FOREVER NOW

CHAPTER 10

Hailey's brain became alert before the rest of her body could. Her eyes were still shut and no matter how much she tried, she could not open them.

'Am I dead?'  She thought. She must be. She wanted to but then she suddenly heard sounds of machines beeping, whispers and unfamiliar noises.

"Do you think she can hear us?"

"Please, Hailey wake up." A familiar voice shocked her out of her thoughts. Her eyes still wouldn't open and her lips wouldn't move. She fought desperately against her eyelids and lips. She couldn't bear the sound of the pained voice. He was hurting. He was crying. She could hear his sobs clearly.

And then there it was, the light was piercing. It was the brightest light she had ever seen and for a moment she was so sure that she was dead. No human light could shine like that.

" Hailey..."

She turned to the figure beside her until she made out the image. Jared.

Jar? 

And then suddenly her senses all came back and she started to move.

"Jar? Where Am I?" Hailey wandered her eyes around.

"Hail, you'll be okay now." Lauren spoke and that was the only time she had noticed her. Calvin was also there standing beside her.  She looked at herself, she was in a hospital gown. She moved but she suddenly felt a terrible pain between her thighs. Even her legs and arms ached. Her whole body ached.

Everything suddenly came to a flash and Hailey started to cry.

"Hail, it's okay now. You're safe." Jared said. He felt terrible seeing his sister like this.

"I'll never be okay, I'm ruined." She said through her sobs. "He's going to get me again."

"Hailey we're here. We'll protect you."

"It's him Jar."

Jared, Calvin and Lauren all switched looks.

"Who did this to you, Hailey?" Lauren asked as she sat down on the bed.

"Ryan. It was him, Jar."

"Ryan? It was him?" Jared mouthed and he couldn't believe what he had heard.

Kylie nodded as she sobbed. "He...he came to the house holding a bottle, his eyes...were red and I was so scared... He grabbed my arm then pushed me to the floor, then he hit me.. he slapped—

"Okay Hailey stop. You should rest now. This is too much for you." Lauren spoke and she held her in her arms.

"Jar we should call the cops—" Calvin wasn't able to continue. Jared suddenly stormed out of the room. "Wait, Jar!"

But Jared didn't turn around. He walked madly out of the hospital and drove his car. His knuckles were turning white as he gripped the stirring wheel. Fury was filling inside of him as tears filled his eyes.

He had promised his parents, he promised Hailey and he promised himself that he'll do whatever it may take just to protect her, but he screwed up.

"Yes, sir, how may I help you?"

"I wanna see Ricky Morrison."

Ricky Morrison walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit and his beard was thicker than ever.

"My Dear nephew, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you'd visit me."

"Where is he." Jared spoke. His voice was blank and he glared at Ricky but Ricky didn't seem to mind.

"I'm sorry?"

"Where's. Your. Fucking. Son."

"I exactly have no idea where he——"

He wasn't able to finish because Jared stood up angrily, the chair fell back behind him and the table was thrown aside as Jared grabbed Ricky's collar and pinned him on the wall. Ricky was taken by surprise but he didn't look afraid.

"Tell me where he is!" He commanded.

Ricky cleared his throat as he narrowed his eyes then slowly removed Jared's grip from his collar. "I told you, I don't know where he is. Do you think I actually know? I've been in here for quite a while now."

"If I see him I swear he'll rot and die here as well." Jared stared at him with blazing eyes.

"What did he do this time?" Ricky finally asked.

The horrifying picture of Hailey being raped played in his mind and it's torturing him. "Your son raped my sister goddammit!"

Ricky's eyes widened. "I did not know anything about this. I'm sorry for what happened."

Jared's hands were shaking and his blood was boiling. "That's it? You're sorry? You think your apology will change anything? Your fucking son ruined my sister's life and now she's in that hospital!"

"What do you want me to do then, Jared? I told him to stay away from the girl but the bastard won't listen." Ricky spoke.

"So you knew he had plans? He'll pay for this. I'll make sure of that and he will rot and die in here."

Jared walked off and slammed the door leaving Ricky alone in the room.

Three days.

It had been three days now since it happened. Hailey spent her days alone in her room and it worried Jared so much. He hated himself for what happened. He took the week off from work to stay at home and take care of his sister.

She stayed in her room and refused to go out and Jared completely understood. He just brought her food and he made sure she ate them.

He blamed himself for what happened. If he was just there none of this could've happened. But it was done, and all he could do was to be with her.

It was a sunny afternoon and Jared made fudge brownies. A big thanks to google he was able to do it right. He opened Hailey's door and found her standing by her window.

"Hey, brought you some fudge brownies." He placed the plate on her small table. Hailey turned around and gave her brother a small smile. "Had a little help from google."

Hailey didn't answer but she walked towards Jared and embraced him tightly. She had been distant for the last three days and she felt bad not talking to Jared. She knew he blamed himself for what happened and she didn't want him to live with the guilt that's why she figured to try and be okay at least and to talk. She could never go back to change everything but it was a lesson to be learned. She was way too far from completely recovering but she would at least try to be okay and talk instead of shutting everyone down specially Jared. She loved her brother dearly.

"Thank you, Jar."

It surprised Jared but he wrapped his arms around his sister too.

"I'm sorry that I had been distant. I guess...I just needed time for myself to think and...to heal——"

"Shhh. I understand. I totally understand. I'm just happy that you're talking to me now. I've been so worried that you would never talk to me or to anyone."

Hailey let go of her embrace and looked at her brother. "Please, don't blame yourself for what happened. It wasn't your fault. You've been so protective of me eversince, Jar. And I'll be okay, I just need time."

Jared felt like a big part of him has been lifted and a thorn was taken out of him. He had been sleepless for the last days and maybe now he could finally get some sleep.

Hailey was a strong girl and maybe he should be the same. He should be stronger for his sister.