Chapter 3: Guilt

Justin's POV: It was another typical day; magic was out, school was too and Alex was being Alex. After our talk earlier she went downstairs; and Max had nothing to do as usual, and honestly; I did not want to spend the day with him. Especially if I have to hear him talk about his 'Earwax Monument' so I decided to call Zeke and hang with him for the day. Things were fun as usual we talked about "Alien Language League" Chess Club and a few other things. It was getting late; so I departed from Zeke and headed home. Once there I went upstairs and saw that Alex wasn't on the couch which was strange.

Hey Max where's Alex? I don't know she hasn't been back for hours. What? Hours when did she leave? I don't know sometime around 12:30 I think- what do you mean you think? I don't remember I was busy building my hot dog character collection.

What? So are you going to look for Alex? Yes Max- cool oh, hey Justin while you're out there could you get me another dog from that stand down the street? My collection's almost done. 'Justin walks out the door and thinks Alex probably snuck out again, so Justin turns around and goes back inside.

1 Hour later... BOYS! Justin and Max hear their father call from downstairs; both the brothers get up and scramble down the stairs. We need help looking for Alex. 'After Justin and the others get back to the Sub Station and Justin sees Alex.

"Justin could not think straight, his mind could not even begin to prosses what happened seeing his baby sister like this." His emotions were all over the place, but the one that was taking over was rage. Rage of seeing his sister like this; rage that he wanted to find who did this and make them suffer.

But he was most angry at himself for not being able to help his sister. 'Justin formed a fist he was ready to go hunt down this 'Fucker!' and make him bleed. But Justin knew that his family; his sister needed him more. We… we need to get her to the hospital now! Max why don't you go on upstairs buddy 'Jerry says while trying to compose himself' WHAT? NO WAY DAD! MAX! Listen to Dad OK… please.

'Max says okay while looking at his brother's face. OK I… I just I need someone to help me get her in the car; here mom I'll carry her. Justin knew it was the least he could do. 'Wait, Jerry says to his wife' maybe you should stay here with Max and… AND DO WHAT JERRY?! Not take care of our daughter- no of course not.

'Jerry expresses' I just didn't want you to have to deal with this alone is all. I know, but I can handle this I have to, come on let's get her in the car; Mom we have to go NOW! We don't know how much time she has. Jerry stay with Max; I've got him just go hurry! Its going to be OK Alex just hang on.

'Waiting Room' "Theresa sits in shock waiting for something anything; anything to tell her that her girl is going to be okay." Justin paces back and forth over and over; it starts to make his mother nervous, so she tells him to sit down.

'But he can't sit down, he can't even breath; Justin has never felt this way before this made him wonder, what's next? what is going to happen after this. 'Is she…is my sister still alive? 'Justin thought to himself' OF COURSE SHE IS IDIOT! Alex is the strongest person I know. She's still alive she has to be; I…I need her I can't live without her.

Now that I think of it; I've never told Alex I love her; I've never told her how much she means to me; what if I don't get that chance now. 'This was eating away at Justin it was the only thing he could think; I should have been a better brother to her.

However, before Justin could finish his thoughts, the Doctor that was examining Alex walked out. She is in horrible condition however she is alive; but its bad 'She says with a soft voice as to not upset them any further' I understand if you don't want to know. Is she awake; can we see her?! 'Justin asks' no she's not I'm afraid, She needs more rest.

But Alex is one of the strongest people I've ever seen; she managed to hold on long enough to get here, she is lucky too have you guys. We're the ones who are lucky to have her 'Justin says' A few hours pass with Justin and Theresa at the hospital.

Mom, Mom hey! Hmm? Hey you fell asleep- for how long? About an hour; why don't you go home and get some rest. I can't I have to stay here with Alex, I can't go home Justin- OK I understand but you should go home and get Dad and Max, they're probably really worried and I think they would both want to be here right now.

You're right but... I just don't know how I can leave her; my little girl. 'Theresa says unsure of what to do' It's OK mom I'll stay with her. Ok 'Theresa agrees reluctantly' I will be back soon; thank you Justin! Be safe Mom. 'About 20 minuets pass, there was a nurse that went in about 15 minuets prior but they have not come out yet I'm starting to get worried.

'Justin's worries were quickly alleviated as the nurse walked out of Alex's room a moment later. Hey is everything OK with my sister? Well as OK as things can be for someone in her position. But your sister is awake- REALLY! 'Justin says in awe' Yes! 'The Nurse replies' she just woke up about 5 minutes ago, can... can I go see her? Of course but just take it easy on her, and try not to stress her out.

I'll let you have some time. Thank you! 'Justin opens the door as slowly and quietly as possible.' Hey Alex its Justin uh... how are you? Jus...tin 'Alex speaks in a raspy almost nonexistent voice due to the deep cut on her throat' hey how do you feel? Fine. 'Justin can't stop looking at his sister at the state she's in. W... what? Uh nothing, all good. But Alex could see the look in Justin's eyes she didn't know what to say her mind was broken. Alex said she was fine and tried to play it off like she was OK but Justin could see right through her.

'She was not Alex not anymore. "What was once a beautiful bright light in her eyes was gone completely; Alex's eyes were dead and lifeless so cold like she did not have a soul anymore, her once Brown shimmering hair was flat and dirty covering one of her eyes. And her body was covered in horrible bruises and cuts."

'Alex, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I should have done something I was going out to look for you but I didn't, if I had maybe I could have stopped it, I... I could have- it... it's... not... your... fault. The way Alex was talking Justin could tell she was barely holding on to whatever sanity she had left; he could see how broken she was and it killed him.

J... Justin- Yeah! Don't call Harper I don't want her to know about this- WHAT? No, no, no, I have to call her and tell her about this. I'm sorry I didn't mean to raise my voice, but Alex how could you ask me to do something like this? Alex she is your best friend she has to know! No p... please, I want her to... enjoy her summer with... her parents. After her finding out about us being wiz...ards she needs time to... process.

Justin please s... swear you won't call her. OK I won't call her, I swear. 'I hate lying to her but I have to call Harper she needs to know 'Alex's stomach growling' are you hungry? I'll go get you something. 'Alex wasn't hungry in the slightest, but she was in too much pain to say anything.

"Hey Alex! I uh... I know that I haven't always been the best brother but I need you to know that I love you little sister." 'Alex doesn't even make eye contact with Justin.' Get some rest if you can I will be back soon with something to eat. 'Justin opens the door stepping into the hall and closes it back as quietly as possible.' 'With no time to waste Justin walks down the hall still able to keep an eye on Alex's room and gets out his phone and dials Harper.

Hello? Hey Harper it's Justin. Oh, hey Justin to what do I owe this call?! Hey Harper listen I... uh I have something tell you, something that you are not going to like. What's up Justin is everything OK? 'Sighing' No, no Harper it's not- Justin you're scaring me what's going on? Look Alex didn't want me to call you but you have to know. Know what? JUSTIN! WHAT IS GOING ON? It's about Alex; something horrible happened to her. She... uh I don't really know how to tell you this but Alex was... Alex was what? She was Raped.