Beneath The Surface

Chapter 2 : Hospital

Earlier:
As it started raining I saw Stella without any coat or sweater. Her hair getting wet and and her shivering from the cold.

I hadn't forgotten her beautiful features from preschool. She is the same girl I used to bully. I didn't know what or why I was doing what I was and I deeply regret it. I wanted to tell her that I'm sorry for what I had done, that it wasn't right. My dumb 7 year old self didn't know how to express love so I did all that so she can give me her attention.

As it started to rain I went to get my motorbike with the intention of driving her to her home. She didn't have the right clothes for this weather and I won't let her get sick.

I saw her shivering walking on the side walk and asked her repeatedly to come with me since she would freeze to death before she mad in to her house. After a bit back and forth she agreed.

I gave her my helmet and I put my jacket around her beautiful shivering body. When I got on she was unsure and held me pretty lose around the waist. As I started driving tho they tightened and she buried her head in my back.

When we got to a dark path she told me to drop her off here and pointed to a house telling me that's where shi lives. We said our goodbyes and she started to walk away.

I started my motorbike getting to leave still watching her from the distance as she got closer and closer to the front door. I wanted to make sure she got home safely. Suddenly she made a turn and started walking eventually getting to and old house that looked pretty broken.

As she got in I started leaving when I heard the most bloodcurdling scream of terror inside the house. I recognized the voice. It was Stella's.

I instinctively ran inside the house looking for her frantically. As I looked up the stairs I saw her. She looked awful. Her head was covered in blood her hair messy and there was glass shards in her skin everywhere.

Her knees gave out and she started falling down the stairs her bleeding everywhere. I caught her just in time. Her beautiful eyes looked up at mine. She looked pale. With her last bits of strength she said my name confused and blacked out.

Present:
I started running to my motorbike with her in my arms. The hospital was about a kilometer away. Would she make it by then?

With her in my arms I started driving way over the speed limit. She was going to make it out. As I got In the hospital some nurses rushed by my side carrying her to the emergency room.

As the doctors were working on her nurses surrounded me.

"Sir, are you a part of the patient's family, or do you know her medical history?"

"No, I'm her boyfriend, and I'm not aware of her medical history."

"Do you know how did she got into this situation? It seems someone hit her repeatedly."

"I heard her screaming inside her house. I went inside and saw her father hit her. It seems he was really drunk." - I said in a calm manner trying to hide the anxiety in my voice. Was this regular and normal for her father to do?

"We will investigate him and take precautions if he is that dangerous."

After a 6 hours of operations a nurse came out and told me that I could visit the patient. I flew in the room where she lays unconscious. I wanted to kill her father for what he had done to her.

I rested my head on the bed next to her body, exhausted from the stress for her survival. This was not going to happen again and I'm gonna make sure of it.

I felt movement in the bed next to me. I looked up to see Stella's eyes opening full of confusion.

After a few seconds of her regaining consciousness her beautiful eyes looked down at mine.

"Where.. am I?" - She asked with confusion and a touch of fear in her voice.

"You are in the hospital, strawberry. I found you bleeding out in your house. It seemed like your dad had hit you? Does he do that often?"

"Huh.. Um no I accidentally bumped myself into him and-" she started to say but I interrupted her.

"No need to lie to me, I saw what I saw. Is it normal for him to hit you?" - I asked, concern visible in my tone.

"He.." - she paused - "hits me sometimes. But it's not that bad. Just a few scratches here and there.."

"A few scratches? You almost died.. if I wasn't there you'd be dead.. Straw this isn't normal. You can't live with this man."

''I don't have anywhere to go, besides most of the time I'm not home and don't see him much. It really isn't as bad as it looks."

As I was about to say something the door to the room opened and a tall woman in a black coat with a notebook in hand entered the room.

"I'm here to do a detailed report on the abuse which lead to these injuries. Miss your boyfriend told us that the incident was caused by your father. Is that right?"

When Stella heard the word boyfriend she looked at me with a look of confusion in her eyes then answered:

"Um.. yes that's right."

"The injuries are pretty serious. We suggest you press charges and we'll investigate him further. Do you live with the abuser, and if yes do you have any place to stay if not there?'

"Yes, I do and I don't have anywhere to stay-"

I cut her off because she wasn't staying in that house even one more minute. " She can stay with me."

"Wha-"

"Good. I suggest you stay with him for the time being. I will ask you some more personal questions. Are you ok with answering them?"

"Yes, continue."

I felt that I should get out of the room for Stella to be more comfortable. When I was in the hall I made some phone calls regarding Stella staying at mine. I didn't want to make her feel out of place.

After two days she was released from the hospital. I escorted her to my car and we started driving to my house. I can't believe she is going to live with me.