Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 18: Power in Numbers

Roger had gone up to bed leaving Siobhan passed out in the middle of the floor. When she came to, she had absolutely no idea what happened. She knew for a fact that she couldn't open her eyes all the way and that she was in pain. As she became more conscious, she remembered some of what happened and knew she was in bad shape.

Siobhan only wanted one person, Vivian. She had to get to her phone, but first she would have to try to get up. That task was going to be more difficult than she thought. Roger had never beaten her this badly before and she was about to figure that out.

Siobhan began by sitting up. Wincing, she managed to sit up as dizziness started to hit her. It took what seemed like hours for the spinning to stop, but it was only ten minutes. She slid herself across the floor slowly to the sofa to use it to support her as she stood. Thankfully, Roger had actually gotten up and went to the bedroom instead of passing out on the sofa.

As she pulled herself to her knees, she had a shooting pain fly through her chest. She wanted to scream out, but terrified to wake Roger. She closed her eyes, breathing calmly as tears fell through the corners of her eyes. She took a few moments to let her body adjust before standing up fully.

She didn't know how long she would have the strength to stand and immediately made her way to her phone. She grabbed her phone from her purse by the door. When she bent down, she felt as though she had a knife jammed through her stomach. The little vision she had began to go dark. She quickly sat down and slowly leaned her back against the wall by the door.

I feel... so much— pain. Not sure, ow... I can sit leaning on the wall. I have to call Vivian.... If I pass out again, uh, not sure I'll wake.

As she scrolled to Vivian's number in her contacts, Siobhan felt herself growing more faint, her body trembling from the pain. Siobhan heard the phone ring three times and the fourth ring begins, but quickly she hears quiet. Having a difficult time speaking from all the swelling in her face, her voice sounds muffled. " Viv. Uh, I... need you. Plea... se, help..." It feels like it took forever for Vivian to respond, but in reality it took seconds. "Bon, where are you? What happened?" Vivian says as her body floods with nausea. Siobhan's voice seeming more distant, "Roger's. He beat me.... bad this time. I don't know if...." Thud.

Siobhan didn't finish her sentence before passing out and all those gathered planning to help her heard the phone hit the ground. Frantically Vivian screams, "Siobhan, are you there?! Baby please answer me!" There is no response and Mia begins spitting orders out to everyone.

In an urgent, but steady voice Mia took charge, "Reece, Autumn you two need to be the first to the house. Autumn do you have your bat with you?" Autumn is already heading out the door, "Yes, I do. Come on big brother." Reece lets the others know that they will take care of any issues with daddy dearest.

Grabbing my bat, I think: Good thing I keep my bat in the car now. If I have to use it on him... well, he's getting a taste of his own medicine.

Mia continues, "Marjorie, Charlotte you two will follow me and Vivian. You two will stay in the car ready to get Siobhan in the car and leave quickly. Vivian, you are riding with me."

As I speak, I know what Vivian is feeling. She needs someone to help her focus. I've been through this with Charlotte's ex-husband. Emotion can't take over now—I need to engage her nursing side.

Charlotte and Marjorie jump into Marjorie's SUV. Mia and Vivian quickly get in Mia's mustang. They all speed off to Roger's home. Mia looks over at Vivian. She is biting her nails, rocking back and forth as tears fall down her cheeks. "Vivian, we are going to do everything we can to help her. She's probably passed out, but we'll get her out. I know you're angry at Roger, but Autumn and Reece will handle him. We need to focus on getting Siobhan out. Can you do that?" Mia hears silence. "Vivian, can you do that?" Vivian snaps out of her thoughts and nods.

Please don't let us be too late. I can't live without her. I need her. I need to feel her touch, to hear her breath, to know she's still alive. No, I can't lose hope yet! You've handled emergencies before, you can handle this. For her. Breathe in... 3, 2, 1... breathe out.

On the way to Roger's, Autumn calls Winter to meet them there. There is power in numbers! Reece, Autumn and Winter arrive and walk to the front door, it's locked. They try knocking lightly to see if Siobhan is awake to let them in. As they knock, the rest of the calvary pull in to the drive. Mia and Vivian run to the door as they watch, what seems like it's in slow motion, Reece kicking in the front door.

I've got no choice but to kick it in. It'll wake him, but I can't hold back. I just hope I don't lose control... I don't want to be the monster he is. I've seen what his anger does. I can't let myself become him.

Roger is jarred awake from the loud noise and hurries down the stairs yelling. Reece, Autumn and Winter stand between the door and Roger. Siobhan is out cold leaning next to the door. "Why are you here? What did you kick my door in for?" Reece's fist are clenched so tight his nails are digging into his palms. Autumn has both hands on the handle of her bat with it resting on her shoulder with her eyes narrowed glaring at Roger. Winter speaks up, "You know exactly why we are here!"

Vivian and Mia rushed in behind the first three and lifted Siobhan up. Vivian scooped her arms under Siobhan's and Mia grabbed her legs. "Siobhan, baby, we got you. Please hold on!" Charlotte had Marjorie's back doors open ready to load Siobhan. Marjorie in the drivers seat ready to speed off. Vivian loaded in the backseat with Siobhan, her head resting in her lap. "Let's go Marjorie!"

Vivian trying to remain calm said, "Marjorie, go straight to the hospital. These injuries.... are serious." After giving those instructions, Vivian's sole focus became Siobhan, everything and everyone else faded away. "Baby, I need you to hold on. You are so strong. You can come back from this." Vivian softly ran her fingers through Siobhan's hair continuously. As they are pulling up at the hospital, there is the tiniest whisper, "Viv... I..." Vivian's eyes well up with tears, "Hey, Bon. We got you. You're going to be okay. Fight for me baby!" Siobhan lifted her hand to Vivian's cheek, "I love you."

They arrive at the hospital and Charlotte jumps out before Marjorie fully stops. She runs in to get some help. Seconds after, a team of nurses run out with a stretcher and lift Siobhan on to it. Vivian right by her side, holding her hand as they rush her through the double doors.

As Charlotte and Marjorie parked the car in silence, the weight of the situation settled in. As Marjorie walks towards the waiting room she twirls her hair with her finger, eyes fixed on the pavement below her. Marjorie's thoughts shifted to Reece, her worry gnawing at her.

He'll call once they're safe, but until then...

Charlotte absentmindedly rubbed her palms together as they neared the waiting room, her mind spun with worry.

Mia always jumped into things, but this wasn't like the others. Mia, baby... don't make it worse.