Clay sighed again, rubbing his temple, “He hurt his knee last night playing ball. It’s pretty bad, his doctor won’t be sure until the swelling goes down, but it looks like it’s his ACL.” Aiden couldn’t believe he was hearing this. He didn’t always get along with Glen, but they had kind of grown on each other. He didn’t know what to say, “I’m so…so…sorry. Man.” Clay was somewhat surprised at the sincerity he heard in Aiden’s voice. “Look, Aiden, I called you because something else happened last night. I am only telling you this because I know how close you are to both Ashley and Spencer and I really feel that something is wrong. Spencer spent the night at Ashley’s house last night. My mom found out and she headed over to Ashley’s this morning. My dad was worried that things might get out of hand, so he headed to her house as well. The problem is, that I haven’t been able to reach either one of them since. We hadn’t been able to reach Spence all night or this morning. I didn’t know who else to call, but I know something’s happened. I can feel it. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind going over to Ashley’s house, I can’t leave Glen, but I need to know that my family is okay.” Aiden, sat up putting his shoes on, “Clay, I’m heading over there right now, I’ll call you as soon as I get there!”

* * * * *

Spencer tried to get up again, this time making it to her knees. Her head exploded in pain and she couldn’t help it as more tears squeezed from her eyes. “Spencer, where are you trying to go?” Spencer, didn’t trust herself to speak, she was too nauseous. Detective Cain, put her arm around Spencer’s waist, holding her steady, “Spencer, where are you trying to go? You can’t keep doing this to yourself. You have to rest for a little while!” Spencer, continued her slow trek across the yard towards Ashley. “Spencer, you can’t do anything for her right now, she’s in shock!” Spencer just kept crawling forward. Detective Cain gave up reasoning with Spencer and starting helping her walk over to Ashley.

“Ashley, baby it’s me.” Spencer’s chest constructed painfully, as she looked at Ashley.  The paramedics had placed a large heated blanket over her body. ‘She looks so small.’  Her eyes were open and the skin around her mouth was tinted blue under the oxygen mask strapped to her face. Spencer reached out and brushed Ashley’s hair back from her forehead, shocked at how cold her skin felt.  Spencer leaned closer to Ashley’s cheek and kissed her gently, whispering, “Ash, this is not your fault. Do you know how beautiful and special you are to me?” Spencer’s voice broke, “I love you so much…baby, listen to me, please…I need you to come back to me…come back to me…please Ash…”  Detective Cain, put her hand on Spencer’s shoulder shaking her gently, “Spencer, the ambulance is here, they need to take Ashley to the hospital, now.”