Boots. Black boots with laces, I see when he kicks me in the face, the head. My arms, chest, back. I throw up the third time he kicks me in the stomach and he just keeps going, moving down to my legs and back up.
I faintly hear my phone go off, but there's no way I can grab it. More than one finger is broken, and I wouldn't be surprised if my arms are as well. I hurt. I hurt so badly I can't breathe.
My phone rings again when the blackness starts to dim my vision.
"Liv?" I hear someone call out.Bash.Help!I scream, but it's only in my head.
With one last fist to my face, my attacker takes off.
I turn to my side, my breath wheezing, the pain sharp and searing, and I attempt to crawl out where Bash can see me. I try to grunt or make noises, but all that comes out are wheezes and weak groans.
"Olivia!" he shouts.
I breathe faster until I'm about to hyperventilate, wanting him to find me, needing him to find me.
He hears me and runs.
"Livvy… baby!" he calls out in despair. His breath hitches and he reaches out to touch me but stops himself. "I won't touch you. I want to, but I don't know... I'm calling 911."
I hear him talking and I focus on pulling breath into my lungs, but with each inhalation, there's a gurgle—same when I exhale.What does that mean? Am I dying?The pain is so bad now I barely feel it. It might just be because I've closed my eyes and I feel myself drifting…
"No, she's breathing. Olivia! Open your eyes! Stay with me!" Bash yells, and I struggle and fight to do just that in spite of the fact they're swollen. I can still see through what I'm sure are tiny slits.
"Just hurry, god damn it! Everywhere. She's beaten everywhere," he tells the emergency operator. I can hear his fear and agony. I want to reassure him it's going to be okay—but I can't. Not just because I can't talk, but because I don't think it's true. It's not going to be okay. Not by a long shot.
eight
My mouth is dry.I need water, but I can't open my eyes. Why can't I open my eyes? Why does my body hurt? My chest, my jaw, my hands… it all hurts. I try to shift and the pain is excruciating. I can't breathe.
Someone's calling for a nurse—or a doctor? Or both? Next thing I know, the pain is fading and so am I. I remember this feeling. It happened after the accident. What happened that it's back?
My brain gets fuzzy and I don't fight it.
Ow. Shit. Fuck. Damn.What is going on?
"Liv."
I take a breath—even that hurts.
"Livvy," Bash murmurs, his hand gently brushing the hair off my forehead. "Just rest."
Easy for him to say. His body doesn't feel like it's going to implode on itself.
"She's awake and in pain," he tells someone.
"I've got her pain medication right here," a bright female voice says.
"Good. I don't want her to hurt," Bash tells her.
"Did you ever reach her parents?" that female voice asks.
"I did." Lex answers.
I want to see. I push myself to open my eyes but I just can't. My eyelids are too heavy and that blissful numbness that comes from those pain meds is taking over.
"They're on their way," Lex says.
"Where's your fucking brother?" he barks.
