I lie awake, but my eyes remain closed. The sterilizing scent hits my nose and I remember where I am. I’m too afraid to open my eyes. The last time I did, the life was scared from me. It was only Roman, only Roman. The man who was meant to meet me that fateful night. Why hadn’t he been there earlier? In some ways, I kind of blame him.
A faint snore beside my bed alerts me to someone in the hospital room. “Suzie?” I croak, my throat dry and scratchy.
There’s a hasty shuffle before I hear her familiar voice. “Oh, my sweet girl. How are you feeling?” Her soft hand touches my face.
I still can’t bring myself to lift my eyelids. The fear has a tight grip on me and I’m afraid of who I might see when I open them.
The intruder not only has tortured and violated my body, but he’s assaulted my dreams, turning them into night terrors. My captor, on the other hand? I’m not sure what’s become of him. He wasn’t the one who assaulted me in a way that could make me hate him. Well yes, he’d caused me to hurt, but I felt that in the last few days we’d grown close. Could he be dead? Did the intruder kill him? Why would he do that though?
I don’t answer Suzie’s question. I smell the calming scent of her lavender body wash mixed with her fruity body mist around me. Ever so slowly, I open my eyes, and there she is.
“Hello beautiful.” She smiles and it warms my heart immediately. A glistening sheen covers her cheeks, and dark rings decorate her eyes. I’ve done this to her. It’s beginning to sink in that I’m actually alive, and that once again I survived.
“Hey,” I whisper, wincing at the stabbing in my throat.
“I’m so glad you’re safe. So much has been going on, but I’ll wait to fill you in later when you’re stronger.” She perches on the edge of my bed, watching me. “Would you like a drink?”
I nod.
She hops off the bed and fills a cup with a straw and places it in my mouth. As soon as it hits my tongue, I want to moan. It’s like liquid gold.
“Good girl. Just little bits at a time for now,” she says, pulling the drink away from me. I want to scull that water, badly.
“Good to see you awake,” a female voice comes from the doorway. I shift my gaze her way. The doctor looks thirtyish, with short brown hair and a white doctor’s coat. She makes her way to me. There’s a glint of kindness in her eyes that comforts me. “I’m Doctor Chase, how are you feeling?”
Looking down at my body, I really think about how I’m feeling, and one thing comes to mind. “Confused,” I respond, my voice a little clearer now. The doctor watches me. A small smile plays on her lips. I continue, “Why am I still alive? I was sure the intruder killed me.”
Suzie is now standing on the opposite side of my bed, gripping my hand. Doctor Chase gently rests her hand on my shoulder.
“You’ve been through a lot, and you’re very lucky to be alive. I think we’ll leave the talk about what happened to the detectives when they arrive. I want to know how you and your body are feeling.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze, then removes her touch, grabbing my folder and opening it.
Raising my hand, I touch my collarbone. All I feel is a bandage covering it. “Do you have a hand-held mirror?” I ask Doctor Chase. My body feels stiff and aches in some places. I want to see what that man has done to me.
Looking up from the paperwork, she holds my gaze. “Are you sure you want one?”
I nod. “Yes.” Doctor Chase turns leaving the room for a moment. I release Suzie’s hand and wait for the doctor to return. A great fear of what’s been done to my body overwhelms me, but I don’t allow myself to get swallowed by it. I keep reminding myself that I’m here and I’m alive.
It’s not long before Doctor Chase is back, holding a mirror. She hands it to me, I grip it tightly unsure if I want to continue or not. Slowly, I turn the mirror so I can see my face, I’m appalled by what I find. My eyes are two black bruises. There are about four cuts, and two have about three stitches keeping them closed. Tears brim in my eyes, but I tilt the mirror downward to my collarbone, my heart pounding heavily against my chest. I can’t see what’s actually been done. There are patches covering cuts. White also covers a section of my throat.
