Saturday (Day Sixteen):
"Carlisle, you're still here!?"
Carlisle poured himself his fifth cup of coffee and smiled gently at Brett Warner. The grizzled-face man was a registered nurse at the hospital and had arrived at the scene during Bella's car accident, though unfortunately, he wasn't one of Kit's night nurses.
"I could say the same about you," Carlisle joked. He checked a nearby wall clock, "It's nearing midnight."
"Yeah," Brett visibly grimaced, "Wife's not gonna be too happy—I told her I'd try to pull back on the over-overtime, but Hannah isn't back, yet," he shook his head, "There needs to be someone here, right? Bet you know how that is."
Carlisle nodded if only to placate him. It was actually the opposite. Esme, in fact, his whole family felt a lot better when he was here with Kit instead of at home on-call.
"I'm about to clock out, anyway," Brett continued, "Hey, how's the Algren girl?"
Carlisle sighed wistfully, "Ah, she's hanging in there."
His family were very interconnected and over the past few months both Bella and Kit had become a part of that. Kit was now one-ninth of their family unit, but without her, they wouldn't be able to function as a whole.
Emmett in particular would never be able to grieve. Their kind was not forgiving and could be quite vengeful, never moving past an insult or injury.
If Emmett lost Kit, he would never recover from the pain, and in his vampire nature, would seek out vengeance; unable to rest until the party responsible was eradicated.
Which meant he would slaughter Lauren and her friends…possibly even Rosalie and that would not end well.
The mere thought of his family turning on each other like that, made Carlisle feel particularly sick.
"I'll see you later, Carlisle!"
The light pat on his shoulder was enough to bring Carlisle out of his morbid thoughts and he nodded at Brett.
"Yes," he agreed, putting a lid on his coffee cup, "Tell the family I've said hello."
"Will do!" Brett grinned at him, then made a face, "I can't believe you drink that stuff black. At least add a sugar pack—"
"Code blue, ICU, room two! Code blue, ICU, room two! Code blue, ICU, room two!"
The coffee cup slid from Carlisle's fingers and he didn't stay long enough to hear it crash to the ground. He definitely didn't stay long enough to worry about how it was going to get cleaned up.
He ran, a little too fast and made it to Kit's room in record time.
It was chaos.
All the machines were beeping and flashing, even the ventilator was making its own sounds of protests.
"I need help!" Addison was shouting, "I need some help in here, please!" she had attached a bag and valve to the breathing tube and was working frantically.
Carlisle tried to make it way to Kit's bedside, but Everly was trying to grasp at his coat, sobbing and crying Kit's name as she too, tried to to get to her daughter's bedside, but he had to push her away gently.
"Nurse!" Carlisle called, "I need you to escort Mr. and Mrs. Algren out of here please!" he leaned away from Everly, "Blake, please—
"No, you have to let me—she can't leave me!" Everly was shouting and sobbing and Carlisle took her wrists in his hands, "Kit, please don't go, don't go, don't—
"Everly, you have to let me do my job!" Carlisle didn't mean to shout at her, but she was hysterical, "Please, you have to go, now! Blake, please take your wife out of the room, you both need to leave!"
"I've got it, Dr. Cullen, I've got it!" Brett had come in and firmly grasped Everly's shoulder, "Mrs. Algren, you need to come with me."
With Brett handling the parents, Carlisle turned to Kit, his eyes sweeping over the machines. His hand went to Kit's wrist and he cursed under his breath, a rarity for him.
"We have no pulse," he announced, "I need epinephrine, now!"
Addison had it and handed him the bright orange syringe. He pressed the needle into Kit's skin.
Over his shoulder, he shouted, "I need a cart! I need a cart, I need the crash cart! Somebody get me the cart, please! Administrating epinephrine…" he pressed the plunger down and waited impatiently.
The machines were still shrieking at him.
"No response!" he quickly unbuttoned the front of Kit's gown and placed his hands in the correct position, "Beginning compressions!"
'Come on, Kit, stay with me,' he begged her, 'Stay with me, sweetheart.'
For a second, he glanced over his shoulder, "I need that cart, NOW!"
"Right here!" Brett wheeled it in and Carlisle got to work, prepping the external defibrillator.
He gripped the paddles tight and placed them on Kit's bare chest, the gel having been applied. He could hear Blake and Everly sobbing.
