“Later,” I say. “I’m ok.”
The doctor glances between us. “Have you considered filing a police report? We have an advocate who can help.”
“We’ll talk about that once she is better,” I say. “Right now I just need to know she’s okay.”
He nods and leaves.
Aubrey hands me the bottle of water the nurse left. Her eyes are red, hands still shaking.
“She’s going to be okay,” I tell her quietly.
Aubrey presses her fist to her mouth. “Because you got there in time.” Her breath shudders. “I shouldn’t have left her. I should’ve stayed. I should?—”
“No.” My voice comes out sharper than I intend, then softens. “Aubrey, stop. This is not on you.”
She wipes her cheek, trembling harder. “We’re always told to look out for each other. And we do. But I left her for two minutes. Two minutes.” She shakes her head. “How is anyone supposed to stay safe? Never go to the bathroom? Never talk to anyone? Never have a drink?”
A quiet anger settles low and cold in my chest, an anger I don’t point at her.
“You’re supposed to have fun. You’re supposed to feel safe enough to take a fucking breath without thinking someone’s going to try to violate you.”
Aubrey exhales shakily. “I just…I don’t understand how shit like this still happens.”
I glance at Wren, curled under the blanket, breathing shallow but even. Aubrey sinks into the chair beside mine, letting out a long, shaky exhale. “We’re not letting her out of our sight anymore.”
“Good,” I say. My jaw tightens. “That’s the plan.”
My phone buzzes.
DALTON
We’ve got Reed
Should we call campus security?
Guys are saying better to handle internally
What do you want us to do?
I look at Wren—unconscious, pale, small in the hospital bed. The rage is still there, coiled tight. Part of me wants to go back and beat him to a bloody pulp for what he tried to do.
But that would be letting him off easy.
KIERAN
Let him go
DALTON
Seriously?
KIERAN
I’ll deal with it tomorrow
DALTON
Man, just let him walk?
