Chapter 12
Nick's POV
Lottie's eyes roll up in her head, blood trickling down her chin.
"Lottie!" I cry.
Mom and Dad bolt into the room, wearing practically nothing.
"What's going on Nick?" Mom cries.
Lottie's head lolls on my arm as I shift her.
Dad picks up Lottie and brings her to their room, me right on their heels.
Dad lays Lottie gently on their messed up bed and Mom runs to go get a cloth.
Dad strokes Lottie's hair, and Mom rushes in, a damp cloth in her hand.
She cries as she wipes the blood from Lottie's chin.
"Nicholas." Dad's voice cracks as he says my name.
"What's going on?"
I open my mouth to say that a man had violated my sister, but then I remember what Lottie had told me a week after it had happened/
The bell rings and I jump.
Lottie slips her hand in mine, wincing when we have to walk faster to make it to class.
"Lottie, are you gonna-" I start.
"Sshh!" Lottie hisses.
"We do not tell ANYONE about this. Not even Mom and Dad! Understand?!"
I nod and she takes her hand out of my hand.
"Um..." I start, "Lottie threw up the fish stick's from today's lunch."
"What's with the blood then?" Mom asks in a trembling voice. Dad walks over and pulls her close. I wish they would do that to me.
"And the inhaler?"
I mentally slap my head.
WHY DIDN'T I HIDE THE INHALER?!
"Lottie has mild asthma." I lie through my teeth.
"She needed the inhaler today, so that's why we came home."
Lottie moans, and I rush to her side.
"Lottie?" I whisper, then say more loudly, "How's your asthma?"
She looks at me in confusion, and then sees that Mom and Dad are in the room, and understanding colors her eyes.
"Great kiddo," She tries to hide a wince, "Thanks for asking."
