4). IT HURTS LIKE HELL!!

"My GOD ! WHAT HAPPENED ?" Rebecca screeched, realizing what damage had been done. She rushed madly at both of them and crouched down on her knees. Ash was still sobbing out of breath and out of control. She was in terrible shock. And in her arms laid a damaged shape Ian, breathing heavily.

"IAN ! God. What happened? Ian !" Rebecca said, losing her control too. "What happened Ash ? Who did this ?"

"I don't know ! They....they were....peoples... boys.....four boys and I don't know....and....they attacked Ian....in front of me ! I couldn't do anything !" Ash cried.

Rebecca jerked her pocket hanky and wiped the blood and sweat from Ian's face but how much was she going to clean? There were so many wounds and bruises. And the sound of Ash crying made her hands tremble. She didn't know who to comfort first Ash or unconscious Ian.

"Calm down ! Ash...I need you to calm down !" Rebecca said, panting.

"Ian ! You're ok. Don't scare us ! Come on buddy !" Rebecca pleaded.

Ash turned Ian's head to avoid further injury. Her tears streaming down rapidly her eyes to her face making her red and pink.

"My… my.. arm! It's broken!" Ian managed to grunt between her pain.

"Shit!" Rebecca cried, placing her hand on her elbow where the damage was done. "Ian, I need to look at this!"

"Ahh!" Ian panted, as Rebecca carefully rolled over her sleeve to reveal a bad swollen arm.

"Oh my God!" Rebecca pulled out her phone and called Ethan.

"Hey what's up ?" He asked.

"Ethan, I need you to come towards the restroom. Come quickly, please with everyone!" Rebecca said.

"Is everything ok ?"

"Just come. Quickly !" She cried, losing her temper.

Rebecca tied her hanky on Ian's arm while Ash made fruitless attempts to clean her nose, to stop the bleeding. Her hands trembling, her voice breaking. Rebecca was becoming more and more tense looking at Ian's condition. She pricked out some tiny glass pieces around Ian's eyes.

"Ah! Ow!" Ian cried, her breaths now turning into gasps.

"Sorry!" At a distance Rebecca spotted her broken glasses and took them, thrusting them in her pocket, with her one hand constantly brushing Ian's hairs. They heard the shuffle and footsteps coming towards them and in a few seconds Tia, Roy, Ethan, Skyer and Braddin came into view.

They too gasped at the sight of three girls...two kneeling down and the other lying half on the ground. Tia ran forward at once.

"Oh my God ! What happened ? IAN !!" Tia cried in panic.

Braddin came forward, becoming worried to look at trembling Ash and then Ian.

"Shit! What happened?" Skyler cried, crouching low to take a look at her.

"Some freaks attacked her. Her arm's broken!" Rebecca spoke quickly since Ash was not in a situation to explain everything again.

"We have to take her to the hospital now !" Skyler said.

"Get the car !" Braddin ordered Roy and Ethan to run for it as Ian made another shierk of agony.

Rebecca held out her arms at them. "Wait! Wait! Her forearm bone is overlapping in a different position. We need to place it back!"

Ash, Ian and Skyler stared at her in shock. "We can't do it here. She needs a doctor now!" Tia snapped at her

Rebecca brushed her away. " I know how to do it. Just trust me, ok."

"I trust you!" Ian yelled again. " Just… do.. it… do it… now!"

Skyler sat across Ian and placed his hand over her. "Grab mine. It's gonna hurt like hell!"

"Just…do… it! " Ian cried, tears of pain sliding down her eyes.

Rebecca, folded her sleeves and placed her hands over her broken arm. "I'm so sorry, Ian!" She whispered sympathetically at her looking up at Tia, she added. "You place your hand over her mouth."

"What? Are you serious?" Tia jerked at the thought.

Rebecca scowled at her. "Do as I say! Let's go!"

Tia moved forward and gently placed her hand over Ian's mouth. " Sorry, Ian!" She whispered delicately.

"Ready?" Skyler enclosed his fingers tightly around Ian's hand. He was surprised to find she reciprocated his action and her eyes found his, during that moment of extreme agony. Her watery, dark brown eyes, full of pain, determined to look straight into him as though she was trying to find comfort in him. "I'm right here!" Came a whisper from his lips and Ian blinked at him like she heard him.

