Trauma of the Forest (Meadema)

~ Chapter 42: Bruised Reality ~

Warning: this chapter makes a connection to self harm. If you are uncomfortable with that, skip the paragraph with the four dashes before and after it.

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Despite the fact that Beth was incredibly happy and relieved that she could help Viv shower, she still remained a little anxious. Of course, she had seen with her own eyes today that Viv was quite vulnerable at certain times, so helping the nurses shower Viv right away was a big step. And what if something suddenly goes wrong? What if her oxygen levels suddenly change? What if she does something that really hurts Viv?

Since Viv was of course connected to all kinds of tubes, they were disconnected first, so that actually undressing Viv would be a little easier. While one nurse had disconnected all the tubes and was cleaning certain parts of them, the other nurse and Beth took care of undressing Viv. Again, Beth's mind raced with questions. What if Viv suddenly needed fluids again? And had to be put back on the tube? What would she do if that happened? Would she get in the way? Would she do it right? Would the nurses be patient with her?

Viv stared at Beth, while Beth listened attentively to what the nurse explained about what they would be doing during the undressing, while Beth pushed all those questions aside. Viv was so proud of her. Beth had already been so brave the past few days, and now again, she was constantly pushing boundaries. Viv of course also saw the anxiety still present in Beth's eyes and decided to reassure her once again. 'You got this liefje'. A small smile appeared on Beth's face and she briefly grabbed Viv's hand to rub it.

'Okay Viv, we're going to take off your sports shorts first. What we're going to do is that Beth and I both put a hand on your lower back and push you up a bit so that we can take off your shorts. Your underwear with sanitary towels can stay in'. The nurse slowly counted down after which Beth and the nurse both pressed their hand into Viv's lower back and slowly they pulled off Viv's sports shorts, with a little groan from Viv because they were of course getting close to a very sensitive spot, her belly and vulva.

Her shirt followed immediately after that, which Beth and the nurse slowly pulled from under her and pulled off over her head. And then Beth saw it, which caused quite a shock for her, her eyes widened in surprise. 'Damn... What the fuck is this?'. Of course she had kept a close eye on Viv this morning when she was being changed by the nurses, but she wasn't really there with her mind. She hadn't been paying full attention, afraid of getting in the way.

But now she saw it, she was standing next to Viv and staring at Viv's upper body. Her breasts, completely blue and covered in red scratches, her nipples shattered. Beth's eyes slowly moved down, past the rib brace, to her lower abdomen. That too completely covered in bruises, traces of nails that had scratched her abdomen. And of course the scar, from the operations around the uterus, at the bottom of her abdomen.

Beth didn't want it, really she didn't, there had already been enough of them today, but she couldn't help it. Tears rolled down Beth's cheeks, confusing Viv. Viv had thought that the anxiety seemed to have disappeared by now for Beth, around helping her undress. Had it suddenly become too much for her? Did it all make too much of an impression on her?

Until Viv started looking at Beth more consciously and saw her staring at her lower abdomen, her eyes never leaving it for a second. 'Uhmmm... Lieverd. Are you okay?'. Beth didn't move, kept staring at Viv's abdomen, but was insanely aware of what was happening around her, because she immediately answered. 'Uhmmm... yeah. Sorry. I...I think it's special that you're in so little pain. Uhmm... Do you know... Uhm... What your abdomen looks like?'.