"Clear!" Kit's body jerked underneath him, "…No pulse!" his breath hitched, "Charging…"
"Charged!" Brett said.
"Clear!" Kit jerked again and the sight caused Carlisle to wince. The machines beeped a few times.
"No," Addison said, still working over the bag and valve. The machines went back to their shrieking.
"No pulse!" Carlisle announced and Everly and Blake's sobs cut through him, "Again…charging…"
He did it again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
.
.
.
.
Blank faced, Carlisle held out his hand, not looking at Addison's face, "I need the charts."
"Dr. Cullen," Addison sighed and it was clear she didn't notice his grief. He heard pages turning, but still didn't look at her, "There's been no output in twenty-four hours."
Carlisle nodded slowly, "Okay," he whispered.
He cleared his throat and walked around Kit's bed, to where Everly and Blake stood on the other side.
"We need to discuss Kit's situation," he told them, sadly.
It was a miracle, but they had gotten Kit's pulse back.
"C-can we do it outside?" Everly whimpered.
"Absolutely," Carlisle nodded, knowing how she felt about Kit overhearing these things, "Please, after you."
When both Blake and Everly were out of the room, Carlisle slid the door shut, leaving Kit alone with Addison. Everly didn't protest, twisting her wedding ring anxiously around her finger.
Carlisle pressed his lips together, then addressed the two, "It appears that Kit isn't recovering from the pneumonia like we thought she would. We tried a course of stronger antibiotics, but they haven't worked well. The X-Rays show that pus has started to fill her lungs and we had to insert a chest tube."
"And that's going to help?" Everly asked hopefully, her voice hoarse from her crying.
Carlisle's eyes stung and he blinked. After all these years, crying was still a strange feeling. Though filled with venom, his eyes would feel dry and it always caused him to try and blink against the uncomfortable feeling.
He could barely move his lips to form his next words, "There's some damage to Kit's lungs. We checked her blood levels and the results show that the rest of her organs are not improving, either. She is continuing down the path of c-complete organ failure."
"Oh no," the tears, fell unchecked down Everly's face as she shook her head, her face crumpling, "Please, no…"
But Carlisle had to continue, his voice was choked with emotion, "At this point, we have her on hemodialysis, through a non-cuffed catheter," he took a breath and the air hitched in his throat, "After that…I'm afraid that's all we can do."
"No!" Everly repeated. She trembled all over, bringing a hand to her mouth.
"I don't understand," Blake whispered, "I—what happens after that?"
Carlisle was sure that he was going to choke to death on the air he didn't need.
He gave a small shake of his head, "I-I'm so sorry, Blake. We've done everything we can…I'm s—
His third apology was drowned out by Everly's desolate sobs as she rested her head on Blake's shoulder.
It took everything Carlisle had not to break down there with her and the sob ripped from his throat before he could stop it. His hand raised to a balled fist at his mouth.
"Please," Blake begged on the verge of tears, "Please, we'll do anything. Money's no option! There has to be a surgery or something! Anything, please!"
Carlisle hated this. It cut into his very being and he brought his other arm around his stomach, protecting an open wound that wasn't there. All the worry, all the pain, the fear, that everyone had felt over these past sixteen days—a little over two weeks—came crashing down on him.
He didn't know what to do and he felt like a fraud. Because he hadn't done everything in his power to save Kit. Blake had said anything. Though Carlisle knew that he couldn't translate that as a demand to turn Kit. This was not Elizabeth Masen who, in her dying, feverish state, had know that Carlisle could do what other doctors could not.
There was nothing he could do. He loved Kit like a daughter and he couldn't save her.
"She's still not in any pain," Carlisle choked out, "And…if you haven't reached out, to other family members or friends, I would recommend calling and getting them down here."
Another loud sob ripped from Everly's throat and she hugged Blake even tighter, Blake reciprocating by hiding his face in her neck.
Carlisle pursed his lips and silently excused himself to his office, but was stopped right as he turned.
"Carlisle?"
"Yes, Blake?" he faced them. Blake had his chin resting on Everly's shoulder, his hand rubbing her back.
"Thank you," Blake said shakily, "I know…you did everything you could. Thank you for everything. You fought for her and…" he had to stop for a moment, "She really loved your boy and you and Esme and your whole family. We're going to get justice because of you. Thank you."
Carlisle was not worthy of any thanks or any kind words. If he were, Kit wouldn't be dying. He would be working over her until she opened her eyes, so that he could work over her again and get her into proper health to return home.
