Justin remained by JC’s side until he heard the paramedics enter the room. Joey pulled the unrelenting boy away from the tortured victim so the Emergency Medical Technicians could do their jobs. Unfortunately, the police on scene deemed it necessary that before the medics could begin working the photographer needed pictures of the location. The pictures will be entered into evidence later in case charges were pressed. The photographer took pictures of the tiny room and of JC lying on the table. JC tried to hide his face in shame, but was unable to accomplish the task because of the unrelenting ropes. Justin noticing the uneasiness and how uncomfortable his friend was, pulled himself away from Joey and seized the photographer’s arm, yanking him away from JC. “Leave him alone you fucking bastard. I think you’ve got enough fucking pictures. Now get the hell away from him.” “Hey, I’m just doing my job,” the man said as he tried escaping Justin’s grip nearly dropping his expensive equipment. “I don’t fucking care what the hell you’re doing. Can’t you see what you’re doing to him? Now, get the fuck away.” Justin pulled the man toward the small entrance of the laundry room. “Would someone get rid of this punk ass kid here? I am trying to do my job.” Just as Justin tightened his grip on the photographer he felt a slight pressure on his bicep. He turned his head and tried yanking the now trapped arm away. “Look Baby J, you need to let this guy do his job.” “But Lonnie.” “No, Justin,” Lonnie paused, “not this time. Trust me.” Justin let go of the man and turned his body into Lonnie. Lonnie wrapped his arms around his young charge and growled at the stranger. “Finish taking the fucking pictures and make it quick.” When the photographer finished the paramedics began carefully examining JC, making sure they didn’t inflict any more pain or add to the injuries he had already suffered. Slowly and gracefully, they untied or cut through the ropes that had secured his body on the table. However, no matter how careful they were Justin could still hear soft groans of pain leaving the lips of his friend. “Lonnie they’re hurting him. We need to help JC. Please, let go of me. Let me help him.” “Justin. Wait a second give the medics a chance here. You can’t expect there to be no pain for C no matter how careful they are.” “Lonnie, please.” “Promise me you won’t interfere with what they’re doing.” Justin looked around him and his gazed fell upon JC again. The medics somehow had lowered JC to the floor, completed a C-spine and had rolled JC over placing him onto a backboard. One medic continued holding JC’s neck stablizing it, while the second began placing a large white collar around it. Justin looked back at Lonnie and finally answered him. “I promise,” he whispered. Lonnie reluctantly let go of the young man and watched him little by little make his way toward JC. The medics had brought with them a gurney as well as various other tools of the trade; including an IV needle. They placed the gurney beside JC and conscientiously lifted the limp but now conscious body off the table and onto the gurney. JC screamed when the pain cleaved through his body. Upon hearing the agony of JC’s scream, Justin rushed over. “Will someone hurry up and bring the morphine and the IV line.” The supplies requested quickly appeared near the gurney and the medic reached for JC’s left arm and searched for an area to place the IV needle. “No, no.” JC’s body thrashed and arm flailed when his brain acknowledged the fact the needle was destined for his left arm. “Ughhhh,” he moaned as the movement his caused set another wave of misery through his exhausted body. Justin, without thinking, carefully grasped the arm the medics wanted for the insertion of the IV needle and rubbed up and down it caressingly, soothingly. Justin was careful not to touch any of the welts or bruises as he tried to comfort the weary JC. The blonde boy looked up at the paramedics who seemingly froze at Justin’s actions, “He’s got a phobia of needles.” One of the EMTs nodded his head and observed the effect the young man had on the patient and how quickly the brunette calmed down. The medic seeing an advantage whispered, “Distract him for us so we can get the needle in.” The second medic gave a puzzling look. “What?” the first asked, “The patient seems to be responding to the young man.” Then he looked again at Justin, “Do you think you can distract him enough for us to put in the needle?” “Yeah. Okay, I’ll try.” With his hand still soothing JC’s arm, Justin stepped behind JC’s head were it lay on the gurney and bent down to speak in JC’s ear. “JC, baby,” he whispered only loudly enough for JC to hear. “Look at me. Open your eyes and look at me, please.” Justin lifted his head just enough to see JC’s swollen eyes. He was astonished since JC complied with his request as he was greeted with one steel blue eye. “I know it’s hard for you C but you’ve got to concentrate on me and my words.” JC looked away when he felt another set of hands on him and began struggling. Justin quickly made eye contact with the medic and then at JC again. With his face only inches