Page 44 of Dear Mr. Vampire
“No, when I came to, I was in the ambulance. My clothes were on. I felt so much pain. My head hurt, my face hurt, and my neck. I didn’t feel like I had been violated. My clothes were dirty, but they weren’t out of place.”
“Okay.” My mind swirled with the possibilities. The first possibility was her ex-boyfriend, Alonzo Lopez. It could be my ex Teresa. Could it really be Teresa?
“They didn’t get anything. Maybe it was just some kids or something. I wish I’d seen my attackers.”
“I have hidden video cameras on the property.”
“You do?” She seemed genuinely surprised by this.
“Yes. There are cameras everywhere.”
“What do you mean, you said, I have cameras everywhere?”
Oh shit. “Yeah, I do. I never mentioned I owned the apartment building.”
“Zand, you own the apartment building?”
“I own the club, the apartment, and a few other properties around the city.”
Something changed in her eyes. I wasn’t sure what, but something. “Are you in pain?”
“No, not now. I was, but they gave me something. I’m highly medicated.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Yeah, but I look like a monster. It looks worse than it is. I promise.”
“Your wounds will heal. Nothing is fractured.”
“How do you know?”
“I read your chart.” I pointed to the whiteboard where a clear pocket held a clipboard.
Her eyes followed. “Oh, what does the chart say?”
“It says you’ll be fine. No broken ribs, just bumps and bruisesand a concussion.” I wanted to reassure her she would be safe. “I should’ve been there.”
“I never needed an escort to the garbage can before. It’s so dark in the morning. I should’ve waited until after work.”
“No, it should be safe for you anytime. Did you get any description at all? I’m going to check the cameras, but did you see anything?”
“No, not really. I think there were two people. It felt like I was being hit from different directions.”
“Men, or women?”
“They were small like women but they could’ve been short men. They didn’t speak. I don’t know. I was hit right away. Then I was fighting. Then I was seeing stars. There were more punches and I think my head slammed into the side of the garbage dumpster and I was knocked out.”
“Probably how you got the concussion. Do you know how long you’re going to be in the hospital?”
“If everything looks good, I can go home tomorrow.”
“I will pick you up, take you back to the apartment. Do I need to call someone for you?”
“No, no, no.” She shook her head, but her movements were stiff.
“What about your friend, Morgan?”
“No, no. I don’t want to worry her. With Craig’s funeral, I don’t want to add anything else on her. She has a lot going on. I’m going to tell her, eventually. Later, when I don’t look so hideous.”
