Words Aren't Enough
Chapter 16
Sometime Later
The hospital room was quiet. Lucas requested a private room which meant they had the entire room to themselves.
Brooke remained in the waiting room wanting to give the father and daughter some privacy. While she's been there. She has informed friends and loved ones that Astrid was found. She decided it wasn't her place to give anymore details then that.
...
The loudest sound in the room was the beating of the monitor.
Lucas was seated beside Astrid's bedside. To his relief she was stable. All he was waiting for now was for her to wake up.
He needed the truth. To know what happened during all those hours away. What lead to him finding her in the state she was in.
...
Astrid awoke practically jumping out of her skin as she looked around. She shielded her eyes from the bright lights with her hand.
Lucas got up from his seat and attempted to reach for her hand.
She flinched and pulled away. "Where i am.? What happened.?" She asked.
"You got hurt. You are in the hospital. You're going to heal thankfully nothing was broken. I love you. Nothing that happened will change that. Why did you run away.? What happened between you and River.?" Lucas questioned.
Astrid looked to him. "Everyone in class heard that audio. They already give me a hard time because i'm so behind in school. I only started going when i came to stay with you. Them hearing about my past how i used to live. Only made things worse. They threw trash at me and they called me Trashrid Astrid. One of them started it the rest followed. I just couldn't deal with it anymore so i left."
Lucas's face softened. He took ahold of her hand in his.
"Why didn't you tell me they were bullying you.? " He asked.
"You took me in gave me everything i never had didn't think i deserved. I had no room to complain about anything. You did all that without expecting anything in return. I thought i could handle it on my own." She revealed.
"River was a friend of mine we grew up in the system on the streets. I went to him because i figured why bother tryng to be different, better if people will always see you the same way. I never thought he would hurt me the way he did. I'm so stupid. I trust the wrong people no wonder i end up in these situations." Astrid admitted.
"This wasn't you're fault. That actions that lead up to this have nothing to do with you. I'm so sorry this happened to you. We're going to get through this. I'll get you any help you need." Lucas proclaimed.
...
Hours Later
Astrid was asleep now and would be remaining in the hospital for a few days. They were able to get the DNA of River from the test she had been put through. Not only that but Astrid was able to paint a clear enough picture of him so the police wasted no time bringing up the charges against him getting his location and arresting him. He is 16 years old with the charges he's facing he's going to go away for a long time. 20, 25 years.
I didn't expect Brooke to still be waiting for me in the waiting room.
When she saw me she pulled me into a hug.
I hugged her back not wanting to let go.
"I went to you're place used the spare key to get inside. Packed a bag for you. I know you'll be living at this hospital until Astrid leaves." Brooke said.
"Thank you for all you've done. Being there for me. For us."
"You go home. I'll fill you in if anything changes." Lucas said.
"I'm going to stick around. I have a feeling you have a stop to make." Brooke said.
"I do i shouldn't be long." Lucas said.
...
Sometime Later
Lucas parked his car in the got out and started walking up the stairs.
He knocked once then twice.
The door swung open in front of him.
...
Nathan opened the front door to his home expecting to see someone standing before him he saw no one. His last image was the sight of gunshots coming straight towards him.
Nathan was shot multiple times and killed in the front entrance of his home.
...