Raising my hand, I lift the top of my gown, and when I do a flood of tears fall down my face. My once perfect body is now wrapped in white patches. “What did he do to me?” I yell, rage filling every fiber of me. Dropping the mirror on the bed, I cover my face with my hands, unable to look at my Frankenstein-like body. Tears sear my cheeks.
Suzie takes hold of my shoulders. “Look at me, Elenore.”
I don’t want to. I turn away from her.
“Elle, look at me,” she pleads.
With great reluctance, I meet her gaze.
“You’re a strong girl, Elenore—one of the strongest—and no matter what, I love you. This may have happened, but now you have to choose to get through this. I’ve seen you come through some rough times, and this is another one of them. You’ve got this, sweetie. I love you.” Her words are a comfort, but in my own eyes I can only see the patches. My legs, my arms, my face, and torso are all covered in some sort of bandage. I’m in pain and my body isn’t the one I remember, to me, I’m hideous.
“I’m so sorry.” Aware the doctor is still in the room, I quickly pull myself together.
“You suffered extensive injuries, and it’s a miracle you’re alive. You endured a lot, and with your last outburst two days ago you busted some of your stitches, so we had to keep you sedated for longer.”
Wiping away the wetness on my face, I ask, “How long has it been since I was found?” I look between them.
“It’s been nearly six days.” Suzie answers.
Six days? “Wha… have they found the person who did this to me?” They both shake their heads, solemn looks on their faces. My stomach twists with fear. “What if he comes for me again?” My voice rises with each word.
“It’s okay, Elenore, there’s a police officer outside. No one but us and the detectives can get through to see you.”
That’s a huge relief, but still doesn’t calm the unsettling swirl of fear in my stomach.
It’s been twenty-four hours since seeing myself in the mirror. Suzie hasn’t left my side, she’s sleeping on a chair beside my bed, lightly snoring; she uses my hospital bathroom and she has laid down the law and told them she’s not leaving. I love that woman; she’s always been my rock and I’m not sure I could get through this without her. I asked her about Roman after the doctor left us yesterday and she said that after I freaked out, he hasn’t been back. The hospital has informed us that they have told the detectives that I am now fully awake and alert. I suppose I’ll be seeing him again soon.
A light rap on the door startles me. Glancing up, my eyes fall on the most gorgeous man: Roman. A swarm of butterflies take up residence in my stomach. He and Dean were the only two guys in my life to make me feel like this, until I met my Captor. As evil as he was at the start, he seemed different that last night. I will always wonder if he would have let me go.
“Roman…” I whisper. He greets me with a huge smile. In his hands are some flowers, a beautiful arrangement of yellow and white daisies, baby’s breath, and purple lilies.
“Hey, you.” In two large strides he’s by my side, placing the flowers down on the bedside table. He leans in to me, and I sense his hesitance. Last time he touched me, I freaked out.
“It’s okay.” I breathe. I want to feel his arms around me again. I open my arms to him, he takes that as his cue and places a gentle kiss on my lips, then tenderly wraps me in his arms. The tension within me releases slightly at his touch.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. I thought I’d lost you,” he whispers into my ear. Tingles spread from my chest and up my neck. He feels amazing—safe. We’ve only been close like this twice, but both times have been unforgettable. While I was locked up, I did wonder if I’d ever see him again and if we’d get to explore where our feelings took us.
After a short time he releases me. I feel the loss instantly. “I missed you.” He casts his eyes down and continues, “I’m sorry. I should have been there waiting for you.”
Extending my hand, I press it against his cheek. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m alive and that’s the main thing,” I assure him. He says nothing, but stands and pulls a chair closer to the bed.
“These were outside for you. I told the nurse I’d bring them in. Did you want the card?”
Oh, they’re not from him? The hope and happiness that was there moments ago dims a little. “Oh… sure… thanks.” I give a weak smile. It feels so surreal to be here with him beside me. I never thought I’d see him again.
He hands me the card. I unfold the piece of cream paper. My stomach drops at the familiar handwriting.
The captor.