*Sorry about my editing skills. I've always gotten yelled at by professors
for not proofreading my papers and for not going into detail with things.
The detail is in my head and if I write it one way, I assume whoever is
reading it can read between the lines. Sorry about that, it's just the way
I think. I'll try to explain things better as I go on; this is my first
published fanfiction and the first I'm planning on finishing. Mistake in
Chapter 29 with Auggie is supposed to be Ezra instead. For some reason I
had Auggie on the brain (LOL). I do hope confusion gets cleared up. Not
all might b/c some characters are meant to be confusing. LOL. Hope you
enjoy and the reviews are helping as well. Keep up the help, much thanks to
ya'll.
Chapter 30 Realization
A Day Later. . . Hospital Room 8:30PM
Peter Scarbrow finds himself sitting alone in the waiting room of the hospital. Shelby, one of his students, had just gone into have surgery. On TV the news can be heard. A meteorologist is giving the report for rain and thunderstorms all week. Peter shakes his head with disgust at the weather; just what he wanted to deal with on top of everything else he is dealing with. Two of his students Taylor and Shelby, the hardest yet, have shut down completely. Both girls had chosen a life of prostitution over living at home with their molesters. They had begun to open up to he and Sophie, but shut down immedialy. Shelby shut down and went back behind that thick concrete wall when he mother died a little over 2 months ago. It was found out that Taylor's father, then Senator Alexander McPhearson, was a client of Shelby's. Scott, then Shelby's boyfriend, had punched the Senator and ended up in the hospital. Shelby had run off again. She was found three days later and brought to the hospital. Shelby had told her secret of running and finding drugs. It was easy to offer herself as payment for the drugs; she had done so many times before. She even went as far as going to the hotel with her client, now known to be Grant Tarrant (Taylor's rapist). Shelby told of how she changed her mind and said no, but ended up being drugged and raped by Grant. Now Shelby had been pregnant with Grant's baby, an atopic pregnancy that was putting her life in danger. Then there was Alexander Taylor, with amazing athletic ability. She had been ranked in the top five in the country for in basketball at the point guard position. Then she turned to drugs and ran away, all after she had became pregnant. She had an abortion not to long afterwards. He was beginning to doubt his abilities in being able to handle their situations. Peter stared at the TV as reports of violence and vandalism filled the screen. Then a picture of Grant Tarrant and Alexander McPhearson appear on the screen. Peter reached for the remote and turned up the volume.
Reporter "In other news today, informal charges of statutory rape, rape, molestation, child pornography and other various charges are being brought against a former employer of former Senator, now Ambassador of England, Alexander McPhearson. Grant Kameron Tarrant is now being investigated after one of his many victims came forward and reported what he had done to them. Ambassador McPhearson could not be reached for comment. It is told that he is flying back to the states to help clear these charges. More on this story as it develops. Now here's sports with Ryan Bryant."
Peter is caught staring at the scene when Sophie walks in, followed by Jess, Shelby's youngest sister.
"Hey." Sophie says to get his attention.
"Hi." Peter's attention turns to Jess.
"She couldn't sleep and was upset. I just had to bring her." Sophie explains before Peter could say anything.
"Okay." Peter says and then pats a chair next to him. "Why don't you take a seat Jess?"
"Have you heard anything?" Sophie asks taking a seat beside Jess, whose eyes are red and swollen from crying.
"Not yet." Peter rubs the back of his head with his hand. "How are things at Horizon?"
"The Cliffhangers were not asleep when I left. Jeff and Rodger are letting them camp out in the lodge."
"That's understandable. How's Taylor?"
"In the infirmary, being watched by the nurse and Daisy. Amy stopped by and reports that all vital signs are normal. She took blood to see exactly what was taken. She said she could stay at the infirmary as long as her signs remain normal." Sophie stops off there and Peter looks at her.
"What is it?"
Sophie glances over at Jess, who is now staring at the TV with a blank stare on her face. She decides to go on figuring Jess isn't really listening.
"Peter, we found a whole lot of drugs in Taylor's bags and belongings." Peter looks at Sophie as if she's gone mad.
"We searched everything thoroughly I thought?"
"The drugs were sewn into the bag between the patting. There was no way to tell that they were there. The patting was placed just right that if you did a sweep over the bag, it felt normal. The stitching looked as if it had been done professionally."
"What type of drugs?" Peter asks shaking his head in anger.
"Various."
"Type Sophie?"
Sophie hesitates, but continues with a stern look from Peter.
"A little bit of ecstasy, uppers, downers, caffeine pills, sleeping pills." Sophie takes a deep breath and then adds. "Psychotropic pills. It looks as if she was either planning on selling to other students. She had them marked off into sections and doses. Amy thinks she might have taken some sleeping pills, that's why she hasn't been able to stay awake. It wasn't a dose enough to harm her. Not with her normal vital signs. Child Protective Services weren't too happy about having to come back another day, but what else can ya do."
