Scars of the Past Read Online Free Page A

fault,” Detective Wilson said as a way of parting, and she followed Detective Bradley out.
    “We’re done,” I heard Detective Bradley say in the hallway. “Take care of her.”
    Almost immediately my mom burst through the door, tears running down her face. She was wearing pajama pants, and I knew she had probably received the call and rushed out of the house without thinking about it. I didn’t even have time to react before she had folded me into her arms and was rocking me like I was six instead of twenty-two.
    I clutched her shirt and cried against her until it felt like I was all dried up. In that moment, all I wanted to do was go back in time and be a child again so that my mom could fix everything for me. She pulled back to look at me, and moved hair off my face that was stuck there from the tears. Her lips found my forehead and she gave me a sad smile.
    “You’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
    I had nodded so much that it felt like my head was about to fall off my neck. I took the proffered tissues from my mom and wiped my face. “I’m sorry.”
    “Why are you apologizing, Maddie?” Amanda’s hysterical voice came from behind my mother and I saw her and Sydney standing there, both looking miserable. Amanda had changed into sweats and a t-shirt, her eyes swollen, and Sydney’s lip was trembling as she stood there silently, still wearing the clothes she had gone to the club in.
    “You have nothing to be sorry for, okay?” Amanda continued. “And if I hear you say it again, I’m going to be pissed at you.”
    My mother nodded in agreement, and gave me a pat on my knee.  “She’s right, baby.” She stood from the bed and walked to my friends, placing a hand on a shoulder of each before turning back to me.
    “I’m going to go call your brother and let him know you’re okay. He’s worried about you and trying to get emergency leave.
    “No, don’t let him do that, mom,” I sat up in the bed, still clutching the business cards in my hands. “He’s only got a few months left, and I don’t want anything to ruin that.”
    My 24-year-old brother was due to be done with his third tour soon, which meant he would be finally coming home and staying home. I couldn’t bear to see that screwed up because of me. It was just the three of us since our father left when I was two-years-old, and my brother being so far away and directly in harm’s way made my mom and me constantly worry.
    “I’ll see what I can do, baby, but he’s about as stubborn as you.” She gave me a small smile before walking out of the room.
    Amanda sat in the chair next to the bed and Sydney took a spot at my feet. Sydney sniffed and I could tell she was trying not to cry. “I’m so sorry I left you alone. If I had just stayed…”
    I held my hand up, cutting her off. “I walked off, Syd. You didn’t leave me.  This is not your fault in any way, shape, or form.”
    She shook her head furiously, a tear trickling down her face. “I didn’t even realize how much time had passed. I should have come looking for you. When Josh came and got me I didn’t understand what he was saying. He shoved a bottle of water at me and told me we had to go.”
    I just stared at her for a moment, happy that Josh wasn’t just some mirage that only I saw. “Josh is the one who told you?”
    She shrugged before wiping her face. “He came and found me after they had you loaded in the ambulance, gave me a ride here.”
    “He only left about an hour ago,” Amanda said, refilling my water cup from the pitcher. “He waited until we heard that you were okay, and then he said he had to go.
    We were interrupted by the nurse walking in, placing a plastic cup of pills in front of me.
    “Okay darlin’, we’re gonna letcha go.” Her thick southern drawl was out of place, and very comforting to hear. “We gave the pictures and assault kit to the police, but I needya to take these pills.”
    She pointed to the plastic cup containing several