Page 120 of Versions Of Us

“Dylan Alcott?” the police officer says.

“Yes,” Dylan replies.

“I was told you were the one that found Alex this morning.” The officer rests one hand on his belt and uses the other to pull a notebook from his back pocket.

“That’s right,” he confirms with a nervous nod.

“I know you’ve been through a lot today but I’m afraid I’m going to need to bring you in for questioning.”

“Sure. Whatever you need.”

The officer turns to me, taking in my obvious state of distress. “I’m assuming you know the victim.”

The victim.

I don’t like the way he describes Henley.

I want to argue with him that Henley is not a victim. That he’s strong, caring and protective. But in my helplessness, I can only offer three simple words. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“Okay. I’m sorry for what you’re going through today. This is obviously quite a shocking situation to bear witness to,” he offers. “They’ve taken Alex to Milton Hospital where he’ll undergo surgery.”

“Milton? Why wouldn’t they take him to Palm Grove?”

Palm Grove is the closest hospital to Cliff Haven. It seemed like an obvious choice to take him there, instead of all the way into the city.

“Palm Grove isn’t equipped to deal with the extent of the injuries that Alex has sustained. He’ll be in safer hands in Milton.”

I know that this information will only alarm me further if I let it, but I can’t let my mind go there yet. I need to be strong. I need to be there for Henley.

“Kristen!” Liv’s frantic voice echoes from across the street. I turn in time to see her running toward me, EJ in tow.

“What happened?” EJ asks, his eyes telling me he already suspects the worst.

“Henley was stabbed. They’ve taken him to Milton hospital,” I say, the words rushing right out of me. “I need to get there.”

“We’ll take you,” Liv says, her eyes wide in shock as she drapes an arm around my shoulder. “Come on.”

I’m ushered across the road and EJ helps me into Liv’s car. We don’t speak on the way to the hospital. We all know there’s nothing anyone can say to fix this.

Nothing to spark hope in the darkness.

Chapter 47

KRISTEN

When we finally arrive at the hospital, Henley is still in surgery. We’re informed it could be several hours before he goes into recovery. EJ and I sit in the waiting room, getting as comfortable as we possibly can on the tiny plastic chairs that adorn the space along the window, while Liv goes to fetch us coffee. EJ gets up and paces the length of the room, a blur of city skyscrapers visible in the floor to ceiling windows behind him as he makes two calls. One to each of Henley’s parents.

Once he’s done talking, he makes his way back over to me and drops down once again into the chair beside me.

“His dad is on his way, but it will be ages before he gets here. He’s interstate for work and needs to get a flight. His mum is in Hawaii so who knows when she’ll show up.”

“She’s in Hawaii?” I ask.

“With a new lover,” EJ confirms.

“I’ll call Katie,” I say.

“Already tried,” EJ says. “There was no answer.”

---