"Have you seen the news? Grant's being investigated for statutory rape, molestation and other various charges are being brought into play."
"Good, I hope they fry the son of a bitch." Sophie's tone is full of hatred and spite.
"What about the newbie? Learn anything about him." Peter wants to change the subject, even though he feels exactly the way his wife does.
"Still denies ever doing drugs. We'll find out if he's telling the truth when his urine drugs screen comes back."
A doctor dressed in scrubs interrupts them when he appears in the doorway.
"Are you the guardians of one Shelby Merrick?"
"Yes we are."
"She's now in recovery. We got to the fetus in time before it did any real harm. She should have a full recovery."
"Fetus?" Comes Jess's quiet voice. "Shelby was pregnant?" Jess's question if full of surprise and confusion.
"Honey, we'll explain everything after we see Shelby." Sophie puts her arms around a stunned Jess. "We can see her?"
"She should be a wake by now, bit groggy, but yes, you can see her. Two at a time right now."
"I want to go first." Jess says sternly.
"Okay, I'll take you." Sophie squeezes Jess shoulders and the two leave the waiting room.
As Jess is out of the waiting room, Peter grabs Sophie's hand tightly. She responds by grabbing his hand tight. She gives him a half smile and then follows Jess out towards Shelby's room.
*********
At Horizon
Taylor is lying in the hospital bed, whatever drugs she had taken, the effects have worn off. She stares up at the ceiling, then over at a shadowy figure sitting next to her.
"Who are you?" Taylor asks as her eyes start to become focused.
"Daisy." Comes Daisy's unamuzed, flat tone.
"How long have I been out?"
"Just a day, why were you planning on more?" Daisy sees a small smile develop on Taylor's face. "They're coming back you know?" Taylor gives her a confusing look. "Child Protective Services, everyone knows you took those pills so you didn't have to talk to them, but they'll be back another day." Daisy informs Taylor.
The two sit in silence as Daisy goes back to reading her book.
"I don't get you." Daisy blurts out putting her book down. Taylor looks at her shaking her head in confusion. "Why are you keeping quiet? Why haven't you tried to get help, turn the bastard in."
"You don't understand." Taylor sits up looking at Daisy as if she's broken a golden rule. "There's more than any of you will ever know."
"We're not here to judge you. You can't move on until there's closure."
"Closure? I want to kill the son of a bitch." Taylor sits up tears of anger begin to fill her eyes. "Is that closure enough?" Taylor takes a deep breath and continues. "I've wanted to my whole life. He has given me the ability to hate someone so much that I could take his life with no remorse. Do you know how that makes me feel?"
"Shelby felt the same way about her step-father. She had the strength to call the police instead."
Taylor lets out a small laugh.
"Shelby lived in a completely different world than I did. I lived in a world of politicians, boarding schools and adultery. All the adultery going on is just hidden behind money and charisma. Nobody believes anybody in my world could do any such thing. All that is for the poor."
"We are all human."
"Tell that to my father."
"What was he like?" Daisy dares go into the subject.
"I don't really know. We've never spent any quality time together. He wouldn't even come to the schools when I got kicked out. He'd just write them a check or send. . ." Taylor's voice gets quieter. "Grant."
"When are you going to stop him from controlling your life?"
"He's not controlling my life, I am."
"Are you really?" Daisy looks at Taylor with an 'as if' look. Taylor just lies back down and continues to stair up at the ceiling, thinking over what Daisy has just said.
********* Hospital Shelby's Room
Jess enters followed by Sophie. Shelby is lying partially awake in bed.
"Jess?" Shelby looks over and squints to see who else is in the room. "What are you doing here?"
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"What's been going on? Why haven't you told me anything?" Shelby holds her head as Jess gets a little louder and angrier. "You not telling me things, just like you didn't tell me about what Walt did to you."
"Where is this coming from?" Shelby manages to get out. She wipes her hands over her face to help her concentrate.
"Jess, I think we should talk about this later." Sophie puts a hand on Jess's shoulder encouraging her to change the subject. Jess just shrugs off Sophie's hand.
"I couldn't tell anyone about. . ." Shelby says this next word with such sourness. "Walt."
"You let it happen to me." Jess blurts out. "You knew and you let him."
"Are you blaming me for what he did?" Shelby yells back.
"Yes!!!" Jess turns and leaves the room.
Shelby just sits on the bed, trying really hard to stay awake and comprehend what just happened. She looks up at Sophie confused and hurt, unsure of what to do.
"I'll try and talk to her." Sophie goes to leave.
"Don't, let me." Shelby stops Sophie from going out. "When I feel better of course." Sophie nods her head in understanding. "I hope that you don't take this personally, but I want to be by myself."
