To heal is to touch with love that which we previously touched with fear ~ Stephen Levine
Monae Lockhart, a 23 years old baker with a past not as sweet as her treats. On her journey towards healing she crosses path with Nasir King, a broken soul wi...
When I came to again, I was in a bright room and the strong smell of disinfectant burnt my nose. Sitting up, I hissed as my side began to ache and the girl I didn't notice in the chair jumped up with wide eyes.
"Oh my God!! You're awake!!" She exclaimed rather loudly.
Damn, I'm awake, not deaf sis.
She ran out of the room, and a few seconds later she came back with a male nurse, who stared at me like I was a sideshow attraction then left as quickly as he came. I focused my attention on the girl approaching my bed.
"I have been worried sick after you ran in front of my car then collapsed, I thought you were dead. There was so much blood" she whispered the last part staring intently at me. An older dark-skinned woman came in before I could reply. She introduced herself as her gaze quickly ran over me and adjusted her glasses before turning to the girl that has been standing by my bed.
"Ma'ryah, do you mind stepping outside for a bit please?" She asked politely.
I don't know why but my hand shot out and gripped her own as my eyes silently begged her to stay, she probably thought I was crazy.
"I'm ok with her staying," I said quickly, I mean she did save my life.
Nodding the doctor began listing all that had happened to me as I drifted into my mind only picking up on a few of the words she was saying here and there.
"2 months in an induced coma."
"Broken ribs and nose."
"Bullet missed important organs" "Baby"... that word brought me back down to earth.
"Baby?" I asked confused
"You were 2 months pregnant Ms. Lockhart, however, from your expression I'll assume you were unaware."
Letting out a nervous laugh "that's impossible, I've been using protection and I've been taking my pi-" I trailed off as I remembered something.
"You think I didn't know about you taking those f**king pills?" Amir said as he stood over my naked body on the floor.
"That's why I switched that shit and bored the condoms you bitch!! You don't want my kids because you're busy f**king these niggas!!!"He exclaimed as he kicked me to my stomach, and I saw him lift the shiny metal as I curled into a ball to protect myself.
"Ms. Lockhart?" Dr. Nuri called out, as a choked sob escaped me, and I wrapped my arms around my abdomen.
I told him I didn't want a baby because I wasn't ready but in honesty, I didn't want my child growing up in that kind of environment. I experienced firsthand what that could do to you from my foster parents. I didn't think he would have deliberately tried to get me pregnant; I should have known better when he never disagreed when I suggested he always used protection.
"Monae are you ok?" Ma'ryah asked while wrapping her arms around me as I cried even more.
"That's a stupid question, of course, you're not ok!" She answered her question hugging me tighter as I clung to her like a child would do its mother after getting hurt.
"Ms. Lockhart, I'm sorry this happened to you" the doctor stated sympathetically.
"But as of now you're free to leave however, there are two officers outside that would like to speak to you before you go" with that statement she left the room, and the officers entered shortly after.
I tensed as the male officer's gaze lingered on me a bit longer than I thought was necessary.
"Do you have to stare at her like if she's a circus act!?" Ma'ryah asked as he turned to glare at her.
"You people are always aggressive for no reason"
I barely heard him mumble, I almost thought I imagined it until I heard his female counterpart gasp getting in between him and Ryah who I hadn't even realized moved.
"I'll show you aggressive, you asshole" she exclaimed as his partner asked him to leave. Giving me one last look that I couldn't decipher he left the room.
"Do you know him or something?" Ryah asked me, shaking my head no I focused on the female officer who stood there looking like a tomato with how flustered she got.
"I'm sorry about my partner, he's not usually like that." She said sounding like she didn't even believe that statement herself.
"Yea, right" Ma'ryah muttered from beside me.
Clearing her throat, the officer began questioning me and I answered her to the best of my abilities. Finally, she asked the question I've been dreading.
"Can you provide the name of the person who did this to you? And would you like to press charges?
Did I really want Amir locked up for this? He did say it was my fault he hit me, maybe if I didn't question him and just do what he said then it wouldn't happen. Maybe if I go back and apologize he'll forgive me.
A subtle squeeze to my hand brought me out of my thoughts as I glanced up at Ma'ryah, the look in her eyes was what gave me the courage to speak up. It told me "You're not alone anymore, I'm here."
"His name is Amir Hernandez, and yes I would like to press charges."
I settled my gaze on the officer who smiled in return.
I guess you could say that day was the turning point in my life, without Ma'ryah there silently encouraging me to speak up, I would have probably gone back to Amir. And I'll forever be thankful to her for being with me at that moment.
~
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