Page 94 of Forbidden

“No.” This time she said it and got up, stepping out of my reach.

“Come on, Hannah, let me check it out. You might need to go get an X-ray.”

“I don’t have time for that. I have an essay to do and math problems to figure out and a lecture to listen to.” She listed all the reasons why she wouldn’t be getting it checked.

“It can all wait. You know if you don’t get it set or looked at you won’t be able to speak.” It was the very worst-case scenario. But I wanted to scare her into letting me look at it.

She narrowed her eyes on me. “Which one of us is going to major in biology and anatomy?”

I sighed, frustrated. “I have life experience when it comes to this. If you won’t let me look at it, will you at least promise me you will let someone look at it in the next twenty four hours?” I knew how stubborn she was, and there was no changing her mind when she had made her choice clear.

She nodded her head.

“Alright, let’s go in and face the family. I’m guessing we are in for hours and hours of talking.” I sighed and took her hand.

“I don’t want to talk to him.” Her eyes dropped to the ground. “Just because I didn’t leave, doesn’t mean I accept what he did. I can’t… I just can’t look at him right now.”

I heard the pain in her voice, as well as the nerves. She needed space from Dad. How that was going to happen I didn’t know because Dad was going to try and do everything possible to get her to forgive him.

But from the look on Hannah’s face and from what she was saying, I don’t think Dad could do or say anything right now that would have Hannah giving him another shot.

“Okay. You just head to your room and I’ll handle it.” I didn’t know how I was going to stop them from following her up to her room, begging for her to talk to them.

I think right now Hannah would be comforting them more than they would be comforting her, so I knew there wasn’t going to be any benefit in them speaking to her tonight.

I twisted the doorknob and opened one of our double front oak doors. Hannah hung back for a minute and I squeezed her hand slightly, just enough to get her to take her eyes off the ground and on to me.

I gave her a reassuring smile as we walked into the foyer and straight across from the lounge room everyone was waiting in.

Hannah was a few seconds behind me. Dad’s eyes were on me, confused, and then his eyes went to Hannah. Mum looked completely and utterly surprised and Eve was on her feet within a heartbeat of spotting Hannah.

But it was Brad’s blank expression that confused me the most.

“Hannah’s going to bed,” I said quickly before Eve took another step toward us. “And she wants to be left alone.” I looked directly at Eve.

Eve would smoother Hannah. And would then go on about how her life would have turned out dreadful if Hannah had left.

I was positive Hannah wasn’t looking up because she could feel Dad’s eyes on her. Well, everyone’s eyes were on her. But I think Dad’s gaze was the most intense. Like he couldn’t stop himself, he took a step toward us.

As if Hannah had felt him get closer, her head snapped up, looking panicked. Her grip on my hand tightened. She honestly seemed terrified. I shot Dad a glare. He should know she wouldn’t want him near her.

I stepped out of Hannah’s way for her to head up the stairs. I glanced at her when she didn’t bolt up them, escaping like I know she wanted to.

Her eyes were on Dad, well, his arm at least. His arm was now covered in blood, it was dripping down his hand and it didn’t look like he had made a move to stop the bleeding or at least wrap it up.

Hannah let go of my hand and didn’t take off up the stairs like I expected. She went up the hall.

“All of you keep your cool. If one of you so much as spooks her, you are dead.” I hissed into the room. It was a huge deal that Hannah was still here and hadn’t left. And it was an even bigger deal she was back in the same house as Dad.

Hannah was coming up the hall, and I was expecting her to turn and head up the stairs. Instead, she turned into the lounge room. I watched her, surprised. But I don’t think I wasn’t nearly as surprised as Dad when she came to a stop in front of him.

Hannah might have been terrified before, but right now Dad was the one looking terrified.

She placed the medical kit down, and gently lifted his arm, examining it. I think Dad was too scared to even move or blink. The fact that Hannah was near him right now—well, it was unbelievable.

I could see by the expression on Dad’s face he was trying to think of something to say to her, to break the silence between them as she looked at his bullet wound intently.

“Through and through. No sign of bone damage. Bacterial infection is high though. Were you wearing clothing covering it when shot?” Hannah spoke up to him. I think we were all in shock—Hannah spoke to Dad! She actually asked him a question.

---