“I don’t know why you waste your time repeating this every time you check on her,” the man behind me said. “I know why I called you in.”
“Because she may not be truly asleep,” he said, lifting and moving the blanket out of the way. “Has she freaked out on you yet?”
“No.”
My pants were slightly pulled down on one side and a bandage was gently ripped off my hip. My eyes blinked open as the man pressed around it before putting a new bandage over it.
“Infection is better. Not as red and healing nicely,” he mused.
“How many more treatments?”
“One. The antibiotics will stay in her system for a few more days to keep fighting it off.”
“Good,” the man said as he shifted in his seat.
“I’m gonna roll you over to check your back now, princess.” He pushed me to laying half way on my stomach before lifting my shirt. I was sure it was ugly.
“Bruising is healing. Some cuts will scar, but it looks better than yesterday. I’m more concerned about her lack of appetite. If she goes much longer without eating, I’m going to have to set up a feeding tube.”
“How much longer?”
“Tomorrow night, at the latest. I’d suggest we do it today.”
He righted my shirt and turned me back on my side. I couldn’t stop my eyes from taking him in, knowing he hadn’t given away that I was really awake. He was at least in his late thirties. Black hair. Dark, soft eyes. His touch was gentle, which confused me more than why they were trying to keep me alive.
“Then do it, Collin.”
“Talk to her while I’m gone,” the man named Collin said. “You never know, she may just hear ya.”
“Just do what I told you to do.”
“Yes, sir,” Collin said, a hint of amusement in his voice. His light footsteps went out into the hallway where he whispered to someone before he was completely gone.
Taking stock of my body, I wasn’t as sore. Stiff more than anything else. I assumed that the doctor was giving me pain meds; I had to wonder if it was regular pain meds or something more.
“What the heck am I going to say to someone who isn’t even awake?” the man said to himself. He moved around the room, picking up small things here and there, then sitting them back down. I kept my eyes closed as the man opened the curtains, letting in the dull light. What time was it?
“Start by telling her who you are,” Zevon said, entering the room. At his voice, I couldn’t stop my body from stiffening up.
“Why are you in here? Didn’t I tell you to stay out?”
“Collin asked for my help, since you refuse to even touch her,” Zevon answered easily. “Unless you changed your mind?”
There was no answer.
“That’s what I thought. I’d advise you to leave the room while we put the feeding tube in…unless all of a sudden she can eat food on her own.”
“Who’s the boss here?” the older man asked, a threat in his voice that made my blood run cold.
“You couldn’t handle it when Dr. Costa checked her over. You broke a mirror! This won’t be pretty either. Sir.” He tacked on the last word, but he wasn’t backing down.
“Fine,” the man huffed, not seeming too pleased. “I do need to make a phone call. Do not leave any marks on her, or I’ll cut your hands off.”
“Yes, sir,” Zevon said.
The man paused by the bed before he placed something next to me, right by my head. Zevon took the chance to sit behind me, but he didn’t touch me. I was sure he felt my body shift slightly away from him. I couldn’t help it.
“I don’t know why you fear me so much,” he mused. “Every time I’m near you, you jerk away from me. I promised you, Scarlett, I wouldn’t hurt you. I will keep that promise, even if it kills me. No one here will hurt you. In time, I hope you see that we’re here to save you, not harm you.” He fell quiet, in thought.
