Chapter Sixteen
Neela walked outside and shivered. It had gotten even colder outside as it got later. She walked across the small parking lot and sat on the grass. Ignoring the crucifying pain her body was in, she laid back and stared up at the sky. Thinking back, two days ago, her biggest problem was trying to decide between the ER and surgery.
"Neela!"
Ecstatic at hearing her friends' voice, Neela jumped, instantly regretting it as the pain tore through her.
"Neela! Oh my God, are you okay? Are you hurt? C'mon, let's get to County. Did you talk to Ray? Or Sam?" Abby pulled her into her arms.
Neela didn't respond, she just let Abby hold her, letting her tears flow freely.
"Shh, it's gunna be okay." Abby whispered, feeling her shaking uncontrollably. "We'll get through this. It's okay, I'm here."
The two girls stayed like this for a good fifteen minutes before Abby calmed Neela down enough to get in the car. As Abby was about to get in the drivers' seat, the door was slammed shut in her face.
"Going somewhere?"
"Get. Away. Now." Abby stated sternly.
"Not without Neela." Tony replied.
"Over my dead body."
"Very well." He shrugged and the next thing Abby knew, she was on the ground, clutching her stomach in pain.
"Abby!" Neela exclaimed, scrambling out of the car to her friends' side.
"Neela, get back in the car." Abby told her firmly, getting to her feet. "Now."
"Abby-."
"Now!"
"Oh, Neela. Do you really wanna do that?" Tony asked her.
"Neela!" Abby shouted again.
Getting frustrated with Abby, Tony decided to get her out of the way. Abby did the best she could, but she was clearly no match for Gates and quickly found herself on the ground, unable to get back up.
"Neela! I mean it! Get in the car!"
Being as stubborn as she was, Neela refused. Crouching down to Abby's side, she began to help her friend to her feet. Her attempts were unsuccessful when Tony's foot slammed down on her hand and then connected to her side. She felt her already tender ribs crack some more and fell backwards, slamming into the gas pump.
Using all her strength, Abby managed to get to her feet. She picked up a gas can and threw it at his head. Hitting him in the back instead, he turned around angrily and in pain. Realizing this, both Neela and Abby scrambled into the still running car and peeled out.
The ride back to County was silent. Abby didn't know what to say, so she just held Neela's hand tightly.