Cass jumped into action, throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a mix matched sweatshirt. She threw her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her keys. Randon was already waiting at the door fully dressed and ready to leave.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea. Anna probably won't want any men around. I'll call you tomorrow." Cass said and kissed him quickly before rushing out to her car, not bothering to wait for Randon to leave or to even lock her door.
It was a ten minute drive to the hospital. Cassidy made it in significantly under that. She was in a panic mode as she blindly rushed to the front desk and asked for Anna's room number.
The old lady behind the desk gave her a small smile and the room number and Cass rushed towards the elevators. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't shed tears for Anna. She told herself she'd be strong for her best friend, even if she had to hold in the tears until she got home.
When she reached Anna's room and opened the door the first thing she saw was Anna laying in a hospital bed. The bruised and bloodied body didn't even look as if it belonged to Anna. Her long blonde hair was matted with blood and her eyes were both swollen shut.
"Anna." She gasped.
"Oh Cass! You're here."
Maria ran over and flung herself into Cass's arms. She looked worse for wear herself. Even Cora, who almost never seemed to have a hair out of place, looked exhausted and sick with worry as she sat in a chair holding one of Anna's small hands.
"How is she?"
"She's asleep. They caught the asshole and he's going to prison. God I wish they'd let me in a room with the son of a bitch." Maria said, or more like growled.
Cass walked over and took a seat beside Cora. "How long ago did this happen?"
"She's been up at the hospital for about two hours. About an hour ago they called me. I came up here and then called you and Cora."
"What did the doctor say?"
"She was beat up pretty bad. Her right leg was broken, and three ribs were cracked. She has a concussion and some internal bleeding. She'll be in the hospital for at least a week. The doctor doesn't think they'll have to do surgery but they are watching her closely. She came in and she was in shock."
"Has she woken up since you've been here?"
"No."
Maria ran a hand through her hair and sighed as a few tears ran down her face. "I hate this! Why did this happen to her? Of all people why did this happen to Anna?"
"We all hate this Mari. Let's be strong for Anna though when she wakes up okay? No tears." Cassidy soothed.
"She's right Mari. We need to be strong." Cora said and stood up to pace the room. "I just hate knowing there is nothing we can do about it right now."
"We can be here for her. That's enough." Cass said and blinked back her own tears. Anna was like a sister to her, to all of them. She was sweet and shy. She was the best person Cassidy knew and it just wasn't fair that this had to happen to her.
