Bears Know Best

Chapter 36: Daddy's Arms

I CRIED FOR a long time before I managed to finally gain some semblance of control over myself. "Shush, it's okay Taylor, she won't be able to hurt you ever again," he told me patiently over and over again before I remembered my friends and managed to snap out of it.

"Can I see my friends," I finally half-sobbed, half-spoke.

He looked at a doctor who nodded, "Go ahead down there. Before you leave, I have a prescription for her for tonight."

"Thanks Doctor," he said.

I was still tightly grasping my dad's neck and holding on for dear life like a toddler as he walked down the hallway. He finally set me down at the door with a look that said I needed to start walking. I was suddenly really thirsty, but that would wait until I saw my friends were okay.

"Taylor!" I heard from the three of them sitting on one bed. Danielle was hooked up to an IV still, and I felt my face pale.

"I'm so sorry I got you guys into this mess," I started crying all over again.

"Stop that Taylor, you didn't get us into this. Besides, we're just glad you're okay," Alyssa said when we all started to get control again. I could see she had just as much of a tear-stained face as I did.

"I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be..." I said while biting my lip to avoid completely bawling again.

The four of us embraced as friends for a long time, before I heard, "They need to keep Danielle here for a bit, do you mind if I take Taylor back to the house to pick up some different clothes for her, and you girls?" Dad asked.

I looked down and realized I still had the dress on. It was probably leaving a stain on her bed too as long as I'd sat there. The girls still had on the satin pajamas that I knew I would have to burn when we got home. I grimaced and realized that Julie had the same clothes on. Poor thing, but at least she'd been able to help me.

Alyssa noticed me staring at Julie like she was the most valuable piece of the universe. "Taylor, why do you have Julie?"

I shrugged and said, "I'd be dead without her."

"What?"

"She literally saved my life... I'll tell you later?" I suggested softly.

She nodded at me, "Okay. Are you okay with me staying here with Danielle and Breanna?"

"Of course..." I told her. "I wish we could all leave together right now," I added.

Danielle smiled, "Go with your dad, I understand."

I looked at her again, "I'm really sorry," I tried to say again.

"Taylor, did you spike my drink?" Danielle asked annoyed.

I shook my head and stuttered, "N...n...no, that was..."

"Then don't apologize again. It's not your fault!" She said and gave me a hug. "Now go, obviously it's been a much worse day for you than us!"

I nodded. Dad led me outside by the hand and I suddenly registered the fact that he'd been brought in by ambulance too, just like the girls. "How are we getting home?" I asked him at the doorway.

He didn't get a chance to answer though, as I saw my savior again. "Need a lift?" He asked me politely. "I offered to take you guys back to your house when you were ready."

"How did you get your car," I asked semi-confused. My brain knew, but it wasn't working that well.

"One of the local police officers was kind enough to drive it here for me," he said with a smile.