I could only imagine what was going through Vanessa's head at the moment. Her sister was supposed to be getting help for her drug problem not being pumped with more to keep her comfortable after an attack.
"Yes, they did. There will be no narcotics for your sister."
Vanessa sighed with relief as I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave her my unwavering support.
"Thank you for that."
"No need to thank me, dear. We all want what's best for your sister."
I could feel Vanessa's body shake beneath my hand. Her sniffle was the first indication she was crying. The next was her wobbly voice when she whispered to Hannah, "Everything's going to be okay."
For Vanessa's sake I hoped that was true.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Vanessa
This was all my fault.
I couldn't stop thinking that as I sat next to my sister's hospital bed as she slept fitfully.
If only I had worked harder to discover who B. Feather was, my sister wouldn't be in this predicament.
"Will you stop blaming yourself," Nolen said from where he stood on the other side of the hospital bed.
"How can I not? It's my job to protect her and look what happened?"
"I think it's time you tell me what's going on."
I looked down at my sister and the bruises that would surely cover her face soon enough. Maybe Nolen was right. I was tired of doing everything on my own, and for once, I just wanted someone to lean on.
I rested my head gently on my sister's shoulder and hoped I wasn't making a huge mistake, trusting this man with the most precious part of my life.
With a shallow breath, I picked my head up and straightened my shoulders.
"I've told you about Hannah and the things she's been through."
Nolen nodded his head and crossed his arms, but he didn't say anything.
"Well, things are a bit more complicated than just her drug use."
"I'm listening."
Gah! Why was this so hard?
Nolen must've seen how hard this was for me because he came around to my side of the bed and put his hand on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."
I started with a shaky voice. "I never truly allowed myself to dive into Hannah's world. I didn't want to know the people she was getting drugs from because it made me so angry. Maybe if I had, I would've seen something was wrong before it all went to shit."
I knew I wasn't making much sense at this point, but I was explaining the only way I knew how.
"I moved to Willow Creek to get away from the problem, but it only ended up following me."
Nolen tensed from his position behind me. I could feel it in the way his hand locked up on my shoulder.
"Hannah got in deep with her drug dealer. At least I think that's who it was, and when she couldn't pay, he asked for payment in another form. I'm not sure what connection he has to Willow Creek. I've tried to figure it out but came up empty."
"What did he want?" Nolen's voice was strained, and I could only imagine what he was thinking. I felt the urge to ease his mind.
