Chapter 1

All she was aware of was pain, a tube down her throat then a voice, "Kayla, just calm down and open your eyes" Noticing that her patient's eyes were tightly clenched, "Kayla, are you in pain? I can get the doctor and some medication but first you need to open your eyes." she left as Kayla's eyes opened. When the doctor entered he noticed that Kayla's eyes were open but closing fast, "Kayla, I'm Doctor Kelsea on a scale of 1-10, ten being the worst how bad is the pain?" He asked as he placed a pad of paper on the bed and a pen in her hand. In response she wrote out a ten.

"All right give the ordered meds. Get some rest Kayla"

The Next Day

Kayla woke up feeling better but when she tried to speak she felt the tube was still in her throat. Once again a nurse spoke to her, "Kayla, you're in the hospital, we are helping you breathe at the moment. There is a pad of paper and a pen next to your right hand if you have a question all right?" Noticing that Kayla had picked up the pen she waited for the question.

'How long have I been here?'

"Almost a week"

'What happened to me?'

"Someone attacked you"

'How bad?'

Then the doctor walked in and seeing Kayla's question he began explaining, "You have a lot of bruising, a few broken ribs, punctured lung, dislocated shoulder, broken elbow, concussion as well as a few other internal injuries, all of which were repaired while you were unconscious."

'The tube?'

"Are you asking when the tube will be taken out?" she blinked. "Possibly tomorrow" He left the room after Kayla fell asleep once again.

The next day

Kayla awoke and was surprised that she was no longer intubated, "Kayla, try to keep the talking to a minimum. Your throat will be sore for a few days." Looking up she saw Dr. Kelsea was speaking to her. She nodded and wrote on the notepad, 'My arm still hurts'

"We will be taking more x-rays today, but the broken elbow will hurt for quite a while. Where exactly does it hurt?" she pointed to her upper arm.

"All right, I'll check the x-rays. Any other problems?"

'Just a little stiff'

"I'll see what we can do about that soon"

"Thanks"

Three Days Later

"Hello Kayla, do you feel up to a visitor?" the nurse asked.

"Whatever" she answered knowing full well who was waiting outside the door. The same women had been here the day before but Kayla's first physical therapy session had completely worn her out.

"Kayla, my name is Diane Kitson. I'm with the department of children and family services. I need to ask your some questions about your mother."

"What about her?"

"How many times has she beaten you?"

"A few times"

"Your medical records indicate more than a few times"

"So, what nothing's going to happen, it never does"

"You were left in a coma for six days, something will be done."

"I wish I could believe you but the system has failed me too many times. I'm tired and my arm is really hurting can we stop talking now?"

"I'll inform your doctor"

"Thanks" she fell asleep after the nurse injected pain meds into her IV line.

"Kayla we are going to be able to release you tomorrow."

"Yippee, home sweet home" she spoke sarcastically.

"Actually Kayla, a friend of mine has offered you a spot at his private school in Canada."

"What kind of school is this?"

"It's a school for victims of abuse and neglect. The students have a choice whether or not to see their families. He's here to see you if you'd like."

"All right, I'll speak to him"

"Hi, Kayla My name is Peter. How are you feeling?"

"Still sore but that will be my life for at least six months." She was unfortunately speaking from experience.

"Do you have any questions?"

"If I accept this spot, my mother and father can't visit me there?"

"Not unless you want them to come."

"All right, I'll come. Are we driving back or taking a plane?"

"We're driving back that way I can stop if we need to. I'll pick up your belongings tonight"

"Thank you"

Two hours into the drive to Mt. Horizon Peter noticed that Kayla had drifted to sleep, a result of the medication she was on. He decided to stop so Kayla could stretch her legs and eat something. "Kayla, we're stopping to eat"

"Ok" came her slightly drowsy reply. Kayla didn't eat much but he wasn't surprised as she was still on a lot of meds, some of which interfere with appitite.

Upon arrival at the school, she noticed a group of kids sitting on the porch "Are those my classmates?"

"Yes"

Once Kayla had exited the car Peter had everyone head to the lounge. "Everyone this is Kayla Dennis. Kayla this is Scott, Shelby, Ezra, Daisy, Auggie, Katherine and Juliette"

"It's nice to meet you all"

"Scott, Auggie can you help me get Kayla's things out of my car?"

"Sure Peter"

"Daisy, Juliette can you show Kayla to the dorm?" Seeing that Kayla was falling asleep they took her to the dorm and she was asleep as soon as she hit the pillows.