It was after 10am by the time I woke up. I had fallen asleep after 3 episodes of the Next-Files. I turned off the t.v. and stretched. Sleeping in the chair made my back rather stiff. I let out a groan as my phone rang. “Unknown number? I don’t know if I should answer it.” I had been avoiding all calls since I left San Branchforks. “But what if it is about Louie or Abigale?”

I sighed deeply as I answered the phone, “Hello?” I listened carefully but I didn't hear anything on the other end, “Hello,” I said louder.

“Corey? This is Noelle.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “I got your number from Micah. I just wanted to call to fill you in on Louie.”

“Oh hey Noelle. How is Louie doing? I was rather worried when Micah left with him. He seemed like he was in rather bad shape.”

“Yeah he was beaten pretty badly and had a few gashes on his legs and side. The doctors say he will need a lot of rest and some fluids and stuff, but other than that he should be okay. They are going to keep him for a few days though. Just your standard hospital stuff, ya know?”

“I suppose that is rather good news to hear. I am glad that it wasn't anything more serious than that. Although I am sure we all would rather he not be in the hospital right now. When he passed out at my table I was awfully worried about him.”

“Yes I was rather shocked when Micah called me yelling that you had beat his brother up. I told him you wouldn’t do anythin’ like that. Sadly Louie isn’t talking to anyone. No one can get anything out of him from what happened last night. Do you happen to know anything?”

I ran my hand through my hair and started pacing the living room, “I don’t really know much honestly. I was making myself some food when he came to my house ‘round 2am last night pounding on my door. Man was he a scary sight to see when I opened the door.” I should hear her sigh on the other end. “He didn’t tell me anything other than he got into a fight with his friend, but unfortunately I have no idea who it was.”

“I really appreciate you for taking care of him as much you did Corey. Louie may not be blood family, but he is family all the same. He means a lot to us and you being there for him is a relief.”

I chuckled nervously, “Honestly I did not do much but I am glad that he is in a place that will be able to help him recover faster.”

“Nonsense you helped him more n your know.” There was a long pause before she continued, “I’m sure he would be grateful to see you when he comes home. Heck if you really wanted I can take you in to hospital to see him if in you want. And don’t feel like it's a bother. I really don’t mind an im sure he would appreciate talking to someone other than doctors and Micah.

We both chuckled, “Yeah sure why not. I don’t have much going on and I’m sure letting Micah have some time away from the hospital would help him clear his head of his anger. I just hope he isn’t so mad at me anymore.” I let out a small sigh. “When would you like to go see him? I only just woke up but I can be ready within the hour.”

“I will be down at 11:30. I have to make sure mom is all good and settled with Alec and then we can leave.”

“Alright I will see you then.”

By the time I was showered and dressed Noelle was already knocking at my front door. “Mornin’ Corey. I sure wish we was meeting again under better circumstances.” I nodded my head at her as we got into her car. “If it innit a murder and fire its poor Louie losin a fight.”

I chuckled nervously, “yeah it sure has been a wild few days. Crazy way to meet all my neighbours. Definitely up there in the top ten things I think I will never forget that’s for sure.” I looked around the car awkwardly,  unsure what else to say to her. 

She grabbed my hand, “Before we leave I just want you to know I really don’t believe Micah. I don’t think you hurt Louie. I think he's just worried and angry and you just happened to be the easiest target for his anger.” She let go of my hand and started the long drive to the only hospital for miles. “I think I might know who did it, but only he can confirm that, and I’m not sure he will admit it.”

I patted her shoulder softly, “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I am sure he will tell someone when he is ready to talk about it. I can’t really speak for him, but I know it can be scary to have to try and talk about stuff like losing a fight. But if he trusts you, he might tell you. You just have to give him time.”

She smiled softly, still keeping her eyes on the road, but then her smile quickly faded and she looked rather sad, “I suppose you may know that from experience.”