from JC he placed his free hand upon a bruised cheek and gently forced JC’s defeated gaze back toward him. “Calm down, baby. I’ll protect you, nothing bad will happen to you from here on out.” The young brunette’s struggles slowed slightly. “Baby, trust me. Please, calm down.” “It hurts,” JC voicelessly answered. “Oh, JC. I know it does, but just for a few more minutes the medics will take care of you and you won’t have any more pain. Trust me.” “Umm, Justin.” JC’s eye had tears in it again. “Help.” “Shh, baby. Just relax. Let them help you.” Justin leaned in closer and breathed on JC’s swollen eye the words that would give JC courage and strength in overcoming his hell. “I love you.” JC’s body relaxed completely upon hearing those words almost as if he was unconscious. “Just keep your eye on me, baby. Everything is gonna get better, I promise.” The medics were finally able to place the IV into JC’s arm, as well as inject him with morphine. They began strapping down JC’s legs and arms when Justin lashed out at them. “NO! What are you thinking? Get those fucking things away from him. Didn’t you see him when you first came in?” “Son, we need to secure him to the gurney. It’s for his own protection.” “No.” Justin screamed. The paramedic looked at Joey and silently pleaded for him to take the young singer away so they could finish what they needed doing. Joey walked toward Justin and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Justin turned slightly placing Joey in his peripheral vision, “Joey. Don’t let them tie him down, please.” Joey turned Justin around and wrapped his comforting arms around him. Justin’s face was pressed against his chest and the tears soaked through his T-shirt. “Baby, J. Let them do their job. It’ll be all right. I promise.” Joey looked over at Lance and Chris and silently motioned them over. Both were there in a matter of seconds and engulfed the youngest member in a group hug. Justin and Lance sobbed not caring what the people in the room thought of their weakness. Joey had tears in his eyes that were threatening to fall and he was having a difficult time containing them as each minute passed. Chris rested his face in Justin’s curls hiding his _expression and feelings. He wasn’t crying, he was angry. Angry with Lou for hurting JC, he was angry with the security team for allowing this to happen and angry with himself for knowing that this was happening. As the last thought entered his mind he felt them. The water in his eyes began to pool up and fall unabridged down his cheeks, they weren’t for JC but for the guilt he felt; because he knew it was happening. *** Justin was allowed to ride in the ambulance with the battered JC. He was still conscious and the paramedics wanted him that way until they reached the hospital. So they allowed Justin into the back of the ambulance consoling their patient and his friend. In order for Justin to ride with him, however, they had to take the restraints off of JC. It was a small sacrifice on their part as long as Justin kept JC awake and he was doing a wonderful job. “You two must be really close.” The medic who spoke received no answer so he tried again. “How long have you two known each other.” This time the boy stirred and turned his gaze toward the medic. “Seems like forever.” The medic reached toward Justin with his hand extended and said, “My name is Kip.” “Justin.” The young man’s hands never left the patient. One was grasped firmly by the other and the second hand was soothingly running up and down the left arm. The medic put his hand down and sighed. “Well, Justin, I think our friend here is gonna be all right.” Kip checked JC’s vitals once again making sure everything were as it should be. “Yeah.” Justin softly answered, his gaze back on JC’s bloodied face. “He’s not your friend.” “What?” Justin turned. His hard blue eyes pinned the medic’s and he repeated his last statement, “He’s not your friend.” Justin’s hand that was rubbing the arm now moved and was gently combing through JC’s hair. He continued, “You might have saved his life, and for that I’m eternally grateful. But you know nothing about this man and what he’s like. How he’s loved. How he loves. He didn’t deserve this.” Justin’s gaze shifted, “he didn’t deserve this.” Tears began falling from the blonde’s eyes, but he continued, “You’re not his friend.” “Look, kid. I was just…” “I’m not a fucking kid.” “Well, you’re sure acting like one.” Before Justin could respond Kip continued, “I’m sorry for what happened to your boyfriend. I mean no one deserves something like this to happen to them.” “What? He’s not my boyfriend,” Justin screamed, flabergasted by the audacity of the man in front of him. “What the fuck, you fucking asshole.” “Calm down.” “Calm down, that’s fucking twice I’ve been told to do that. How can I calm down when my best friend could lose his life, you fucking ass?” Justin wasn’t finished, but when he felt increased pressure in his hand he stopped. He looked down at his friend and noticed that his eye was opened. Justin gloomily watched JC’s grotesque lips begin forming words, but no recognizable sounds were heard. Justin leaned