"They say if she lasts the night, she'll live."
"Oh thank you God. I was praying the whole trip."
Jarod grinned.
"And the babies?" Isaac asked.
"The doctors said not to get our hopes up."
"Oh man," he groaned.
"So, is that all you brought? Or did you actually pack a bag?"
"I packed a bag. Well, kinda - it was already mostly packed."
Jarod nodded.
An hour or so later they had arrived at the hospital. Mrs Masters was there.
"Hi Isaac," she greeted.
"Any news?"
"Nothing that Jarod wouldn't already know. And I only know as much as I do - or don't because I'm her aunt," he gave him a wry smile. "They might tell you more."
Isaac nodded and Mrs Masters called over the doctor, and introduced them. Mrs Masters then had to leave, but told Isaac that she fully expected him to update her when they knew anything more. The doctor, Dr Montrose, gave Jarod as sidelong glance and asked to speak to Isaac in private, as a couple of police officers showed up.
"She's been babbling a bit," Dr Montrose informed Isaac. "She's been saying things like 'the babies', 'Isaac', 'don't have an uncle', and 'Shane'. Mostly we might ignore things like that, but uhh -"
"I felt it was necessary to find out what she may have meant by it," one of the police interrupted.
"Well, 'the babies' is probably the triplets she's pregnant with. I'm Isaac," then he frowned. "I have no idea what she means about the uncle. She does have an uncle. And I have no idea who Shane is. Just when I think I know everyone she knows, another name pops up. Maybe Jarod knows. Hey Jarod!"
Jarod walked over.
"Yep?"
"Do you know who Shane is? Babsie's been babbling."
Jarod stared, then glanced at the police.
"Oh, yeah, I know who Shane is all right. And if I were you, I'd put him down as the prime suspect!"
"Why's that?" asked the second officer.
"It's a long story. But he was her first boyfriend. When she was about... 12, I think, Shane and about a dozen of his mates gang raped her."
"What?" Isaac asked, wide-eyed.
"Babsie has a strong level of resistance. First opportunity she got she dobbed the lot of them in and I think most of them were arrested within the week. Wasn't phased a bit. Seriously ticked off, yes. Phased, no. But they made her go to therapy anyway."
"Do you have a last name for this Shane character?" asked the first officer.
"Umm, no, not off the top of my head. But he was in my grade at school."
"Which school was that? What years?"
Jarod told them and they soon left.
"May I see her now?" Isaac asked Dr Montrose.
"Go ahead."