Safe Harbor - 26

It was closing in on ten that evening when Kurt finally heard back from Daniel. The shelter was teeming with kids by then. Those who had gotten there early enough had been assigned beds for the night. The rest were mingling in the community room, talking about the dead kids and waiting for any news about Bets. Jo-Jo and Cry were huddled together on one of the sofas facing the front entrance to the building. Every time the door opened they looked up hopefully only to have their hopes dashed when it wasn’t their friend.

When Kurt’s phone rang Bobby, who was standing next to him, whistled for silence. Every face turned expectantly and Kurt chuckled as he opened his phone. "If it’s some telemarketer they’re going to be pissed."

Bobby snorted. "Them and us both."

It was Daniel and by the time he’d finished talking Kurt was scowling. He snapped the phone shut with a bit more force than was necessary and looked at the kids.

"There’s good news and bad news. They found Bets in a pond a mile or so out of town. The good news is she’s alive. The bad news is they’re not sure for how long and what she’ll be like if she does make it." 

Cheers went up for a brief moment before the full impact of Kurt’s words sank in.

"Did they catch the bastards who hurt her?" one boy called out.

"No, but according to the detective, the man who found her got there right after she’d been dumped. He lives on the other side of the road from the pond and heard a car drive onto the narrow access lane. His dog began barking so he went to check but got there too late to see more than them driving away."

"Did he at least get the plate number?" another kid asked.

Kurt shook his head. "I don’t know. Daniel didn’t say and I forgot to ask." He chuckled when the kid gave an exaggerated sigh of disgust.

"Father Kurt, can we go to the hospital and see Bets?"

"I don’t think they’ll let you see her, Cry, but I’m going there as soon as we’re finished here, so if you want to come along you’re welcome to, you and Jo-Jo."

"And me," Bobby told him.

"And you of course, but that’s it. My car is only so big. Now, if no one has any more questions I have to get ready."

"Get ready?" Cry watched as Kurt headed upstairs, a puzzled look on her face.

"He is a priest," Bobby explained. "So I guess he has to dress like one so he can…" He shivered. "Well, just in case she doesn’t make it you know."

"Oh." Cry looked as if she was going to break into tears.

Bobby gave her a hug. "She is going to make it and then testify against those bastards when they go to trial."

Jo-Jo nodded. "Damned straight she is."