"I couldn't do enough," he told Blake sincerely, "I'll be here if you need anything and I'll still be checking on Kit throughout the day. Is there anyone you need me to call?"
Blake looked off to side, then shook his head and looked back at Carlisle.
"Just your family, right now," Blake told him, "I don't know if Vanessa can get her family here in—" he had to stop again, getting too emotional.
"I'll call them," Carlisle said, "I…" usually when finished treating a patient, a physician was supposed to recite: 'It's been a pleasure treating…' and then insert said patients name.
But Carlisle didn't say that. Couldn't say that.
"We loved Kit very much," he said instead.
He excused himself again, resting in his office for a moment alone.
He balanced one hand on his desk and brought the other to cover his eyes. A quiet, choking noise escaped his lips.
As soon as Emmett entered the hospital, he knew something was wrong.
Something was really, really wrong.
He quickened his pace, making his way up to the ICU and that's when he noticed the first thing that was wrong.
Neither Everly or Blake were in Kit's room, but they were outside, their eyes trained on the three nurses in the room, bustling about.
"Blake, Everly," he kept his voice quiet and his face fell when they turned to face him.
They looked…awful. There were almost no words to describe it. He had never seen them look so broken and so lifeless. Not even on Kit's first day of her coma.
Everly's lip puckered as if looking at him was painful.
"Oh, honey," she reached for him and Emmett took her hand, "I-I-I'm so—" she pressed her lips together, keeping her other hand on Blake's shoulder, "I'm so sorry."
"W-what?" Emmett breathed. He didn't understand, he could still hear Kit's heartbeat, but it was faint, "I—what happened!? I thought…"
Everly moaned, a painful, high-pitched sound and she shook her head.
"I-it's b-been a r-r-rough night—morning," her face turned red with the effort not to cry.
Blake cleared her throat, "Um," his voice cracked, "It's…not looking good."
And then Blake's face crumpled and he broke down.
Blake cried as if the ferocity of it might bring Kit back. It looked painful and he held onto Everly like a lifeline, his agony shaking him so violently he risked falling.
Everly, who was struggling to keep her tears silent, lowered him to the ground and brought Blake's head into the crook of her neck, stroking his hair as she tried to soothe him.
Emmett didn't do anything, but stare down at the couple, falling apart on the hospital floor.
He had never felt more empty in mind, body or soul. Yet, at the same time, his insides felt too tight. It felt like the venom flowing through his frozen veins had turned to some kind of numbing cream. His brain was a stand still and he couldn't make his mouth work.
"Emmett," someone touched his arm.
He knew that voice. He was pretty sure he did.
"Let's give them some privacy."
The sleeve of his dark gray sweater was being tugged on and then Emmett was walking and he wasn't sure how he was walking because he couldn't feel his legs.
"Son, look at me. Look at me right now."
There were hands holding his face and then Emmett was looking into the darkened eyes of Carlisle. The blond probably hadn't hunted in awhile. He had been working nonstop at the hospital.
"Son," Carlisle said again, the deep wrinkles in his forehead looked out of place on his impossibly youthful features.
"Dad," Emmett choked out.
He had never felt so alone, so lost. So incapable of doing even the smallest tasks. Like fake breathing when the humans were around.
Because Kit was going to die.
He started to shake with grief and he was sure, that this is what it felt like, when your soul crumbled to pieces.
He was breaking apart, he could feel it. Cracks were starting to appear in his skin and one of his family members were going to have to use their venom to put him back together.
"I-I'm breaking apart," he warned his father, "Right, now! I'm breaking, you have to fix it!"
"Emmett, Emmett, shhhh," Carlisle's trembling hands began to stroke his face, "There are no cracks in your skin, I promise."
"No, there are!" Emmett blinked fifteen times in less than a second, "There are cracks. I can feel it, my hands!"
"Your hands are fine," Carlisle assured him gently, "I know you're in pain and you're not breaking apart."
"Why? I don't—" Emmett's breath rattled out of his chest, "I don't—why?" his eyes wheedled out of control, searching Carlisle's.
"Organ failure," Carlisle said sadly, "She coded and there was no pulse."
"Well, fix it!" in sudden anger, Emmett seized Carlisle's wrist and squeezed, but his father didn't flinch.
