healing hearts

Chapter 25

Alexa's POV

I watch the doctor set up and then she looks at me.

"Okay, Alexa honey, I need you to put your feet up in these, bending your knees. Your legs will be spread. It will be a little uncomfortable but I promise to work as fast as possible." Dr. Matthews says.

I put my legs up and wince, she takes her time getting ready as I get settled.

She starts talking and explaining and i'm barely listening. She starts doing all of the tests and I can't hide the pain, I wince and start to cry. I lay there, squeezing my eyes shut and crying, as Ben holds my hand and rubs my head, whispering things to me. She also checks my head... no concussion.

After what feels like forever, Dr. Matthews finally starts taking her gloves off, "okay honey, we're all done. I'm going to get the results back so I can get you home." She turns to Ben, "you're welcome to stay in here with her." Ben nods.

Ben sits next to me on the table and I curl up on him and fall asleep. After 30 minutes of waiting, I wake up to Ben gently shaking me awake and the doctor coming back into the room. I sit up and look at her as she sits down, "there's no easy way to say this but, the tests are positive. You were sexually assaulted. You do have a bruised rib, plus some cuts and bruises here and there. I'm sure there are more, but you don't have to show me. You're lucky sweetheart, from what i've seen over the years, I'll be honest, this is one of the worst. If you had hit your head harder or if he held your neck any tighter, you could have died. I will save these tests for now. You're free to go honey." Before leaving, she takes one of my hands in hers and looks at me, "i'm so sorry this happened to you sweetheart. You're a fighter, I just know it."

I break down again, sobbing as she rubs my back gently. She looks at Ben, "I spoke with her parents, they know everything. I would like it if you took her to the police station in the morning. But for right now, take her home, get her cleaned up and let her get some rest." Ben nods as he holds me to him. "Thank you so much, I will," he says.

After she leaves, Ben helps me up and steps out to let me get dressed.

After getting dressed, I open the door and see everyone talking quietly, Brooke walks up and hugs me gently, crying, I let her but I don't have the energy to hug her back. I want to go home.

Ben comes to my side as we walk to the exit. Ben and I follow my parents and Ben helps me inside their car and holds me against him the whole way home.

My parents must have offered the guest room to James and Brooke because when we get home, they're waiting for us. We all go inside quietly, my parents go to the kitchen with Brooke and James. Ben turns to me, "do you want anything? Water?" I nod and follow him, he gets me my water and hands it to me, "i'm gonna talk to your parents for a minute okay? Why don't you and Brooke go upstairs and you can shower." I look around at everyone before my eyes meet his again, I nod and he kisses my forehead before Brooke comes to my side and helps me upstairs.

We get to my room and Brooke lays on my bed, I put my water down and grab clothes to change into. She looks at me and gives me a small smile, "i'll be right here Lex, Ben and everyone is right downstairs." I nod and go into my bathroom. I look into my mirror and just stare at myself.

I look horrible, my shirt is ripped with blood on it, my hair is everywhere, my makeup is all down my face, my eyes are bloodshot, puffy and red and my neck is badly bruised.

I strip off my clothes, throwing it all into a pile that i'm going to throw out, I don't want any of it. I stand there naked, in front of my mirror and look at myself.

I break down again. Sobbing.

My thighs and hips have bruises all over them, my side is bruised because of my rib, my wrists are bruised, my lip is cut and my throat is bruised. I sob harder.

Ben can't see me like this. He's never gonna want me if he sees this. Alex was right, he ruined me for Ben, he's never gonna want me knowing what happened.

I make the shower as hot as possible and get in, letting the hot water run over my body for a few minutes before I start washing myself. Wincing in pain with every movement.

Ben's POV

James, Alexa's parents and I sit in the kitchen. It's quiet for a while. Before talking to her parents, I text James, even though he's right next to me, I don't want Alexa's parents to hear this.

Ben: I need you to text everyone you have to and find out where Alex is right now.

James: Ben, are you sure that's a good idea man? Wait till tomorrow when you go to the police station. She needs you here.

Ben: James. I'm doing this whether you come with me or not. Fucking find him, or I will. She'll be fine for right now, i'm not going to be gone long. Brooke is up there with her and her parents are here. I need to do this.

James: Okay man.

It's 3 am now and I don't think any of us are going to be sleeping anytime soon. Alexa's parents are talking quietly to each other.

After a few minutes, James nudges me and nods. I nod back and stand up, I walk over to her parents, "James and I will be right back, do you guys need anything?" Her parents shake their heads, "no, thank you honey," her mom says. I nod and follow James to the door.

Before we have the opportunity to exit, I feel her dad's hand on my shoulder, I nod to James to go to the car and turn to look at him.

"I have a feeling I know where you're going and what you're going to do. I'm not going to stop you because I wish I could go too. Just please be careful," he says.

I nod, "We'll be back." He nods and closes the door behind me as I leave.

I get to James' car and get in.

"He's at the lake. And from what i've heard, he's alone." He says as he starts the car and starts backing up. I sit there, clenching and unclenching my fists.

"Let's go." I say.