The continuation of the story...

Chapter 24: Broken

Gabriel slowly opened his eyes and took in the ceiling above. He blinked a few times and stared at the ceiling tile. He sighed and took in his surroundings. It had been a strange couple of hours. He rode with his sister to the hospital in the ambulance. It was a quick journey to the nearest hospital and the emergency staff were completely helpful. They took Ronnie in and were checking her over. While he was waiting in the hallway, Mom and Dad came in and went into the room. He was asked to wait in the hallway due to the amount of people in the room. While he waited; he texted Alyson, Shane and several others and let them know of the situation. His father had come out and asked what had happened. Gabe told him what he knew and how they found his sister. He didn't mention what he was thinking on whom did the attack but he had his theories. His dad went back into the room and he was left out waiting outside. He hated waiting; not knowing what was going on with his sister.

He was waiting when the doors opened that he came in from earlier. He turned and watched Shane walk over to him. Shane came over and sat down next to him. Shane looked at him as he looked back up to the ceiling.

"Hey bud. Do we know anything?"

Gabe shook his head. "Not a damn thing."

Shane rested his head on the wall; looking up at the same ceiling Gabe was. "Fuck."

"Yeah. I said the same thing."

Shane shook his head. "This isn't right man. She was fine when I talked to her before practice. What happened?"

Gabe sighed and explained how he found her in the girl's bathroom. He explained the injuries and what happened from the time he found her to present. Gabe looked down towards the floor and sighed again. "I should have known something was wrong."

Shane turned towards his friend. "Gabe, you didn't know. We knew she was in a meeting. Neither of us wanted to bother her." Shane spoke in a terrible falsetto. "You guys are ruining my life! Leave me alone!"

Gabe snickered. He shook his head at Shane's bad impression. "You're a dick."

Shane smiled. "Yeah, I've been told that a lot." He put his hand on Gabe's shoulder. "She's a fighter man; she'll be okay."

"Yeah." Gabe looked up at the ceiling again. "I'm going to teach her how to protect herself."

Shane looked at Gabe. He nodded and looked up at the ceiling again. "I'm helping."

The two young men stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes. Their attention was captured when the room's door opened up. The two looked over to the door and Jane walked out. She was wiping her eyes and closed the door. She turned to them and both of them felt their hearts sink.

"Ronnie's going to be okay." Jane said to them; a slight smile coming to her face.

Gabe got up and hugged his mother. He held her for a minute and she kept thanking him for taking care of Ronnie. He broke the hug and Shane stood up; hugging Jane as well.

"Thank you for taking care of her Gabe. I know that this is hard but you got her here and she's alive because of you." She turned back to Shane. Thank you for coming Shane; I know that Ronnie thinks highly of you."

"Is she up yet Ma?"

Jane shook her head. "Not yet Gabe. She's lost a lot of blood and she's had several stitches in her forehead. Thankfully there are no broken bones but a lot of bruises."

"Ma, was…was she raped?"

Jane sighed; tears forming from her eyes. "Whomever did it; sexually assaulted her. They…they attacked her with some kind of…of cylindrical object. The doctor couldn't tell what it was but whomever did it; they weren't kind…at all." Jane couldn't continue. She broke down and started crying. The door opened and Spinner came out.

"Jane?"

She turned to her husband. "Someone hurt my baby. They brutally attacked her Spin." Spinner pulled her into an embrace. He held onto her as she sobbed.

"She's alive Jane. She'll be alright." Spinner turned to his son. "If you want to see her; you two can go in and see her."

Gabe took this as a sign to disappear for a few minutes. He motioned to Shane to follow him. The two entered the hospital room. They looked at the bed and saw Ronnie lying there. She was hooked up to a couple of machines; monitoring her vitals.

Shane paled; a tear running down his cheek. "She looks so…so small. So damn helpless."

Gabe looked over at his friend. He knew deep down that Shane really cared about his sister. He knew that maybe in the future; the two of them might end up dating. He didn't say anything but returned the gesture and placed his hand on Shane's shoulder.

"Be happy that you've never had to share a bed with her. She's a violent sleep fighter."

Shane snickered. "Gabe; I didn't know how to tell her how I felt."

"What are you talking about?"

Shane turned towards his friend. "I really like her. It's just been the four of us hanging out recently. Y'know; you, Ronnie, Alyson and myself. I've gotten to know her and she's awesome. She's smart and funny; beautiful in so many ways."

Gabe nodded. "So, what about Trish?"

"I'm done with her." Shane looked at Ronnie's sleeping form. "I know that I'll get shit from some of the other guys but I don't care. Fuck 'em."

"It kills me to know that she's here." Gabe replied. "The thing is as I dwell on it more and more; I have a feeling that I know whom did it."

Shane turned towards Gabe; rage in his eyes. "I want a name."

Gabe shook his head. "It's not that simple. If it's who I think it is; it's two girls that are the culprit, not guys. Besides, I don't have real proof that it was them."

Shane nodded his head again; turning to look at Ronnie. "Juliette Hogart?"

Gabe nodded. "And Tricia Parker."

Shane spoke with his voice raised. "What?!" His eyes widened and he covered his mouth. "Sorry man; you were saying?"

"I can't prove it." Gabe hung his head. "They came out of school together. Juliette was stuffing something into her bag and her whole mood changed when she saw me waiting for Ronnie. Trish was shitty like always but I ignored her. She said something to Juliette and patted her purse. I didn't know they were hanging out."

"If it was Trish; she keeps a lot of weird shit in her purse." Shane shook his head. "She keeps pills, feminine product, her phone and other shit in it. Hell, one time I was looking in there and found a …" His eyes widened as reality set in. "She kept a dildo in her purse…"

The two looked at each other. They figured it out that the two of them could have their culprits. They knew that the two of them could have done it but what could they do about them?

"Gabe? Shane?"

The two looked at the bed. Ronnie was awake. She was speaking quietly but clearly. The two moved towards the bed; each going to either side. They each took her hand in theirs.

"Hey kid." Gabe smiled and kissed her forehead gently.

"Don't scare us like that honey." Shane smiled at her.

Ronnie looked around. "Things are blurry; where are my glasses?"

"They got broken sis. Do you remember what happened?" Gabe asked.

Ronnie nodded. "Want to tell mom and dad first. I'll let you know afterwards."

"I'll get them." Gabe smiled. "You okay if Shane stays here?" Ronnie nodded at her brother. Gabe went and left to get his parents.

Ronnie looked at Shane. "You okay?"

"This coming from the beautiful girl that got beat pretty badly." Shane wiped a tear away from his cheek. "I should have been…"

Ronnie smiled at him. "Shut up. I couldn't let you beat up two girls and don't pull a Gabriel on me. I was blindsided."

"It scared me so much honey." Shane shook his head. "If something happened to you and…and I didn't…"

"Let me get better first." Ronnie blushed. "We'll discuss our feelings when I'm one-hundred percent." Ronnie frowned. "I just wish I was could have kept myself pure for you."

Shane looked at her surprised. "Veronica; that wasn't your fault. Besides; when you're better." Shane leaned in quickly and kissed her on the lips. She didn't resist him. They broke the kiss just as the door opened up.

Jane and Spinner went to their daughter and were happy to see her up and talking. They moved towards the bed; Gabe in tow. They were a family again. Gabe and Shane moved back. They looked at each other; they had much to discuss later.

So, everything's okay? Seems like it. What of the culprits that assaulted Ronnie? What does the future have in store for them? Keep reading and find out.

Thanks everyone for checking this story out! You guys are awesome!