The Girl in the Middle

What to do with her ?

*Tom*

Clay and Kattie are standing at opposite ends of the room and refuse to even look at one another. "Could you two forget your bickering for a moment". I ask, looking from one to the other. I have draped the blanket over the girl, hiding her body from them so far. "Forget that she looks so much like Amber and think of her as any other girl, just for a moment".

Clay makes a sign for me to continue. His dark eyes tell me about the pain he has been through the last two years and his stance tells me that he doesn't give a s**t about my opinion.

"Her real real name is Sarah Nobel". I tell them. "KC recognised her. She is the daughter of Nobel… Well that is kind of a give away". This is important information though.

"John Nobel". KC chips in. "The deputy mayor". Not that it changes anything. One brother or the other, it is the same mess for us. The same potential danger.

"During your fight she got hit in the back on her head by a bullet, luckily for her it must have ricocheted off something, and got lodged in her skull, doing no extensive damage. KC and I are guessing that she has been by Sunny for a couple of days. But it doesn't explain the rest of her scars". I pull the blanket away, revealing her body to the others.

"Honestly Tom". Clay steps forward sending me a reproving glare, like I am still the kid that used to spend his days climbing trees and sneaking into amusement parks.

"Science Clay, strictly science". I say, sending him a strict glare back. "Look at the marks on her neck and arms". I point the light at her and they both step closer. I can see the fear in Katties eyes and the anger in Clay’s.

"Someone held her down". Kattie lets a finger run along the marks on her upper arm. Marks looking like imprints from fingers. Of course those are the first Kattie notices. How often hadn't she come to me bearing those same marks ? Marks after strong hands, holding her down. Kattie’s eyes have moved on and I know she is looking for the same signs I had been looking for.

"And tried choking her". Clay comments. "It isn't just Sunny who has put his mark on her body".

"Her father". Kattie’s voice is little more than a whisper. "Or maybe a husband ? The women of Farhill usually get married pretty young". I can literally feel the lump growing in Katties throat. "She has been r***d".

Clay's gaze finally follows Kattie's.

"Are you.. ". Clay stops himself and for the first time I see a glimpse of regret in his eyes. So he knows what he has done to Kattie those times where he was too far out to control himself.

"s**t". Kattie turns around and smashes a fist into the wall. "Now I can't keep arguing that she needs to leave". She shakes her hand before cradling it to her chest.

"I can take her with me if you want me to". I am looking at Clay knowing he has the deciding vote. "There is no reason for her to stay here and rip up in your loss and pain".

"No". Clay's gaze turns hard as steel again. "She is staying here. I was the one who found her and it's me who has a responsibility towards her''. I can see hope leave Kattie’s eyes. KC puts an arm around her shoulders, to my surprise she accepts it.

I am not sure if Clay rejected my offer because she looks so much like Amber or because he doesn't respect me as a leader. But honestly I don’t really care how he feels about me.

"Just remember, it isn't her. No matter how much she looks like her". I pull the blanket over her body again and leave the room. Dreading what will come from this.

As I expected, Kattie follows me. When we are alone in the hallway I pull her into my arms again. "It is going to be okay". I promise her, hoping I am not lying to her. "KC is strong and almost grown up. You got Michael here this time. Hope is older too ...".

"Michael is hurt, quite badly". Kattie cuts me off. "Clay ends up on the drugs again. I just know it, he isn’t strong enough. He hasn't touched them for eight months..".

"Stay as far away from him as possible when he is using". I whisper to her. "Let him destroy himself, no need for you to try and save him on your own account. But who knows, maybe he is stronger than you think”.

Gerard and Zac come out carrying Michael between them. Making Kattie quickly pull away from me to open the door to their shared room.

"He is going to make it". Gerard promis after putting down Michael. "Make sure he stays in bed and that he doesn't do anything that makes the wounds open. If he gets his eyesight back, well only time will tell". He pads Kattie gently on the shoulder, sending her a small almost friendly smile. Gerard isn’t really good at comforting or handling women.

"The girl ?" Gerard looks questioningly at me and I tell him everything I know … Everything. Every mark and every guess we have. "She doesn't belong here. She Will only bring trouble". He points out when I am done.

"Who does when they first arrive ?" I ask. "I am more worried about Clay. This is going to do a number on him".