down over the patient and placed his ear near JC’s lips. Justin felt the breathy words spoken more than heard them, “Baby J, relax. Please.” Justin’s strained body relaxed at the sound of his friends comforting voice. He whispered an apology and ignored Kip for the rest of the trip. Justin constantly held JC’s hand for the entire ride. While holding his hand, Justin was nearly laying on the gurney with JC whispering things that only the patient could hear. Kip noticed how they comforted each other and thought well if they aren’t together now they will be after this. The medic busied himself with JC’s vitals for the rest of the journey. They arrived at Mercy General at 2:12 in the morning. The medics quickly unloaded the patient from the ambulance and entered the emergency entrance. They guided the gurney to one of the curtained off areas while informing the emergency room doctors of the patient’s vitals, condition and the treatment they administered. Justin stayed with the gurney until the last possible second. When the nurse informed him that he couldn’t follow any further he became extremely agitated. The emergency crew had forcefully removed the desperate boy before the hospital staff could secure JC in his room. The other three downtrodden members of the group arrived just behind the ambulance and were also trying to get past the nurse and soon settled behind a now very frightened and anxious lead singer. “I’m sorry guys, you can’t go in there.” “You don’t understand,” Justin said nearly hyperventilating. “We’ve got to go with him.” “I’m sorry.” “No you fucking ain’t” “Look? You need to ca…” “If you fucking tell me to calm down I’m gonna freak.” “Okay? How about you should relax and let the doctors take care of your friend. The four of you can wait in the waiting room which is located just down this hall and is the third door on the left.” “Don’t you know who we are? Who I am?” Justin screamed. “I could have you fired in a goddamn heartbeat. Now you either let me through, bitch or I’ll make you get out of my way.” Justin placed a hand on his chest as he screamed. “Listen, I know who you are,” seemingly ignoring what Justin said she continued, “and I’m assuming you don’t want the rest of the hospital to know. So why don’t you take a seat in the waiting room and we will notify you about his condition when we can.” “You don’t understand,” Justin tried again looking behind her to see where they were taking JC. Justin fearful eyes captured the nurse’s, “He’s scared. He needs me. I’ve got to be there for him. I wasn’t before and look what happened.” Justin began to push himself forward. He felt strong hands grasp his upper arm and haul him back. It was Lonnie, of all people. The security team had followed the ambulance after they swiftly gave brief statements to the police. “Lonnie let go!” Justin wrenched his arm away from the black man causing deep scratches along it and quickly surged forward. Only he detained again this time by hospital security. “Let me go, let me the fuck go,” he howled. He started to gasp for breath as he struggled the entire time shouting words of assurance for JC. “I won’t leave you JC.” The air in Justin’s chest was coming in shorter and shorter amounts, he became dizzy going limp in the security guards grasp and fell upon the floor still gasping for air. Lonnie surged forward. “Let him go. Let him go now.” Lonnie’s voice boomed through the hospital hallway and the security guard let go. “I’ll take it from here. Just step the fuck back, now.” The guard did not hesitate as he briskly moved away from the fallen singer and his intimidating bodyguard. The nurse yelled, “Someone get in here. I need some help.” She hustled over beside Justin and reached for his wrist. Lonnie grabbed her arm before she made contact with the singer. “Don’t touch him. He’s fine.” The rest of the guys moved forward with empathetic stares reaching for Justin and Lonnie. The boys only wanting to help but the nurse snapped at them anger in her eyes, “get away from him, he needs air.” She shoved Lance back into Chris as they all were startled and shocked at the nurses actions. They stepped back not wanting anyone else hurt. The group tenderly gazed upon Justin and the nurses voice ripped through their worried gloom. “Come on people, he’s going into shock.” An older doctor whom was nearby heard the nurse call and moved as quickly as possible toward the chaos hoping he didn’t add to the mishandled situation. “What do we have here, Becky?” “He’s hyperventilating, doctor. He simply won’t calm down enough to get oxygen in his lungs. I think he is going into shock” “All right. You there,” the doctor pointed at Lonnie, “pick him up and follow me.” The doctor started down the hall slowly waiting for Lonnie to catch up with the still struggling Justin. The rest of the group tried following their second fallen friend and were again stopped by the same nurse, Becky. “Look gentlemen,” she nearly yelled. Becky paused for a second regaining some control and then spoke once again, “Please, just stay in the waiting room. The doctor will be down as soon as he can. He will inform you about the