There plenty of things that I could've done. But when you're not expecting a certain thing to happen, the moment it appears infront of you, it leaves you paralysed.

I didn't paralyse though.

I couldn't afford to just freeze. But it felt like everything around stopped. I've always believed that there's nothing more that could possibly occur and trigger me. That I have already seen and felt the worst.

She was covered in purple and blue and black. And the second I saw her rushing through that door, something in me sunk and tightened. It's the strongest I've felt my adrenaline rise.

There's plenty of things that could've done in that moment. I could've asked her what happened to her? Who did this? What she was running from? Why she came to me first?

I could've called the police, it was obviously an assault done to her. A criminal offense.

None of that. My mind only thought to comfort her. So I told Lisa it's going to be alright.

She blacked out after releasing a sigh of relief.

Elisabeth. I don't think I've ever seen anyone that terrified before. She was so scared, shaking uncontrollably and pleading for me to make them stop.

I would've run out that apartment to seek the bastards who did that to her. I've never been that angry in my life. It took every nerve to lay there next to her instead of causing havoc to the heartless monsters who broke her that way. It hits differently when someone you care for is on the receiving end of cruelty. That morning I realized that. And I hated how it made me feel.

Doctor Larry McCurdy was the only person I called. Since I wasn't fully aware of the situation at hand, I refrained from taking Lisa to a hospital. My apartment is safer. And Larry is a great doctor. I've known him for years and so I trust him completely.

He'd given her excellent treatment while she was still unconscious. Elisabeth apparently tried to give her wounds some attention but it wouldn't have helped her case. I cursed under my breath when Larry informed she has a broken rib. Why and how would someone do something like this to her? Regardless the circumstances, this wasn't right.

Even as Larry departed, I remain with Betty in my bedroom. She laid there, numb, quiet, eyes closed and still blue. Very peaceful, that's how she slept. The sides of her lips twitched as if having a pleasant dream.

The doctor had preformed tests on her. He mentioned she was very dehydrated, weak because of lack of meals and sleep. So the fact that she slept so heavily and deeply gave me relief. What could be denying Betty proper rest? Why isn't she sleeping and having balanced meals? What's going on with her?

Of course I've known Elisabeth to be a lazily eater. I used to bring food along with me once dropping by her dormroom back then when we were still together because of her ridiculous appetite. But she wasn't the type to abstain from eating completely. That's never been her. So it's strange that Larry insisted that she hasn't eaten properly for probably weeks. And she's lost alot of weight it's almost scary.

I hadn't seen her for a while. I was so caught up with renovating my mother's Gardens in malibu that I never dropped by her place. When I returned from my trip I wanted to take sometime before visiting her. She probably assumed that I finally gave up on pursuing her. As if I'd ever stop. She belongs with me. Period. So what if love ain't involved. It doesn't change the fact that I met her first. Callum or anyone else doesn't threaten my intentions.

I've been absent for less than a month and then I surprisingly come back to this. If I was here then this situation wouldn't have happened. She wouldn't be dry on calories and seemingly died. I was out there for way too long. I wanted to see her immediately when I came back two days ago but I had some stuff to take care of, including ending things with Merissa.

I should've paid more attention. Turns out the letter in braille I sent to her wasn't good enough.

Last night when Betty texted asking me about Callum, I was pissed as hell. What do I care who Callum is involved with? I didn't want to lie to her or give a fit and upset her, so I just answered her annoying questions. Better yet, I should've gone to her. Then may be I would've noticed whatever is happening. The change and everything else. Perhaps I could've stopped those people she was running away from from harming her.

Elisabeth must've gotten herself into a sticky situation and then ended up this way. Perhaps for the time I was away, she was desperate and couldn't find anyone to guide her out of the mess she was in. May be some really dangerous people are after her. God. It's possible. She worked at Strip tease for a while, that place is well known for accommodating dangerous people. Shit. I hope what I'm thinking isn't real. Because then it may be worse than it seems.

But it's the second time I've seen Betty this way. This being worse than the first. Perhaps it has something to do with her family. I remember them to be criminals. The whole family is flooded with people in trouble with the authorities for doing shady businesses. For all I know, Betty may be in trouble because of her relatives. She's nothing like them. I've checked and dug up everything there is to know about Elisabeth. She's clean. Hard working student who did everything to get at NYU despite her background. So whatever is going on, she didn't get herself into it.

Someone is bringing her problems and I'll find out who it is. That fucker better get ready because I won't go easy on any idiot for what they've done to her.

Trouble can show up from anywhere. Some may say I'm being paranoid by creating all these assumptions. But I need to be aware of certain things. So am keeping an open mind.

When Elisabeth is fully recovered, I'd make sure we talk about the subject. She needs to explain to me what is going on because I can't protect her if she chooses to hide.

I know how it feels like to be alone. To have no parents present to guide you and show you how to deal with life. It gets hard and tough especially when the people you expect to be there for you don't seem to realise how much you need them. I can't let Elisabeth fall into a spiral of confusion and self doubt because of it. I've been there and it's the worst place to be. You'll never be the same after it's all over. And I don't want Elisabeth to change and turn out like me. She's absolutely wonderful just how she is. If I can help it, I will. She doesn't deserve any of this.

Life's not fair but that doesn't mean we should let life bully us just because it can and chooses to.

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