A New Hope (The Second Chance Series Book 2) (22 page)

The next day Leslie dropped Karla and Elliot off at the indoor go-cart track and told them to call her when they were ready to come home. “Ready to have some fun?” Karla asked Elliot as soon as they were alone.

“Oh yeah.” He answered with a grin and they headed to the go-carts.

Karla beat him the first time and Elliot won the second race. When they got in line again for a third race Karla looked at Elliot and grinned. “Remind me not to ride with you after you get your license. You cannot drive worth a crap.”

Elliot laughed and responded. “You don’t drive much better, sis.”

“Oh, really. How about a bet, little brother?”

“What kind of bet?” Elliot asked with a grin.

“The loser of this race has kitchen clean-up duty for two weeks.” Karla said with a grin. She didn’t mind cleaning, but Elliot hated it,

“You’re on, sis.” Elliot said with a grin as they handed the attendant their tickets.

“Hope you’re ready to lose.” Karla taunted as they walked to the same two cars they’d used in the last two races.

“Bring it on, sis.” Elliot said and revved up the engine.

Karla grinned as the lights turned from red to yellow and finally to green. She pushed the gas just hard enough to take off and let Elliot pass her. They had three laps and she was going to let him lead at least one.

She rode his bumper for a lap and a half before she pulled beside him and waved. She stayed beside him for the next lap and right before the end she floored it and pulled ahead right as they crossed the finish line.

“You let me win that second race didn’t you?” Elliot asked her.

“Nope. I got bumped by the guy who was on the track with us during that race. He made me almost crash into the wall so I let him pass me.” Karla said and looked around to see if she could see the guy she was talking about.

“I saw him. He almost crashed me too. I let him go around me, but I haven’t seen him since then.” Elliot told her.

“So, you ready for lunch or do you want to do something else before we eat?” Karla asked with a grin. She was having fun hanging out with Elliot today.

“Let’s eat. Then I’ll beat you at putt-putt.” Elliot suggested.

“Deal, but I’m going to beat you at putt-putt.” Karla said and led him to the food court. “Are you having fun?” She asked while they waited in line.

“I am having a blast. Thank you for spending today with me.”

“I will always spend time with you, Elliot. I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were feeling the way you were.”

“Don’t apologize. I should have said something sooner instead of getting upset.”

“It`s alright. We’ll take days for just us more often. I promise.”

“That sounds awesome. Thank you, sis.”

“Well isn’t this just cozy.” A voice from Karla’s past said from behind them.

Karla turned around and was greeted by a face she hadn’t seen in over a year. “Garrett.” She said with hatred in her voice.

“The one and only.” He said with a sneer. “I spent the last year in jail because of you and your mama.”

“You spent the last year in jail because you cracked two of my ribs and my collar bone.”

“You deserved it for the lies you were spreadin’.” He said in a very loud voice, drawing the attention of the people in the food court.

“You’re still as stupid as you were then.” Karla said in a soft, but angry, voice. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. “I’m not the beaten, broken and scared little girl I was then, Garrett and I’m not afraid of you anymore. You have no control over me.”

“We’ll see about that.” He said in anger and drew his hand back to hit her. Elliot stepped in front of her as Garrett’s hand came down. He hit Elliot with enough force he fell back into Karla.

Before Karla could react three men from the food court came up and tackled Garrett. They held him down as a woman called 911. “Are you alright?” Another woman asked Elliot.

Karla was trying to hold him up, but he was almost as big as her and she was having a hard time. Another man came over and helped her get Elliot into a chair. “I need to call our mom.” Karla said and quickly dialed Leslie’s number.

“Are you ready to come home already?” Leslie asked on a laugh as she answered the phone.

“I need you.” Was all Karla said, but the tone of her voice instantly alerted Leslie that something was wrong.

“I’ll be there as fast as I can get there.” Leslie answered and hung up the phone.

“Elliot.” Karla said softly as she looked at her brother. “Why did you step in front of me?”

“I couldn’t let you get hurt again, sis.” Elliot said softly. “He’s one of the ones who hurt you before isn’t he?”

“He is. He was the last one to hurt me.” Karla answered honestly.

Before Elliot could say anything else two police officers showed up and started talking to the people who had witnessed the incident. “Looks like he’s going back to jail.” Elliot commented and closed his eyes. “My face hurts.” He mumbled.

“Stay awake, Elliot. I had them call an ambulance because I think your cheek bone may be cracked.”

“I’m okay.” He murmured and closed his eyes again.

Just then the paramedics walked up. “What happened here?” One of them asked as he took Elliot from Karla’s arms and placed him on the stretcher.

“We were just hanging out, spending some brother/sister time together when someone I thought I would never see again showed up out of nowhere and tried to hit me. Elliot stepped in front of me and took the hit himself, which was stupid and very brave.” She said and looked at Elliot.

“Can I get your name please?” The paramedic asked.

“Karla Hall and my brother’s name is Elliot Matthews.” Karla answered.

“Where are your parents?” He asked her.

“My mom is on her way.” Karla answered, not feeling the need to tell him that Leslie wasn’t technically her mom yet.

“We can’t transport him until a legal guardian is present, but we can check him out and ice his face.”

“Thank you. She’ll be here any minute now.” Karla told him.

Before another minute passed a police officer came over to talk to her. She looked up at the officer and relief filled her eyes. “Trent.” She said and launched herself into his arms.

“Karla, are you alright?” He asked her.

“I am, but I’m not sure if Elliot is.” She said as he released her. “Garrett hit him pretty hard.”

“From what I’ve gathered in the couple of minutes I’ve been here, Elliot saved your face from getting all bruised up.”

