Take it slow

Letting out a small sigh Karla did feel bad for Kip. She couldn't imagine how he must be feeling on top of the physical pain the mental pain he was being put through as well. She could remember how it felt when her parents would yell and take there anger out in words on her. It had to be doubled for Kip.

Seeing Kip needed help Karla wastes no time in going to him and gently putting his arm over her shoulders. Taking it very slowly Karla helps him from the room and thought the other room. Hearing his words Karla looks at him as she continues to help him slowly.

"I'm happy he didn't. I really am not ready to try and face the world alone. I'd be pretty lonely without you."

Continuing out of the room and outside Karla does her best to continue helping Kip. Looking up and seeing Erik and Kyle she throws them a look not to talk about what was going on with Kip right now. He needed time to heal and having people throw stuff in his face right now was not what he needed.

"We are ready to go. Just take the ride slow. I'll sit in the back with Kip."

Once Justin was on the couch and Beth got the answer to some of the questions she had asked she moved from the couch and went to the chair grabbing some blankets. Bringing them back over she places them on him up to his neck.

"Here, keep these one even when you get hot. You do have a fever and this should help break it. I'll be right back."

Making her way to the bathroom Beth opens the little cabinet looking for some kind of medicine to give Justin to help with his head. Not seeing anything she makes her way to his bedroom but stops. This was his personal space should she really just badge in? He said they might be in there so he was pretty much giving his permission.

Entering Beth looks on the dresser and than moves to the little night stand seeing the pills she grabs them and comes back out into the other room. Making her way to the kitchen she took a glass out of the cabinet. Taking note to the glass maybe once Justin fell asleep she could clean that up. Taking on OJ from the fridge she puts it in another glass and heads back into the living room.

"Here you go Justin here is some OJ and some Tylenol I found."

Handing it to him and help him with it Beth did her best though her hands still shook a little bit. Once he was done she put the glass down on the table before turning to him again.

"I saw some blood in the kitchen. Did you cut yourself bad?"

Beth didn't know how to handle this. On the inside she was scared to death. Just the sight of the little bit of blood had turned her stomach in knots. How she didn't lose her own dinner was beyond her. Maybe because there was a stronger need there for her to help her friend.

Meltdown

A knock at the door? Was someone knocking? Justin wasn't even sure. Was that someone's muffled voice? Why hadn't he heard the dogs barking? Too lethargic to even try to figure it out, he remains on the floor.

A few minutes later though, as he feels someone's touch and distinguishes Beth's voice, he tries to open his eyes again, but only succeeds in getting them partway there. Beth? She was here? How did she know to come? Why had she? It was late at night, wasn't it? What was she doing here?

His eyes start to roll back in his head again but he manages to bring himself back. He was in no position to complain or tell her to leave. He needed help this time and he knew it.

"I don't know why I'm on the floor," he mumbles lamely. "But I can't get up."

Following instructions and feeling her trying to help him up gives him enough gumption to try again. Though barely able to support his own weight, with her help he manages to get onto the couch and lie on his side, shivering with a cold chill as his body burned with fever.

Beth's question forces him to concentrate and he tries to focus on her face and process his thoughts as understandable words so he could give her what she needed. "I... I don't know," he answers hoarsely. "I think I have a fever..." That would explain why he was so cold or hot and sweaty, though it wouldn't explain why the kitchen was in shambles. "...and a headache... and I can't keep anything down." He swallows hard, trying not to pass out. Facts. He needed to give her facts. "And I'm in the middle of a meltdown." His eyes roll back again before coming into focus once more, only to glisten as they fill. "So if I say or do anything out of character...that's why."

Caught in another wave of chills, his body tenses and he sucks in his breath.
Think, Justin, think. She's here to help but she doesn't know where anything is.
"Um... there's... there's blankets in the chair and..." His eyes fall shut before he forces them open again. "And, um... Tylenol or something... maybe in the bathroom or... my bedroom, I don't know." He shivers again. There were plenty of things to drink in the kitchen along with cans of soup but he didn't even know what he could keep down at this point.

