeth walked out. She had bruises around her neck and her wrists. I assumed it was her mother. "Are you Collin?" she asked looking at me worried. "Yes Ma'am. I'm Collin. Is Elizabeth alright?" I stammered out my mouth trying to see behind the white curtain. "Why don't you come to see yourself," she said faintly and stepping back so I could squeeze through. As I walked in my heart dropped to my stomach. I saw Elizabeth sitting up on the hospital bed with a busted lip. A hand mark on her thigh. Bruised arms and hickeys going down her neck. I stopped in my tracks to make sure I was looking at my Elizabeth. I got close to her and instantly dropped to my knees and my head was in her knees. I let go of myself and started to cry. I felt her hands go through my hair and she tries to stand. When she stood my head was on her stomach and my arms went around her waist. She started to cry and that's when I stood up. I hugged her and whispered in her ear that I was right there. That I was never going to let her go. "E-Elizabeth ... I'm s-s-sorry" was all I could get out before I started balling again. "Collin " she said which made my stomach go in knots. She had practically no voice left. Like she'd been screaming all night. I cried even harder knowing that that could have been the reason. " I should've been there! I shouldn't have let you go home with him." I said shaking my head. I lifted her head from my chest. I ran my thumb over her bruised cheek, her busted lip, and the hickey on her chin. I looked into her eyes and could see the fear. " He's not going to come near you again. No one will ever hurt you Elizabeth." I said not taking my eyes off hers. I kissed her softly on her lips before whispering for her to lay down and get some rest.

3 Days Later

It had finally reached the end of the week. After Elizabeth was released from the hospital her mother decided not to attend school until next Monday, so I could only see her after school. I'd come and bring her a milkshake and we'd sit and watch a movie and we'd do the assignments that the teacher would send home for her. I was so happy to see her every day and see her get better. She was eating better and now she was focused on getting better. As was I to help her get better. I walked into her house and walked straight up to her room. She was reading an article in her textbook she looked up to see me and then smiled. I walked over and kissed her on her forehead. "I missed you handsome," she said grabbing at my shirt. "I think I sure as hell missed you more," I said dropping my bag on her bed so I could give her our food. She got a milkshake and fries and I got the same thing except with a chicken sandwich too. I look forward to seeing her. We sat on the bed and ate. I rubbed my hand on her arms and she squirmed. "Oh sorry didn't that hurt?" I asked pulling my hand back. She quickly grabbed it back, "No it's okay. Just not too hard. All haven't healed yet. " she said putting on a smile to make me feel better. We ate and then we finished our homework, so we put on a movie and I wrapped her in my arms.