conditions of your two friends.” She noticed the despairing and gloomy looks in the eyes of all three men and sighed. “They’ll be all right. The doctors here will take good care of them. Now please go in the waiting room where you can grief in private.” The three men, all resistance gone, and their bodyguards traveled the short distance down the hallway and entered the waiting room. The room was well lit and somewhat comforting. The room was decorated in a soothing mauve motive with couches lining each wall. The men sat down dejectedly on the comfortable couches and hopelessly waited. *** The doctor took a couple of turns but was easily followed by the black bodyguard and his now quieted charge. The doctor located the curtain he needed and led the two inside. Lonnie set the gasping boy down on the bed that was centered in the space, but still held him close. The young singer stirred and then whispered, “Lonnie, where is he? Where’s JC?” The doctor gently took hold of the young man’s hand and carefully opened a curtain located just meters from the bed. When the curtain was pulled all the way back it revealed another room. In the room lying on a bed similar in style with the one Justin was on was an unconscious JC. People in blue scrubs and masks surrounded the unconscious form. However Justin could not reach JC, a simple wall and a pane of glass separated the two best friends. The doctor’s voice penetrated Justin’s clouded mind. “He’s right there young man. He is going to be all right. Just give it time.” Upon seeing JC, Justin instantly calmed down. The big man released his hold and Justin got up off the bed and moved toward the pane of glass. He placed both of his hands on the glass and pressed against it. “What are they doing to him?” he whispered. “They’re taking care of him. I know this is hard for you to hear young man, but right now they’re taking fluid samples and examining the extent of his injuries. They have already stopped the most of the bleeding and will begin to bandage him up when they have completed the necessary tests.” “Are they hurting him?” “No, he’s asleep.” The doctor walked over to Justin and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder; “we had to put him under for the examinations.” The doctor paused for a moment wondering if he should reveal what he heard. He decided it was the best course of action, “He was calling for you.” “I know,” Justin simply stated, “I could hear him.” Justin pointed to his head, “In here,” and then to his heart, “and in here.” The doctor smiled at him. “He’s going to need a lot of support from you and the rest of his friends and family. We can heal his external injuries that will be the easy part, but my young friend, it’s the internal ones that you will be needed for. He can’t heal those on his own.” “I will. I promise, I will.” Justin turned around and placed his back on the glass for support. “I will do whatever I can.” Justin slid down the wall and onto the floor and he began to sob. “Why him? He’s never hurt anyone. Never down anything wrong. Why him?” The doctor looked at the bodyguard who was still in the room for help. Lonnie strode the short distance and bent down near the fallen boy. “Hey there Baby J. Do you want me put you back on the bed? Huh, what do you think?” The blonde singer nodded his head. The bodyguard reached under Justin’s legs and picked him up and carried him toward the bed and again placing him on it. Justin’s head lolled into the pillow as his exhausted body gave up and sleep crept over him. “He needs some rest.” The doctor walked over and gently grasped Justin’s wrist. He quickly found the pulse of the now listless boy and began measuring it. “Just let him sleep for a while.” The older man made eye contact with the guard, “His heart rate has slowed down. I believe with a little bed rest he will be okay.” The doctor turned and headed for the curtain. Before he left he faced Lonnie again and said, “You should stay with him. He may be slightly disoriented when he comes to.” The doctor left the small enclosure and entered the next one where his new patient lay fighting for his life. The doctor looked at the unconscious beaten form and thought, time to start the external healing process. *** The three others waited impatiently for word on both of their friends. They sat in the emergency waiting room that the nurse had early suggested. It had been nearly an hour since they took JC and Justin into the back. They began getting nervous about the condition of their friends and annoyed with the hospital staff. Chris was pacing the small room deep in thought and didn’t realize his action was increasing the uneasiness within Lance. Joey who sat across from Lance noticed the blonde’s despondent condition. “Chris, babe, why don’t you sit down? You’re making me nervous.” “I can’t Joey. I’ve got too much energy to sit down right now.” Chris stopped pacing and faced his friend. “I really can’t see how you two can just sit there. I mean two of our friends are back in that god forsaken emergency room and we can’t do a damn thing about it.” Chris’s voice was becoming louder and he continued his triad. “When