BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAY
Chapter 5 Aftermaths
I slept fitfully at Edward's forest home, and by morning I was anxious to hear about my friends. With lightning speed Edward and I flew back to familiar surroundings. We stopped so I could buy cafe mocha and overheard the news. Something about the fight and the two "gangs" that were involved, but my mind was so fuzzy. After trying to call Rikki and Cleo on my cell, the next logical place to check was the hospital.
The hospital. No where one wanted to go unless it was absolutely necessary. I hate to say it, but Ash was foremost on my mind, although Edward was very sweet and considerate to me. Millions of thoughts were running through my mind. What about the girls? How were the guys? Did Laurent and his gang escape, only to torture others on another night?
"Cleo Sertori. Lewis McCartney. Rikki Chadwick. Ash Dove. Zane Bennett. Please tell me if they are here and where we can find them!" I urgently told the receptionist in the First Ward.
"Sertori....Sertori", mumbled the receptionist and she searched her computer for the names . "Oh she's in intensive care. I think she got bit or something. Anyways she's lost a lot of blood."
I gasped and looked at Edward who had a motionless expression on his face.
The receptionist took off her glasses and looked at us. "McCartney and Sertori…for certain they are in ICU. There is a Dove up there too.
"Emma, I have to leave you for now." Edward squeezed my hand. "Family business, catch you later."
I understood his need for secrecy and although I cared for him, I knew this could not go on.
As I neared the ICU, I heard voices being shushed by others in the hallway. I came to the room where Cleo was. Lewis's was close by. I stopped by to see both of them, who were sound asleep. In reality they were both very weak from loss of blood.
"They were delirious when they were brought here." A nurse explained.
"What is their condition?" I asked anxiously.
"Are you family?"
"Yes, I am." I fibbed to her.
"They are both very anemic and their blood appears to be infected. Same with the Dove boy. That's why they are here."
I held my hand to my mouth and gasped in horror. But my search was not over yet. I hastened to find out about Zane and Rikki, and then I'd go back upstairs. I got the number of Zane's room and quickly entered. "Zane?"
Zane looked like he'd been beaten up. "Emma, is that you?"
"Zane, how are you?" I almost feared the answer. He looked so helpless laying there in his bed wearing a hospital gown.
"Emma? Where is she? Where is Rikki?" Zane's eyes were bloodshot and worried.
"Zane you look terrible. Do you remember anything that happened last night? "
"I lost track of time, it happened so fast. We left the fight and we ran as fast as we can before I tripped. I got beat up, but I don't know what happened to Rikki." Zane clutched his throat as he coughed. Peering closer, I could see the black and blue marks on his face and his matted hair.
"Well I can see she's not here. I'll have to call her dad." I had to think fast.
Later on that day, there was no Rikki at her dad's. I was frantic, but felt like I did not know who I needed to spend time with. Back at the hospital Cleo, Lewis and Ash were getting blood transfusions. Fortunately, their apparent anemia was treatable, but the infection was the greatest concern.
"Where IS Rikki?" I asked Lewis, who was even paler than usual. Every word and action from him was labored.
"I-I don't remember, Emma. Honestly. I was attacked pretty early and I remember Cleo was screaming." He started to shake.
"She's next door, Lewis." I assured him. They were pretty badly shaken up and were in and out of consciousness.
"Oh thank you Emma. I can't see her. Please tell her I'm doing as well as expected." Lewis flashed me a tired smile.
"I'm running out of ideas, Lewis. Where can Rikki possibly be?" I nervously played with my hair.
"I'm tired Emma, I need to sleep." Lewis drifted off.
"Sure, I need to see Ash now." I hastily left his room.
"Ash?" I whispered his name. I observed him, here in a room similar to Lewis's and Cleo's. They were all being carefully watched by medical personnel.
He did not move or speak. "Is he...is he...OK?" I stammered to an elderly nurse.
"He's in the right place now; he's being treated for his blood loss and his internal injuries." She informed me.
I was freaking out. My friends and one missing in action. Her boyfriend was beside himself while responding to treatment himself. He definitely didn't need this.
I needed to keep looking for Rikki, but agreed to meet Edward at the Juice Net. He came when he said he would.
"How are your friends?" He tentatively asked.
"Well most of them are anemic with bodily injuries." I spilled it out and was sort of surprised at his lackluster facial expression. Those dark eyes I loved looked paler somehow.
"Emma, we are sorry about your friends. You know we did all we could do. Touching my face, he looked at me intently.
"I know." I whispered. "What happens now?"
"Emma we are going to be leaving this area. There is too much publicity and Laurent and his guys could get really foolish about this. I could not help but notice you have feelings for this Ash."
"Edward I'm very confused right now, I don't know how I feel about anyone or anything! And Rikki is still missing. She's not at the hospital or at home."
Edward was silent for a moment. "I know where she is."