The next day, Elphaba woke up early with a smile on her face. She remembered the previous night's event. She felt her panic rise. She didn't know why she had reacted like that and how everyone would react. She was sure she would get into trouble.

But a look at Glinda, who was sleeping soundly. So peaceful with a smile made Elphaba more calm than she had ever felt. Elphaba thought about everything she had done with Glinda. She noticed that the clues were already there, but had never noticed.

She got up slowly and wrote a note where she was going. She thought for a long time about whether to add anything more and finally wrote: Last night was a night to remember I'm glad I had it with you. Hopefully more will come Thank you. I will be with Nessa but I will return as soon as possible.

She got ready and quietly closed the door.

Elphaba walked over to Nessa with a feeling of satisfaction to help her and start the sister-sister conversation about Boq. Elphaba still felt somehow guilty that she couldn't comfort Nessa, but knew that Nessa would only come out stronger.

Elphaba knocked softly on the door.

''Come in,'' she heard Nessa say.

Madame Morrible had already left the room, not locking the door knowing Elphaba was coming.

''Heey Nessa how are you?'' Elphaba asked cautiously.

''Did you hear it?'' asked Nessa in a trembling voice.

Elphaba nodded. ''Yes I heard from Shenshen last night. Sorry I didn't come earlier. But I was with Glinda's parents all day. I had a good time and I forgot the time. I knew you were with Boq so I thought he would help you. If I have my hands on that little Munchkinboy I will….''

''No, Fabala No, I want my big sister.'' Nessa said with a small voice, Nessa started to cry.

Elphaba immediately hugged her sister, she began to comfort her.

''We have spoken for a long time.'' Nessa said after she had calmed down a bit. ''He wanted more freedom to discover who he is. He only wanted to do that without me. I said I would support him in everything but he didn't believe he needed my help. I felt so stupid and so alone.''

''You are never alone Nessa you know that. I am your heart. You solved this well. I am very proud of you'' said Elphaba with a proud smile. ''You have grown so. You have put your own needs aside for Boq.''

Nessa started to cry again ''but I don't want that at all.''

''Ooh Nessa I can understand that very well.''

''How can you understand it now.'' Nessa said angrily. ''this is all your fault.''

''Nessa I know you are very sad now. You can not be serious.''

''No, I don't mean this either. Sorry.'' As soon as the anger came, it was gone and replaced by grief.

Elphaba stayed with her sister for a long time and comforted her as best she could. Nessa told all about the conversation. Elphaba listened. Sometimes Nessa snarled and sometimes she cries because Boq broke up.

XXXX

After an hour, Elphaba left Nessa's room because Nessa wanted to be alone.

Elphaba walked quietly back to her room. She thought of everything that had happened the last time and didn't notice anyone coming her way. Suddenly she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her along.

She wanted to say something about it and was shocked to see that it was her father. Frex's eyes were so angry that Elphaba became very scared. She knew what that look meant and that she was in really big trouble. Would it mean he knew about Nessa and Boq or Glinda and me? Elphaba wondered.

Elphaba looked around, hoping someone saw her, but it was early Sunday morning. Most of the students were still sleeping because they had partied the night before.

Frex drags his daughter to the nearest building, which happens to be a building with classrooms. He takes Elphaba with him to the second room. Elphaba struggled a bit but Frex was too strong for her. Frex pushed her in hard. Elphaba fell over a table. Frex pulled Elphaba up high by her hair and slapped her hard in the face. Elphaba knew she was in real trouble now, because her father only hurt her in places where it was not visible to the outside world.

Frex takes his leather belt and hit Elphaba a few times. Elphaba tried to stop it with her arm. But the leather belt cut through her clothes. After a few minutes, Frex had lost most of his anger and was able to speak again.

Elphaba lay bleeding on the floor, shaking all over.

''How could you be so stupid. You had a job. One job Elphaba and you can't handle even that. I should never have put you in charge of Nessa. The only reason I did that was because Nessa asked. I know how much you mean to Nessa. You're so selfish that you don't protect your own sister.''

Frex started to pace.

''I had known for a long time that Boq was not a worthy boy for my precious Rose.''

Elphaba was able to breathe calmly now that she knew why she was being punished like that. Somehow Elphaba was relieved that Frex hadn't found out she'd kissed Glinda.

XXX

In the meantime, Glinda had already awakened and was impatiently waiting for Elphaba.

Glinda was already fully prepared for the conversation she would have with Elphaba. She was determined to fight for Elphaba. She knew her green roomie wasn't feeling confident enough for a relationship. But how they touched each other yesterday made Glinda so happy. Now that she had Elphaba, she never wanted to lose her again.

