Scrubs

Chapter 13: s

It's been a few days. I've been at home resting, or at least trying to. When I went to the station the day following the attack, the lead detective on my case informed me that Clayton had disappeared and they were still on the hunt for him. He gave me his card and told me to let him know if anything comes up. Thankfully nothing had so far but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't on edge. Good thing I replaced the locks to the house when I kicked Clayton out.

Grey has texted me a couple of times.. Actually that's an understatement, he's been blowing up my phone. I've only been giving him short, vague answers. I called out of work and let them know about my situation so they gave me a full week off and Grey's been freaking out. He doesn't know what's going on but I'm sure has gathered that something has happened because I never miss work.

My face is looking.... better. Definitely not good though. The swelling has began to subside and the bright blue and purple bruises are slowly fading into an ugly yellow. I was told not to get my cuts and wounds from the beating and the glass on my head wet but I showered first thing when I got home. I couldn't sit with the filthy feeling Clayton left behind on my body, let alone the blood and dirt from the battle.

I haven't yet had the gall to go outside and rake the glass out of the gravel, partially because I fear it'll trigger me and partly because I'm worried Clayton is out there waiting to finish the job. Never in a million years would I have thought that this is what my life would become.

A knock on the front door pulls me out of my thoughts and I instantly duck down and crawl along the floor to the coffee table where my pistol is waiting loaded. It's safe to say I've been on edge... I crouch down and creep over to the door peaking out the window to the side. What I see definitely a welcomed sight. Grey is standing there looking stressed and eager with a bouquet in one of his hands and the other in the pocket of his Chinos.

I bite my lip and watch as he knocks again and waits but I'm too embarrassed by my appearance. I don't answer the door. He then pulls out his phone and rings me. Thankfully my phone is already on silent because it looks as if he listening for my ringtone. He sighs and I can feel his disappointment. He places the flowers on the patio table and turns around heading back down the stairs to his car. My hear squeezes tightly and I feel the urge to scream his name.

As he's about the reach for his handle I rip the door open. "Grey." I call out to him. He whips around and the second his eyes connect with mine the color drains from his face. I wrap my arms around myself and stand there not really knowing what to say. Grey takes a few slow steps in my direction before bolting to me and wrapping me in his arms tightly. "What the fuck happened to you!?" He raises his voice out of concern.

I stay silent for a moment. He pulls aways slightly cupping either side of my face and examines me. Tears well up in my eyes and I try to blink them away. "Rissa, what happened. Who did this to you?" He begs for an answer. I choke down a sob. "I'll tell you everything but can we please just go inside." He wraps an arm around me and grabs the bouquet off the table before ushering me in the door and closing it tightly behind us. I stop us and reach back making sure it's locked before we continue to the kitchen.

Grey stands on the opposite side of the kitchen island from me watching silently as I cut the stems of the flowers and place them in a vase with water. "Thank you. They're lovely." I half smile to him. He doesn't say anything just continues to study me blankly making me feel insecure. I look down and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Riss, I'm trying to be patient here but I need some sort of explanation."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just hard.." I glance back up at him. His eyes soften slightly and I circle the island to him. "Let's go sit down." Grey follows me into the living room and sits at the end of the couch leaning forward a little and I sit beside him and take his hands in mine. "Look. I'm gonna tell you but I need you to promise that you won't lose it and I need you to stay with me." I tell him seriously.

"Okay.." He responds cautiously.

"The other night after work.... when I came home Clayton was waiting here for me." I pause and look into his eyes trying to gage him. "He had been drinking and when I told him to leave he attacked me." I feel like throat start to tighten and Grey gently strokes the back of my hand with one of his thumbs. "I fought as hard as I could but he beat me relentlessly. He choked me and hit me over the head with a bottle.... While I was struggling to stay awake he pulled down my pants and he almost...." I trail off barely able to keep the tears from flowing. I haven't cried yet.

Grey's jaw is set and clenched. "Did he-"

"No.. at least not completely." I cut him off. "I fought like hell. He beat me almost lifeless but he can't have my dignity."

Grey lets out a breath I didn't even know he was holding. His chest is rising and falling heavily and he pulls me into his chest possessively. I finally let myself cry and Grey strokes my hair. Once my sobs have quieted I finally finish. "He's still out there. He ran into the forest when the cops showed up and nobody has seen him yet. There's man hunt for him."

Grey's nostrils flare and he looks enraged. "That bastard! Does he actually think he can get away with this!" He holds me a little tighter causing me to wince. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He kisses my forehead. "It's okay Grey it's not your fault."

His eyes darken. "No. It's his. I'm gonna fucking kill him."