42. Chapter Forty-Two
As soon as my mother comes back to Kat’s hospital room with her coffee in hand, I’m on my feet and kissing them both goodbye before running out.
Brad messaged me about ten minutes ago, telling me that they had just arrived at the hospital and Callie was being rushed into surgery. Connor’s apparently spiralling and has walked out of the waiting room, so it’s just Callum, Brad, and Ryker.
I push past people, apologising as I go, and quickly make my way to the next floor of the hospital.
I feel terrible for leaving Kat, even though she told me to leave her so that I could check on Callie. She’s been patched up, and she has my mother at her bedside, so I know she’ll be okay if I’m gone for a few hours.
When I reach the waiting room, I spot Brad instantly, sitting in an uncomfortable blue plastic chair with a shell-shocked expression on his face. Beside him is Callum whose legs are bouncing up and down rapidly whilst his hands fumble with his phone, likely trying to contact Connor.
My gaze moves to Ryker, and all of my breath leaves my body when I see him covered with blood. His hands, his clothes, and even his face is smeared with the dark substance.
I slowly walk towards them and when Brad spots me, he stands up, engulfing me in a tight hug.
“I’m so scared, Nate.”
“Have the doctors said anything yet? Is she doing okay?”
He pulls back and shakes his head.
“Nothing yet.” He glances at Ryker and Callum before turning back to me. “There was so much blood. S-she was so pale and so still,” he whispers.
Callum stands from the chair, placing his hand on Brad’s shoulder and leaning towards us.
“Why don’t you two go get a drink or something, then you can fill him in.” He motions to where Ryker’s sitting. “He’s not dealing with this well, I don’t think he needs to overhear your recollection.”
I look past him, focusing on Ryker. His head is bowed, and his body is trembling as he scratches at the dried blood on his hands.
“Yeah, we’ll go for a walk. Do you want anything?”
“Could you try and find Connor for me whilst I talk to Ryker? He wouldn’t have gone far. I know he’ll still be around here somewhere.”
“Yeah, sure. Message us if you hear anything, okay?”
He agrees before walking back over to sit with Ryker.
I loop my arm around Brad’s tense shoulders and steer him away from them.
“Tell me everything that happened after I left.”
After Brad informs me of everything that was said and done in the video that they were watching and then described how they found Callie, my stomach is in knots and I understand Ryker’s catatonic state.
We found Connor pacing around the outside of the hospital and after he assured us both that he was fine and that he’d come back in when he had calmed down, we walked back towards the waiting room.
On the way, we stopped off at Kat’s room to check on her and for Brad to see for himself that she was okay. She badgered us with questions about Callie, most of which we couldn’t answer because there were still no updates. Brad managed to give her a rundown of everything that happened, but when his eyes filled with tears, Mum put a stop to it and told him not to worry about explaining everything again.
Now, we’re back in the waiting room with Callum and Ryker.
They must’ve gone to a bathroom at some point because Ryker’s hands and face are now clear of any blood. His clothes are still soaked in them, but I don’t think he cares.
He hasn’t said a single word since I’ve been here. Even when I asked him if he wants a drink, he didn’t answer; he just continued staring at the floor.
Whenever a nurse walks into the room, Callum stands up, expecting them to be here for us with some information, but they always end up walking over to someone else.
As I sit here, peeling the wrapper off of the water bottle that my mother gave me, the door opens, and Brad nudges me.
I look up and I’m shocked to see my father standing there, a solemn look on his face as his gaze scans across us all.
He walks towards me and I stand to give him a hug.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been to see Kat and your mother already, I wanted to check in with you all and see if there’s any update on how Callie is doing?”
I shake my head and he frowns, patting me on the back.
“I’m sure she’ll be okay, son. She’s a strong girl.” He then turns towards Callum. “I also came here to talk to you. As you know, your father and most of his associates have been arrested. There is going to be an investigation into some of the people we believe he has connections with as well. I want you to know that with all the information we have on your father now, thanks to all of you, I’m certain that he will be going to prison for a very long time. I hope that can bring you some peace.”
Callum nods, standing up and holding out his hand for my father to shake.
“Thank you, Colin. I really appreciate everything that you”ve done for us.”
My father shakes his hand before slipping them into his pockets and rocking back on his feet.
“I’ve also arranged for your mother and Crystal to be picked up and brought home, now that it’s safe and due to Callie being in hospital. She should arrive within the next couple of hours.”
Ryker scoffs from where he’s sitting, and we all turn to face him. He glances up at us and rolls his eyes.
“She’s not going to want to see Clarissa after everything that’s happened.”
“You can’t be sure of that,” Callum interjects, shaking his head.
Ryker gives him an incredulous look. “She’s been through absolute hell these past few years since Clarissa left. She may have forgiven her after reading Clarissa”s letter, but since then, she’s found out that she was lied to for her whole life. She’s been raped, beaten, kidnapped and fucking branded! None of that would’ve happened if Clarissa hadn”t left or if she’d done more to help save you all from Derek.”
“You’re being out of line, Ryker,” Callum spits.
“No, he’s not.”
I spin around to see Connor standing behind us, looking at his brother with a pained look on his face.
“He’s stating facts, Cal. I’m not putting all of the blame on Mum because she’s a victim in all of this as well, but she could’ve done more. We should’ve done more. Callie’s in this mess because of all of us.” A tear escapes the corner of his eye, sliding down his cheek. “I’ll be ecstatic to see her, and I know you will too, but I’m not sure that Callie will be happy about it. She’s gonna have a lot of questions, and after everything with Cameron, I don’t think it would be best for her to see Mum straight away.”
Callum looks torn as he listens to everything that Connor’s saying.
My dad clears his throat. “Should I arrange for them to be taken somewhere else instead?”
Callum shakes his head, declining the offer.
“No, she can still come here. I want to see them both. We’ll just keep her away from Callie until we know if Callie wants to see her.”
My father nods and faces me, clapping his hand on my shoulder and telling me he’s going to go back to Kat’s room. Connor and Callum thank him again for helping them and then he makes his leave.
Connor trudges over to the seat beside Ryker and slings his bulky arm around Ryker’s shoulders, pulling him into a brotherly embrace.
“Stop worrying, Ryk, she’ll be alright.”