Who: Elliot and Mary Ann What: Family comfort When: Today, after receiving this text. Where: Dale House Rating: PG-13
Elliot didn't know what was going on at the Dale household, but he did know that he didn't like the tone of Mary Ann's text message, like she had been afraid to tell him what had really happened. For her not to just come outright about it, it must have been serious. Had some bullies gotten a hold of Alan and hurt him? She hadn't said she was in the hospital, though, which is where he would assume she would be if he was in any sort of real physical trauma.
He frowned to himself as his car raced along the road toward his aunt and uncle's house. So if she wasn't at the hospital, Alan couldn't be that seriously hurt. Maybe he was having an outburst? Maybe he had accidentally hurt Mary Ann? It wouldn't be so hard to believe. He had heard stories of autistic people having violent outbursts. Maybe she was hurt and hadn't wanted to go to the hospital? Maybe Alan was still upset?
But then their house came into view, and the police car in the driveway had his heart in his throat. What was going on? Had Alan... gotten arrested? Surely not. Alan was rather well established as a law-abiding citizen. But what else could possibly have happened?
Elliot rushed up the walk and into the house, suddenly hesitant as he opened the door. "...Mary Ann?" he called weakly.