Chapter 8: Panic at the party

Leon Junior was with several friends in an abandoned house on the edge of Willow Creek. They were playing guitar, singing and smoking a little weed. It was past midnight when he felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his phone: it was Eli. LJ wasn't too surprised, thinking that his sister either needed him to pick her up and take her home, or that she'd had too much to drink and wanted him to cover her for the next day.

LJ picked up the phone and heard Eli sobbing. She told him what had just happened. Between the two of them, there were no secrets.

LJ asked his friends to turn off the music so he could talk to his sister. After understanding the situation and reassuring Eli, he called Jo, who was nearby."Jo, have you been drinking or smoking anything?"

"I just had a beer and didn't smoke anything. Why?"

"Get your helmet, we're going to Eli's party. Something bad happened with Page"

Jo knew Page a little, having seen her in high school and when he was with Eli. He frowned, wondering what could have happened there. He grabbed his helmet and headed for his bike. LJ, who was also heading for his car, suddenly turned around.

"Guys, no more smoking or drinking. I'll probably need you when I find out what happened. Mark, watch your phone."

Mark nodded, and Jo worried even more.LJ got into his car and let Jo guide him to the party venue. After about ten minutes, they arrived and saw a sheriff's car and an ambulance.

LJ parked on the side of the road and ran to where Eli had told him she was. Followed by Jo, they found Eli, Eliot, Alicia, Julia and Taylor near Page, lying on the ground with the paramedics putting her on a stretcher.LJ and Jo were shocked by the scene.

LJ felt like a punch to the gut when he saw his sister's tear-reddened eyes. Eli, seeing his big brother arrive with Jo, immediately felt a little better and went over to them.

LJ gave him a big hug."Is it serious?" asked Jo, with a touch of concern in her voice.

Eliot, who had approached, replied, "The paramedics don't yet know what drugs she ingested, or how she could have taken them.

"You could tell Eliot felt terrible, but LJ, still shocked by the sight of his sister in tears and Page unconscious, couldn't help imagining his little sister in her place. As a result, he glared at Eliot.

The latter looked away, clearly more than a little embarrassed."After I called you, Page started shivering from the cold. I didn't have anything to cover her and I didn't want to leave her alone. Luckily, Taylor arrived, looking for Page, and we were able to put a blanket on her.

We decided to call the fire department, as you advised, LJ.

"Eli looked at his brother and continued: "The sheriff arrived at the same time as the paramedics. He asked us some questions, but he'll want to know more tomorrow at the station... Can you take us to the hospital, please, big brother? Alicia, Julia, Taylor and I want to be near Page."

Obviously, LJ agreed, but he insisted on telling their father. Eli swallowed. She knew that their father, who was very protective of her, would react strongly when he learned what had happened. She wasn't ready to face that, but for now, Page was her priority.LJ went to see the sheriff, Tom."Good evening Sheriff, do you have any idea what Page might have taken?"

"Evening Junior, no, not yet. Maybe cocaine or ecstasy... We'll take samples to check. But what interests me most is how she could have taken it and where it came from. If you or your friends have any info, I'd love to hear it."

"I'll look into it and ask my group to do the same. But I haven't heard anything about anyone selling cocaine or anything. Weed, yes..."The sheriff frowned but said nothing.

LJ resumed, "I'll let you know tomorrow if I hear anything when I accompany Elizabeth to the station."

"That's fine with me. Take care of your sister. She's a mess, and she'll be worse over the next few days."

LJ nodded; he heard the sheriff mutter, "I don't want to get in trouble with their father."

LJ gave a half-smile as he saw him off.The ambulance taking Page left. LJ took Eli, Alicia, Julia and Taylor in his car, heading for the hospital. Jo stayed behind to investigate, help Eliot tidy up and deal with the chaos.