GB96 s2 - The Fellowship Part 6

You can’t bully the police. Knowing that they violated your rights, even with witnesses, isn’t the same as being able to prove it. And would anyone care? Probably not. You’re a Latina in Central Florida. You can’t march into the station and demand that they release Stef.

At the same time, now that you know that you aren’t in any real legal jeopardy, that should free you up… but you’re still helpless.

So you sit on the front steps of the Police Station to wait as the sun rises and Gurlberg wakes up. You don’t love it that people are driving past and seeing you; you don’t look very put together. Meanwhile, you have to remember that Ellen exists. Nadia and Jessica too. Is Ellen OK? At least she’s home. As for Nadia and Jessica, there’s no way they haven’t told people about what happened. What would that situation have looked like? Would they think that the three of you were picked up because you hit Stef? Do they think that the police mistook that for a brawl or something? Probably. That’ll have to be a problem for later.

You frown as you see your mother’s car coming around the corner. That was fast. You get to your feet and brush yourself off as she climbs out. You don’t like the look of this.

“What’s wrong?” you ask, joining her on the sidewalk. You keep looking at the Police Station. They have to let Stef out soon. Any time now.

“Um,” your mom replies. This isn’t like her.

“How’d you get there and back so fast?” you ask.

“I didn’t,” she replies. “Um, there was an ambulance and a fire truck. I think Mr. Gibson tried to come here to get Stef.”

That’s enough to make you face her. She has your full attention. “Tried?”

“Yeah. His truck went off the road,” your mom says, sounding dazed. “I think. That’s what they said. They didn’t really know yet. Um…”

“Holy shit. Just what we need.” You groan into your hands. And with his heart and stuff? Why didn’t you just keep driving to that CCL party? No… if you’d done that, Stef and Ellen still would’ve been dragged out of the diner. It wouldn’t have been any different. They’d have found you too, no doubt. Or found a way to make sure that you took the hint not to fuck with the Free Bois. Maybe you’re lucky that they did it this way. Being handled roughly by cops is horrible, but it’s probably not worse than being handled roughly by bikers. You shake your head. You can’t be thinking about that right now. You need to worry about Stef and Mr. Gibson.

“So are they taking him to the hospital?” you ask, refocusing on your mom.

“What? No. No. Baby,” your mom says, looking at you worriedly. “He didn’t make it.”