"Hold on, Ian. You'll be ok in no time! One! Two! Three!"

Ian screamed loudly. More than she had her capacity, even though Tia had muffled her scream. Ash quickly grabbed her face to avoid letting it slip from her laps. Rebecca did her work, Ian scream was followed by a sharp cracking sound, and the bump that had formed because of the bones overlapping, suddenly fell back into its place. The only thing left was the swelling.

"It's done! It's done!" Rebecca said, quickly raising her hands in surrender.

They heard the honk of the car and Ethan popped out from the window, "Let's go! C'mon!"

Tia and Rebecca moved away, just as Skyler dived in and gently cradled Ian in his arms. Rebecca stood with him, safely tucking her broken arm with her.

"You're ok, Ian. Stay with me!" He whispered, running towards the car. He got inside and adjusted a gasping Ian with him. "Let's go!

Rebecca got in beside him in the backseat. "It will be ok Ian. Just hold on." She whispered hoping Ian would hear her, for her eyes had begun to drop.

"Hey! Hey, Ian! Stay with me. Look at me!" Skyler called out, gently shaking Ian in an attempt to keep her awake. Ash turned back from the shotgun seat, still shivering and shaken with what she just witnessed. Rebecca scooted forward and placed her hand over her face.

"Stay with us, Ian. Please. She's loosing consciousness!" She cried desperately.

"Hold on, Ian. We're almost there!" Ethan gritted between his teeth, driving as fast as he could.

The pain had captured every inch of her body. Ian had been fighting to stay awake. But the last pain had pushed her over the limits. Rebecca did the best part of settling her bones back but it was hell painful and Ian now just couldn't fight the darkness that came lurking over her. She took deep sharp gulps to steady her breath, the screaming and calling around her began to fade, the images beginning to get blurry.

"Reb… Sky…" she managed to call out before passing out in Skyler's arms.

"Ethan, drive fast! Hurry!" Skyler shouted as Ian's eyes closed and her head rolled towards him.

"Keep her head elevated!" Rebecca helped Skyler to adjust her.

"Oh God! This is not happening!" Ash cried between her tears.

They drove for about another eight minutes when finally Ethan pressed his car to break at a nearby hospital. Ian was immediately taken into emergency

"Ash!" Roy called, just as he entered, his eyes desperately searching for Ash.

"Roy!" She cried, running into him and hiding under his protective arms.

"Are you ok? Are you really ok?" Roy asked, running his hands on her arms. " Let's get you checked! "

Roy held Ash's hand and took her there too for checkup. Rebecca and Skyler were with Ian. After a few minutes, Ash calmed down with Roy still clutching her hand.

"Are you ok ? How are you feeling ?" He asked gently. Ash nodded, wiping her eyes with tissue papers. "Are you hurt ? Anywhere ?" He asked again. Ash shook her head. Tia, Braddin and Ethan came towards them where Ash was sitting.

"What happened ? Who did this to you ?" Ethan asked.

Ash waited catching her breaths then began telling them the whole story from the beginning.

"Jake ? And you say they were four of them?" Roy asked.

"Yes. Four of them. One guy was holding me and the other three were beating Ian." Ash said.

"Did they say anything else ?" Ethan asked.

"No..the guy holding me only threatened me about being shut up otherwise they would kill her. The only thing they were shouting was t 'you did this. You deserve this. How does it feel now ?"

"Ian knew them ?" Tia asked in shock. "She knew Jake ?"

"I guess so. Ian knew that hound and they all seemed to know her too. It wasn't a mistake. They attacked her," Ash said. " And they were so many for a girl. Ian was out numbered !"

Ethan, Roy, Tia and Braddin exchanged glances in horror and shock. "This is a crime! How can they do this?"

"Even if Ian had done something wrong to them, she didn't deserve to get beaten like this." Tia nodded along with Roy.

Ethan bit his lips. "Do you think Ian ever did something wrong? Have you guys ever looked at her? She was always so scared. "

"Maybe that is the reason she had been scared all the time! " Tia reported to which Ash, Ethan and Roy frowned at her. " What? "

"Are you on our side or those hounds? " Ash scowled at her.

"I'm just saying that… "

"Stop it! We are not to judge Ian, unless we know the whole story!" Ash gritted between her teeth and Roy stood up with her.