Curling into a tight ball as he shakes, he finally allows his eyes to close again. He didn't want to bother Beth with any of this but maybe if she could stay for just a little while, he could get over this first wave and be able to take care of himself after that.


Kip doesn't move and though forced to look up at Karla once, he doesn't hold his gaze for long, letting his eye drop again. He was too ashamed to look her in the eye. He does hear her though, and he does weigh his options. Even if he didn't let it show, he was grateful for her presence and her care.

"It doesn't matter," he mumbles in response, his words still slightly slurred. "If I say we go later then... then you guys will still take me home so... what's the point in postponing it?"

Sniffing, he wipes his nose with his sleeve and shivers again. "I've... been alone since Sunday morning," he admits. He hadn't eaten anything since then either. "I just... I..." His voice cracks again, his lower lip trembling. "I didn't know how to come back home." And face all those who had warned him not to come here. And have them look at him and know what happened...again. And have them tell him how sorry they were. And experience the worst form of embarrassment he knew. No, he didn't know how to do that.

Kip starts to sigh deeply, but the intake of air creates more pain and he winces, doubling over a little more. Leaning on Karla for a moment of stability, he slowly stretches out his legs until they hung over the bed and he could gain some leverage to pull himself to the edge. Though he made no sound, the pain was excruciating. Mustering up what little courage he had left, he stands a bit wobbly. He tucks his sore arm up by his side, while his other arm stays wrapped around his ribcage. After one painful step though, he stops. His wounds were days old and he was cold and stiff on top of everything else.

He finally turns to look at Karla on his own. His gaze was dark, seeming to lack all life. "I need your help," he admits quietly. Waiting for her to join him, he moves his arm around her shoulders to lean some of his weight on her. As they trudge slowly through the cabin, it felt as though any ounce of dignity he had left was now gone. The pieces of broken furniture and objects were stepped over carefully, any ounce of hope for better days seeming to be in just as many pieces. "I wish my dad woulda finished the job," he mutters under his breath.

Help First

Just staying there with Kip and doing her best to comfort him Karla didn't care how long they stayed there. If they were going to sit there all day it was fine by her. Kip needed to see someone about his injures but he needed someone who wouldn't push him even more. Her heart was breaking and somewhere inside she couldn't help but feel like was partly her fault. What if she had asked him not to go too? Would he still have gone or would he had been spared from this pain?

As he shifts a little Karla shifts too just watching him as he pulls his hood back. Seeing the damage done to his face it crushed Karla. How could anyone do something like this to there child? A person like that should be shot that was for use. Though she was surprised and shocked her face expression did not change from anything but love and care for Kip. If it had it might have made things worse.

"I am sure it does hurt Kip, but we can take it slow. We can go as slow or as fast as you want but I'm not going to leave you."

Karla's fingers find Kips as she very softly runs her hand over his. She wanted him to know she was there. That she cared and still loved him no matter what had happened her thoughts about him, everything she new he was hadn't changed in the least bit.

"You don't have to talk to anyone right now Kip if you don't want too, but please let us get you some place warm before you catch death of cold. I don't want to see that happen."

She didn't know if Kip would come or not but she meant what she said. If he didn't than she would stay there in the cold with him. She wasnt going to leave him again when he needed her. He'd been there for her and now...now she was going to return the favor if he wanted it or not He was way to important to her to just leave him abandoned.

Taking fingers from his hand and resting them gently on his chin Karla lifts his face so she could look into his one good eye. She didn't care what his face looked like she still loved him and cared for him that much was undeniable.

"You mean the world to me Kip, now and forever. If we are gonna stay here a little bit though I am going to go out to the car and grab the first aid kit I know Erik keeps there..ok? You just let me know if you want to stay a little while longer, or if you want to go."

Waiting while Susanne walked to her car and started it up Chuck new she would be ok now. Not that if anyone had tried to jump her on the short walk she wouldn't have been able to defend herself but it just made him fell better knowing she got to her car safely.

