The Photographer | Jyatt

|Chapter 23|

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WYATT

We reached the hospital and Jaeden was rushed to urgent care. I fought hard to be by his side, but the doctors kept the three of us away.

I understood, deep inside I knew that I'd only be a distraction, but my heart wanted nothing more than to stay by Jaeden's side.

The three of us sat and waited patiently for any news from the doctors. Finn was furious, and tried to rush into the ER but Jack held him back.

"Calm down, Finn! They need to heal him, there's nothing we can do right now, babe"

"But it's not fair!" he wavered. "We need to see him! What if something happens!? I swear to God, if I see those punks again I'll kill 'em!"

Eventually, Finn gave up and sat down next to Jack, burying his face in Jack's neck.

Jack took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he held him. Meanwhile, I couldn't move. I was paralyzed.

How could I let this happen? It's all my fault. I gave Ms. Lieberher my word that we would protect him and I failed.

The painful silence was broken when Jaeden's mom came practically bursting into the room with Millie. If Noah weren't in a hospital bed himself, I knew he'd be here too.

"Finn? Jack? Wyatt? What's going on?" she queried frantically. "Where's Jaeden? What-"

The three of us stood up and comforted her as Millie gently guided her to a seat.

"Angela, we're so sorry" Finn apologized mournfully. "Jack and I stepped away to let Jae and Wyatt talk because the movie we saw was sad. But when we came back...these two guys were roughing them up. And one of them, he...he..."

He couldn't even finish. He turned to me and Jack for answers and I nodded.

"Owen pulled a knife and...he...he stabbed Jaeden"

I thought I'd be choking back tears like Finn and Jack were, but I couldn't cry anymore. I tried. I even wanted to.

But I couldn't.

I felt numb.

Ms. Lieberher couldn't even stand. She sat in the chair and cried as Millie held her and consoled her.

"How did this happen?" she sobbed. "My poor baby, my poor Jaeden"

--

A few hours later, one of the doctors stepped into the waiting room and approached us gently.

He gave us a sympathetic smile and lowered his medical mask. Ms. Lieberher sprang up immediately and all but sprinted to him.

"Where's my baby? Is he alright?" she questioned.

"He's okay, ma'am" he said calmly.

He had medical scrubs on and brunette hair peeking out from under his medical cap. His copper eyes were sincere but gentle.