"She's right, you know. Right now, we need to figure out why they did this to her. And Ian's the only one who can tell us."

They fell silent, waiting for Skyler or Rebecca to come and give them any update. They both seemed to have vanished somewhere along with Ian.

"I saw onething," Ash said in a low voice. "Ian wasn't defending herself. They were attacking her but Ian never made any attempt of her own to hit them"

"What do you mean?" Roy asked.

"I don't know and I don't get it either. I just hope she's not in some kind of trouble."

Ethan thumped his leg on the tiled floor. "You give me the description of them. My dad's the Sheriff here. He will know how to deal with these goons." He said angrily.

Just them, Rebecca and Skyler came walking towards them. All attention was directed towards them.

"How's Ian ?" Ash asked.

"Better I guess. Nothing serious. Just big wounds and bruises. Rebecca did the best part of settling her fracture back. Otherwise it would have gotten worse." Skyler reported

"Is she awake ?" Ash asked. "Can we meet her ?"

"No. Not awake. And doctors have given her some sedatives to keep her in rest mode. We have to wait till tomorrow." Rebecca said.

"They have shifted her to a private ward. We can meet her two at a time." Skyler said.

Ash and Ash went in first, finding a sleeping Ian covered in bandages on the bed. They stayed by her side for a few minutes looking sadly at her then went out letting the others in.

"I will get these mended by morning." Braddin said, taking Ian's broken glasses.

They stood in silence for a few minutes when suddenly, a phone began to ring. Rebecca dug out the phone from her purse. "Shit!" Her eyes widened at the screen.

"Now what?" Skyler jumped in and he too went white all of a sudden.

"What happened?" Ethan asked in confusion.

Rebecca turned the cellphone to reveal the Caller ID. "Ian's mom is calling!"

"Oh no!" Tia exclaimed. "What do we do?"

"We should tell her." Braddin suggested, folding his arms.

Skyler snapped at him. "Are you nuts? She'll go mad hearing her daughter got bullied like this."

"She's her mother. She needs to know. Ian's injuries aren't something you can hide for long." Braddin argued, frowning at him.

Rebecca began to sweat holding the buzzing phone in her hand. "I can't give her this shock. We don't know if she even knows about this or not."

"Tell her she fell off her bike or something or just don't pick up the phone." Roy said, himself, unsure if it was the right decision or not.

Skyler shook his head. "Make something up. Quick. If you don't pick up, she'll know something is wrong."

Rebecca held out the cellphone for him. " You talk to her."

"Me? Oh no! You do that! " Skyler pushed her hand away.

Rebecca scowled at him. "I hate you! "

Skyler returned the scowl at her. "You're smart

You managed to put Ian's arm back, you can handle her mom. C'mon, you can do it."

The cell phone began to buzz again. This time, Rebecca gulped and slid the green icon to her right with trembling hands. "Hey Mrs. Thomas. It's Rebecca."

The group of friends stood tensely, watching Rebecca deal with the hardest part. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Ian kind of slept at dinner. Yeah, she was exhausted." Rebecca shut her eyes, feeling guilty of throwing a fountain of lies. "Yes, yes. I'll let her know. Actually, we decided to have dinner at my place and Ian fell asleep over here."

Ash let out a breath and Tia almost gasped at the big lie. Rebecca rolled her eyes at them. "Don't worry, and I'm sorry again for not having to call you. She'll be ok here. I promise."

"Woow! She is good." Roy whispered to the group.

"Only she can handle it." Ash murmured.

Rebecca gave out a fake delighted voice. "Ok. I'll see to that. Thank you, Mrs. Thomas. Good night. Bye." Just as soon as she hung up, she let out a big relief gasp. "Phew! That was close."

Ethan patted Rebecca on her arm. "You're gifted. Really."

"This is the gift I wished I never had."

Night fell upon them. Ash was still in shock and Roy insisted she must not stay back with Ian. Rebecca and Skyler volunteered to stay saying they could handle it and if something goes wrong they will let the others know. Skyler sat on the chair allowing Rebecca to take the couch in the ward for sleeping. Rebecca was sitting beside Ian's bed when she saw Skyler yawning and stretching.