"Understood."
Sophie goes back out into the waiting room. Sophie enters the waiting room, where Jess is sitting balled up on the corner chair. Peter is standing watching everything perplexed. Sophie walks over and just puts her arms around him and pulls him tightly to her. Peter holds Sophie in response to this.
*********
Chapter 30 Realization
A Day Later. . . Hospital Room 8:30PM
Peter Scarbrow finds himself sitting alone in the waiting room of the hospital. Shelby, one of his students, had just gone into have surgery. On TV the news can be heard. A meteorologist is giving the report for rain and thunderstorms all week. Peter shakes his head with disgust at the weather; just what he wanted to deal with on top of everything else he is dealing with. Two of his students Taylor and Shelby, the hardest yet, have shut down completely. Both girls had chosen a life of prostitution over living at home with their molesters. They had begun to open up to he and Sophie, but shut down immedialy. Shelby shut down and went back behind that thick concrete wall when he mother died a little over 2 months ago. It was found out that Taylor's father, then Senator Alexander McPhearson, was a client of Shelby's. Scott, then Shelby's boyfriend, had punched the Senator and ended up in the hospital. Shelby had run off again. She was found three days later and brought to the hospital. Shelby had told her secret of running and finding drugs. It was easy to offer herself as payment for the drugs; she had done so many times before. She even went as far as going to the hotel with her client, now known to be Grant Tarrant (Taylor's rapist). Shelby told of how she changed her mind and said no, but ended up being drugged and raped by Grant. Now Shelby had been pregnant with Grant's baby, an atopic pregnancy that was putting her life in danger. Then there was Alexander Taylor, with amazing athletic ability. She had been ranked in the top five in the country for in basketball at the point guard position. Then she turned to drugs and ran away, all after she had became pregnant. She had an abortion not to long afterwards. He was beginning to doubt his abilities in being able to handle their situations. Peter stared at the TV as reports of violence and vandalism filled the screen. Then a picture of Grant Tarrant and Alexander McPhearson appear on the screen. Peter reached for the remote and turned up the volume.
Reporter "In other news today, informal charges of statutory rape, rape, molestation, child pornography and other various charges are being brought against a former employer of former Senator, now Ambassador of England, Alexander McPhearson. Grant Kameron Tarrant is now being investigated after one of his many victims came forward and reported what he had done to them. Ambassador McPhearson could not be reached for comment. It is told that he is flying back to the states to help clear these charges. More on this story as it develops. Now here's sports with Ryan Bryant."
Peter is caught staring at the scene when Sophie walks in, followed by Jess, Shelby's youngest sister.
"Hey." Sophie says to get his attention.
"Hi." Peter's attention turns to Jess.
"She couldn't sleep and was upset. I just had to bring her." Sophie explains before Peter could say anything.
"Okay." Peter says and then pats a chair next to him. "Why don't you take a seat Jess?"
"Have you heard anything?" Sophie asks taking a seat beside Jess, whose eyes are red and swollen from crying.
"Not yet." Peter rubs the back of his head with his hand. "How are things at Horizon?"
"The Cliffhangers were not asleep when I left. Jeff and Rodger are letting them camp out in the lodge."
"That's understandable. How's Taylor?"
"In the infirmary, being watched by the nurse and Daisy. Amy stopped by and reports that all vital signs are normal. She took blood to see exactly what was taken. She said she could stay at the infirmary as long as her signs remain normal." Sophie stops off there and Peter looks at her.
"What is it?"
Sophie glances over at Jess, who is now staring at the TV with a blank stare on her face. She decides to go on figuring Jess isn't really listening.
"Peter, we found a whole lot of drugs in Taylor's bags and belongings." Peter looks at Sophie as if she's gone mad.
"We searched everything thoroughly I thought?"
"The drugs were sewn into the bag between the patting. There was no way to tell that they were there. The patting was placed just right that if you did a sweep over the bag, it felt normal. The stitching looked as if it had been done professionally."
"What type of drugs?" Peter asks shaking his head in anger.
"Various."
"Type Sophie?"
Sophie hesitates, but continues with a stern look from Peter.
"A little bit of ecstasy, uppers, downers, caffeine pills, sleeping pills." Sophie takes a deep breath and then adds. "Psychotropic pills. It looks as if she was either planning on selling to other students. She had them marked off into sections and doses. Amy thinks she might have taken some sleeping pills, that's why she hasn't been able to stay awake. It wasn't a dose enough to harm her. Not with her normal vital signs. Child Protective Services weren't too happy about having to come back another day, but what else can ya do."
"Have you seen the news? Grant's being investigated for statutory rape, molestation and other various charges are being brought into play."
"Good, I hope they fry the son of a bitch." Sophie's tone is full of hatred and spite.