With a sigh, she dropped back onto the bed after looking out the window for the umpteenth time to see if Elphaba might be walking up. After a few minutes, Glinda ran out of patience and walked to Nessa's room.

''Come in'' it sounded from the other side.

Glinda carefully opened the door. There she saw Nessa sitting in her wheelchair with red eyes.

''Ooh Nessa I'm so sorry Boq left you.'' Glinda immediately forgot her own reasons for going to Nessa. She gave the sad girl a hug and tried to comfort her as best she could.

XXX

''The worst thing I think is that I had to comfort Nessa while you were sitting somewhere I don`t know what to do.'' Frex shouted angrily, kicking Elphaba hard in the stomach.

''I'm sorry father'' said Elphaba in a trembling voice. It was the first time that Elphaba spoke to her ''I really thought Boq was good for Nessa. She was so happy with him.''

Frex hit Elphaba immediately with the belt. ''You must not think. You are not worth it. You are a sin.'' he snapped.

Elphaba curled herself into a ball to protect her head.

XXXXX

After a few minutes Nessa had cried out. ''I don't think I've ever cried that much. Maybe my tears are gone.'' Nessa said to make an effort to lighten the mood.

Glinda gave her a smile. ''You have every right to feel the way you feel. Your feelings make you human and are who you are. I also felt bad when Fiyero broke up. I thought I couldn't breathe anymore. But Elphaba has shown me that the world keeps going. If he couldn't see how beautiful and sweet I am, he's not worthy of me. That's the way you should think with Boq no matter how difficult it is.''

Nessa felt more confident about Glinda's words. She felt comforted and finally got the feeling that things would be okay. But one question was on her conscience.

''Is it true?'' Nessa asked after a pause. ''That you encouraged Boq to go on a date with me so he'd left you alone?''

Glinda nodded. She feared this question because it was so bad she had done it and she felt so guilty towards Nessa and Boq. ''Yes it is true'' Glinda said softly, looking down at the ground.

''So he didn't ask me out because I'm so beautiful.'' Nessa concluded with a lump in her throat.

''I'm sorry Nessa I don't think so.'' Glinda said still afraid to look Nessa in the eye.

''Well I'm too sad to be angry now,'' Nessa said. ''But could you please leave me alone I have to think and have some time for myself.''

Glinda nodded, She wanted to apologize for her outburst the day Elphaba was missing. But knew she would have to discuss it with Nessa another time. Nessa was too sad about Boq now. But before she left the room, she realized why she had gone to Nessa.

''Uhm Nessa do you know where Elphaba is? She left a note saying they are with you and then to the room but she is not back yet.''

Nessa shake her head. ''No, she's been gone for half an hour. Maybe she started talking to someone. Maybe dad met her, daddy wanted to talk to her,'' Nessa said after she had thought for a moment.

''Her father?'' Glinda asked, shocked. ''Are you sure?''

Nessa was a bit shocked by Glinda's reaction. ''Yes yesterday Dad was here after Boq and I spoke. He said he would talk to Elphaba. I don`t remember much.''

''Nessa you are a sweet girl but sometimes you are really naive''

''Heey'' called out to Nessa, indignantly. ''I just believe things quickly doesn`t mean I`m naive.''

Glinda rolled her eyes and hurried out the door. Nessa rolled after her. ''Glinda what are you talking about? Why are you suddenly so worried?''

''Nessa, if your dad wants to talk to Elphaba, it doesn't do any good. You have to help me find her. I need to know if she is okay. Glinda said sternly but very concerned.''

Nessa looked confused but nodded anyway. ''Okay, I'll go and have a look in the library.''

Glinda nodded absently. ''Good. I will walk all over campus''

Everyone went their separate ways. Glinda's mind was thinking at a place where Frex would take his daughter. To the hotel would be too far and it would be too obvious. Then Glinda saw a light coming into one of the rooms. She quickly walked over to it. She had a hunch about Elphaba. A bad feeling.

XXX

She walked silently under the window of the room where the lights were shining. She heard chairs and tables moving, she also heard loud bangs. Carefully she looked out the window and saw Frex grabbing Elphaba by her clothes. He slapped her hard in the face and threw her against the tables.

Glinda gasped loudly and walked back. Elphaba and Frex looked at where the sound was coming from. Elphaba's eyes opened wide. She cursed Glinda for standing there. Frex got angry again. ''Glinda Upland stopped,'' he called out loud.