"You go and get some sleep." She said,

"What ? Oh no. I am totally fine. I think you should go and get some sleep. You look terrible. Just like a witch !"

Rebecca chuckled, looking back at Ian then at him. "I'm like a witch and what about you ? You look like a boiled egg." She teased.

"Shut up and look after Ian." He laughed.

Rebecca grinned now patting her hand gently on Ian's head, careful not to hurt the wound.

"You are very close to her, aren't you ?" Skyler asked after a few times.

Rebecca nodded without looking at him. "Like you and the boys." She whispered.

Skyler smiled. He wanted to ask her something but he kept it to himself because he knew it wasn't the right time.

"Don't worry, Ian will be fine." Was all he said.

"I hope so too. Her wounds look so painful." She said sadly.

"But they will be ok. It will take time but it will fall back into its place." He assured her. He paused for a moment when Rebecca reached up to brush Ian's hair away from her eyes. When she settled back, he cleared his throat. "Where did you learn to do what you did with the fracture?"

Rebecca chuckled. "Oh that! I learnt it through some teaching and watching videos. I love medicine. I hope one day I'll become a good doctor and help everyone."

Skyler nodded. "Cute. Good to know you already have your future planned. But seriously, I wanna thank you for staying in your right mind at that time. Honestly, I freaked out. Her arm looked so bad. I bet it's gonna hurt her for a long time."

"That's all what medical is about. Staying in your right mind and not to freak out but since you mentioned it. I was freaked out too. I have never seen this case in my whole life and when it comes to one of your closest friends, it really hurts."

Skyler was about to say something, when Rebecca's phone buzzed.

"Ash?" Skyler asked.

"Shit!" Rebecca rolled her eyes. "And now it's my mom!"

Skyler slammed his hand over his head. "Now what?"

Rebecca thought for a moment before stretching out her phone for him to take. "Do it please!"

Skyler frowned at her. "Really? Are you that stone brain! Your mom calling and a handsome guy picking up at this late hour of night! Do you want your mum and dad to come and kill me!"

That's when it hit her. It would be so weird if Skyler takes the call and says her daughter is with him at midnight. Making a funny face, Rebecca slid her call option with another set of lies.

"Hey mom!" Rebecca greeted using a fake yawn. "I'm sorry, my phone was dead. As usual… .yes… I already had my dinner… don't worry mom, I'm at… at Ian's place! "

Skyler jerked his head at her in total surprise. Rebecca brushed him off. "Really, sorry again. Yeah, I should have told you… . I was asleep. I'm sorry… . Ok… ok… thanks mom… Nighty night!"

"You got hell of a nerve, blondie!" Skyler snapped at her. " Seriously? At Ian's home? Didn't you just tell Ian's mom that she was with you and you told your mom that you're with Ian."

Rebecca gave out a big, exhausted sigh. "It was the only thing that came to me instantly."

" You could have mentioned Ash or Tia! " Skyler shrugged. " What if your mom calls Ian mom? You both will be in so much trouble."

Rebecca jerked those ugly thoughts away. "We will deal with them later. Don't stress me out now. What's done is done!"

Later that night, Rebecca fell into a deep sleep lying on her couch when suddenly a muffled sound woke her up. She opened her eyes but then saw Skyler opening the sheet and throwing it over Ian tucking her hands in.

She smiled looking at them. Skyler checked Ian again then sat down on the chair, his eyes still staring at her. Rebecca smiled wider. She was the big shipper of Skyler and Ian and deep down she wanted for them to get very close enough. She knew both of them were developing, something something, but both of them were too afraid to admit it. Even in the mid of chaos, she noticed how Skyler held her hand and Ian kept her eyes only at him the whole time.

Morning came, Rebecca went down to go to the washroom when she saw all of the others were laying on the couches in the waiting area. Thankfully it was Saturday so there wasn't any pressure from school.

"Haven't you gone home ?" She asked astounded

"How can we? When our friend is in trouble ?" Braddin said, yawning sharply.

Back in the ward, the lights entered the room when Ian finally opened her eyes. She felt too much pain everywhere. Realizing she was in a hospital, Ian lifted her head to see a huge eagle size Skyler snoring on the small chair beside her. Ian tried to sit up and she felt weak and in pain. Her vision was blurry and she couldn't see anything properly. She heard the door open and next moment, Rebecca's arms were around her.