are these assholes gonna tell us something. I mean its been fucking hours.” “Chris it’ll be all right.” Lance forlorn voice whispered. Chris moved in front of Lance and knelt down. He grasped both of the bass’s knees and squeezed. Lance’s emerald eyes met mahogany ones. “Chris, they’ll be all right, right.” The sorrow in the young members voice was too much for Chris. He leaned forward and placed a brotherly kiss on Lance’s forehead and stood up. “I’m gonna go see what’s going on. This isn’t right to make as sit back here and wonder what the hell is going on. I want answers.” Chris turned and head of the door, but was stopped when he heard Joey’s voice. “Do what you have too.” Joey stood up and walked across the room toward Chris. When he reached his shorter friend he placed a loving hand on his shoulder and whispered, “whatever it takes to get answers.” Chris nodded his head, opened the door and walked out. “Hey, Chris.” Shit forgot about them, Chris thought. “Where’re you goin’?” Wes asked. “Um,” think fast asshole, “just needed to take a walk.” “No, Lonnie told us to make sure you guys stay together and not leave the room.” “Wes,” Chris composed himself. “If it weren’t for you JC wouldn’t be here. Just because you fucked up doesn’t mean keeping us in here for Lonnie is gonna put you back in good graces, so if I fucking want to take a walk, then I will.” Wes was startled by Chris’s words and said nothing when the older man walked away from him and down the hall. In a matter of seconds Chris was at the nurses station. He was determined in finding out answers about the condition of his friend. He figured Justin was all right, but the group needed some sort of information on JC. He leaned forward on the station and noticed a clipboard sitting on the desk just out of reach. Chris, reflecting on Joey’s parting statement, walked around the counter and picked up the chart. Just his luck it was Justin’s chart. He lifted the first sheet and read through the information that was written. Hmm, their putting him on meds so he will eat and sleep. That’s not too bad considering the situation. Chris flipped through the rest of the file until he reached the back of it. Most of the information was medical history and vitals, stuff Chris already knew about. When he placed the clipboard back down he noticed a nurse coming down the hallway. He didn’t recognize her, but quickly moved back in front of the counter. The older singer watched as the nurse set down another clipboard. The excitement within Chris was bubbling with anticipation. That has to be JC’s, he thought. The nurse turned and gave Chris a small smile and walked toward the back of the tiny area. Now is my chance. He lunged forward as swiftly as possible and grabbed the clipboard. He saw the name, Joshua Scott Chasez, but before he could look through it the nurse came back. She tore the clipboard from Chris’s grasp and spat, “What the hell? That’s confidential. You need to go back to the waiting area sir.” “The fuck I do. I need to know what is going on with my friend, JC. We’ve been waiting for hours and nobody has even spoken to us.” “I’m sorry sir, but his file is none of your business.” “You’re wrong. Anything and everything dealing with my friend is my business. Now let me look at it.” “Sir, I suggest you leave before I call security.” “Look, I don’t care what you’ve gotta do or talk too, but I want to know what’s going on here,” Chris screamed. “Sir, the doctors are working as fast as the can to ensure the safety of your friends. Just give them time okay. We’ll let you know when the doctors are finished.” “Fuck you.” Chris headed back toward the waiting room. He glared at Wes and then entered it. “God, damn it, I fucking hate hospitals,” Chris leaned heavily against the door. He finally noticed a man dressed in a suit talking with Joey and Lance. “Who the hell are you?” The tenor lazily crossed the room and sat beside Lance. Lance had just finished shaking the offered hand of the stranger. Once the hand shake was completed Lance’s deficient body settled in beside Chris. The entire length of their bodies touched getting support and comfort from one another. Lance closed his eyes and made the introduction. “Chris, this is detective…I’m sorry I forgot. What was it again?” Lance mumbled. The man stood up and offered his hand to Chris, “I’m Detective Hank Rosello. I’m in charge of Mr. Chasez’s investigation.” “Investigation of what?” “Mr. Kirkpatrick. I presume.” The man put his hand down. “The investigation into the incident that occurred earlier involving Mr. Chasez.” “What the hell?” Chris paused to gather his thoughts. He felt Lance’s body become rigid, “What the hell are you investigating? It’s pretty fucking cut and dry.” “Well, Mr. Kirkpatrick we need to gather evidence of what occurred.” “Will you stop beating around the bush and say what you mean? Our friend was gang raped and beaten. All the evidence you need is lying back there on a table with needles and bandages all over him.” Chris’s eyes began to water and Lance couldn’t take the frailty of Chris’s voice. The young blonde encircled Chris’s shaken body and