The Waiting Room|| Shivian

Chapter One

TW- Mentions of domestic violence

Siobhan wasn't fond of the doctors, much less hospitals where there were several people to keep the story straight with it. She'd rehearse the lines with Roger before he'd let her out of the car and watch her with venom in his eyes. She'd stand outside the doors, willing him to leave quickly before anyone connected the dots that they were together. He'd usually call her back over the car, testing to see how aware she was, and roll his window down.

"Come on, Princess." He'd laugh and place a soft touch against her face, "Give me a kiss."

Bile built up at the back of her throat as she would comply, leaning into his space and their lips would meet. She felt nothing and everything all at once.

The world was crumbling around her.

Nothing could be done.

Siobhan was anxious as she walked through the doors of the emergency room, her arms wrapped around herself. She felt nauseous and almost like she couldn't breathe, her legs were heavy like lead beneath her. She wasn't even sure what had led to the argument this time, but she could feel the remnants of Roger's rage on her neck.

There had been nothing to hear but her own cries, she tried to block out his voice so she'd be able to move on with their night. She loved him, truly. She wanted nothing more than to feel his gentle touch as he held her close, cleaning her up and apologizing for their fights. He treated her so well after nearly taking the life out of her, like he was playing games with the devil.

Trying to decide whether he was ready to make the sacrifice yet, but he never went too far. She hadn't felt fear in the fleeting moments where his anger got the best of him, she felt numbness. Siobhan had taken so much from the men in her life that if all he was going to do was knock her around a little bit?

That was okay, she deserved it. She didn't bring anything to the table besides her physical body and she had been taught that men are to do what they wish with women. She didn't want that to be her life but she gave in, not wanting to be difficult.

The next several minutes were a blur in her mind, she felt stuck. She could remember his hands around her neck, his face close to her own, and how she thought she was going to die. She should've been afraid, but she wasn't.

Siobhan hoped that death would treat her more gently than life had, but she was disappointed when she opened her eyes again. She could hear his frantic voice trying to bring her back to consciousness. She could feel the warm, wet washcloth against her forehead as he whispered sweet nothings to her.

These were the moments she loved him most because he was treating her with kindness. Kindness she didn't deserve in her mind, she didn't deserve anything from him and yet he chose to clean her up gracefully. Take his time and make her feel so special, before they would make love and forget all about it.

She loved him, even if it was slowly killing her.

"Ms.Serpent, are you alright? Can you hear me?"

She realized how stupid she must've looked, eyes far off in the distance and arms wrapped her so tightly she thought she'd get sick any second.

"Y-Yes I'm sorry.. Just thinking." She bit her lip, relaxing a bit and running her hands through her hair. She couldn't figure out why she felt something wet and was shocked to find little bits of blood on her hands. She did her best to maintain her poker face and wipe the blood onto her black shirt, not wanting to raise further questions, but many formed in her mind.

How did that happen?

When did that happen?

Had Roger not realized she was unconscious and thought she was just being disobedient?