“Sorry it took me so long,” a soft voice said. I stopped the whine before it started. My short moment of peace had officially been interrupted. “A few things are going to change.” There was a pause at the same time that Ryker’s breath froze. “It’ll be good, so don’t worry.”
Instantly, his body relaxed, as did mine. He must have noticed, as the arms around me tightened just a smidgen.
“I’ll explain more when your friend is more aware,” she went on. The leather chair made a noise as she took a seat. “Just know that Gale will no longer be on the case.”
“Good,” Ryker breathed, seeming relieved.
“I can’t believe Detective Luke ever thought to bring her in,” the lady grumbled. “She’s the last person who should have talked to him.”
“From what I heard out there, I think it’s safe to say she won’t be back,” Ryker said. His voice was rough, as though he had fallen asleep holding me.
I didn’t know how long I’d been out of it, or what had happened.
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “My emotions sometimes get the better of me.”
“You won’t yell at him, right?”
God, I hoped not. I didn’t do anything wrong, but that didn’t mean anything. Steven always yelled or hit. Or did something else. All I’d have to do was breathe wrong and he had me pinned up against the wall.
This time, a whine did leave my throat as flashes brought forth memories of what the man had done to me, of the pain he caused me and forced me to inflict on others.
“Shh. It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Ryker’s voice made Steven disappear. There had only been one other person who could do that, and I’d never get to see him again.
I sniffed, refusing to think about him. It wouldn’t do me any good now.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, turning slightly so I faced the stranger. I couldn’t help my reaction, grabbing onto the front of Ryker’s black shirt.
“It’s okay.” Ryker, again.
“Hi there,” the lady greeted with a small wave. “I’m Scarlett.”
I blinked at her, waiting for the panic to hit. When it didn’t, I squinted at her instead.
“I had Ryker give you one of your pills a few hours ago, so you may be feeling a bit out of sorts. It’s normal,” she explained. “You’ve been sleeping for about two hours. I haven’t touched you once during that time.”
I blinked again, not sure what to say to that. She seemed… honest, I guess.
“Do you remember what happened before that?”
I was about to shake my head, but then I stopped. I wasn’t sure. So much was blurry, like I was always looking through a fishbowl.
“Gale…” My voice cracked, throat dry. I closed my eyes, willing my emotions to stay under control. I’d already made enough of a fool out of myself.
“Went too far,” Scarlett stated softly. “She should have known better.”
Would I have to start all over again? Was that why this new lady was here? I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to do it with Gale to begin with.
Scarlett leaned forward slightly in her chair, her eyes soft and understanding. “You are the victim. Do you know what that means?”
I shook my head. I’d heard the word so many times from almost everyone, but it didn’t make any sense to me. Not when I’d been the monster for so long. Maybe I still was… but that wasn’t the question right now.
“A victim is a person who has been harmed in some sort of way, or multiple ways, by another person. Someone hurt you, badly. Now, to my understanding, you have given your statement. Everything from start to finish. There is no need to relive it again. It’d do more harm than good.”
If I was the so-called victim now, what would I really be once she found out I’d killed someone?
“Do you think you can get up now?” she went on after a moment.
With a sigh, because I really didn’t want to, I pushed myself up and away from Ryker. He let me go, giving me a small, encouraging smile. When I was sitting back against my normal corner, he moved to stand and stretch.
