His hands hover over me, probably wondering where he can or can’t touch.He doesn’t realise the relief I feel inside at the sight of him, or how hearing his voice has already eased some of the pain.My heart aches at the sight of him, so I do the thing he’s not strong enough to do right now.I reach for him, clutching his T-shirt.“Don’t move,” he orders gently.“God, please don’t move.”
“I-I’m o-kay,” I heave.
“No, baby.You aren’t.Your face, your eyes...”He clenches his eyes shut, lowering his head.Tears fall when he reopens them.“What else hurts besides your face and throat?”
I point to my foot, which is swollen and bruised, and then to the wrist that is hanging limply at my side.“I f-fought back.”
A sob erupts from his chest as he rests his forehead against mine, gently cupping the back of my head.“Angel, you are a fucking warrior.Never again.You will never need to fight like this ever again.This is a vow.A promise.”
“She’s my fucking daughter,” I hear yelled, and my hands grip onto Jaxon, not registering my dad’s voice until I see him storming into the room.
He takes one look at me and collapses to the floor, his hands on his knees as he stares at me.“I...”he gulps, unable to form words.
I can only feel my injuries.I can’t see them.Going by all three reactions, it must be horrific.
I jolt in Jaxon’s arms, whimpering when new voices enter the room.“Hey, baby, it’s the paramedics.They’re going to help you.”
I shake my head, a deep, guttural sound erupting from my chest.I shuffle back, ignoring the shards of pain hitting every inch of my body as I do.Jaxon’s grip tightens a little on my face as he cups my cheeks.“They won’t hurt you.They won’t hurt you.”
I shake my head harder, not wanting anyone near me.Jaxon is here now.Rose is safe.I am safe.Barry is safe.Drew has him.
I whimper again, the sound forcing my dad out of his frozen state.“Princess, you need to let them look at you.”
Rose begins to stir again, her cries echoing in the room as I refuse to let anyone near me.They don’t understand.I don’t understand.I just know I can’t let them near me.My pulse races as they begin to pull things from their bags.My eyes are wide as deep, agonising whimpers and groans slip through my lips.
“Lily, let them help you,” Charlotte pleads, and I hear the tears in her voice.
All their eyes are on me.Their concern, their fear, the pain vibrating through my body—I don’t understand it.
“We need to administer a sedative.ABD,” a voice reveals.
“What?”Jaxon asks.“What does ABD mean?”
The ringing in my ears grows louder and louder until I can barely make out shapes in front of me.I hear Jaxon warn them about something.I feel a hand pressing down on my leg before I feel a sting.
My vision blurs once more, but this time it’s different.My joints feel limp, and a weight on my chest grows heavy, the fight leaving me.
