Not Again

Chapter Fourteen - 'Thanks Doc'

Angela

We just sit here for what feels like hours, waiting, until finally a doctor emerges from the OR. 'Anyone here for Lucy Chen?' She called out as she looked around. 

'That's us!' Aaron calls out as we all stand up and approach the nurse. 

'Have we got Tim Bradford, Angela Lopez or Nyla Harper?' She asks, looking around at the group. 

'That's us three.' We say as we step out. 

'Perfect, you're her emergency contacts. May you follow me so I can give you the updates?'

'Could you give us the news here?' Tim asks. 

'No, sorry, the information I am about to disclose to you three is very sensitive. You can fill in the others later, but according to hospital policy, I can only tell you.'

Me and Nyla exchange a glance. This can't be good.

We all follow her into an empty patient room and take a seat. 

'The surgery was successful and she should be making a near full recovery, however she did fall into cardiac arrest twice during the procedure so we re-animated her. We did manage to extract the bullet, however the shot had damaged a nerve. meaning it will limit mobility in her left shoulder and she will have pains that vary from severe to minor in the area she was shot.' 

We all exchange a look of concern.

'There was also evidence of severe internal bleeding, and her stomach was punctured by the bullet. It has been repaired now, but it could mean she will have a decreased appetite and is more prone to throwing up or feeling nauseous due to lack of nutrients or energy from the reduced amount she will be eating. She also has a severe infection, meaning she will have to remain in the hospital under observation for at least a week. This is all that I can disclose to you three, but if you do not mind, Mr Bradford, I need to speak to Ms Lopez and Ms Harper.' 

Tim looks at us as he stands up. What could be so bad that not even Tim can know?

'Alright. Thanks Doc.' He says as he leaves the room. Me and Nyla exchanged another look of worry before the doctor continues.

'During the surgery, we found evidence of sexual assault, and rape on the patient.' Our eyes widen and my gaze shifts to Nyla. 

'This means that she has suffered sever trauma in her areas and should remain inactive (in that way) for at least six months to allow her to heal. I didn't want to break this news to the boyfriend as I believe that a friend or someone he trusts should be the one to do it. This is all the information you need to know at the moment, but I will inform you if anything pops up. Thank you.' The doctor stands up and exits the room, leaving me and Nyla alone.

'Oh shit. How do we tell Tim?'

We just look at each other for a moment. 

'H- How do we tell him?' Nyla mumbles.

I can see that her eyes are welling up. This strikes close to home for her. This has now become personal.

'I'll take care of that, don't worry.'

I pull her in for a hug before we step out of the room and emerge in front of the others.

'W-what happened? What did she say?' Immediately Tim floods me with questions.

I look over at Nyla, and she's doing that thing where she rubs the area next to her lip when she gets nervous. 

'You might want to sit down for this Tim.'

He heads over to a seat, followed by everyone else. They all want to know what's going on.

'Tim told you guys what the doctor told us correct?'

'Yeah.'

'Well there's more. It's worse.'

Their faces all turn to expressions of worry, concern and surprise.

'Lucy- She was' I take another breath.

'What? She was what?' Tim asks, panicking.

'Raped.'

'WHAT?'

'I'm sorry Tim.'

Tim immediately gets up and rushes over to the front desk and I follow close behind him.

'Hello Sergeant, how can I help you?' The nurse at the front desk asks.

'Hi, would I be able to see Lucy Chen? I'm her emergency contact and she's just had surgery.'

'Yes, she is in room 305. You can head up to see her now.'

'Ok, thank you. Is there an estimated time before she wakes up though?'

'Yes there is, she should be awake in about 30 minutes.'

'Thanks.'

We both practically run up the stairs and to her room, before heading in through the doorway. I decide to wait outside for a moment, and give Tim some time.

'Her vitals are stable. That's good.' He says.

'Yeah. Tim?' I start. He turns to face me.

'How are you?' I finally ask.

'Fine. Why?'

'No. How are you?'

He sighs. 'Ange. Your not going to turn me into some emotional explosion right now. I'm fine. I'm not the one who just got kidnapped. I'm not the one you should be checking up on.'

That is such a lie. He really thinks he can fool a detective.

'That's not true Tim. Come here.' 

I stretch out my arms, inviting him in for a well needed hug, and he accepts it before breaking down into tears in my arms. 

'She's going to be fine Tim.'

Tim

I want to believe Angela, but by looking at Lucy, it's hard to. She's hooked up to even more machines now, and her vitals are being displayed in some screens that surround her. I walk over towards the chairs few chairs placed along the walls and drag one closer to her to sit on. I will definitely not be leaving her side, not with David in the hospital. He's a sick man, to do what he's done. I'm lost in my own thoughts, all revolving around that sicko. Lucy's going to have to move apartments too, this is all so chaotic.  

'Ange?'

'Yeah?'

'Do you think I should let Lucy stay with me, I mean she can't go back to her apartment.' I know I'm her boyfriend and I should know her better than anyone, but Angela and Nyla were with her the most after her first kidnapping. They'd know what to do.

'She definitely won't want to be alone. You should ask her though.'

'Alright. Thanks.'

'She's going to be ok Tim. Whilst we wait for her to wake up, how about we speak to David?'

'Sure, there are a few thigs I need to say to that d!ckhead.'

Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to say to him. I'm in uniform, so I can't really speak my mind unless I want to loose my job, but let's see.

We approach his room and Angela enters first.