Running into you

III Mom's Wake-Up Call

"Alex, Alex!! Stop!" Isabella screams, and one of Brandon is holding her tightly after wrapping a blanket around her.

She turns to her brother's friend, "Please stop him before he kills him!"

He lets her go and rushes toward Alex, at the same time as his other friend who backed off once Alex was on top of the bastard punching him.

They manage to pry him off, and that's when he turns and looks at his sister, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Alex runs to Isabella and hugs her tightly, Cooper is calling the police.

"I'm sorry sis, I shouldn't have left you alone with those bastards here.."

Isabella just hugs her brother tightly, when she loves him so much and knows it's not his fault.

They hold each other and sob.

For Isabella it's the fear, the relief, and the shock of everything that just happened.

For Alex it's the anger towards those bastards, his father, and himself.

They hold each other as time is flying by around them, it's not until their mom and the paramedics split them up that time resumes.

Hesitating at first, they know it's all over and time to deal with the aftermath.

Alex is questioned by the cops, as are his friends.

Those bastards are cuffed and driven to the hospital.

Isabella is taken to the hospital and the horrible rape kit is performed. It felt as if everything was happening again, then once more as she has to repeat to the officers what happened.

Her mom wanted to be there with her and so did Alex, but it was too embarrassing.

They were already hurting seeing her in this horrible state, they didn't need to hear all the details.

When everything is done, her mom runs in and hugs her. She's sobbing uncontrollably, Isabella on the hand is numb from reliving the trauma.

But at least she wasn't raped-raped, it could've been worse.

She keeps repeating that to herself, and hoping it'll make her feel like she wasn't violated.

Reality starts to focus again..

"Hey mom, where's Alex."

Her mom doesn't pull away, even Isabella wishes she would. "He's outside talking to the cops, he should be in soon" then she starts sobbing loudly, "I'm sorry my love, I brought him into our lives-I haven't been there-I've neglected you-I-"

"Mom stop! It's not your fault the only ones to blame are in custody right now!-None of this is on you!"

She says it out loud, but in her heart she wishes her mom would've been around more.

But it's not her fault.

Alex comes in with a gentle looking nurse, "ma'am, can you please accompany me to registration to complete all her forms."

Her mom nods, squeezes her hand waiting for the go ahead, and only leaves after Isabella nods.

Alex stays behind.

Isabella takes a minute to examine her brother.

His hazel eyes are swollen from crying. His expression one of that who's embarrassed? Shocked, worried, sad, grieving, and guilty. He can't meet her eyes, his hands are balled at his sides into tight fists.

His knuckles bandaged...
This is when it hits her, he's a victim also, he's hurting also.

"Al.." she says as calmly as possible, and she starts to get off the exam bed.

He runs to her-concerned ,"Iz-what is it-what do you need-should I call a nurse?"

She hugs him tightly, he stays frozen for a moment hesitating, then hugs her gingerly, as if she's this fragile thing that can break completely at any moment.

"Al, Listen. Thank you.. you're my hero. You saved me, I can never thank you enough, none of this is your fault. I'm sorry about your dad, and we will get through this together as a family!"
Her voice cracking many times in between.

"But Iz, I'm sorr-"
"-No Al, none of that because we both know none of this is your fault."

"I love you sis" he breathes out hugging her tightly.