"We did," Carlisle remained calm, "Son, we've done everything—
"You're a liar!" Emmett snarled at him and jumped out of his chair, breaking it to pieces.
Carlisle jumped back, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender, "I know, son, I know. I can't turn her now. It's too late and…I called the family. Everly and Blake said they'll give everyone time to say goodbye."
Emmett's unnecessary breaths were short, "I-I can't, Carlisle, I c-can't."
A choked cry was released and he clenched his fists. Before the thought had finished in his mind, everything on Carlisle's desk had been swept nosily to the floor.
He collapsed to his knees and another sound was released from his throat. One that caused the wall decorations to shake. It was high and keening, a cross between a howl and a sob, one that he didn't know was possible for him to make.
"Shhh, Emmett," Carlisle's trembling hands were back on his face, "I know, son, I know. Come here."
Carlisle had cupped the back of his head and while he was much bigger than Carlisle, both in height and width, his father managed to hold him and Emmett let himself be held.
He let himself be weak and vulnerable as Carlisle stroked his hair and rocked him back and forth.
.
.
.
.
Emmett was in Carlisle's office for hours until Carlisle deemed him okay to leave. Okay as in, not go crazy, break more things and crash through the hospital windows and go after Lauren.
So, he was okay.
Emmett walked towards the colorful bad news room with Carlisle's hand clasped tightly on his shoulder.
When they made it there without incident, Emmett spotted his family. Alice was curled up in Jasper's lap and Bella Edward's. Esme sat next to Vanessa holding her hand and Rosalie hadn't come. She never did and wasn't allowed to. He didn't see Willa or Angela and he wondered if they had been called.
The air was tense, Jasper making no move to change that, but what pierced that, was Indigo, arguing with her father.
She wasn't looking at him and had her arms folded across her chest, "I don't want to," she whined loudly. A tear slid down her face, "You promised…"
"I know, Princess," Blake's voice choked and he stroked Indigo's hair, "Trust me, there's nothing in the world I want you to do less."
Indigo brought her fists up to rub her eyes and started crying. It was that unmistakable, heart wrenching sound of a child's wail, that eventually grew louder, until Indigo broke down into ragged sobs.
Biting his lip in a very Kit-like fashion, Emmett reached into his pocket and pulled out Kit's locket.
He went to kneel in front of Indigo, who Blake was trying to soothe, while keeping his own tears at bay.
"Hey, kiddo," Emmett gently touched her arm, "I—when I go talk to your sister—well, I think she'd like it better if you hung onto this for her," he held out the plastic baggie, an offering.
Indigo was still rubbing at her tearful eyes, but she lowered one hand to peer at him.
"There you go," he encouraged her as she reached for it, then took it from his hand.
Her sobs broke apart as she tried to catch her breath in between and she wiped her nose on the back of her hand, blinking lashes heavy with tears.
Emmett cupped the side of Indigo's head, rubbing gently with his thumb.
'Poor kid,' this was hard for him, but it had to be harder for her, 'She's just a little thing.'
"T-thank you," Indigo hiccuped, then promptly turned away and burrowed her face in Blake's stomach.
"Yeah," Emmett let his hand drop and he straightened up.
"Ki-Kit's waiting for you, I-I'm sure," Blake didn't look at Emmett and pressed his trembling lips to Indigo's blonde hair.
Emmett didn't say anything and when he turned to leave the room, Carlisle gave him a firm look before walking past him to go check on Esme.
The journey to Kit's room felt like a long one, he felt unsteady on his feet, like the room was tilted or he might fall over.
In Kit's room, Everly was sitting as close as she could get, one hand holding Kit's and the other stroking her hair.
"Emmett's here, Kit Kat, okay?" Everly told Kit and kissed her forehead as she stood up, "Take your time, sweetie. S-she loves y-you so…m-much."
"Thank you," Emmett whispered, taking Everly's abandoned seat.
The door slid closed and now, it was just Emmett, Kit and her machines that kept her alive.
There were more tubes, he noticed. Two of them and her gown was open in the front with electrodes and wires attached to her chest.
She had lost a lot more weight and she was paler. She was so small and looked so fragile. She still wore her promise ring, but it was much looser.
He took her hand and matched his breath to the beeping of the machines.
"I don't think you understand how much I love you," he whispered, "And I wish I had been able to tell you before everything fell apart."
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
Emmett felt his face warp, then, the dry, tearless sobs punched through, ripping through his muscles, through his bones, and guts.
