Chapter 3

George paced the path outside the practice. He was waiting for the ambulance to come. He was confused on what had happened. He could not think of anyone is Bluebell who would hurt someone like Zoe. Or anyone for that matter. Bluebell was a family. They would never hurt each other.

Back inside the practice, Wade felt like his heart was in his throat literally. Someone had put their hands on Zoe. The only girl he ever loved and if he was honest, the girl he still only loved. He watched Brick examine her best he can. Every time he touched her, Zoe would unconsciously flinch. This made Wade bubble up with anger.

"Wade you okay man?" Lavon came up and patted him on the back.

"Once I find out who did this, I'm gonna kill him", Wade replied angrily. He looked over to behind the desk and saw Brick leaning down to try and talks to Zoe.

Wade and Lavon went to Brick and sat by him. Lavon slowly reached out to push Zoe's hair out of her face.

"Please stop", Zoe whimpered shivering.

Lavon had a hard time seeing his best friend like this. The best friend that was so strong and stubborn. But now she was lying helpless and bruised.

"Is she gonna be okay Brick?" Lavon asked concerned.

"She is badly bruised and I think her ribs are broken", Brick answered sadly. "Her recovery will not be easy at all".

Just then they heard the sound of the ambulance coming. The heard George lead the paramedics into the practice behind the desk.

Wade watched them as they gently placed her on the stretcher. He felt like he was in daze watching the woman he loved get wheeled into the ambulance. Brick insisted on going in the ambulance as he was Zoe's doctor.

"C'mon guys, I'll drive", Lavon nodded towards his car.

They got into the car drove behind the ambulance.

Wade ran into the hospital with Lavon, George and Annabeth, who Lavon insisted they pick up, at his feet. They came in and saw Brick pacing the waiting room. They ran to Brick.

"How is she", they all asked in a hurry.

Brick sighed before answering "She is badly bruised as we know. She broke her ribs and is in surgery right now because she has a punctured lung".

Wade shook his head "Was she raped? Her dress was ripped".

"They will question her first and then they will do a rape kit to see", Brick replied sullenly.

"Damn", Wade sighed and walked away.

Annabeth walked the halls of the hospital trying to find Lavon. She walked further and found him sitting on the chair with his head in his hands.

"Are you ok?" she asked sitting beside him.

"Not really", He whispered.

Wade and George came back from getting some coffees. They hand Lavon and Annabeth theirs, then sat down on the empty chairs next to them.

"She is tiny", Lavon said in a daze. "You don't even realise it but she is so small. Some guys beat up a tiny woman"

Wade nodded along. "I know what you mean. She has a massive personality for a short lady".

They were sitting quietly in their thoughts when Brick appeared. They all stood up and looked at him.

Brick smiled "She made it through surgery with no complications. She is still asleep but will wake up soon. You can visit her one at a time. Just remember she was beaten so she doesn't look too good".

They all let out a sigh of relief.

Lavon ran off to call Bluebell and let them know she was fine.

"Can I go and see her first?" Wade asked Brick.

"Sure, room 1706"

"Thanks man", Wade said before walking down the hall. He stopped outside the room and took a deep breath before opening the door.

He was shocked at how beautiful she looked even in a hospital bed. He came quietly next to her and brushed her hair out of her face to reveal her bruises and cuts. He gently took her hand in his and kissed it softly.

"Hey doc", he whispered.