It was Diana. "Hey Sophia, I just wanted to let you know that I'll bring Joey home tomorrow around 2:00pm. If that's a problem, let me know. Otherwise, I'll see you then."
That was fine. I just wanted to sleep right now. It was almost 1:00am. I was a little worried about Tara since she hadn't called, but I figured she went over to Ashton's or something. 'Oh well', I thought 'Time to hit the sack.'
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I was once again awaken by the sound of a ringing phone. I picked up and answered in a irritated voice, figuring it was Tara. "Hello?"
"Yes, may I please speak to Ms. Sophia Russell?" asked an official sounding voice.
I cleared my throat. "This is she."
"This is Sergeant Kilpins from the Tulsa Police Deptartment. May I ask you a few questions?"
"Certainly." I replied.
"Ms. Russell, are you an aqquantaince of a Mr. Ashton McAlster?" the man asked.
"Well, sort of. I know him through a friend." I replied.
"I see." the man continued. "Well, are you an aqquaintence of a Ms. Tara Miller?"
"Yes, she's a very close friend of mine." I replied.
"Well, Ms. Russell, I hate to have to inform you of this, but Ms. Miller was badly injured last night. Her body was found this morning near Slider Lake, beaten and bloody. She is still unconcious, but we have witnesses who believe that she may have been beaten by Mr. McAlster."
My breath was caught in my throat. That would explain why Tara hadn't called.
"We think you should come to St. John's Medical Center immediately. " Sgt. Kilpens said.
"Yes, sir, I'll be there." I said in a whisper.
After we hung up, I dialed Diana. "Hello?" she answered.
"Diana, can you keep Joey again tonight? Tara was badly hurt last night and I need to get to the hospital and stay with her." I said, almost in tears.
"Sure honey. Call me later and tell me how she's doing." Diana said.
"Thanks Diana." I said, before hanging up.
I rushed into the closet and threw on some jeans and a sweater, grabbed my tennis shoes and ran to my car.
Tears were streaming down my face as I drove. I felt so terrible for Tara. She never should've gone out with Ashton. He was trouble from the start.
I pulled into a parking spot and began running toward the hospital entrance.
"Tara Miller." I said at the registration desk.
"Room 239." The woman replied.
"Thank you." I said, getting into the elevator.
As the doors opened, I saw Mrs. Miller and her current boyfriend standing in front of the room, talking quietly. "Mrs. Miller." I said, approaching the room.
"Sophia." she cried. "I'm so glad you're here." she embraced me in a hug. "That monster hurt my baby."
"How bad is she?" I asked, concerned.
"Well, they said she should be out of here in a week or two, as long as she wakes up soon. They need to do a series of tests to make sure she didn't contract HIV and other possible sexually transmitted diseases."
"He raped her?" I asked. I thought he had just beaten her.
"Yep, he raped her and then beat her into unconciousness." Mrs. Miller cried.
"Can I go in and see her?" I asked.
"Yes, you can. She looks terrible." Mrs. Miller said.
"Okay." I slowly pushed open the door to room 239. Tara was laying on the bed. Her face was black and blue and all scratched up. Her neck was swollen and there were tubes coming from her nose and an IV in her arm.
I sat down next to her and held her hand. "It's gonna be alright." I said to her, even though she was unconcious. "He's gone and he won't hurt you again."
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(chapter 21 coming soon!)