"Oh My God, Ian ! '' She sighed in relief, letting her hug her and then kissing her forehead. She helped her to sit up. "How are you feeling?"

"Painful." Ian murmured.

Skyler woke up with Rebecca's cheerful voice.

"Hey buddy ? How are you doing ?" He asked happily.

"Fine, just in pain !" Ian said.

"I will call the nurse. You will be just fine." He said getting up and roaming out of the room.

"You don't know how happy I am to see you." Rebecca said hugging Ian again awkwardly

"My glasses ?"

"Oh, they are with Braddin. He had sent it to get mend. I hope you can see me." She jokes trying to lighten Ian's mood.

Skyler arrived with a nurse and Roy, Ash, Tia, Braddin and Ethan standing outside waiting to meet her. The nurse injected something again down her hand catheter.

"It's a pain killer. You will be at rest soon." She said and walked out.

The remaining hurried in and Ash and Tia hugged Ian tightly. "You drained me out !" Ash said.

Ian smiled weakly, feeling the pain was washing away. "How's the pain ?" Braddin asked.

"Drifting." Ian said and Braddin smiled at her. "I hope it goes away soon."

"It will take a bit of time but you'll be ok." He said.

Ian tried to sit up with some help. It was then she took a good look at her condition. She was ok except some bruises and minor cuts but the thing that troubled her was her broken arm in the sling.

"God! This is bad." She whispered with a heavy sigh.

Rebecca came forward and patted her. "Don't worry, we'll take care of that."

Ian let out another sigh. "You guys have already done enough for me. I caused you all so much trouble. I'm sorry."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Shut up! That's what friends do."

"Yeah, but still…"

"You don't have to think about it. I bet you'd have done the same if it was one of us." Skyler said gently. Ian gave out a small weak smile at him.

Ethan came forward and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Actually, there's something you should be worried about."

"Yeah?" Ian asked, becoming serious.

"Your mom called and we kind of lied to her about this." Ethan said with a sheepish grin.

Ian suddenly went white, her eyes widened and her mouth hung open. "My… my mom called? What did you say?"

Skyler gestured towards Rebecca. " She handled it."

"And it was pretty nice! " Ethan grinned again.

Rebecca made a funny face and told everything that she told her mom and then to her own mom which was really funny. Ian gasped, sighed and smiled at the way she told the whole story. "....so you have to take care of that now."

"What day is today? " Ian asked, looking around.

"It's Saturday. You came back to us in 12 hours." Roy said, happily.

Ian asked for her phone that Ash handed her. "Then I guess, I'm lucky. Mom's gonna be out of town for work so I can make something up."

"But Ian, you know, you cannot hide your injuries from her." Roy said again.

Ian nodded. "I know but for the time being, I can manage. We'll see about that later."

They all talked and chatted with her but then Rebecca came closer and asked gently.

"Ian, you know who did this to you ? Who were they ?"

Ian went white with fear. The torment of her past was running in front of her eyes.

"Don't be afraid. We want to help you catch these goons." Ethan said.

"No, please. Don't give them any chance to hurt me again." Ian pleaded.

"But, Ian. You tell us who they were. This is insane what they did to you !" Ash said. "They knew you and I know you know them too."

"Yes, I know who they are. But please. Let it go!" Ian sighed, feeling the heavy guilt overwhelming her.

The group of friends exchanged tense glances. The fear and terror was clearly plastered on her face. Something was really going on.

"Look Ian," Ethan began. "My dad's the sheriff. He can give you police safety as well. You don't have to worry about it."

Ian shook her head, her eyes getting wider with fear. "You don't understand. I… I can't explain it. But Ethan, don't tell your dad. I'll be in a lot more trouble."

"But at least tell us why they hurt you like this?" Skyler mumbled quietly for only her to hear.

Ian gulped. The heat of humiliation reached up her face, anyone could easily judge how guilty and sad she was. "Because I did a very bad thing five years ago. Those guys are taking revenge." Ian said

"No. It can't be !" Ash said reluctantly.

"I can't believe this. You won't just do anything like that."

"Never mind that, Ian please, tell me who they are. My dad's gonna fix them for good." Ethan said.

