I awoke in the hospital to find my parents at the bedside along with Louisa and Cassidy.

"Oh my goodness my baby girl!", cried my mother holding my hand.

I looked at her with glazed eyes and she seemed concerned, "Sweetie...don't you recognize us?", asked my mother.

I nodded, "I..I do.....it's just....",

"Velma, she's tired, the doctor said she wouldn't be able to speak for a few days", said my father taking my mother's arm. He looked back at my friends who were standing and staring. "We should give them a chance to say hello", whispered my father pulling my mother back.

She didn't want to comply but she listened to my father either way knowing she was going to get more time later anyway.

I watched Louisa and Cassidy walk up.

"Hey chica", said Louisa.

"Hi Kathy..." said Cassidy.

"....hi", I managed.

"How are you feeling?", asked Cassidy.

"Tired....", I whispered.

"Then rest Chica", said Louisa squeezing my hand.

The door opened and everyone but me raised their heads. Chris blinked staring at everyone in the room.

"I'll wait", he said about to turn.

"No, no, we'll give you some time", said my father immediately knowing who that was.

Louisa looked down, "Do you want us to get you anything?", she asked.

I shook my head silently and closed my eyes a bit. I was exhausted. I felt dozed off. And tired beyond personal comfort.

I heard people leave and the door shut but I didn't turn my head.

Chris stared quietly and he came around to the other side of the bed setting down the small vase of a few flowers next to the large overbearing one.

I opened my eyes a bit more to try and get a better look as he sat down.

"Hey", he whispered.

"....hey", I managed.

Chris took my hand up holding it in both and pressed it to his lips, "You look beautiful", he said quietly.

I managed a small smile but it didn't last long. I was silent.

He chuckled looking at the large vase, "Guess I can't compete with this one", said Chris.

I looked straining to see. I could see the flowers and the ribbons, "My mother....she always....makes big things", I said.

He chuckled still holding my hand in his. He could feel that the only weight pulling it down was gravity. I had barely any feeling in it.

"Chris....", I managed.

"Hm?", he asked looking at me.

"Carlos....Carlos.....tell them...", my voice cracked and Chris's eyes softened.

"Shh...shh...they are working on it. Your parents are helping him. They know what he did", said Chris.

Water built up in my eyes and I sniffed lips trembling. Chris stared as I broke crying. I didn't know why exactly. I didn't know why I was so scared still. Maybe it was the drugs. Maybe it was the treatment. Maybe...maybe it was because....

Chris leaned forward wrapping his arm around me and held my hand pulling my head to his chest, "Shh...shh...shh...your safe Kathy. Your safe. Your safe", he whispered.

Chris kissed my head holding me close and he just held me tightly.

"Your safe", he whispered.

"Your home"