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She nods as she cries in complete distress.
“Oh, pumpkin.”
I hold her tight. She's so distraught that she slides down my body and I can't hold her upright. We end up sitting on the floor together in an embrace.
I take out my phone and call Julian. He answers on the first ring. “Where was she?”
“I found her. She was locked in the storeroom. Call the police and get to the school right now. I think she needs to go to the hospital.”
“Jesus Christ, is she okay?”
“No, Julian.” I cry. “She’s not.”
Her body begins to convulse as I hang up the phone. She’s going into shock and I hold her tight, calling an ambulance myself.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper as I rock her. “You don’t have to come back here. Not ever.” I continue to rock her. “I promise you, you won’t come back here ever again.”
Guilty tears run down my face. I should have done more to protect her.
I should have done more.
Willow stares out of the window, devoid of emotion.
The hospital room is dimly lit now. She’s been given medication to calm her down. It’s 10:00 p.m. and they won’t discharge her tonight.
Julian sits in a chair on one side of the bed with Sammy on his lap, while I sit on the other side in a big chair. Willow hasn’t let go of my hand for over two hours.
Julian’s furious—like, thermonuclear furious. The police have been to take a statement, but Will burst into tears as soon as they arrived. I asked them to leave and come back another time. She just can’t deal with it right now.
Julian hasn’t spoken to me since we got here. I can tell he’s annoyed that I stepped in and overruled him. He stares at the floor in front of him. I know he’s blaming himself as much as I am.
This is just one big fucking mess.
“I’m tired,” Sammy whispers, rubbing his eyes.
“I know, buddy,” Julian murmurs as he kisses his head. “We’ll get going soon.”
“You’re going?” Willow whispers in a panic, her eyes flickering between us.
“No, baby, I’m staying,” I reassure her.
Julian’s angry eyes rise to meet mine and I look away. Jesus, don’t start your angry shit now. I am not in the fucking mood.
“Do you want to stay with her, Julian, and I can take Sammy home?” I offer.
“No, Brell, I want you,” Willow whispers.
Julian clenches his jaw and stands, openly annoyed that s
he wants me to stay with her over him. “I’ll go then,” he says. Firmly.
“Julian,” I sigh.
“It’s fine,” he snaps before he kisses Willow on the forehead. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
With one last look at the both of us, he takes Samuel’s hand and leads him out into the corridor.
Willow squeezes my hand, and I push the hair back from her forehead, smiling softly. “You should try and get some sleep, pumpkin,” I whisper.
