Thomas had thought he was going to get out of there with a beating, he was unsure that Brettly finally took him serious about what he did.  If Miranda was not going to press charges, or beat on him like he knew he deserved he at least thought Brettly would believe him and do it.  But it seemed he was too busy trying to make himself believe it didn’t happen.<br/><br/>Just as Thomas thought he had made it to the door he felt someone grab the back of his shirt and tossed him across the room.  Before Thomas could even think Brettly was on top of him punching his left and right.  Too be honest this was what Thomas wanted, what he deserved so he was not going to fight back.  Of course Thomas had never been on the other side of Brettly’s fist, but he knew that Brettly had a temper and had seen him beat the shit out of people in college.<br/><br/>Thomas felt his nose break and could tell his eyes were getting puffy, in fact he was sure he had a couple of broke ribs because one moment he was getting his face punch in and then it stopped and when Brettly stood up he felt the kick into his side. “I am so sorry Brettly.  I know I hurt her. ” Was all Thomas could say during his beating.  Next thing he knew was Alfred was helping him off of the floor and showing him to the door where surprisingly there was a cab waiting.  It was a good thing that the cab seemed to know where it was going because he could not do much talking.<br/><br/>When Thomas got home he tossed the man some money and went into the house and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and went into the bathroom to look at the damage.  Thomas just sighed when he looked at his face, what has been going through his mind.  He knew that Miranda was off limits, but he thought when he always came to her rescue, she would leave Brettly forever and be his.  She was just a wonderful woman full of spirit and all Brettly had done was beat it down.  Did he really think that she would completely love him after everything?  She was going to be his, until her accident, but now everything was ruined for him because he had been so stupid.  He should have just stayed their friend, and then no one would be going thru this pain now.<br/><br/>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&<br/><br/>Alfred had not been far away when he heard Thomas telling Brettly what he had done.  Alfred sighed as he listened to Thomas’s story and why he was feeling the way he was feeling.  Alfred had to admit when Thomas admitted what he had done to Miranda he was surprised that it had happened, but he couldn’t believe at first that Brettly did not believe what he was saying.  But then Brettly was so drunk that he was not thinking straight.  Alfred had seen this one too many time when it came to Brettly’s parents.  James had been so mean to his wife, but then so had Brettly.  The only difference between the two was at least Brettly didn’t physically abuse Miranda, but emotional and mental abuse could be just as bad.<br/><br/>For a moment Alfred thought Thomas was going to get away with what he had done to Miranda.  Alfred wanted to call the police himself, but he would let Brettly handle things for now.  The next thing Alfred realized was that Brettly had not let Thomas get away with things and that he was beating the shit out of him in the foyer.  Alfred quickly called a cab for Thomas and then another one to take Brettly to the cabin.  Brettly had too much to drink at the moment and could not drive.<br/><br/>Alfred peeked in at the guys and say Brettly just wailing on Thomas, but he was rather surprised that Thomas was not defending himself.   Alfred knew that Thomas was a very good fighter because one too many times Alfred had to come and collect the boys after a fight in college so the cops would not get involved.  Alfred knew though at the way Brettly was going if he didn’t step in Brettly would kill Thomas.  Alfred went over and grabbed Brettly’s hand, “Brettly, you need to stop.  He had been punished enough.”  Alfred stated, “Killing the man will not help you in helping Miranda.”  Alfred said pulling the man off of Thomas.  “I believe you need to leave now Thomas.  You can come collect your car tomorrow.”  Alfred said and watched as Thomas left.<br/><br/>Alfred then turned his attention to Brettly and straightened out his clothes for him and gave him a little pat on his back.  He had a feeling Brettly was going to beat himself up over what he did and said to Miranda, because he always did.  Every time he had yelled at Miranda, he always retreated inside of himself for a little bit.  Not so much in the beginning, but as he was trying to change he handled things different.  The one thing Brettly never wanted was to be his father and that was the one thing that Alfred had hoped to remind him with his comment earlier.  After a few minutes Alfred looked at Brettly and smiled, “There is a cab waiting to take you to Miranda.”  Alfred said as he patted Brettly on the cheek, “Don’t be worrying, everything is not ruined with Miranda.  Brettly you can fix this, but you have to have faith.”  Alfred continued to look at Brettly, “I have known you your whole life and I have never seen you happier than when you have been with Miranda.  She loves you and you need to go and be reminded that you still love her.”  Alfred said his piece and let Brettly to decide what he wanted to do.<br/><br/>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&<br/><br/>Miranda was unsure what time it was when she slowly woke up on the couch where she had passed out.  She was still kind of groggy, but that was ok she didn’t feel any pain or hurt and that was what she wanted.  As she looked around she could tell it was dark outside, but it didn’t matter anymore because she was living in complete blackness now.  Why did she have to try and be so strong and deal with what happen instead of trying to confront it?  Miranda reached over to the table and grabbed another pain pill, unsure of when she took the last one, but she didn’t care anymore she lost everything she cared about.  Miranda had gotten up to go to the bathroom, but before she could get very far she lost her balance and fell down hitting her head on the corner of the couch.  The hit was not hard enough to kill her, but it knocked her out causing her to mess on the floor instead of the bathroom.