perfidia

chapter 5

I sat up in bed, not sleeping a wink. Waddling to my small mirror on my dresser seeing the red puffy eyes, and huge bags. I look like a different person. How could Frank do that to me, what was he planning on doing? Well, it is obvious what he was planning. I shiver at the thought.

He will be in the ward today on my shift and I'm dreading it. Men like him never really get punished for assaulting women. As awful and traumatic as it is, it is very common for women to be assaulted these days. But back home, I always had Bernard with me, he always protected me. Oh if he could see me now.

I begin to dress for my shift, just pushing my emotions aside. When I see frank today I must think no matter how much evil I see,  it's important for everyone to understand that there is much more light than darkness.

This will not destroy me.

I leave the confines of my small room with no sleep and begin down the dreaded corridor I walked down just a few hours ago. I rub my hands together trying to ease the shaking and slowly turn the corner to Ward 4D. Immediately my eyes land on Franks bed. He's not there. The weight off my chest lifts.

"Hey Addie wanna give out the oat meal?" Sofia says from my side as she wheels the tray to me. She mustn't know. Good. I don't want anyone to know.

"Sure" I try and do the best smile I can.

I begin to wheel the tray to each wounded man in the ward and have general conversation with any of them who is willing, which distracts me for a while. 

I reach Walter and he is still sleeping so I place his oat meal on his bedside table. 

I then role the trolley over to Luke, not wanting much conversation myself with him this morning. Due to the fact that he got so defence of the Cora situation.

I place the porridge down and a glass of water and begin to walk away.

"Adelaide."

This stops me in my tracks I look to Luke and he is looking at me. "Can you sit a minute"

"I can't right now there is a lot-"

"it will just take a moment." He abruptly says.

We make eye contact, and for some reason I take a seat on his bed just arm length away from his face.

"What can I do for you Mr. Jenkins?" I say in an almost sarcastic voice.

He is silent for a few seconds, "I just wanted to say-"

The bell rings cutting him off  and both of our heads shoot up to look but Lillian runs to the door, to solve it.

"hurry I need to-"

"Whats that?" he abruptly cuts me off again. 

I frown and look back at him, "What's what?" he suddenly reaches forward towards my neck and my eyes widen in fear, last nights images flashing in my mind. 

I quickly stand up. 

"You have bruises on your neck." he says with a frown.

I quickly move my hair to the side and shrug trying to think of something to say or do.

I go to walk away but he says "where is Frank Adelaide?" I look down at him thinking I would see a curious face but instead a seen a furious scowl. I am also still slightly shocked he said my name.

"I don't know." I say and walk away. I quickly rush out the room to the girls lavatories, when I am standing in front of the sink mirror I gasp.

There are small dotted bruises on my neck. I run my hand over them and find that they are indeed in the shape of a hand print.

I begin to cry. What has my life came to. I was tossed around like a doll-  No Adelaide! There is a war I am doing my duty, for my country, I mustn't pity myself. Never pity yourself, mama always says.

I swiftly wipe my tears and exit the bathroom and see Dr. Adair walking towards me this cannot be good.

"Adelaide how are you?" I nod and smile "will you please come with me to my office, myself and Lillian would like a word?" I nod nervously somehow thinking this is my fault, he probably twisted the whole thing. 

"Am I in trouble?" I stutter.

"No, Adelaide we just want to discuss last night." I nod and we begin the route to Dr. Adair's office. He opens the door for me and I walk in and see Frank sitting on the small chair next to the desk. I gulp and begin to slightly shake as he smirks.

"Take a seat here Adelaide" Lillian says, I didn't even notice her I just seen the devil himself sitting there. 

I sit down in the seat furthest away from Frank. 

"Okay Adelaide, please tell us what happened last night."

My mouth goes dry and I grow nervous. "erm... well... I-I" my palms begin to sweat I feel as though I am in elementary school again.

"She asked me to meet her outside the Ward, she's been beggin' me all week I w-" Frank says suddenly.

My jaw drops, "That is not true! I would never I-"

"Okay Miss Bell, Okay... Frank please be quiet whilst we listen to Adelaides side." Doctor Adair trys to calm me.

I sigh, "Okay... I went to get a blanket out the linen closet by ward 4d because I was rather chilly in bed-" I hear frank call me square but I proceed hesitantly. "I pulled a blanket out the closet and Frank pushed me up against the wall and attacked me... erm then you both came..." I rush the first part but go slower at the end.

"Thats not true" he mumbles.

"Okay Miss Belle." Dr Adair says. I am not entirely sure what is going through his or Lillians mind at this point.

Lillian and Dr. Adair begin to whisper and Lillian writes something on a piece of paper, he nods and I frown.

"Okay here is what is going to happen." I gulp, will I be sent home. Mama and Papa will be disappointed.

"Adelaide, as it is our rule not to fraternise with the men in our care you will be granted a warning." I put my head down in shame, and Frank lets out an obnoxious laugh.

"And you Frank, you will be moved to Ward 2C and will not be allowed access to any other wards from now own, you will also be monitored off a night just incase you get any urges again. Are we clear?" Franks stops in shock.

I cannot believe they are punishing him at all, they should do more but I'm grateful I won't have to see Frank anymore. 

"Thank you Dr Adair, Lillian. This won't happen again." I stand up to leave. Dr. Adair excuses himself as he has patients. Myself and Lillian begin to leave when Frank grabs my wrist I gasp.

"Nice bruises baby. You better watch your back."

"Enough." Lillian says and grabs my other hand.

We begin to walk down the corridor back to ward 4d, still slightly shaken up by him grabbing me in that manner and threatening me. What could he mean watch my back?

"Don't you worry darling, that man is all the way across the building he won't hurt you. I must run, Sofia needs help with an amputee." She rubs my arm softly and walks away. With a shaky breath and a pep talk running through my mind I re-enter 4D.