Page 8 of Tell No Lies

My body, now filled with relief, shook. My insides trembled as I lost control, collapsing back onto the floor despite Carter’s efforts to hold me up.

He held my head in one hand and brushed tears away with the other.

“Breathe, Bree. I need you to breathe.”

I tried to focus on his words, but images flashed in my mind of being attacked in the dark, a hand grabbing me and a needle piercing my skin.

I could feel myself slipping away. From somewhere in the distance, I heard Carter swear. The hand that had been soothing away the tears was gone.

There was a mumbled conversation. He sounded angry, or was it concern? It no longer mattered as I let the darkness take over.

☼ ☼ ☼

I opened my eyes and found myself staring at the ceiling. I tried to sit up, but strong hands held me down. I looked to where they came from and saw an EMT kneeling next to me.

“Aubrey, I need you to stay down for a few minutes, okay?” Despite his strength, he had a very gentle voice.

I was too tired to fight back anyway, so I remained still and continued my inventory of the surroundings.

We were in my bedroom, and I was lying on the carpet. Odd. That didn’t explain why an EMT was restraining me. I turned my head, looking for someone familiar. Finally, my eyes connected with Brandon. He was home? It was too early, wasn’t it?

I felt my heart speed up. What was wrong? He wouldn’t be home unless something bad had happened. I tried to remember what had occurred, but I only had glimpses of the day. Waking up with the girls. School. Dance. Then nothing.

Finally, the EMT who was looking me over sat back. “Aubrey, can you tell me what happened?”

He was the one who’d shown up here. Shouldn’t he tell me?

“I remember dance.”

“Nothing after that?”

I tried to sit up, and this time no one stopped me. Once I was vertical, I looked down. I was only wearing my leotard and tights. Lovely.

“Um, no. Dance went late because we couldn’t get the routine right.”

He nodded. “You don’t remember coming home?”

I shook my head.

Brandon made his way to my side and sat down. He handed me a sweatshirt, which I slipped on gratefully. “You must have hit your head pretty hard.” He turned back to the EMT. “Should we take her to the hospital?”

Before I could refuse, the EMT shook his head. “We can take her in as a precaution, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Her vitals are strong. She might have a slight concussion, but she should be just fine. Give her time to relax.” He moved away and began collecting his things as his partner continued writing on a pad.

“I don’t want to go, Brandon.”

“Fine.” He stood and nodded as he offered me both hands. I held on as he pulled me up and lifted me. He carried me to my bed and then set me down before turning and leading the others out of my room.

I watched as they retreated then fell back into my pillows. What had happened? I had a killer headache, and my back hurt. Was that just from dance? Was I just overly exhausted? There was no way Brandon would let me go this weekend after this episode.

I let out a sigh as my brother came back in, followed by Mckayla, her mom, and Carter. Mckayla and Diane rushed over and began fussing over me. I was trying to convince them I was just fine when Carter cleared his throat. They both stopped and looked at him. Diane stepped back and let Carter take her place, and Mckayla crawled across the bed and sat on the other side of me.

Brandon and Diane leaned against the wall opposite me, looking equally concerned. He was mastering this parenting thing.

“I’m so sorry, Aubrey. This is all my fault.” I looked back at Carter and saw the pain in his eyes.

I scrunched my nose, confused. “What is?” I looked to Mckayla for clarification.

She gave a slight smile and nodded back to Carter.