squeezed. “Excuse my friend, he’s extremely upset,” Lance peered over at Joey, “we all are. So what’s this about?” “I guess I can cut the bull with you guys. I need to talk to you.” “No fucking shit,” Joey said. Detective Rosello ignored Joey’s comment and looked only at Lance. The detective figured the blonde boy was the only one he would get answers from. “I need to get your statements on file.” “We can’t do that, sir,” Lance said. The man was a little put off. “Why not?” Joey stepped in when he noticed a tinge of anger dripping off the detective’s last comment. “Because, we don’t know how we’re gonna handle this.” “What do you mean?” “Look, we’re pop stars. We can’t have this out in the media,” Lance tried to reason. “For one thing it would kill JC and for another it would most definitely kill our success.” “I can’t believe how self-centered you pop stars really are. You're gonna let this guy get away with what he did to your supposed friend.” The detective got up and paced the room. “You’re gonna let those guys get away with raping and beating your friend. What kind of friends are you?” he yelled. “It’s what’s best,” a small voice said. The group looked around and saw one of their missing friends in the doorway behind the young curely blonde stood Lonnie. The group of boys rushed forward greeting Justin. “We can’t do anything until we speak to JC and Johnny.” “Mr. Timberlake, I don’t think that you’re doing the right thing.” “Yes. Yes, we are. We’re doing what’s right for us and JC.” Justin embraced his friends for a second group hug in less than three hours. “Besides,” Lance added, “I don’t remember asking you for advice on how we should handle our own affairs. We pop stars have our own method of taking care of business. We’ll call you when we need you.” Lance turned back around and put all his efforts into the hug. The four men basically dismissed the detective without saying a word. Lonnie took things into his own hands then by leading the detective out of the room. As the two men left the room, Lonnie noticed Wes and Tiny standing by the door. “No one gets in, understand me. No one.” He rests his large hand on Wes’ shoulder and says, “Unless it is cleared by me.” “Not a problem,” Tiny answered. Wes nodded his head. Lonnie continued out of the room and walked over to the nurse’s desk. “I don’t want anyone going into that room, unless it’s the boy’s doctor, family members or cleared by me. Got it.” The nurse just nodded in response. He turned to walk away but then suddenly turned back. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Lonnie leaned in toward the nurse as close as he would dare and spat. “Don’t you ever touch or yell at any of those boys again. Do you understand me? They’ve had a rough night no use in making it any worse.” He left. *** After Lonnie escorted the detective out of the room, Joey, Lance, Chris and Justin sat down on the floor with their hands entwined. Justin began explaining what had happened while he was gone and where he was. He also told them that the doctor who helped him assured him JC was going to be all right. As Justin continued his voice softened. The next part would be difficult for him. The group needed this information badly and he couldn’t hold anything back. Meekly, the young singer told his friends that the doctor had ordered fluid samples that needed testing in case the rapists carried any STD. Justin stopped the flow of information when he noticed tears shedding from everyone in the room including himself. The comfortable silence was broken when a faint voice spoke, “Did he tell ya how long it’d be before we could go see him?” “No, Lance. He just said that he’d need us when the doctors were through healing his external wounds.” Justin haphazardly wiped at his eyes and then continued. “I hope he’ll be all right. He looked so bad, guys. Worse than when we first saw him, cuz you know the lighting is different and stuff, and...” “Justin, you’re rambling.” “Oh, sorry Chris.” Chris waved Justin off. No one spoke. No one had anything else worth saying. The boys finally received information about JC regardless of how bad it was, they needed it. All of them were deep in their own thoughts. Thankful that they weren’t in this alone and they had the others there for support. Joey broke the lingering silence, finally. “Did anyone call his family or at least Johnny?” “Yeah, I called Johnny right after I dialed 911. He’s on his way. He told me not to call his family, yet. Until he could figure out what to tell them,” Lance said. Chris looked up, “You’re kidding me right.” “Sadly enough Chris, I’m not.” Chris shook his head and leaned against Joey. As if on cue, the door opened and in walked the doctor who had helped Justin. He closed the door quietly and then sat down with the boys. “Gentleman. I’m Dr. Thompson. I’m glad you’re already sitting down.” He glanced at each of them and noticed each was filled with their own guilt and fears. “Josh is…” “JC,” Joey interrupted. “He’s name is JC.” “Okay, young man. JC is going to be just fine. As I’m sure you all knew. However, he is going to be in a lot of pain for the next month or so.” “What