Trembling, Yuna crept toward the front door, clutching her throbbing ribs. She had to get help before her father regained consciousness from his drunken rage and came after her again.
Each movement ignited waves of pain from the vicious beating she had endured. But the instinct for survival propelled her forward. She made it outside, staggering weakly through the empty street.
In her disoriented state, Yuna found herself on Nick's front steps. She leaned against his door, no longer able to stand. Her wavering hand left a red smear on the white paint as she desperately rang the doorbell.
Nick opened the door, his smiling greeting dying on his lips as he took in the scene before him. Yuna's face was swollen and bloody, her clothes torn. His heart dropped like a stone.
"Yuna, what happened?" he cried, frozen in shock. She swayed unsteadily, trying to speak but no words came out. Her legs buckled under her.
Nick lunged forward and caught Yuna's limp body before she hit the ground. Blood continued seeping from a gash on her head. Frantic, Nick yelled for his parents to call an ambulance.
His mother gasped when she saw Yuna's battered state. His father reacted quickly, scooping up Yuna's broken figure and carrying her gently to the car. Nick jumped in back, cradling her head in his lap.
"Just hold on Yuna, please," he begged, tears filling his eyes. He caressed her battered face, afraid to cause more pain but needing to comfort her. She remained terrifyingly still the entire ride.
At the hospital, Nick paced the waiting room while doctors rushed Yuna into emergency surgery. Vivid images of her lifeless body haunted him. He should have realized something was horribly wrong and protected her.
After agonizing hours, a doctor informed them Yuna was stable for now, but had extensive injuries and blood loss. Nick's parents embraced him as he finally released the tears and shock he had been holding back.
Though visiting hours were long over, compassionate nurses allowed Nick to sit by Yuna's bedside briefly. Bandages covered her wounded head and bruises marred her delicate face. Nick kissed her hand gently, vowing to stand by her side through this trauma and whatever lay ahead.