"What about the newbie? Learn anything about him." Peter wants to change the subject, even though he feels exactly the way his wife does.
"Still denies ever doing drugs. We'll find out if he's telling the truth when his urine drugs screen comes back."
A doctor dressed in scrubs interrupts them when he appears in the doorway.
"Are you the guardians of one Shelby Merrick?"
"Yes we are."
"She's now in recovery. We got to the fetus in time before it did any real harm. She should have a full recovery."
"Fetus?" Comes Jess's quiet voice. "Shelby was pregnant?" Jess's question if full of surprise and confusion.
"Honey, we'll explain everything after we see Shelby." Sophie puts her arms around a stunned Jess. "We can see her?"
"She should be a wake by now, bit groggy, but yes, you can see her. Two at a time right now."
"I want to go first." Jess says sternly.
"Okay, I'll take you." Sophie squeezes Jess shoulders and the two leave the waiting room.
As Jess is out of the waiting room, Peter grabs Sophie's hand tightly. She responds by grabbing his hand tight. She gives him a half smile and then follows Jess out towards Shelby's room.
*********
At Horizon
Taylor is lying in the hospital bed, whatever drugs she had taken, the effects have worn off. She stares up at the ceiling, then over at a shadowy figure sitting next to her.
"Who are you?" Taylor asks as her eyes start to become focused.
"Daisy." Comes Daisy's unamuzed, flat tone.
"How long have I been out?"
"Just a day, why were you planning on more?" Daisy sees a small smile develop on Taylor's face. "They're coming back you know?" Taylor gives her a confusing look. "Child Protective Services, everyone knows you took those pills so you didn't have to talk to them, but they'll be back another day." Daisy informs Taylor.
The two sit in silence as Daisy goes back to reading her book.
"I don't get you." Daisy blurts out putting her book down. Taylor looks at her shaking her head in confusion. "Why are you keeping quiet? Why haven't you tried to get help, turn the bastard in."
"You don't understand." Taylor sits up looking at Daisy as if she's broken a golden rule. "There's more than any of you will ever know."
"We're not here to judge you. You can't move on until there's closure."
"Closure? I want to kill the son of a bitch." Taylor sits up tears of anger begin to fill her eyes. "Is that closure enough?" Taylor takes a deep breath and continues. "I've wanted to my whole life. He has given me the ability to hate someone so much that I could take his life with no remorse. Do you know how that makes me feel?"
"Shelby felt the same way about her step-father. She had the strength to call the police instead."
Taylor lets out a small laugh.
"Shelby lived in a completely different world than I did. I lived in a world of politicians, boarding schools and adultery. All the adultery going on is just hidden behind money and charisma. Nobody believes anybody in my world could do any such thing. All that is for the poor."
"We are all human."
"Tell that to my father."
"What was he like?" Daisy dares go into the subject.
"I don't really know. We've never spent any quality time together. He wouldn't even come to the schools when I got kicked out. He'd just write them a check or send. . ." Taylor's voice gets quieter. "Grant."
"When are you going to stop him from controlling your life?"
"He's not controlling my life, I am."
"Are you really?" Daisy looks at Taylor with an 'as if' look. Taylor just lies back down and continues to stair up at the ceiling, thinking over what Daisy has just said.
********* Hospital Shelby's Room
Jess enters followed by Sophie. Shelby is lying partially awake in bed.
"Jess?" Shelby looks over and squints to see who else is in the room. "What are you doing here?"
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"What's been going on? Why haven't you told me anything?" Shelby holds her head as Jess gets a little louder and angrier. "You not telling me things, just like you didn't tell me about what Walt did to you."
"Where is this coming from?" Shelby manages to get out. She wipes her hands over her face to help her concentrate.
"Jess, I think we should talk about this later." Sophie puts a hand on Jess's shoulder encouraging her to change the subject. Jess just shrugs off Sophie's hand.
"I couldn't tell anyone about. . ." Shelby says this next word with such sourness. "Walt."
"You let it happen to me." Jess blurts out. "You knew and you let him."
"Are you blaming me for what he did?" Shelby yells back.
"Yes!!!" Jess turns and leaves the room.
Shelby just sits on the bed, trying really hard to stay awake and comprehend what just happened. She looks up at Sophie confused and hurt, unsure of what to do.
"I'll try and talk to her." Sophie goes to leave.
"Don't, let me." Shelby stops Sophie from going out. "When I feel better of course." Sophie nods her head in understanding. "I hope that you don't take this personally, but I want to be by myself."
"Understood."
Sophie goes back out into the waiting room. Sophie enters the waiting room, where Jess is sitting balled up on the corner chair. Peter is standing watching everything perplexed. Sophie walks over and just puts her arms around him and pulls him tightly to her. Peter holds Sophie in response to this.
*********