“He did, which was both incredibly brave and incredibly stupid.” She said with worry in her voice. “I need Leslie here. They won’t help him without her.”

“We’ll see about that.” Trent said and walked her over to the paramedics.

“Detective.” The one who had spoken to Karla said in greeting.

“Why hasn’t this young man been transported out of here?” Trent asked in a firm voice.

“We haven’t spoken to a guardian to know which hospital to take him to, sir.” The other paramedic answered.

Trent looked at Karla and smiled a little. He told the paramedics the name of the hospital Andrew worked at and told them to take Karla with them. “His foster father is the head of the ER there and can sign any papers you need. Just ask for Dr. Andrew Peterson.”

“Yes, sir.” They answered and loaded Elliot into the ambulance.

“I’ll see that Leslie makes it there as soon as she gets here. Go with Elliot so Andrew doesn’t freak out.” Trent told her and she hugged him before she climbed into the ambulance and headed to the hospital with Elliot.

When they made it to the hospital Karla jumped out of the ambulance and ran to Andrew`s office. She stopped when she reached his door and knocked softly. When she heard his annoyed, “Come in” she slowly opened the door and poked her head in.

He looked up in annoyance, which quickly turned to concern when he saw her standing there. “Karla, honey, what’s wrong.” He asked as he stood from his chair and quickly crossed the room.

“It’s Elliot. He’s hurt and it’s all my fault.” She said as tears streamed down her face.

“Want to stay in here while I go see what`s going on?” He asked her in a soft voice. His annoyance at everything that had happened today shifted to concern for her and Elliot.

When she nodded he kissed her on the top of the head and walked to the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He said and walked out of the door.

When he walked into the ER Nancy, one of his favorite nurses, motioned him over. “I saw Karla run past, is everything alright?” She asked with concern.

“I’m not sure yet. Apparently Elliot was brought in by ambulance. Have you seen him?”

“No, but I was just coming back from lunch when Karla ran past. Let me see where he is.” Nancy answered and immediately started tapping on the keys of the computer at her desk. “He’s in room three and the paramedics are still in there with him.”

“Thank you, Nancy. Karla is in my office and I’m sure Leslie is on the way. Can you send her to my office when she gets here please?”

“I sure will, Dr. Peterson.” Nancy said and he nodded his thanks as he walked toward the room Elliot was in.

When he opened the door he saw Elliot lying on the bed with an ice pack on his face and the two paramedics were standing off to the side talking. “What happened?” He asked Elliot in a calming voice.

“Are you Dr. Peterson?” One of the paramedics asked before Elliot could answer him.

“I am. Can you two tell me what happened?”

They told Andrew everything that happened as Andrew filled out the papers for Elliot. When they were all finished the paramedics left and Andrew looked at Elliot. “It was very brave to step in front of Karla like that.”

“Karla said it was very stupid.” Elliot said dryly.

“I agree with that too, but very brave non-the-less.” Andrew said with a smile. “I’m going to call down to radiology and order some x-rays of your face, but I think it’s just bruised and swollen. I’ll be back in just a minute.”

As soon as he stepped into the hall Elliot leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes. His face was hurting really bad, but he was glad he was there to protect Karla. He dozed off and when he woke up again Karla was sitting beside him with a concerned look on her face.

“You got hurt because of me.” She said softly and gently touched his face.

“I got hurt because that guy tried to hurt you.” Elliot told her.

“Leslie’s here, and she and Andrew are talking to Detective Greeves. Apparently Garrett was released on Friday, but no one was informed about his release. He’s been following me since then, waiting for his chance to confront me.”

“Why was he released?” Elliot asked. It was starting to hurt to talk.

“I have no idea. He was supposed to be in for three years.” Karla answered.

They sat there quietly for a couple minutes before Andrew, Leslie and Nathan Parks walked in. “Elliot, we have to stop meeting like this.” Nathan said with a grin.

Elliot tried to smile, but it hurt so he stopped. “Mr. Parks, believe me, I wish we would.”

“Me too, kiddo.” He said with a grin.

“Just glad it’s me and not Karla.” Elliot said and looked at his sister.

“Should have been me.” Karla muttered and everyone looked at her. “What? It should have. I’m the one Garrett was aiming for and Elliot stepped in front of me.”

“And I would do it again, Karla.” Elliot sand and looked back at Andrew. “She just doesn’t understand that I cannot stand by and see her get hurt. She may be my older sister, but she’s been hurt too much already.”

“I agree with that.” Mr. Parks said with a soft smile at Karla. “Now, let’s get some pictures of your face.”

Elliot sat there quietly while Mr. Parks took x-rays of his face. When he was done Mr. Parks rolled the big machine out and stepped back into the room. “I’ll page you as soon as these are ready, Andrew. Karla, you need to be thanking Elliot. I’m sure this blow would have broken your jaw.”

After he walked out the door Leslie and Andrew turned to Karla and Elliot. “Trent told us that Garrett was released early due to overcrowding and that he was ordered to remain a thousand feet from you at all times.” Leslie told them.

“Well, we see how well that worked.” Elliot said dryly.

“He’s already back in jail and he’s charged with assault of a minor, stalking a minor and violating the terms of his release. He won’t be getting out for a really long time.” Andrew told them matter-of-factly.

“If I never see him again it’ll be too soon.” Karla said quietly.

“Same here, sis.” Elliot agreed.

“Andrew, let’s leave them alone for now.” Leslie said and pulled him from the room. “I’m worried about Karla.” She said as soon as they were in the hall.

“She seems so lost.” Andrew said.

“Yeah she does. What can we do?” Leslie asked.

“I don’t know.”

“We need her to smile.” Leslie said and Andrew grinned.

“I know just the thing.” He said and pulled out his phone.