Chapter Eleven
The group, minus Jay and Spinner, finally arrived into the family room. There was a couple tables with some unfinished puzzles on them and some surrounding chairs, a water dispenser at the far end of the room, and also a television that was turned on, and commercials were currently playing.
Toby took a seat, and began looking at the puzzle that lay on the table.
"Isn't that ironic?" he said aloud.
"What are you talking about?" JT asked, with his hand still firmly attached to Manny's.
"The puzzle." Toby explained, "It's ironic how some pieces are still missing to complete it, yet the gist of the image is visible."
"I still don't get it." Manny replied.
Toby sighed.
"It's like what happened to Emma. We know the gist of what happened today, but some details are missing."
"Oh." Manny replied vaguely, still trying to keep her hopes up about Emma.
The silence became forced. Toby tapped his foot on the floor.
"What are we going to do?" he asked.
"Stay here until she wakes up, I don't care what the doctors tell me." Manny replied.
"What if she doesn't?"
"Don't think like that, Tobs. She'll be okay. They're doing everything they can." JT replied.
"... I don't want to lose her" Toby whispered.
Manny left JT's side and sat down in the seat next to him. Toby looked up at her.
"Listen to me. We need to keep our spirits up. We have to believe she'll be okay. We have to have faith or else we have nothing."
Toby didn't respond, but in his heart, he already felt like he had lost everything of worth. Paige remained silent, eyes fixated upon the television screen as she flipped through the channels, like in a trance.
Again, the silence broke in.
"Does anyone have some change?" JT finally asked.
Most turned to look at him, confused.
"I'm thirsty. I was going to get some water."
"I have some," Manny said, "I'll get one for myself too."
Together, they walked over to the end of the room, and Manny took out her change. She put the change in the slot as she spoke.
"What are we going to do about Toby?" she whispered.
"He's just being protective. You know he always had a thing for her." JT whispered back.
"Still... I wish there was some way we could cheer him up, even for a moment."
"Guys..." Paige broke in, pointing at the screen.
A blonde woman in her mid-twenties came on the screen.
"Police are still searching for a suspect tonight," she announced, "The suspect in question is believed to be a dirty blonde male in his early twenties, just under six feet tall. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red t-shirt and a leather jacket, leaving a party on Second Avenue. Police cars showed up near midnight to an undisclosed residence to bust the party in question. As they arrived, they noticed the male pushing a young blonde into his car. Constable Dan Louis believes that the woman was beaten by her escort, as she could barely walk and the suspect had a firm, violent grip on her. Unfortunately, the attempts to catch the culprit have been unsuccessful so far, Louis lost the trail when the suspect crossed the railway tracks in his vehicle, a red mustang with the license plate DLROWYM before the train barriers came down to block automobiles from crossing as a train was coming in. We've also received information that the female who's name remains undisclosed was taken to the local hospital for treatment for the numerous bruises and scratches inflicted. No word yet if she will survive and what other violent acts were placed on her. Police urge citizens to call in and report if they have seen this man or his vehicle."
"It was my fault."
Everyone turned around, tears in their eyes.
"I was there. It was my fault."
"You couldn't have stopped it, Craig..." Manny said.