"Don't leave me," he begged, squeezing her hand, "Please, Kit, please don't leave me."
He loved her so much. Every time he looked at her, a rush of undying love flooded his entire being and warmed his insides. Even if he only looked away from her for millisecond. She was his heart, his soul, his mate.
"Please," his eyes went to hers, but still, they were closed. Would he never see her green eyes again? Her eyes that were the glittering color of emerald. That were full of so much light, they didn't need the sun in order to look like they were sparkling.
He would miss her rolling them when he told a stupid joke or was way too overly dramatic.
Would he never hear her laugh again? When Kit laughed is was the best sound in the world. She would laugh with her entire being as her face changed with the sound, relaxing into unrestrained joy and mirth.
Emmett began to panic.
"Okay, Kit, okay," he breathed, "If you wake up…if you wake up, I'll do whatever you want," another sob escaped him, "I'll swear less, okay? And I'll drive the speed limit—all the time! I'll tell you whatever you want to know, whenever you ask, I swear—I…"
He reached with his other hand and touched Kit's freckled cheek with his fingertips, scooting to the edge of his chair.
"I'll make Edward teach me the piano—I'll make him spend every second of the day teaching me until I'm just as good as you are at the violin and then…we'll go to Julliard together," he swallowed thickly, "We can go to Julliard together and get one of those crappy artist apartment lofts…"
"And we'll get married," he promised in a broken whisper, "We can have a giant wedding with chicory blossoms and pink camellias everywhere and a bunch of yellow stuff."
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
His was standing before the thought fully crossed his mind, pressing his lips to Kit's cheek.
'I promise,' he thought, "Please, Kit," he finished his thought aloud, "Just wake up," he pulled away from her, "And…if you need me to go away. If everything is too hard and you want my family and I to leave forever, then that's okay, too."
It had struck him, that perhaps when Kit woke up, everything that had occurred in Forks would be too much for her to bear. Moving, going to school, encountering Lauren, having Katie betray her, James coming after her, maybe even him.
And that was fine. It would be painful, but it would be fine. He loved her enough to let her go.
"Whatever you need is okay," he promised her, "Just wake up. It's going to be hard, but you'll get through it. You'll learn to smile again and we can all help you. If that's what you want," he added again and stroked her forehead, "I love you, Kit Amara Algren. Thank you for letting me love you."
Then, he left the room.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Whoosh.
Sunday: (Day Seventeen):
"I'm sorry to have called you all in here at such an imperative, hard time," Jenks apologized, but Emmett didn't think he was sorry at all.
He said as much, "Not sorry enough not to do it."
He was pissed and at the same time, he felt empty inside. Kit wasn't going to make it and he didn't have long. He wanted to be with her, but instead, he and his family, including Bella and Carlisle, had all been called down to the police station.
They all stood, knelt or sat by the desk, that was void of anything, but an expensive looking laptop computer. Jenks stood at the side of the desk.
"I'm very sorry for your loss," Jenks said. Again, it didn't sound like he meant it, "And, Dr. Cullen, I'm aware that you have duties at the hospital. We'll try not to take too long."
"Thank you," Carlisle nodded.
"Now," Jenks continued spoke, "I would have called the parents down here as well, but considering the circumstances, I didn't think it would be in their best interest. You're all very involved with the victim and the police are still investigating, so, it's not necessary for them to be here, right now."
He turned to the laptop, his finger on the spacebar. He paled to that sickly paste color and Emmett felt venom build up in his mouth. He hadn't hunted since his fight with Rosalie.
"This may be hard to watch," Jenks swallowed thickly, "But it's important that you see it."
He pressed the spacebar and the computer came to life, starting to play a video:
There was the sound of shuffling and a black screen, but then someone started giggling.
"Are you recording?" Lauren giggled.
"Um, yeah, I think—wait—I don't—"
"Ashely, you're such an idiot," Jessica hissed through her laughter, "Your fat finger is over the camera."
"Oh."
There was more shuffling and the black screen was gone, showing the surroundings.
Emmett frowned. He didn't like this. It looked like they were in the girls locker room.
"Okay, wait, where's Katie?" Lauren demanded.
"She's over there," Ashley said.
The cellphone camera moved just as Katie came from around the corner and she looked guilty. She wasn't laughing like the other girls.
"Did you hide them!?" Jessica asked eagerly.
