Annabeth Fawn
Usually the weather in Casselbrook during Spring was relatively beautiful, but today the sky was gloomy. If it rained, Annabeth wouldn't be surprised but it would also be bad considering she and Sarah were out without an umbrella. Fortunately, without being showered on, they made it to their destination. The Carmichael house.
It had only been about two weeks since Joss's birthday party. And things had been rather smooth sailing. The only hiccup was when Joss didn't arrived to Sarah's doctor appointment early today. And he had come to every one of her appointments, determined to be there every step of the way. Betsey had been just as confused as the Greenvales and twice as worried about his absence. That concern only increased when he didn't pick up any of hers or Sarah's calls.
When the appointment was over the two girls stayed behind and waited to see if he'd still show even if he was more than tardy. But after a few minutes passed, Betsey suggested going over to his house. Joss didn't know it, but she knew where he lived. She had known for a long time but never visited or brought it up because he seemed so adamant about her coming over or even meeting his father.
Of course, Betsey only knew because she had met his grandfather and uncle before. Well, not so much as "met", it was more of overhearing their conversation when serving them coffee at her family's bakery cafe. And she hadn't brought that up with Joss either. Still, she was happy that she did know even if Joss would be upset with them for coming over.
She knocked on the door and was meant with silence. Again, Betsey knocked and once again no one came to answer.
"Maybe no one's not home?" Sarah said, disappointingly. "I'll try calling him again." She pulled her phone out from her pocket and Betsey watched as she dialed Joss's number. There was no answer from him, sadly, but they could hear his cellphone's ringtone from inside.
"Joss?" She knocked harder against the door and only wanted two seconds before trying the knob. It was unlocked, she looked back at Sarah and held her gaze before following her inside. "Joss ..." She called his name again as she looked around the dim room.
They hadn't need to look long before Sarah cried out tearfully, "BETSEY!"
Her blood curdled as she rushed to the other girl's side and witnessed what the other girl found. And she found Joss. But he was covered and bruises and bleeding out. There was a small puddle of blood underneath him and the sight of it almost made Betsey shut down.
"No, no, no, no ..." Betsey repeated over and over, her voice breaking as she knelt beside him, leaving her tank top on, but taking her clean t-shirt off to stop the bleeding. "We need a ... we need a .. we need a..." God, she couldn't get the words out as she stared at the blood the shirt sucked up and stained her hands.
"Ambulance!" Sarah quickly suggested as she knelt at his other side, crying many tears. She wasted no time in calling for help.
"Please." Betsey blinked back tears and tried to lift his head with one hand so that it could rest on her lap. "Joss? Baby, can you hear me?"