Elphaba saw Glinda stop in fear. She recognized her father's anger. Her greatest fear suddenly became reality. Something snapped at Elphaba, she felt her strength grow. She had to and would protect Glinda from her father. ''Glinda run away,'' she called out loud. ''Go get help. Glinda Go!''

Fury turned Frex. ''You have to shut up,'' he hissed at Elphaba. Elphaba's voice pulled Glinda from her trans. She shook her head and ran away.

''You will regret this Elphaba.'' Frex hit Elphaba again.

'"I'll get that dumb, retarded blonde too, said Frex.

But before he got the word "blonde" over his lips, he was blown back by a powerful invisible force. His head hit the wall hard. He feels down unconscious.

Elphaba was blown the other way, but didn't hit the wall. She could only enjoy her victory for a short time as exhaustion prevailed. She fell unconscious to the floor.

XXX

Meanwhile, Glinda ran as fast as she could. She ran until she ran into someone from the school security. ''Come on quickly, Elphie gets hit you gotta help me.'' Glinda said quickly and in blind panic.

''Calm down, tell me what happened'' said the security.

Glinda shook her head. ''No you have to come now. Elphie is in danger.'' She pulled on the guard's arm. The guard rolled his eyes. Those girls think everything is an emergency. he thought. But he obediently ran after Glinda.

They soon arrived at the building. Glinda immediately opened the door and ran to the room where she thought Elphaba was.

Soon, Glinda and guard saw Frex and Elphaba lying unconscious on the floor. Frex still had the belt of blood in his hands. The tables were cluttered while the guard knew it shouldn't be. On the other side was an unconscious, beaten Elphaba.

''Okay so this is really an emergency. Tell me again what you saw.'' Said the guard who was suddenly serious.

Glinda shared what she had seen and what her suspicions were about Elphaba's father.

The guard nodded. ''Okay, I'm Kevin by the way. Glinda you are doing very well. I want you to go to the campus doctor now so he can take care of Elphaba. I'll stay here and make sure he has nowhere to go. Use my name and they'll take you seriously right away.''

Glinda nodded. She was happy that action was finally taken. She quickly ran to the doctor's office and got the doctor. The doctor took a nurse, because it involved two people. When Glinda came back with the doctor and the nurse she saw that Kevin had bound Frex with handcuffs.

The nurse immediately ran to Elphaba. She tried to wake Elphaba by tapping her cheek. But there was no response. She shined a light in Elphaba's eyes. Then she felt if Elphaba had broken bones. The doctor, on the other hand, was doing the same with Frex.

''We have to take them to the doctor's station where we have more materials to examine them,'' the doctor said loudly.

It was then that Frex opened his eyes. He looked around wildly and noticed that his hands are bandaged behind his back.

''Take it easy, sir,'' said the Doctor sternly. ''I am Dr. Damien. We need to examine you.''

''Then why am I tied up,'' Frex asked angrily. ''I am Frex the governor of Munchkinland. I order that you let me go.''

''No!'' Glinda called out. ''Watch how he treats his own daughter. He must be locked up.'' Glinda said with tears running down her cheeks. She didn't know how Elphaba would react but she would do everything she could to ensure that no one would hurt her Elphie anymore.

Kevind was in two fights in his self. He saw the evidence, but bringing the governor of Munchkinland with him would have major consequences for his career.

''What are you waiting for?'' Frex angery angry. ''You don't believe such a small student.''

''How do you explain your daughter?''

''She deserves it,'' he snapped. ''She was not doing her job properly.'' Normally, Frex could control his anger well. He always had his story ready to put himself in the right light. But now he was still so angry and he was ashamed of himself because Elphaba had defeated him. Despite the fact that Frex had never treated his eldest daughter well, he could never lie.

Everyone looked at Frex with their mouths open. ''I'll leave those handcuffs on,'' Kevin said after he got his voice back. ''Doctor can you examine him here?''

The doctor nodded. ''Someone has to come along to take Elphaba on the stretcher to the doctor's post.''

Kevin nodded. ''I'll help. Frex has nowhere to go anyway.''

The nurse laid Elphaba on the stretcher along with Kevin. Elphaba halted the entire process. Glinda walked with Kevin and the nurse to the doctor's office where they put Elphaba on a bed. Kevin immediately walked back to the classroom to take Frex to the Gale Force. ''He didn't get anything bad, just a lump on the back of his head,'' Damien said when he saw Kevin. ''That will be different with Elphaba,'' he added in a sad voice.

Kevin took along Frex who struggled quite a bit.

