I'm here. (Tim Bradford)

23

Here's your warning for SA, it is talked about but not actively happening.

Maya Jackson

My head spins as I look down and see that I was shot... blood is pouring out of my stomach as the paramedics force me to lay down. They slide an oxygen mask over my face as my eyes begin to close. I can hear the ambulance doors slamming open and someone grabs my hands... I'm just too exhausted to open my eyes or even respond.

The world around me falls into darkness as I go unconscious.

——

Tim Bradford

They found Maya. I rush out of the warehouse, trying to find any signs of her. I spot the ambulance and quickly slam the door open before I walk inside. Maya is laying there covered in what I can only assume is her own blood and I feel my chest tighten.

If Nyla hadn't shot Aaron I would've made sure he suffered for hurting my girl, my girl that is laying unconscious on the stretcher before me. I grab her hand and sit down, I know talking won't do anything to help. The ambulance rushes to the hospital, followed by some of the people who went undercover with us. I walk with the paramedics as they rush her into the ER. They are gonna have to do surgery to fix the damage that Maya suffered.

Nyla grabs my arm and leads me to the waiting room, forcing me to sit down as my head swims with thoughts. I can't hear anything besides the sound of my heartbeat, or the thoughts that scramble through my mind. What if she dies? What if I didn't save her? What if's are the only things I can picture. I can't lose her, I can't lose my girl.

We spend hours sitting in the waiting room, everyone keeps offering me drinks or snacks but I turn them all down. I feel like I'm going to be sick.
My heart races as a doctor comes out, he takes off his mask before looking at me.

"She's alive and in good condition." His voice is firm, and it breaks through all of my nagging thoughts. I feel relieved that she's okay. I couldn't have just let her go like that... this is the third time that I've had someone I care about almost die on me. First it was my ex wife, then Lucy, and now my beautiful girlfriend. I don't know how much more I could take before my world crumbled around me.

"Can we see her?" My voice shakes as I try to stay calm. I can't panic, I can't be scared. He shakes his head no.

"At the moment she's still in a lot of pain and needs rest, the only people allowed to see her are family and significant others." The man sighs before he looks down at the clipboard in his hand.

"I'm her boyfriend, will you please take me to her room?" I stand up, he isn't going to stop me from seeing her... even if I have to ravage the whole hospital to find her room. He sighs and leads the way.

——

Maya Jackson

Drip. Drip. Drip.

That's all I can focus on, the sound of the IV fluid dripping. The heart rate monitor beeps occasionally, reminding me that I'm alive. I haven't opened my eyes once since I've been in this hospital, I couldn't care less if I were dead.

If Aaron's bullet had hit me any lower he would've hit my bladder, resulting in profound blood loss. I let my thoughts take over as the hospital room's door slowly opens. I don't look to see who it is, I already know. I knew Tim would come to me as soon as he could, and that makes me feel even worse. He touches my arm and I flinch slightly, this is due to the aftermath of what I've done through.

The whole time I was stuck in that warehouse it slowly broke me down until I couldn't even remember who I was before getting kidnapped. I was sexually assaulted too many times to count, leaving me with mental scars that probably won't go away for a long time. I can still feel their hands on me, and I am desperate to shower to get clean. I need to be clean.

"Hey honey... I hope you are doing okay" I can hear the fear in Tim's voice as he sits down in a chair beside of me.
I do not think I have it in me to try and respond. I feel broken and dirty, but I knew that was going to happen when I decided to go with Aaron. I knew what I was going to be putting myself through.

Tears stream down my face as I dig my nails into my palms. I'm scared, I'm scared of being touched and I'm scared of looking at Tim and not actually being able to see him... I don't want to be like this.

"Can you open your eyes honey?" His voice is gentle, almost as if he was trying to coax me into looking at him. I open my eyes slightly and blink repeatedly due to the bright lights in the room. I'm still crying as I turn to look at Tim. He tries to place his hand on my arm again and I quickly pull away. I'm scared of being touched by even him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I... I don't know what's wrong with me.." I mumble out as I look at him, really look at him. He has dark bags under his eyes and his beard is growing out, which shows he's not shaving or truly taking care of himself like he normally does. I did that, I'm the reason he's like that. I sob into my hands as I break down, I am hurt and scared and I'm unsure what to do.

He wraps his arms around my shoulders and lets me bury my face into him. I'm scared to be touched but I need comfort. A knock at the door scares me, I flinch and sob harder. I look over at the door and see Nyla standing over there. She's watching my hunched over form as I sob, I would much rather her be touching me than Tim, and I'm sure that's due to me being scared of men's touch.

Nyla walks over and pushes Tim to the side before she wraps her arms around my torso and hugs me.

"I'm so sorry for what happened to you, Maya. You are so strong, and you are going to make it through this. We are here for you." Her voice is firm but gentle at the same time and it slightly calms me. I don't know how I'm gonna handle everything that comes after this, all I know is I can't give up. I have to keep fighting for the ones I love.

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Hi everyone!! Thank you all for your continuous love and support for my story so far, it means so much to me to see you guys engage and comment on the different chapters that I post. I'm trying to start writing more for you guys so you don't have to wait a month or more to get the next part... I'll see you guys on the next chapter!