Page 14 of Edge of Desperation
“Now, where were we?” Dr. Sheppard taps on her keyboard. “Oh, yes. You said your ribs hurt?”
“Yes,” I respond.
Dr. Sheppard comes around to the side of the gurney and gestures to my shirt. “May I?”
I sit up and lift the fabric under my breasts, revealing dark bruises around my ribcage and stomach. Willow gasps and covers her mouth.
“April, please take Aurora for X-rays first,” Dr. Sheppard requests. “I’ll send the order now.”
April helps me slip out of Jaxson’s shirt and into a hospital gown quickly before pulling over a wheelchair. Once I’m seated, Willow opens the door for us.
Jaxson stands with his arms crossed, blocking our exit. “Where are you taking her?”
April huffs. “I’m not at lib?—”
“X-ray,” Willow interrupts.
Jaxson nods and falls into step with us.
For the next thirty minutes, I’m put in different positions and made to stand and lie down for pictures. The tech explains that they are looking for broken bones and internal bleeding.
After the X-rays are complete, we head to the ER with Jaxson in tow. His presence gives me some semblance of peace, even though I’m scared to death of what is about to happen.
“I’ll be out here if you need me,” he promises.
“Thank you,” I whisper as April wheels me inside.
Once we’re back in the room, Dr. Sheppard wastes no time jumping into action.
“April, do you have the rape kit ready?”
“Yes,” April replies. “Do you want a full blood workup as well?”
“Full blood panel and full STD testing panel as well,” Dr. Sheppard orders. “Also, give Aurora one milligram of morphine now and every four hours for pain.” Dr. Sheppard glances at me. “You don’t have any internal bleeding, which is good, but you dohave a couple of broken ribs. Unfortunately, the only thing we can do for that is wrap them.”
April approaches me. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and the last thing you want is for me to poke you, but I need to take some blood.”
I could refuse, but I’d rather know if I’ve caught something. I hold out my left arm and let her draw the blood. April is surprisingly fast, and I barely feel the prick. The extra fluids that Hudson gave me rehydrated me enough that she didn’t have to stab me multiple times. Luckily, the pain medication can be inserted into the port through the IV, and I feel the effects quickly.
April rushes out the door to take the blood samples to the lab. Dr. Sheppard steps forward with her gloves and protective wear.
“I’m sorry we have to put you through another traumatic experience, Aurora, but we need to assess your injuries and take samples and pictures. My other nurse Carol, will be taking pictures for me,” Dr. Sheppard explains. “After we’re finished with the internal exam, we’ll get the rest of these cuts and scrapes cleaned up.”
I knew they would have to perform a thorough exam and take pictures, but it’s different knowing about it and actually having to live through it. It’s humiliating. I know they’re just doing their job, but I feel like I’m on display all over again. I bite my lip and squeeze Willow’s hand.
“I’ve got you,” she whispers.
The scraping of metal reaches my ears, and I look down to see stirrups sticking out of the end of the exam table.
“Scooch down for me, please. Place your feet here,” Dr. Sheppard instructs. “Wiggle your behind down a little further for me.” I scoot down until my ass hits the end of the table. “Okay, relax your knees, and let them just fall to the sides… That’s it.Okay, I’m going to touch the insides of your thighs first. Now, I’m going to begin the exam… Deep breaths.”
I hiss as she spreads me wider, tears cascading down my cheeks, and the flash of the camera reminds me that my shame is being recorded. I grip Willow’s hand like a vice. Right now, she’s the only thing holding me together.
I jerk back when Dr. Sheppard probes my anus. “Fuck,” I hiss.
“I’m sorry, Aurora.” Dr. Sheppard apologizes. “You have vaginal tearing and multiple tears in your anal cavity. They’re going to require stitches. I’m not going to lie, they won’t be comfortable, but we will get you numb before we start.”
Willow grabs my face, her eyes brimming with tears. “You are so brave,” she tells me. “Hold on a little longer.”
