Council Meeting

The very next morning, a very notable person of the town, Oliver Blake was strolling around in the early morning. He was taking in the fresh air of the morning when he found someone on the road. It was so early and the sun was not out yet. At first, he thought he found someone's dead body. His breathing got erratic. He got closer, turned the body around and the moment he realized who is she, he was beyond shocked. He knew her. He knew her father since his childhood. He was used to be friends with Charlie Brown. But things were not same the moment he got busy in his family and his farms.

He called for the ambulance. Wrapped his jacket around her little-naked frame, picked her up and start walking to the direction he knew ambulance might be coming.

Addison, Jennifer, and Caleb were outside the ICU. Addison felt responsible for everything. Earlier in the day, the doctor came to tell them about her condition. She was raped and punched on her face multiple times. Her jaw and nose had a fracture. She had her two ribs broken with her ankle and elbow fractured too. She was in the coma. The doctor was not sure about the time she will wake up. But her injuries would take up to three months to be completely cured if she comes out of her coma. It was a police case.

Later, Mr. Wilson, Caleb's father, arrived too. Mr. Wilson's younger brother, Tim, was a sheriff. He assured everyone that he will handle the matter. It made Mr. Blake leave the scene. He was not on good terms with Wilson's and Hunts. Caleb's father and Arthur hunt were fast friends. Never hide a thing from each other. So, technically Caleb's father knew the truth. Later that day, Wilson met Arthur Hunt telling him about the current situation. They were not worried about a thing. They owned that town and knew money can buy everything.

The day passed by. Addison was not feeling well too. She needed to rest. So, Caleb drove her back.

"We can't cancel the wedding. I can't let anyone know that we were expecting before the wedding. I am telling you, Addison. I am not gonna compromise over this." Caleb told Adi, the moment he pulled over the car in front of Adi's driveway.

"She is my sister for God's sake." Adi protested.

"Not your real sister." Caleb informed her with tight lips.

"It's either me or her. And if you choose me I promise I will handle her matter and even support your any decision. I just want my child to have a good name. I don't want him to be called bastard." He kept on ranting.

She was silent for a moment but then nod before leaving. Jennifer left with her lover after a while.

She was alone in the hospital. Aided with a number of apparatus her body was fighting for every breath while her father was impatient. Waiting for anything or any news about his daughter. He knew she can't forget to visit him. Even his caregiver avoid his all questioning gestures. And that made him worry even more.

Addison came to see her every day until Friday. Adi's wedding was on Sunday. Caleb was more focused on Addison's health than any other thing.

Addison told Mr. Brown that Sydney broke her ankle and she needs to stay at the hospital for some time. She didn't say anymore or less. But Mr brown somehow was not satisfied with her explanation. His every moment was pure agony.

Nobody noticed that the case was either filed in the station or not. Everyone believed Mr. Wilson. Everyone tried that words don't get spread. Addison believed that her sister will suffer more during recovery if the word spread. But everyone came to know about it eventually. No one visited her though. Because everyone in the town thought that family wants to keep it a secret and they should respect their decision. Some people talk about her getting in Hunt's jeep. With this, there were also people who start talking about the girl seducing the wrong man without considering that girl was just 12 years old.

Addison wedding was held on the same date with the very same preparations. Caleb was of the view that if they held the wedding without a big banquet people might know about her sister. Adi didn't want many people to know about Sydney's incident too. She left for her honeymoon soon after the wedding day, trusting all the matters to her mother and Mr. Wilson's hands.

All the notable persons of the town were invited to talk about the incident. Almost 25 people were sitting in the hall. There were things on which whole town meeting had the census. They don't want this news to get out. It will tarnish the image of the town. Town profits from the tourists. And if this word got out they will lose their fame and profit. So, no one was going to file the complaint. But Sherrif will try to find the culprit without making things official. Most of the people were of the view that it has to be some outsider as never anything like this happened before. In this meeting, the owner of the hospital was sitting too. He was asked to tamper the records for girl's sake. And he assured everyone that he will comply. The real reason behind this act was simple. They don't want anyone to know that a 12-year girl was raped in their own town.

Jennifer was given the script by Hunt's. She cried and asked for justice. She complained about her sick husband. And how much of burden hospital bills were putting on her? Not all of the people were aware of the illicit relation between Jennifer and James Hunt. But everyone knew that they were good friends because they had seen James visiting their house so many times.

At this moment James was standing right beside Jennifer all the time. Coaxing her and hugging her arm. And Wilsons were her in-laws. Where ever the course of the meeting was going Wilson's and Hunt's were in the front line. Hunts and Wilson's assured Jennifer that they will take the full responsibility of her household. Everything was perfect if she will not make it out of the coma.