can we do to help?” Lance inquired. “Just let me finish and I’ll tell you.” The doctor was moved by the genuine concern etched in the groups face. He could tell the boys didn’t really care about the details they just wanted to know how they could help their friend. “I’ll make this brief. JC has suffered multiple contusions…” “Wait doctor, ummm… could you use simpler terms. I’m not sure what you’re saying,” Justin admitted shyly. “Sure, son. JC has a lot of bruises concentrated in the pelvic area both dorsal and ventral partly due to a fracture located there,” the doctor looked at the men to sense if they understood and the blonde boy seemed confused. “What don’t you get, son.” “Umm, dorsal and ventral.” “Front and back. He also will develop severe bruising on his back and shoulders where he was hit with some sort of whip it appears. JC also suffered a fractured jaw which we wired shut in order for the jaw to heal properly. Discoloration and bruising will also be visible there. The laceration or cut above his eye needed stitches but should heal without leaving an identifiable mark. The rope burns around his wrists, ankles, thighs and neck have all been treated but the bandages should be changed daily until adequate healing has taken place. However, the main two areas of concern we have are: his throat and the significant internally injuries.” Doctor Thompson paused. He contemplated on whether he should continue, but noticed the tearful looks the boys were giving him and the doctor knew they wouldn’t be able to handle another lecture. It would be better for them if they heard it all at once. Doctor Thompson continued, “His larynx was nearly crushed caused by the amount of pressure it incurred. It will take a week to ten days in order for us to determine the extent of the damage.” “Will he be able to sing again? I mean singing his life, he would die without it.” Justin interrupted. “Please Doctor Thompson, tell me he will sing again.” “In my opinion, he will sing again and just as beautifully as before. However, like I said we really don’t know the extent of the injury. It will take about 10 days.” “So doc. What you are saying is, based on the information you’ve got now, JC will sing again,” Lance interpreted. “That’s correct young man.” “K, so what about the second concern.” “The second area of concern is a little more difficult to talk about so do any of you need a break.” None of the boys moved. “No, go on doctor,” Chris answered. “He most likely will have an extremely difficult time urinating caused by the brutal force that was placed on his genitals. There’s a lot of bruising in that area as I had mentioned, but also a tremendous amount of swelling. We surmise that it was caused from the bumping and pinching against the table’s edge. He is defiantly going to need one of you or a nurse to assist him until he is able to urinate himself.” “No. Will do it. No nurse. That would only embarrass C. No nurse.” “Yeah, you’re right Justin, we’ll do it,” Joey added. “Okay. Now, you will see discoloration in the urine which is caused by the blood that will be excreted with it. This discoloration is normal. He will complain of a burning sensation while he is urinating and that will be normal as well. When he has a difficult time, umm, relieving himself gently press and message his bladder and it should help. It will be very painful for him.” The doctor paused and gathered himself emotionally for the next part. If any of them lost it, it would be now. “JC also suffered from what we call a prolapsed rectum so we had to do a, wait, we had to surgically reinsert it.” The doctor made the mistake of looking at Justin when he finished his sentence. The boy fell against Lance and began to sob. The doctor continued with watery eyes, “The surgery was a success, but he will have quite a bit of scar tissue and that will also impede is ability to defecate. Joey looked at the doctor, “What?” he sniffed. “Your friend will have a hard time doing number two.” The doctor shifted his gaze. “He will be bed ridden for a week and we will keep him here for observation during that time.” Now for the hard part the doctor thought. “Most of the damage done is mental, as with all rape cases. You’ll need to make sure you are there…” “Doctor, no offense, but you don’t need to tell us how to take care of one of our own,” Chris said. “All right, fine. JC will have a multitude of medications to and will need to take them per the prescription's directions. Don’t vary from them at all.” “Doctor,” Justin said miserably, “Thank you.” “You’re welcome Justin, but the struggle has just begun for you and your friends. You’ll need to be strong not only for JC but for yourself as well. Before you leave I’ll give you the names of some excellent psychiatrists in your area. They’ll help JC get through this.” The doctor left the room. The room was silent. No one knew what to say or do. They sat there in a circle not moving, trying to digest what Dr. Thompson had revealed. A soft knock resonated from the closed door, but no one moved. Then a voice cracked through the silence like lightening through the sky. “Guys, it’s me. Johnny.”