Page 38 of Fractured Souls
It hurts. I can't keep going, I'm just so tired. I need to stop. I can just lay down; I don't have to get back up.
No! I didn't make it this far for some assholes to stop me. I run and I run until… Oh. I don't know why I came here. I know I looked it up the other day to see how far it was, but I told myself I wouldn't do it.He's a complete stranger, you idiot.
I’m currently staring up at the huge building that is theSWEAT FACTORY.I drop to the ground, my legs ready to give out. I don’t even remember the run. My body was on autopilot to get away, and I couldn’t stop or focus on anything around me.
But I need medical attention; I know I'm going to pass out soon.
Fuck! I pull the card out of my pocket, then slowly stand myself up, my legs shaking as I struggle to the door. As soon as I walk in limping, bloody, and bruised, all eyes turn to me. A huge guy comes running up to me, “Hey! Girl… what?” That's all I hear as everything fades to black.
When I wake, I don't recognize my surroundings and immediately start to freak out. When a hand lands on my shoulder, I scream.
Then the voice breaks through my panic, "Open your eyes, sweetie. It's okay, you’re in the hospital, and I'm your nurse, Natasha. Open your eyes. Just do it slowly; it'll help the panic." Her voice helps bring me back, and I slowly blink my eyes open. She smiles at me. "Welcome back. You were out for about two hours. Do you remember what happened?"
I start to shake my head but then it all comes back to me. I gasp. Oh my god! Leaving the motel, the guys attacking me, running, the gym, then nothing…
Natasha looks at me with pity, and I fucking hate it. I don't want her pity. I need to get out of here. "Sweetie, there is a man here. He says he's a friend of yours, but we couldn't let him back since you were out and had no information or family here, but now it's your choice. His name is Lincoln."
I go to say I don't know him but the card, the guys at the store… I'm going to have to explain something to him. Maybe he can get me out of here.
I nod. “He can come back.”
She smiles sweetly at me. “Okay, can you tell me your name so I can look you up?”
I freeze up. What do I do? Oh fuck, this is it. I fucked up and now I’ll end up back with Tammy.
Natasha bends to look me in the eyes. “You need to breathe, sweetie, it’s okay. Breathe for me. I'll get your friend and then maybe we can all talk.”
I nod, hoping I can figure out what to do while she's gone. I try to practice the breathing Grayson showed me at school, but it isn't working. I close my eyes and picture his green ones and immediately I feel like I can breathe again. A few minutes later, the nurse comes back with Lincoln behind her; he seems worried but with no signs of pity, which calms my nerves a little. The nurse leaves us alone, saying she'll come back in a few minutes.
"I'm so glad you're awake. How are you? What hurts? Do you need the doctor?" His voice is calming but anxious.
I give him a small smile and say, "I think you need to sit, Lincoln. I'm okay, but I'm not sure you are." I didn't mean for that to be my reaction, and I worry he will get mad at me, but that worry instantly goes away when he chuckles, grabs a chair, and pulls it closer.
“I'm glad to see you awake and talking. I was so worried when they called me.” I must be showing my confusion because he adds, “After you passed out, one of the guys I work with, Atlas, saw my card in your hand, so he called me, and I came straight here when he said he was going to bring you in.”
I nod, not sure what else to say. I need to get out of here soon. They must not know I'm a minor yet, and I have no intentions of them finding out.
I look at Lincoln. “I think I'm fine. I should probably get going, though. You'll have to tell your friend, Atlas, thank you for me.” I try to smile, but I know it's weak.
Lincoln narrows his eyes, and his lips pinch together.
Shit. I need to get out of here. I knew I shouldn't have showed up at the gym.
Before I can try to come up with something else to get him out of here so I can sneak out, he stands. “Actually, I have a friend who works here in the hospital. I want her to check you over and you can talk to her. Maybe she can help with whatever is going on. I'm really worried about you, kiddo.”
I nod. “Okay that sounds great,” I lie, hating it but knowing I have to get out of here.
He smiles and leaves the room and that's when I act. I jump up, holding in a whimper at the jolt of pain it sends through me. I find my clothes in a bag and throw them back on. I grimace when I realize there is dried blood on them.
Once I'm done, I quickly check the door. I don't see anyone right away, so I walk out slowly, then turn and look for a way to go. I see the exit sign and head towards it. Once I'm through the doors, I realize I have no idea where I am. I start walking through the parking lot when someone shouts to stop. I turn my head and see Lincoln looking panicked, running towards me.
Fuck! I have no idea what to do. So I freeze and just wait. This is going to be bad; he's going to hurt me for lying and running.You should've known better.
Once he catches up to me, I see a lady with dirty blonde long hair following a few feet behind him. She’s the same height as me and in scrubs, so it must be his friend. She stops abruptly and gives me a confused glance over, her eyebrows scrunching as she examines me. Her bright sea-blue eyes are looking at me all over, specifically my hair and my face.
I don't like this. I want to run. What's the chance of me getting away if I just turn and run? Before I can even try, Lincoln steps closer, and I take a step back.
“Wait, I know something is going on, okay? Just let me help. If you don't want to be here, that's fine, but please let me help. It's just a gut feeling, okay? I can't just walk away this time. I knew I shouldn't have last time. Please don't run. I won't hurt you, and neither will Brielle.” He points to his friend and continues talking, but I don't hear a single thing he says as I stare at her. She is staring back at me with a look of longing.
