The Silence Between Names

Chapter Twenty-Two: You're Safe

The room was blurry. Small beeps filled my ears, and I looked around. I wasn't in my room. I wasn't in the barn. I was in a hospital bed. My mother sprinted from her chair to my side and stroked the top of my head. She sobbed, her tears falling all over my forehead. I looked up to see my father and Annie beside me. 

"How did I get here?" I asked weakly.

"Walker Davison saved you. He hit Peter's car. Sent you through the windshield. You're arm is broken, but you're safe. That's all that matters." Her voice was thick with fear. 

Walker Davidson? I thought he was in the city.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"What?"

"Where is Walker?"

"Nobody's seen him. The police have been questioning him, but no one else has been in contact with him. You owe that man your life, honey."

"Where's Peter?"

"Peter is going away for a long time. You don't have to worry about him." She said back to me.

I felt my body rest back down, and my eyes closed. I was exhausted. 

_____________

"Another day, another funeral." I said to Annie, tying up the back of my new black dress.

I slipped on a pair of heels, and we drove to the cemetery. Looking at Jack's grave made me realize that I could have almost been there beside him. It made me sick to my stomach. We all stood around his casket, and tossed pieces of dirt onto the wood. I stayed there for hours, just standing. Annie was last beside me, her hand on my shoulder. 

"You gonna be okay?" She asked.

I nodded, eyes glued to the grass where Jack had been buried. I didn't want to leave the spot. I stayed there until it got dark. As I walked through the dark woods, I realized that I didn't feel fear anymore. That was until I heard a twig crack behind me, I spun around in fear.

"Relax, it's just me." Walker said, his tall figure emerging from the trees.

"Where have you been?" I asked softly.

"Seeing you hurt like that, it just killed me. I had to have some space."

"Noted." I replied shortly. 

"How are you doing?" He pulled me against his chest.

"About as well as I should be considering the circumstances." I said back. 

I looked up from his chest, and he examined me closely.

"You look so different." 

I had forgotten how different I really did look. My once long dark hair was now short and bleach blonde. My body was covered in scars and bruises from that day. My right arm was in a thick pink cast, with everyone's names scribbled on it. I felt embarrassed realizing my entire perception of myself was different.

"You look beautiful." he said, his eyes tracing me up and down. 

I knew he was just saying that, but it felt good to know that someone out there cared. 

"I'm going to be working here for my dad from now on. I'm never leaving you again." He said to me. 

I felt his lips press against my forehead, and for the first time in months, I was safe. 

____________

My mom and I got into her car, and pulled out of the garage, trying to dodge the press and reporters like little block ways. The flashes of cameras and coheres of questions overwhelmed me, and I pulled my hoodie over my head. My mom put her hand on my shoulder, as we drove off. The entire car ride was silent. I did not say a word. 

When we pulled into the parking lot, I took off my seatbelt and didn't want to go in.

"I know this is scary, but it's important for you."

I had never been to therapy before. I knew I needed it, but telling someone my problems felt too invasive. I was not on board. As we walked in, a small, older woman let me inside. She smelled like lavender and mint. My mother waited out in the living room while I sat in a chair across from her.

"I'm Doctor Jane." She said, introducing herself.

"I don't want to talk." I replied back to her.

"Then don't. We can just sit here." She said. 

For the first time in months, I told the full story. I told her everything.