Finally giving a wave Chuck pulls away his mind so full, and his heart feeling the same. Then flutters that moves around inside him was a nice a feeling. Susanne was certainly different and he loved it. She was sweet, nice, kind and didn't try to be anyone but herself.

Just enjoying the night ride Chuck decides to take the long way home. It had been a nice time out, and dinner was enjoyable. Riding he felt free and it was peaceful to him. Things seemed to be falling into place now. All in God's time thats what Chuck had to remember. It was all in his time.

Sitting reading a book Beth jumps as the silence in the house is shattered by the sound of scratching and a bark that rings through the night. Looking to the door Beth waits and listens as her heart races. Hearing the scratching again and hearing another whimper and bark Beth couldn't help but feel like she new that bark. Was...Justin here? Why would he like the dogs bark like that if he was and not knock on the door?

Standing and going to the door slowly Beth looks out. Not seeing anyone she opens the door to be greeted by one of Justin's dogs. Bending out to scratch Danitza behind the ears Beth looks to the driveway for Justin's car. Not seeing it Beth couldn't help but feel a little bit of panic. How did the dog get here if Justin hadnt been around? It was a long way to run.

"What are you doing here mmm? Did you get loose from Justin? Come on you lets see if we can call to see where he is ok!"

Bringing the dog inside and closing the door behind her Beth goes to the phone and dials Justin's home number. Not getting an answer she than dials his cell and still gets nothing. Looking down at the dog again Beth could see an eager look in the dog's eye maybe even one that said she was uneasy or upset. It seemed to make Beth worry just a little more.

"Should we take a nice drive out there? At least I can tie you up again if he's not there so he wont worry."

Patting the dog on the head again Beth grabs her jacket and puts it on before taking her keys. She could tell something wasn't right. Patting her leg so the dog would follow Beth opens her car door so she could jump in and than gets in her side. Trying Justin's phone one more time as she pulled out of the parking lot.

...An hour later Beth was pulling into Justin's driveway. How she found her way back here after only coming once she wasn't sure but it was easier than one would expect. Going up the driveway and seeing Justin's truck in the drive way Beth's heart raced even more. If Justin was home why hadn't he answered his phone.

Looking to Danitze Beth's eyes held worry. Getting out and having the dog follow Beth made her way up to the porch, seeing Zora sitting by the door Beth gives her a small nod. Knocking on the door she waited. Knocking again she waited. Getting no answer she check the door and seeing it up locked she push it open.

"Justin...its Beth..Danitze found her way to my house some how. Justin...are you here?"

Silence was the only thing to meet her as she entered. Stepping into the dim lit room Beth saw a light in the kitchen on and heads that way. She couldn't help the cold chill the ran down her spine. Entering and seeing the mess on the floor Beth stops and her heart races even more. It felt like her hole body had gone cold. This was not right. Turning quickly Beth check the bathroom and finds nothing before going to the living room where the dogs had gone.

Seeing Justin laying on the floor Beth freezes. A million thoughts run through her mind. Blood laid in different spots and pictures as clear as day ran around her brain. Her parents, everything that happened the blood.

Giving a shake of her head Beth looked down at Justin's still body again. He needed her...she couldn't freak out. Going to him and placing a hand on his neck Beth's heart continues to race but feeling Justin's pulse seemed to calm her a little he was a live.

"Justin, It's Beth can you hear me? What happened? Here see if you can get up on the couch for me and off the floor."

Being gentile Beth does her best to try and help Justin up off the floor and onto the couch. Feeling his head with her palm she can feel he has a fever. He must be sick. Thinking for a moment she wondered if he needed to go to the hospetil or if he could stay here. She'd never had to help someone who was sick before.

"When was the last time you had anything to eat or drink Justin?"

If he was at least a little coharent that was good she it meant he was not in a danger stage. He could stay here and she could try to help him. If he got worse than she would take him some where. For now he would be ok she hoped.