Ian shook her head violently but instantly she felt a sharp piece of pain on the side of her head.

"No. Don't do anything. They will come after you too." She said,

"And I will be ready for them !" Ethan clenched his fist.

Braddin raised his hand at Ethan. He nodded at Ian then smiled kindly at her. "You better rest. We will talk about this later. It's ok if you are uncomfortable." He said.

Ian didn't say anything, but gave a stiff nod. He blinked then walked out, gesturing towards the clock to tell them visiting hours were up.

"We will see you soon. Take a good rest and don't think about it." Roy said with a smile.

Ethan and Roy headed out. Skyler kept looking at Ian, his eyes asking if she was ok and when Ian smiled at him he relaxed then went out giving the girls some privacy.

Ash came and tucked Ian more in the sheets and adjusted her pillow.

"My arm. Is it broken ?" Ian asked, looking at the big arm sling.

"Yeah. But I am sure you will heal soon." Ash said, sitting next to Ian.

Ian laid back, her body pain was gone but now just her head throbbing. Rebecca, Ash and Tia became sad with the nostalgia she was suffering. Ian recalled the moments in the past, when she was eight and had fallen from her bicycle grazing her knees and elbows. The one she missed the most came running, picking her up and comforting her. The thought of that person, made Ian's eyes watered. She wished her to be here as she needed her badly when everyone in the world was against her.

"Ian, are you ok ?" Came Tia's voice. Realizing the three girls were here, Ian brushed her eyes away not wanting to show her weakness.

"Yeah. I am fine." Ian mumbled.

"Are you in pain ?" Ash asked again.

"Just my head. Otherwise I am fine."

Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed. She thought she should ask about whatever happened that was linked with that. She must ask her right now. Rebecca could sense the danger Ian was lurking in and pulling her out was very necessary. "Hey," she said, coming close. Ian opened her eyes and tried to focus on her. "Now that we're all alone, you can share with us."

"You don't worry. I am fine." Ian began but Ash cut her.

"No. You are not. We have been noticing you since the first day. The abnormalities in you. Please tell us." She pleaded

Ian looked at them from Ash, Rebecca and Tia. All three of them stared back hoping she would be confined to them. Ian fought very hard, to keep back her tears.

"Ian...." Ash whispered gently again. "It's ok, you can trust us."

"You'll all hate me. I never had this many friends before. But if this dark side of me gets out, I'll be alone again." Ian lowered her eyes in shame.

Tia lifted her face up by her chin. "Nothing like this is gonna happen. We'll help you get through it."

"It's not that easy. I made a grave mistake and now I have to suffer. It's my punishment and I fully deserve it." Ian sniffed, quickly wiping the wetness that came into her eyes. She was not intending to let her tears out in front of everyone.

Rebecca scooted forward and placed her hand over Ian's. Her eyes found Rebecca's and she was taken back to find the depth of pain in Ian's eyes. "You can at least give us a hint. It will be ok and I promise whatever you tell me won't leave this room."

Ian hung her head low again. She took some small gasp of breath to steady herself. She wanted to hide herself away but at the same time she was desperately wanting to talk to someone who could help her relieve the weight of torture she carried around eachother of her life. But still, Ian thought it was too early to tell what actually happened and why she had been accepting her punishment. She looked up and met Rebecca's gaze. Not only her but Ash and Tia were looking at her as well, waiting for any hint, or any explanation that could calm them down.

"It's ok. You can trust us." Ash whispered kindly at her.

Ian bit her lips to prevent her tears. "Someone…. someone died because of me."

"What?" Rebecca whispered, totally confused.

Ian gave a small weak nod. "Someone, who actually cared a lot about me, died some time ago and I'm responsible for it."

Ash and Tia exchange confused and terrified looks. Rebecca realized her mouth was hanging open, quickly grasp herself. "Died ? Who died?"

"How can you be responsible for that, Ian?" Tia asked quietly.

Ian got lost in the zone of her own. "It should have been me. She wasn't supposed to die like that. She wasn't supposed to leave me."

"She? You mean it's a girl?" Rebecca asked.

Ian gave another weak nod. "I should have died. It had always been me from the start and I caused it. Whatever is happening, is my punishment. I deserved this."

"Ian, no!" Ash whispered blankly at her.

