Sparks

5. Southside Serpents

Nick was driving back home from the office. He wanted to stop in and check on Cheryl before his dinner with the new client. He pulled up to the parking garage, but immediately turned around when he saw the place crawling with cop cars. "WHAT THE FUCK HAS SHE DONE?! I THOUGHT SHE WAS SMARTER THAN THIS!" He yelled out loud to himself and sped off to find his dad. He always knew what to do in these situations.

A doctor walked into the emergency room waiting area, calling out "Family for Cheryl Blossom?"

The trio stood up, walking over to the doctor. "I'm her brother!" Jason spoke.

"Doctor, this is her friend, Josie. They both are her emergency contacts, now."

"Yes, of course, officer. I'm Cheryl's doctor, Dr. Grey. Cheryl is awake and we've stitched her up. We also also noticed some bruising on her ribs, which seem to be a few days old, but thankfully not broken or fractured. We have her on a low dose of morphine to help with the pain. She's also on suicide watch for the next two days, and then she can be discharged. I highly recommend that once she's discharged, she sees a psychiatrist. I can recommend a few in the area, if you would like." Jason nodded in understanding, "As helpful as that would be, I'm taking her back to New York with me once she's discharged. May we see her, now?"

Dr. Grey led the three of them up to Cheryl's room. She stopped once they got off the elevator, "She's in room 203. Down the hall, on your right." They all nodded before heading that way.

Jason walked up to the door, and took a deep breath, with Josie squeezing his hand to comfort him. Jason lightly knocked on the door, before cracking it open.

Cheryl was sitting up in her bed, drinking water. "Cheryl..." Jason suddenly spoke. Cheryl turned her head to the left, almost fast enough to give her whiplash. "Jason?! Josie?! Thank God you're here!" She cried.

They both ran over to hug her, as Officer Benson stepped in and shut the door behind them. "Who's this?" Cheryl asked, referring to the police officer. Josie spoke up, "Hun, this is officer Olivia Benson. She was the police officer who met me at your apartment after I got your text. Cheryl, the cops went to your apartment after you were brought here. They found blood on the floors and walls, and...on the bed. And all of the bruises...what did Nick do?"

"You don't have to talk now Cheryl, but it's best that you do. I'll need to get your statement today, hopefully soon. And because of what we found, we'll also need to do a rape kit. You're safe, Cheryl." Olivia said.

Cheryl nodded, tears in her eyes, "I'll tell you everything. He deserves any punishment for what he's put me through." She looked to Jason and Josie, "I'm sorry you guys have to hear this." The duo each grabbed one of Cheryl's hands, waiting for her to continue.

"Nick started getting abusive...rough, after we got engaged. The other night, Saturday night, to be exact, I came home after spending the day with Josie. He was home earlier than expected and started y-yeling at me for spending too much money and for being out with Josie, specifically. He had been drinking, but I'm not sure how much. We got into a fight and he pushed me against the wall, hitting my head against it a few times. T-then Jason called my phone, but Nick answered and told Jason I was in the shower, but really I was on the floor, sobbing. Then h-he, um...he grabbed me by the hair, dragging me to the bed, where he knocked me unconscious. Next thing I remember is waking up to him r-r-"

Olivia spoke up, "You don't have to continue, Cheryl. Is that how you got the bruises on your face?" Cheryl nodded. "And the ones on your arms?" Cheryl, Jason and Josie were all crying. "Those are from Sunday night...last night." Cheryl said.

"Alright. Well, Cheryl. A doctor will be in shortly to do the rape kit. I'll be in touch with you. Here's my card if you need anything. Thank you for speaking with me, Cheryl. You're very brave." Olivia said as she walked out of the room.