Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 53

***TRIGGER WARNING- violence mentions***

"Then you hit him?" The officer taking Cat's statement asked her.

"No, my friend Mira Lynne came up from behind and hit him with the vase that is shattered all over the floor."

"Okay. Well, I think we have all we need from you. Thank you for your cooperation, miss." The officer started walking away, but turned back around. "Oh, and please be sure to get your neck checked out."

"You're welcome. I will."  Cat sighed and wrapped her arms around herself. Reluctantly she walked to the EMT.

Mira Lynne was still talking to another officer. "I heard shouting from Cat's apartment. When I came in to check, I saw Cat being held against the wall by her throat, so I grabbed the vase and hit him."

"Okay. Thank you for your statement." The officer turned to her colleague and they started talking. Mira Lynne went to Cat and gave her a hug.

"Are you okay?" Mira Lynne asked, worried.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just waiting for the EMT to check my neck. Are you okay? The vase didn't cut your hand or anything, did it?"

"No, no, I'm fine. Once you're cleared, get what you need from here and we'll go back to my place. You can stay as long as you need to." She glanced at Damien, still unconscious. "How did he know you were here?"

"I don't know." She admitted, looking down. "He could've followed my car at some point."

Mira Lynne shivered. "What—what can we do?"

"Hope he gets put in jail for a long time,"  she half-joked. She stifled a laugh, but stopped, her hands jolting up to her neck. "Ow..."

"Okay, miss, come on over and I'll get you examined." They had finished looking over Damien, who now had handcuffs around his wrists which were behind his back.

"Thank you." She nodded to Mira Lynne, then walked over to the EMT.

"Hey. You called for me?" Cat offered a stressed smile to the EMT.

"We just wanted to check out your neck and vitals. We would recommend a follow up with your primary doctor as well within a week." The EMT started getting her equipment ready.

"Alright... He couldn't have done much damage, right?" She asked, somewhat hopeful.

"You were conscious the entire time he was strangling you, correct?"

"Yes."

"That is some good news. Are you having any difficulty breathing?"

"A little bit... But not too much."

"Is it easing up from when the incident first occurred?"

She thought about it for a moment. "Unfortunately, I don't think so."

"Are you having any pain or difficulty swallowing?"

"A little..."

"Are you feeling dizzy at all?"

She nodded, looking down.

"Do you have any ringing or buzzing in your ears?"

"A faint ringing."

"Okay. Your neck does have some bruises forming, so do not be alarmed by that. Just make sure you have another adult stay with you for the next few days. Be sure to see your doctor or go to the nearest clinic immediately if any of your symptoms get worse."

"Okay... I can do that... Am I okay to work?"

"I would recommend taking a couple days off to be sure you don't have any worsening symptoms. After a couple days, as long as your symptoms are diminishing, you can go back to work. Do not push yourself."

"Okay. Do you need anything else from me?"

"No, you are clear. Just be sure to follow up with your doctor. They can run more thorough tests."

"Will do. Thank you so much."

Mira Lynne looked around. Cat was done with the EMT and came over to her.

"Excuse me, Officer, are we free to go now? My friend has been released from the EMT's," Mira Lynne asked the closest officer to them.

"Yes, you ladies are free to go."

"Thank you for everything, Officers."

"Yes, thank you for everything, officers." Cat stood next to Mira Lynne.

They turned and walked out to Cat's car. Mira Lynne was still looking a bit guilty.

"Cat, I really am sorry I followed you, I just had a very bad feeling, and—"

"Mira Lynne, you saved my life. I couldn't repay you if I tried. Don't feel bad."

Mira Lynne looked down. "I just— I couldn't shake this feeling." Mira Lynne looked back up. "I'm not sorry for what I did to him. From what you told me, he deserved a lot worse."

"He's getting what he deserves now." Cat placed a hand on her shoulder.

"So, you're just heading back to my place, right?"

"Uhm... Once I grab my things, I think so." She looked away.

"Cat? What's wrong?"

"Well... There's someone I'd like to pay a visit to... I just... I don't know." She was hesitant to tell Mira Lynne.

"Do you want me to go with you? I'd honestly feel better if you weren't alone now. Should you even be driving?"

"That would be great... thank you. Let's grab my things, I'll put on something to hide my neck a bit, and we can head on over."

"We can leave your car here until you feel safe to drive."

"Okay."

Cat got what she needed from her apartment and met Mira Lynne in her car.

"So, where to?"

"Community Hospital..." She said hesitantly, placing a scarf around her neck.

"Is... is everything okay, Cat?"

"No..." She admitted.

"I'm not going to pressure you into telling me. But just know I am here if you want or need to talk."

"Alright, Thank you."

They rode in silence for a bit longer.

"Mira Lynne?"

"Mhm?"

"You know I'd do the same for you, right?"

"Yes, and I appreciate it too." Mira Lynne glanced over at Cat and smiled.

Cat smiled back at her, but as she looked out the window, it faltered.

When they arrived, Cat got out of the car.

"Cat, did you want me in there with you, or did you want to go in alone?"

"Could you come in with me?"

"Of course."

Walking into the hospital, Cat walked up to the receptionist.

"Is Nathan Morse accepting visitors at this moment?" She asks.

"Nathan Morris?" The receptionist questioned.

"No, Morse. M-o-r-s-e. Is he accepting visitors?"

"Morse, Nathan. Ah, here we go. Room 127. It shows he is."

"Can we see him, then?"

"Go on ahead. Take a right at the end of the hall, and it should be through the double doors, the fourth room on the left."

"Thank you." She turned towards Mira Lynne. "Come on..." She took Mira Lynne's hand, and walked down the hall, following the receptionist's instructions.