XXX

Meanwhile, the nurse was already taking care of Elphaba's wounds. She had to gasp for air when she removed the old bandage from Elphaba. ''Sweet Oz.'' She said to Elphaba. ''Girl you must have been in a lot of pain.''

But Elphaba remained silent.

When the doctor came in, they took care of Elphaba together. Glinda waited impatiently in the waiting room. When the nurse walked out, which felt like an eternity to Glinda, Glinda immediately ran to it. ''How is she doing? Is she awake yet? Can I go to her?'' Glinda asked quickly.

The nurse chuckles. ''Calm down. She is stable, only her body has to heal first, so she is sleeping.''

Glinda nodded quickly. ''That's good right?''

''Yes that is good. We took care of the wounds. We put her on her side because her back was lashed. She broke a rib so on her stomach wasn`t a good idea. That's why we put her on her side. She has enough pain relief so she also sleeps for a while.''

Tears ran down Glinda's cheeks. ''Thank you, for helping her so well.''

''That is our job. We are happy to help. You can go to her for a while. But not too long because she has to rest a lot and so do you.''

Together they walked to the room where Elphaba was sleeping peacefully. ''She looks so peaceful,'' Glinda whispered.

''Yes, we hope to keep it that way for as long as possible. Because when she wakes up she will be in a lot of pain. Did you know what her father did to her?''

Glinda nodded. ''Yes, I only knew for two days but she didn't want to do anything to protect Nessa.'' suddenly Glinda's eyes widened and she put her hand over her mouth. ''Oooh Oz Nessa she needs to know.''

''Who is Nessa?''

''Her little sister.''

''Do you think their father did the same?''

''No, Nessarose is his angel. She can never do anything wrong in his eyes. I need to find her and notify her.''

The nurse nodded. ''We will keep an eye on her. If something changes, we will send someone to keep you informed.''

Glinda nodded gratefully. ''I really appreciate that.''

The nurse gave Glinda a moment private with Elphaba.

''Hi Elphie, I'll see you soon.'' Glinda said as she gives Elphie a kiss on the mouth. Glinda went to Nessa's room, hoping to find her.

Fortunately, Nessa had gone to her room after she couldn't find Elphaba in the library. She immediately opened the door when she heard a knock. ''Glinda, did you find Elphaba?''

Glinda nodded and immediately sat down on Nessa's bed where she started to cry. Despite it being before lunch, Glinda felt like she's been running all day.

Nessa didn't know what to do but started rubbing Glinda on her back anyway. ''Glinda, what happened?'' Nessa asked after she noticed that Glinda was calming down.

''It was so bad. her father slapped her in the face. I was so scared. Elphaba shouted for me to run. Nobody believed me at first. Now she is sleeping because of the painkillers.''

Nessa looked confused at Glinda. ''Glinda, what are you talking about. You are not clear. Daddy hit Elphaba?'' she asked unbelievably as she shook her head.

Glinda took a deep breath and nodded. ''I'm sorry Nessa you should hear from me.'' Glinda began to tell everything.

Nessa keeps shaking her head. ''This cannot be real. I mean I know daddy treats Elphaba differently and they don't have a good relationship but abuse. No, I don't believe that.''

''Well you have to believe it because your sister is unconscious from the painkillers in the doctor's office.'' Glinda said, getting angry.

''Sorry Glinda, but I don't know what you expect from me now.'' Nessa said who also started to get angry.

''I expect you to go to your sister to support her. Then you see proof come along.''

Glinda immediately started pushing Nessa's chair.

''Wait a minute Glinda I would like a coat on.''

Glinda rolled her eyes but gave Nessa her coat anyway.

Together they walked back to the doctor's office. They were both deeply absorbed in their own thoughts.

''Hey Glinda and Nessa, nice to see you again.''

''Hey Fiyero, it's good to see you again.'' Glinda said as she pushed Nessa forward.

''Wait a minute, where are you going?''

''We're going to see Elphie who's in the doctor's office.''

''Wow, what happened?'' Fiyero asked shocked.

Glinda wanted to tell the story again. ''No,'' Nessa said sternly, ''I don't want to hear the story again. It hurts me too much. I want to see her first. I also want to know where father is. But Fabala first.''

Glinda closed her mouth and nodded. ''Come on, Fiyero, I'll tell you later.''

The three of them arrived at the doctor's ward.

''Aaah Miss Glinda, how good to see you again. I see you brought reinforcements,'' the doctor said.

''Did anything change Dr. Damien?'' asked Glinda.

''No nothing at all. She is still sleeping.''

''Okay, that's positive right?''

The doctor nodded.