Rebecca stared at Ian for a couple of minutes, trying to dissolve what she had just told her. She was in shock to hear this. But one thing Rebecca was able to clear out was, whatever did happen, Ian was not at fault. Maybe, somewhere, the part which she doesn't know yet and honestly right now, she was not intending to push her broken friend. But still, Ian didn't deserve to be treated like this.

"Ian, it wasn't your fault. Her death was not in your control. No one can cheat death." She said.

"But it happened because of me. I asked her too. It should have been the other way around. Not her! "

"And those guys who hurt you, do they think the same?" Rebecca asked again.

Ian sniffed weakly with a slight nod. Ash Rebecca and Tia stared at each other questionably. Ian's story was really sad. They all knew that Ian was pushing and punishing herself for the crime she never committed .

Rebecca pushed herself forward and hugged Ian, giving her a chance to cry but Ian was very keen not to do that in front of everyone.

"You were not defending yourself...." Ash said quietly. Rebecca and Ian broke apart to look at her. "They were hitting you so badly and you weren't trying to protect yourself."

Ian looked ashamed of herself. "Why should I? I deserved this punishment." Was all Ian could say.

"Ok, Ian, listen to me very carefully." Rebecca said. "Whatever happened wasn't your fault. You didn't do whatever you did on purpose. Even though we just became friends, I can assure you, you never meant that." Ian didn't say anything but kept staring at her.

"You don't need to punish yourself for the crime you never committed." Rebecca said calmly.

Ian wanted to deny it but deep down she knew her friend was right. She couldn't stop the death.

"I can feel the guilt that you have." Ash comforted. "But trust me, you never meant."

Ian pursed her lips. "You guys don't know the whole story. I did that and she…"

"I know you'll tell us someday but still, don't push yourself." Tia said.

"The most important thing you need to hold on is, you both loved each other and nothing and no one can steal it from you. I'm sure you loved her. More than yourself." Ash said, with a soft smile.

Ian waited for them to finish listening carefully to them. Her mountain of guilt was getting a bit soft after seeing her three besties comforting her and it was the most desirable thing she wanted in the past years.

"Do you understand this ? Promise us that you will not let them hurt you again ? " Ash said. Ian hesitated trying to adjust the whole situation and the chat they had. Ash smiled at her. Rebecca held out her smallest finger and said,

"Pinky swear ?" She smiled.

"Pinky swear." Ian said, locking her own tiny finger around Rebecca's and tried to smile.

Couple of hours later, the doctors came in to check upon her and had Ian spend one more night for observation. Some of her wounds had started drying but the others were still fresh. Ian was put to sleep by a nurse when she injected something. Before going to sleep, as Rebecca was helping to cover her with her sheets, Ian gripped her hand.

"Are you staying here?." She mumbled, unable to open her eyes.

"Sure. Wake up and you will find me here." Rebecca caressed her forehead and Ian dozed off.

Rebecca was in the ward with Ash watching Ian snoring softly. Tia went away soon after. Again Skyler sat waiting for Tia and Ash to head out so he could sneak in. He had planned to stay back with Rebecca again. Roy was standing outside to pick Ash up when she emerged from the ward. "How's Ian ?" He asked.

"Better for now. But sleeping." Ash said.

"That's good. Ask her from me also." He said, happy to hear Ian was doing good.

Ash nodded thinking about going home now. She saw Roy didn't move. He kept standing there. His face looked at though he wanted to say something. "What?" Ash asked puzzly.

"Huh?" He snapped out.

"Why are you still here? Do you want something?" Ash asked, pulling her purse with her.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry ! mean...I was wondering, no! Not wondering, actually I was hoping….if I could drop you home." Roy said finding correct words to say.

Ash stood there for a second. " Drop me home. Just me?"

"Yeah, since Rebecca's staying and Tia went home early so… what do you say?" He asked with hopefully happy eyes.

"You sure about it?" Ash asked with a smile. "Like, if you have any other work or… .?"

"Absolutely not! I'm all done. Totally. I mean, I am always free whenever you want." He grinned.

Ash went pink. Her cheeks were brightening in the light. "Emm...ok sure. You can drop me home." She said, her excitement increasing.

"Great ! Let's go then." Roy said, gesturing with his arm to move forward, more excitedly than Ash.