"Yeah," Katie nodded, eyeing the camera nervously. She jammed a thumb behind her, "They're behind the trashcan. I didn't know where else to put them."
Ashley moved the camera again and it focused on Lauren's face. She looked so gleeful.
"Jessica, stop laughing!" she giggled.
"I-I can't help it," Jessica croaked, "Oh my god, I can't breathe," and she bursted into more fits.
"Wait, I hear footsteps, I hear footsteps!" Lauren hissed, "Everyone, shhh, shhh! Ashley, record her!"
"I am!" Ashley grumbled, "Jeez!"
The phone camera went blurry for a second, then focused.
Emmett bit his lip, when on the video, he saw Kit come into view, wearing her gym clothes, a sweatshirt unzipped over her shirt. Jasper pushed calm at him and this time, Emmett welcomed it.
Kit looked terrified and in a quivering voice, she asked, "What are you guys doing?"
The camera moved again and it showed Lauren and Jessica standing by an empty gym locker, its door wide open.
"Well," Lauren said and Jessica started giggling again, "We were just, you know, in the neighborhood and we saw," she pointed to the locker, her face morphing into concern, "You don't have any clothes."
"Oh no," Ashley crooned, "What are you gonna do?"
The camera went back to Kit's face and she had her lip between her teeth, her eyes bright as they other girls giggled.
"It's so sad," the camera showed Jessica making a big show of looking into Kit's empty gym locker, "They just…disappeared."
The camera went to Kit's face again, just as Jessica slammed the locker door shut, the sound making Kit jump.
"And right after gym class," Ashley whined pitfully, "The day we ran the mile."
"Do you think," the camera showed Lauren walking towards Kit, "That's Emmett's going to let your overweight ass into his car smelling like that?"
Emmett clenched his fist.
"Oh, wait!" Lauren gasped dramatically and faced the camera as her friends laughed, "I forgot, Emmett's not here today," she turned back to Kit, "None of those freaks are here to babysit you, are they!?"
"Kit…" Alice breathed. She sounded so heartbroken.
"Still," came Ashely's voice, "You smell so gross and you're so sweaty. I think we should take care of that."
"Honestly," Jessica walked into frame, "You smell disgusting. I might vomit."
Kit tried to run, but it only provoked the girls more as Lauren and Jessica seized Kit's arms, laughing manically. The camera shook with Ashely's laughter.
"Katie, go turn on the shower!" Lauren called to the redhead.
"No!" Kit yelled, struggling, "Get—let go, stop it!"
Esme's hand went to Emmett's shoulder and he leaned into her touch. He couldn't get angry and destroy the computer. No matter how much he wanted to.
"I've got it!" Ashley said and the camera moved and warped, until it was a black screen again.
"Push her harder!" Jessica said.
"No, stop it!" Kit cried, "Get off, let go. Help!"
The camera moved and went into focus again. The one shower in the girl's locker room was running, its curtain pushed back to show the old tile and spray of harsh water.
"Get—over here!" the camera only showed Lauren and Jessica's arms as they tried to pull Kit to the shower.
"No! Lauren, stop!" Kit shouted, "Ow, let go!"
"We're gonna give you a nice shower," the camera moved again and briefly showed Katie.
"Plug your nose!" Jessica called.
Ashley stepped back and the video showed Kit just as she was pushed in, gym clothes and all.
Kit cried out and stumbled into the shower wall as water soaked her. She inhaled a loud gasp and released the exhale in another pained cry.
"Close it, close the curtain!" Ashley encouraged.
Squealing, Lauren quickly slid it closed and held it against the wall, putting all of her strength into it. She looked like she was having the time of her life as Kit visibly struggled to get out.
"Jess, help me!" Lauren demanded.
Jessica ran into frame and helped Lauren hold the curtain.
Emmett reached out and grabbed Esme's hand. Squeezing and moving it from his shoulder. He was shaking again.
"Guys, someone will come in," Katie whined and the camera went to her scared face, "Just…let her out. It's been, like, ten minutes or something."
Jessica rolled her eyes, but moved out of frame and dramatically, Lauren threw open the curtain and the girls burst into laughter at the sight, throwing their heads back as Kit stumbled out of the shower.
Kit was slipping and sliding, grasping onto anything and holding out her arms to keep from falling. Her hair stuck awkwardly to her face and her gym shoes made a squelching sound whenever she took a small step.
