Chapter 5
As I exhaled, I prepared myself for the worst possible reaction from Josh. I knew in the back of my mind it wouldn't happen but I was so freaked I couldn't think straight. "Josh, I think…" I stopped taking a deep breath, knowing the next two words would be the hardest of my life "Noelle's dead!" I had to force it out, it's just too impossible to accept. Josh just stood in front of me, shocked. I tensed, waiting for him to say SOMETHING anything at all. Instead, we both just stepped into the elevator as it opened. I figured out what Josh was doing pretty quickly. I wasn't sure how helpful he'd be, but I could use all the help I could get. This is NOT going to be easy.
Josh and I walked into the Billings common room together. The whole way Josh had tried to comfort me. It didn't work, not that he had a lot of time to do it. We ran the entire way from Ketlar to Billings.
Most of the girls were asleep on the couches in the common room, so it didn't take long to gather everyone together. All of the Billings girls sat in the U of couches, while Josh and I stood in the middle ready to explain the 9-1-1. Everyone was silent. Knowing nothing good could come of this. They were right. I took a deep breath preparing myself. I thought for sure I was going to feint I couldn't breathe. Luckily Josh put his arm around me comfortingly and I was able to calm down enough to breathe. It took quite some time to work up the nerve to finally speak. But it did happen. "I know this is going to sound strange, but Noelle is in grave danger. We need to find her. She is somewhere on campus." It felt so good to have finally told everyone, to have people backing me up. That all shattered when Briana spoke up "So what? What's this got to do with us? Screw her." Okay that was odd. I mean the girl doesn't know Noelle, and I mean as a new Billings girl she should be kissing our asses especially mine. This is just so wrong, but I manage to refrain from taking my anger out on her. "I know you don't know Noelle, but she's one of us and Billings girls don't let other Billings girls die." I said trying to keep my voice steady. "Come on, she could be anywhere on campus." Everyone but Astrid and Briana shot out of the room, eager to get out there; we couldn't leave Noelle out there. Astrid followed somewhat reluctantly but I didn't care. Briana just sat there, staring at me defiantly. I decided to just leave her there. It was either fight with her or save Noelle and frankly Noelle is much more important. I just shook my head as I raced upstairs to gather and organize everyone. I could deal with her later. I wanted to get going ASAP. I checked the time, it was almost 6am! This took longer than I thought.
I had forgotten about Josh until he snuck up behind me in yet another attempt to calm me down. I was so nervous, I was shaking and bouncing, not a good sign. Anxiety was starting to take over. If I didn't leave soon I would be having an anxiety attack, unable to do anything. Josh rubbed my back in an attempt to calm me down, as I explained where everyone was to look. Hopefully we would find Noelle before class or we might never find her, at least not alive. All of the Billings girls (minus Briana I don't get why Tiff chose her) and Josh followed my example and raced out of Billings toward their assigned sections of campus. Josh and I headed toward the front gates, our area. We looked all over, hoping to find a living, breathing Noelle. We searched our section thoroughly. When we were just about ready to give up, I was shocked by what I saw. So shocked, in fact, that I screamed loud enough that I was sure I woke up everyone at Easton.
Noelle was there alright and alive, barely. Noelle was sitting there. Bound and gagged tied to a light post. That wasn't even the worst of it. She was covered head to toe in blue and black bruises. Her usually perfectly coiffed hair was a frizzy greasy mess. She looked small and pathetic, so unlike the Noelle I knew. Josh and I bent down and tried to untie her, but as soon as she felt us touch the bonds she started struggling. "Noelle. It's just me Reed. Relax. Josh and I are going to get you back to Billings. Okay?" I tried to speak soothingly but I myself was shaking, making it impossible to keep my voice steady. Noelle relaxed as we finished untying her.
Once we had her untied and on her feet I pulled out my Iphone and let everyone know that we ha found her. Everyone began to relax, including myself, Josh and Noelle. As we came into the light of Billings, I realized just how bad Noelle looked. I felt horrible about taking so long. I could've prevented this, or most of it. "Noelle, I'm so sorry." I told her as I sat her down in the Billings common room. "I should've found you earlier. This is all my fault." Noelle just gave me a look that said: shut up Reed. Quit the pity party. I couldn't help but giggle a little. Even in pain, Noelle was still the same. Josh's turn came next. "No Reed. You tried to come get me. I distracted you. This is my fault."
Noelle decided then was the time to speak up. "Okay time for me to admit it. I was wrong about you two. You do belong together. Just don't get all PDA in front of me. But unless it was either of you who took a baseball bat to me, neither of you are responsible for this." Noelle spoke matter-of-factly, pointing to one of her many bruises. Josh and I knew she was right, but we just couldn't help feeling somewhat responsible. The more I thought about it the more I knew something was off. Noelle admitting she was wrong? That NEVER happens, especially when it comes to me. She thinks she knows what's best for me (which she's usually right about but not always). "What we need to know is who's been killing everyone, well at least trying to." I finally subtly mentioned Missy's death.
"You can't really call two probably unrelated incidents everyone, Reed." Noelle contradicted me. Great, just great. I really wasn't ready to explain Missy to Noelle.
"Well…er…Noelle…" I didn't know what to say. Josh broke in, sensing my discomfort. "Noelle, it wasn't just you and Amberly." I took that chance to tell Noelle who. "Just yesterday…Missy was… murdered too." I tried to be strong, to not break down like Noelle but I just couldn't.
I cried for an unreasonable amount of time but when I finally looked up I noticed Noelle had lost her controlled composure. She, like I had, had her head in her hands. It feels good to know that Noelle is human. Just like the rest of us. Well sometimes.
Noelle and I were oblivious to the entrance of the Billings Girls. If it weren't for Josh we would've just sat there sobbing. I looked up and noticed their scared faces; I knew exactly what they were thinking. I knew that they needed reassurance. "Don't worry girls. I just told Noelle about Missy. I know you all want to know what happened but first Noelle and I need to talk." I took another glance at Noelle before changing my mind. "Actually, I think I need to get Noelle to the hospital. We'll be back later. I'll call when I've got details." With that said I led Noelle and Josh out of Billings. I knew that the Billings girls wouldn't be happy with my decision, but I did what I had to. Noelle needed to go to the hospital, that was my priority.
Josh led us to his car. It occurred to me only then that we didn't have permission to leave. If we were caught we might be expelled. I looked at Josh worried. We couldn't go back now and come back, Noelle didn't have the strength, and she was in no state to be left alone. Besides she needed a doctor NOW. I could stay with Noelle, or Josh could, but Josh would never leave me alone, not with what's happened lately. Josh seemed to understand and told me, "I called on the way back to Billings, we're good." I breathed a sigh of relief, one more weight lifted off of my shoulders. Josh unlocked his car and opened the door for Noelle and helped me get her into the backseat before opening the passenger door for me.
The ride to Edward Billings Memorial Hospital was a long one. No matter how much Josh and I wanted, Noelle was in no state to explain what happened to her. We would have to wait for her to recover mentally before we would get much information.
Noelle was in a state I had never seen her in before. She looked as if she might break physically or mentally at any moment. As I watched Noelle shaking I was afraid that when she broke down, so would I. Josh seemed to notice my unease and grabbed my hand stroking it soothingly.
Despite Josh's attempts I still broke down when Noelle was rushed into the ER. I ended up curled up on Josh's lap for the next 3 hours.
