When his parents came the next morning, Candy had still not recovered consciousness, though her fever was down. Matt went home, had his bath and breakfast, and returned to the hospital. His parents were discussing something excitedly in low voices, so Matt slipped in to see Candy.
She lay, pale and motionless, hooked up to various machines that hummed and beeped around her. And then, as Matt stood helplessly looking down at her, her eyelids fluttered open.
"Candy! You're awake!" Matt exclaimed.
Candy looked dazedly at him for a few minutes, then alarm set in.
"Uh – where am I? How did I get here? M – sir – I have to get back home before Uncle Ed realizes…"
For a minute Matt thought she would tear off the tubes and wires in her panic.
"Candy – hey – relax – just relax -" Matt rang the call bell hurriedly and within a few seconds, a nurse appeared.
"There, there, calm down now, you're not in a condition to go anywhere." The nurse efficiently coaxed Candy to lay back. "I'll let Doctor know you're awake. Don't move now," she cautioned before going out briskly.
"Sir -?"
"Uh – Candy – Matt is fine – you can call me Matt," he said awkwardly.
"D-do my uncle and aunt know I'm here?" Candy asked fearfully, but before he could reply, the doctor came in and Matt slipped out.
He saw his parents deep in conversation with Officer Cameron.
"Ah, Matt, there you are," Rich said, seeing him. "The nurse just told us Candy woke up."
"Yeah, she's pretty upset," Matt replied.
"Matt, your mom and I had an idea, but we wanted to run it by you first."
Cameron moved off discreetly to give them some privacy.
"First of all, son, we're really proud of you for the way you handled things."
"Mom, Dad, I – I've done a lot of stuff I'm not proud of – I screwed up big time."
Quickly he told his parents of how the kids, led by him, had treated Candy at school. They were silent for a few minutes after he finished. Then his dad spoke.
"Matt, what you and your friends did was terribly wrong and you're right, you screwed up, no mistaking that." Rich Kane paused. "But Matt, what's important now is that you've realized it. People screw up all the time and often, life doesn't give them a chance to make things right. But in your case, you've been given that chance. Most likely, your going there that day and then speaking to your mom about it saved Candy's life."
"Dad's right, Matt," Melinda said. "What matters now is how you can put things right."
Matt nodded. "I'll do my best," he vowed.
"Matt, I had some people look into Candy's family background. It turns out she's the great-great-granddaughter of Carmichael Carter."
"Carmichael Carter? You mean, like, the Carmichael Carter who founded our school?"
Matt was dumbfounded.
"He did that, yes. That's the reason Candy was able to attend Carter High – old Carmichael had made a provision in his will that any descendent of his would always get a scholarship to the school he founded. Apparently, Candy's mom was estranged from her family when she married Harry Clarke, Candy's dad, and her father in anger cut her out of her inheritance completely. Ed and Lucy were Candy's only surviving relatives after her parents died, and they were forced to send Candy to Carter High because her mom's will mentioned the scholarship."
"Wow!" Matt breathed, fascinated.
"Not only was Carmichael Clarke a great philanthropist, he was also the person who helped your great-grandfather set up the business we have today," his dad continued. "He was the only person who believed in Granddad's vision and ideas and backed him financially when no one else, not even his own family, stood by him."
Matt listened, stunned.
"So, Matt, your dad and I were thinking we could foster Candy once she's discharged from here," his mother spoke up. "Of course, only if you're okay with it."
Matt gaped at his mother. "Mom, Dad, you guys are amazing!" he said at last, eyes shining. "That would be so cool after everything she's faced – I think it's a fantastic idea!"
His parents smiled, looking relieved.
"And – I know I don't say this often – but I love you guys!"
"Oh, Matt!" His mother gave him a hug while his dad patted him on the back.
"We love you too, honey," his mom said, tearing up a little.
Officer Cameron came up just then.
"Candy's back from her tests and the doctor said we can take her statement, but I was thinking maybe you could speak to her first, Mrs. Kane?" he said, a trifle apologetically. "Kid's been through a lot and I don't want to scare her more."
"Of course, Officer," Melinda said immediately.
Matt waited with his dad while Melinda went in to see Candy.
"Hi, Candy," she said gently, smiling at the pale thin girl. "I'm Melinda Kane, Matt's mom." Slowly she explained what had happened. "Your uncle and aunt are in custody now, they'll never be able to hurt you again."
She saw hope flicker in Candy's eyes.
"Never?" she whispered.
"Never, Candy. You'll never have to even see them again." Candy relaxed imperceptibly. "Now, honey, Officer Cameron would just like to talk to you for a few minutes. Is that okay?"
Candy tensed again. "Is – is Matt here?" she asked in a low voice.
"Would you find it easier to talk to Officer Cameron if Matt was here?" asked Melinda gently. "I know it's difficult talking to strangers, but you know Matt."
Candy nodded hesitantly. Melinda went out and returned with Cameron and Matt.
"Candy, I need to ask you a few questions, if you feel up to it," Cameron said.
"Yes, Officer," she replied.
Matt and his mom stood to one side, listening in horror as Candy haltingly narrated the story of her life with the Clarkes. Years of deprivation, physical abuse, and mental torture. Cameron's voice was soft as he probed gently for details.
"What happened last week, Candy?" he asked.
"I – I broke some stuff at The Cream King so Mr. Benson didn't pay me that week and he took my tips as well to cover the cost," she said in a low voice, looking down. "Uncle Ed and Aunt Lucy were – were mad at me for that. And then -" she stopped.
"It's okay, Candy, you can tell me whatever happened," Cameron said encouragingly.
"Uncle Ed punished me." Her voice was so low they could barely hear her.
"What did he do?" Cameron asked, his voice calm and soothing.
"He – he used his belt," she whispered.
Cameron's jaw tightened but his voice remained steady.
"What happened after that, Candy?"
"M-Matt had come to see me and they saw him leaving, so – so -" Candy was trembling so much now she could barely speak.
"Sweetheart, there's nothing to be afraid of now." Melinda stepped forward, her voice firm though her heart was breaking. "Did your uncle beat you again because Matt visited?"
Candy nodded, head bowed.
Cameron's face was hard.
"You've been very brave, honey," he told Candy. "We'll see to it the Clarkes pay for everything they've done to you."
Melinda took Candy's thin hand in hers, silently comforting her as Cameron left the room. Matt simply stood where he was, swamped by guilt and regret. Candy had almost died as a result of what he and his gang had done, however unintentional it may have been on his part.
"Candy." His mom spoke gently to her. "Candy, we – Matt, his dad and I – we were wondering if you'd like to come and live with us once you're out of here. We'd love to be your foster family – if you'll have us."
Candy's eyes flew to Melinda's face, then to Matt.
Matt nodded.
"I'd really like that, Candy," he said, stepping forward.
"You – you'd really do that?" Candy faltered, clutching Melinda's hand. "Really?"
"Yes, honey, we really want you to come and live with us and be part of our family."
Melinda stroked her head gently. A tear rolled down Candy's cheek.
"Th-thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."