''This is Nessarose, Elphaba's younger sister and Fiyero is a good friend for all of us.''

The doctor shook hands with everyone and introduced himself.

''Shall we sit in my office for a while so I can calmly answer your questions? Elphaba should sleep for the rest of the day.''

The three looked at each other and nodded. ''May Glinda and Fiyero be here?'' Nessa asked after everyone had settled into the doctor's small office.

''Actually I can only give this information to family. But I also know that family can now use whatever support they need You are also very young. So you can use all the support you can get. So do you like having your friends here?''

Nessa thought for a moment, thinking that it was indeed better that she wasn't alone now. She nodded.

''Great,'' Damien settled into his chair and looked at everyone. ''What I am about to tell you may be shocking but it is the truth. I will be very direct and it pains me a lot to tell this.''

Everyone looked at him for expectations and nodded.

''Elphaba has a broken rib and multiple lashes all over her body. Why she was passed out on the floor when we found her is not clear, but her body must first heal properly and that is why we let her sleep as much as possible so that she does not feel pain.'' Damien paused to allow the group to process the information for him.

Nessa nodded weakly. She had hoped it was a big, stupid joke and that Elphaba was fine. But now that she heard about it from the doctor, she knew it was true.

''Some wounds are older and we found a few old scars, indicating that she has been mistreated more often. Nessa you have lived with Elphaba for a longer time I assume because you are the sister. Have you ever noticed anything?''

Nessa was too shocked to answer. They shake her head.

Glinda felt sorry for Nessa. ''Elphie was very good at hiding it. I also only knew for two days. Elphie told me it happened in the basement and the wounds were in places where no one saw it.''

The doctor nodded. ''Unfortunately, this happens more often.''

''I am also concerned about her eating habits. She is way too skinny for someone her age and height. Do you know if she eats regularly?''

Nessa bit her lip hard. Tears came to her eyes. She recalled the conversation she had with Glinda a few days ago about Elphaba's eating habits. She felt guilty that she hadn't noticed.

Glinda was just about to share that she makes sure that Elphie eats well thanks to her and Fiyero. But then Glinda recalls that Elphie had indeed eaten less and worked a lot more hard in recent days. Suddenly the pieces of the puzzle hit the spot at Glinda. ''No she didn`t,'' she whispered in shock.

''I know she regularly skipped meals. But we made sure she kept eating. I think the money was a problem rather than the food. Because she ate a lot of free fruit.'' Fiyero said when he found the girls was too shocked to respond.

The doctor nodded. He is very happy that the school is handing out free fruit at the school canteen and this was one of the reasons.

He wrote some things down. ''I understand that it comes as a shock. But the behavior is normal. The people who are abused find it normal or think they deserve it. They behave normally and are often shy. When she wakes up she will feel ashamed and shaken about what happened.''

''But it is not her fault,'' Nessa protested weakly.

''That's right. But this happens more often in people who have been abused and certainly at an early age.''

''If you have any questions, you can always ask them. We can now go to Elphaba for a while and then I have to ask you to have lunch. Elphaba needs her rest and so do you.''

The three were too shocked to respond, so they nodded.

They followed the doctor to the room where Elphaba was still sleeping. When Nessa saw her sister, she immediately started to cry. She wheeled to Elphaba and gently takes her hand. ''Ooh Fabala. I am so sorry.'' She whispered. ''Fabala you have to get better because I can't take it without you. I don't know what to do. What is happening to father now? I can't see him yet. I do not dare.''

Glinda felt angry. Because Nessa was only concerned about herself and about their father, But Glinda remembered that her mother often indicated that Glinda should empathize better. So she took a deep breath and walked over to Nessa. She put her hand on Nessa's shoulder and hugged Nessa who started to cry hard. Glinda cried with her.

Fiyero saw a completely different Elphaba than he was used to. She looked so small. He walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. ''You gotta get better, green girl. Without you, school is a lot less fun.'' The girls gave Fiyero a small smile.

''Come on Nessa we go to grab some food at the cafe and we meet at Glinda`s and Elphaba`s room. There we have the most space to talk quietly.''

''But who will stay with Elphaba?'' Nessa asked.

"We're watching her," said Damien, standing by the door the whole time.

''We will let you know as soon as something changes. We will also give you an abscence fraction if needed when the schools start again. We know that it is only Sunday now and that you are also free tomorrow. But then you don't have to worry.''

Everyone nodded. Fiyero pushed Nessa away from Elphaba. ''We'll meet in your room in half an hour, Glinda.'' Glinda looked at Elphaba all the time and nodded.