She had only made it a few steps when Jessica shoved her. Hard.
Emmett closed his eyes and looked away, but he winced when Kit cried out and heard her body crumble to the ground with a loud clapping sound from her wet clothes and skin.
More laughter and Emmett forced himself to look.
Kit had rolled over, her hands behind her to prop herself up. Her face was red. She was crying.
"Awww," both Lauren and Jessica went into frame, one girl on either side of her.
"Jess," Lauren scolded, a smile on her face, "Look, we made the poor thing cry."
"All that and she still stinks," Ashley crowed.
Hiccuping out a broken sob, Kit tried to get up and managed to get to her feet. She was shaking and brushed wet hair out of her face, sliding a little as she did so.
"Did I fucking tell you to get up!?" Jessica shoved Kit again and Ki made a loud sound of pain as her back hit the wall.
"St-o-oo-p!" Kit sobbed and she covered her face with her hands and slid down the wall, breaking into louder cries, her thinning body wracked with them.
Emmett's heart broke, but he forced himself to keep watching. He didn't understand. When had this happened? How could this have happened?
Clearly amused, Lauren turned towards the camera, "Are you getting this?"
"Yeah, this is gold!" Ashley moved the phone to focus more on Kit, "How utterly pathetic."
"I told you," Jessica sneered, "I told you I was going to beat your ass."
Lauren went and knelt down by Kit, "Nothing to say?" she taunted, "You're just gonna sit there?" she looked past the camera when Kit only cried into her hands, "Seriously, guys, she's not much of a fighter, is she?"
Mumbles of "No," came from each girl.
"Do you think the Cullens can even fucking stand you?" Lauren hissed and Kit brought her knees up to her chest, "A bunch of freaks who shack up with each other giving a shit about you. Ugh, I bet you just make their lives so miserable, just like you make mine. Isn't that right, you stupid whore?"
Weakly, Kit shrugged and she choked out another sob, her breath coming out way too fast and way too rough.
"P-please," Kit begged, tilting her head back. Her eyes were closed. She coughed and sucked in a loud gasp, placing a hand to her chest, "I-I can't bre-
"Shut up!" Jessica snapped and Kit flinched.
"Calm, Emmett," Carlisle reminded in a voice only they could hear, "Excuse yourself if you need to."
Emmett didn't move. Kit's breathing was loud and rough. The sobbing wasn't helping.
"You know," Lauren continued, her tone casual, "If it were me—if I was just going to stand there like an idiot and not fight back, I'd off myself...finish the job and get it over with. I wouldn't be able to stand the thought of how my existence makes everyone miserable," she shrugged, "But that's just me."
"Guys, let's just go," Katie's voice was borderline begging, "Seriously, someone's gonna come in. Let's go."
"Fine," Jessica glared at Kit and flipped her hair as she walked out of frame, "She's boring, anyway."
Kit was still huddled up and crying and gasping desperately for air when Lauren rose to a standing position. She too, flipped her hair as she walked, but right before she went off frame, she stopped and turned slowly to Kit, wagging a warning finger as if she was a mother scolding their child.
"Don't. Move." she warned Kit.
When Jenks hit the spacebar, stopping the video, Emmett jumped. He had forgotten the old man was even there.
"That was awful," Esme moaned.
"Yes, I'm sorry," Jenks said, "I need to know: have any of you, at any point, seen or had knowledge of this video?"
"No!" Jasper snapped and Jenks began to sweat, "We didn't. How many more of these are there?"
"A few," Jenks mumbled, "I need an answer from all of you…none of you were aware of this?"
The growls that were released from the Cullens' throats was enough of an answer and Emmett hoped that Jasper was pumping Jenks full of fear. Maybe he'd wet his pants.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Emmett saw Edward soothe Bella. The rough noises had probably scared her and she had been the only one to mutter a soft "no".
"Okay, okay," Jenks held up a trembling hand and reached into his pocket to pull out a cellphone.
He pressed a number on speed dial and held the phone to his ear.
It was picked up on the first ring.
"Officer Swan," came Charlie's gruff voice.
"Yes, it's Jenks," he said curtly, "I showed the Cullens the video. I haven't showed the parents yet, but I think we can get away with that. They were never suspects, and you questioned them."
"Right," Charlie agreed, "What do you want me to do?"
"Pick the girls up," Jenks said firmly, "Arrest them. All of them."