Chapter 17

                                    

                                          
I was bored out of my mind sitting in this hospital bed. The doctor told me I had a concussion and a wrist fracture. According to his words, I had gotten lucky that I wasn't worse off. Yeah, I guess that's what you call the girl that lost her family and ended up with an abusive asshole, lucky. 
The police officer somehow convinced the hospital to keep me until my 18th birthday. I don't think she knew my situation exactly, but whatever helps. I wouldn't have to go back to the group home which I was dreading greatly. I pick up the card she gave me and read her name, Officer Reyna Flynn. Hm, definitely a unique name. 
Before I could think anymore on that subject, I hear arguing outside my door before it opens and two beautiful women try to push their way through and stumble. I start to muffle giggles, but then I remember the situation we are in and how they'll both most likely be pissed at me for lying. 
"Alex, you are absolutely dead, you shithead." Sam says before throwing herself on me for a hug. I wince in pain making her back off a bit. "You're so stupid, you know that, right?" 
"Hey, I'm not that stupid. I had a plan at least." I smile at her and notice tears in her eyes, threatening to fall. "I'm okay, Sam. I promise." I bring my hand to her cheek. 
"Yeah, you got lucky! Why would you lie to me, idiot?" She looks at me with a pointed look. 
"I had to stop him before he hurt anybody else. I knew you wouldn't let me go back." I paused, wondering if I should tell her about his threats. "He was threatening Emily and-" I stop my sentence as I notice Emily standing in the corner of the room, arms crossed. 
"Oh, hey Em..." I say awkwardly, knowing damn well I was screwed. Anger flashed across her face as soon as the words fell from my mouth. 
"You did all of this insanity because he threatened me? I'm a grown ass woman, I can handle myself, but no instead you put yourself in harms way on purpose." She says huffing, clearly pissed. "You left me and went to get yourself killed. Do you have any idea how scared I was? How worried I was that I'd find you dead?" 
Her words left me speechless and apparently Sam as well because she stayed silent. Usually, Sam would have a smart ass comment to say, but now she's leaving me to fend for myself. 
"Well, I'm going to get us something to drink from the vending machine." She darts for the door. "Oh, and please don't kill each other." 
Once the door was shut, I expected to find an angry Emily, but instead I found a crying one. My heart ached for the pain she went through. I knew my actions would hurt her, but I didn't think they'd make her cry. 
"Em, I didn't-" I was cut off when she threw her body over mine to hug me and sob into my chest. I quickly grasped her, trying to make it all better with my touch, even though I knew I couldn't. We laid like that together for five minutes before Emily decided to speak up. 
"Why would you do something so stupid and reckless? You could have just been honest with me." She says as she wipes the last remaining tear. 
"Francis said he would hurt you. I couldn't allow that. Not after everything we've both been through." I answer, looking deeply into her eyes.
"I am a big girl, I can protect myself, Alex." She says back with a look of confidence. 
"I couldn't take that chance." I say, slowly sitting up. "You don't understand, Emily. You don't get how much you mean to me." 
"I think I do understand, Alex and while I'm happy Francis got caught, I still am upset with you for lying and leaving me like that." She says while looking down. 
I carefully grab her chin and make her eyes meet mine. The tears at the brim of her eyes broke my heart even more. I tried my best to do what I thought I had to, but I hadn't known how much it would affect her.