I covered my face with my hand, silently kicking myself in the @ss for that comment. I really didn’t mean to imply that. I sighed, “Yeah. Something like that I suppose."

Luckily for me she did not pry into it any further and the rest of the drive was in relative silence other than the sound of the car and trees zipping by.

By the  time we finally arrived at the hospital it was 1pm. It was just a small little run down building. It looked like a repurposed strip mall you would see in the city. I really couldn't believe that this is what they used as a hospital. It was more like one of those emergency care places I would have to go to every so often to pass drxg tests for security gigs I had.

She grabbed my arm and started pulling me inside the building. “I know this place looks nothing like the ones in the big city, but it is very nice and clean on the inside.”

“Yeah I am sure it is. I am just in awe. I guess this really is a small town.” We both chuckled as we entered. “Everything has been a lot of a culture shock for me, honestly. But I supposed I get it. The less population you have, the smaller the building has to be.”

When we had reached Louies room Micah was just walking out talking to one of the nurses.  He spotted me and Noelle with her around mine as we were talking about dealing with moving from a big city to this small town. His face changed and he came storming over and pushed me away from me. “What the hell do you think you are doing here!? And hanging off MY wife,” he shouted as he took me up by the collar.

Noelle grabbed his arm and tried to try and placate him, “Micah he’s just here to see Lou. You know he didn’t do anything. He is worried about him too.” She was trying to push herself between the two of us but he pushed her away.

“I don’t fxcking care what he did or didn’t do to Louie right now. Why the hell does he think he is allowed to hang off you like that? You are MY wife!” He slammed me up against the wall and spit on the floor next to me. “I told you not to run BUT who DO YOU think you are? Being here. And with MY WIFE?!”

A doctor came running over and pulled him off me. “Micah! I highly suggest you do not cause a scene in MY hospital right now. This is not the place for sh1t like this. And you know that.”

Micah shook the doctor off of him and stormed off down the hall. Noelle shot me an apologetic glance and mouthed sorry as she ran off after her husband.

“Micah will never change, I swear. He is such an embarrassment. I’m ashamed to call him my nephew.” The doctor put his hand on my shoulder and it brought me back down to reality, “I’m sorry if he hurt you. I can take a look over your arm if you want me to.” He looked down at my arm and pointed at the bruising on my forearm. 

“Oh.” I traced my fingers over it. “No, I think it is okay. This must have happened last night.” I chuckled awkwardly, “He may or may not have done that to me last night when he came to pick up his brother. I understand his anger though.”

He TSKed at me, “That is no excuse for him. He should show some decorum. I swear he must have been raised by wild animals and not my mother.” He grabbed my arm and looked it over, “I suppose it could have been worse. Anyways I am doctor Norman Abergathy. I suppose you are here to see Lou?”

I nodded, “I was worried about him after Micah left my house with him. He wasn’t looking too well and had passed out and clearly had a fever.”

He hummed as looked at Louie's paperwork, “yeah he was beaten up pretty bad. I will never understand that kid. He is always coming in every so often with cuts and bruises. This time is a lot worse though.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he continued, “I really wish he would talk to us about this. He always just says that him and one of his friends are just messing around, but I don’t believe that.”

I looked at the doctor quizzically, “you mean this happens THAT often? I am so sorry but that cannot just be guys messing around.”

“I know what you mean. But he denies it everytime we try to get anything outta him. Noelle and I have a hunch on who it might be but he will never admit to it no matter how hard we try.”

I put my hand on the doctor's shoulder trying to comfort him, “I think maybe I can talk to him. I may be new in town but I kinda get why he is lying to everyone. Do you think he is okay enough right now for me to go in and talk to him? Maybe not about what happened last night but just to kind of feel it out and see what kind of things I can get him to tell me?”

He thought about it for a moment, “Yeah I think just sitting and talking to him a bit will be fine. I will keep Micah away. He will only stress Lou out more and he does not need that right now.”