Those Dark Days (In editing...)

#2

Kelly came over and crouched down beside Katie.

He put a hand on Lyla's arm for a brief second before pulling Katie into a hug.

Katie cried into Kelly's shoulder.

Lyla pulled her eyes away from the siblings to Lindsay, who nodded her head to the side.

Lyla got up and went to her.

"Are you okay? The ambulance should be here soon."

"I'm okay. Katie is safe. That's all that matters." Lyla told her.

"Okay. Your brothers outside. But I would still let the paramedics check you out."

Lyla nodded before making her way outside.

As Lyla came into view, Matt made his way over to her.

He grabbed both of her arms and looked at her.

"Did Keeler do that to you?" he asked referring to the bruises that were starting to form.

"No. Keeler... He didn't touch me. It, uh... It was Josh." Lyla told him.

Matt's facial expression turned from concerned to angry.

"Matt, don't. I'm fine." Lyla told him, stopping him from moving.

"Matt, look at me. I'm okay. He's going to jail. It's going to be fine." Lyla told him, once he looked at her.

The paramedics pulled up as Lyla finished speaking.

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While the girls were at the hospital getting checked out, Detective Lindsay started asking Katie some questions.

Kelly wasn't allowed in the room.

Lyla waited for the doctor to come in and tell her she was free to go.

She sat staring at the floor for what felt like forever but was just 5 minutes.

"Okay. Lyla, other than some bruising and some slight cuts, you're okay. You're free to go."

"Thank you." Lyla said before she followed the doctor out of the room.

She went to find Kelly, who was talking to Mrs. Nolan, Katie's mom before she stormed off.

Lyla walked up at the same time as Detective Lindsay.

"What'd he do to her?" Kelly asked.

Erin sighed.

"It's bad."

Lyla realized what she meant immediately after she said it.

"Oh my god." She muttered to herself.

The sound of footsteps was heard as Otis, Cruz, and Mills ran up.

"Is she?" Otis asked.

Mills put a hand on Lyla's arm.

"You okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She told him with an appreciative smile.

"She's banged up, but she's okay. You should go see her." Erin told Otis.

"Yeah." Otis said looking at Kelly, who was looking up toward the ceiling.

Lyla put her hand on Kelly's arm in a comforting manner.

"She uh... Probably needs some time, so... Maybe later." Otis said before walking away.

Lyla went after him.

"Otis, wait." she called out.

He stopped by the door.

"Look, I know that all this is overwhelming. I completely understand that you're not ready to see her. But she needs to know that she has people there for her. People that care. And if you need anyone to talk to, I'm here. Just visit her when you're ready?"