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                  I felt a sharp pain in my back as Boss dug the knife in. We were in a darkened room now, and his eyes glittered with malice.
"You're trying to escape, huh? You think I'm just going to let you go?"
I shook my head. "I didn't plan on you finding out." I snapped. I instantly regretted my sass. He advanced on me and stabbed the knife at my back.
I jerked out of the way before he could cause real damage but I felt blood trickling down my shirt.
He grabbed my face and held up the knife. "I'll cut that impertinent tongue right out of your head!" He screamed.
It was then that I realized Boss is high. I needed to watch my step. I tried to pull out of his clutch but his hand was digging into my face.
I feel that there would be bruises later, and his nails scraped at my cheek. The knife came closer, closer. I struck out with my feet and connected with his shin.
He howled and dropped the knife. I kicked it to the far side of the room under the bed. Boss lunged at me and his fist connected with my face.
I felt blood dripping out of my nose and my eye swelling. I crumpled to the ground in a ball as Boss kicked at my sides again and again.
I scurried away and he followed, kicking and smashing into my ribs. I was crying now, begging for mercy. He didn't listen.
Boss grabbed me around my neck and slammed me up against the wall. He has to lift me high in order to be face to face with him, because of my short stature. "I'm sick of handling you and your boyfriend. I'm sick of feeding you, sharing our bathrooms and showers, running out for your womanly needs." 
He made it sound like being a woman was detestable. "I'm sick of it. When I'm done here, I'm going to take care of the boy. But right now, I'm going to kill you!"
The door banged open. "No you will not." An authoritative voice commanded.
I looked up and saw 3 policemen. "Let the girl down, drop your weapons and put your hands up."
Boss obeyed only when shooting was threatened. I fell to the floor and collapsed, gasping. My sides hurt and my face stung.
"Lexi!" Carson said as he rushed into the room. He scooped me up and cradled me on his lap.
"Carson." I murmured. "Boss called you my boyfriend."
He smiled a little. "Did he now?"
I nodded. "Yes. Are you my boyfriend?"
He shook his head sadly. "Not yet I'm not."
I looked around the room, which was muddled. "Why am I here?"
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to my forehead. "Shh now Lex. We're going to get you fixed up."
I nodded and closed my eyes. I felt safe now. Not because of the police, or the stretcher I could hear being carried upstairs, but because of Carson. His arms sheltered me, protected me, and I knew I was secure.

Bright lights. Fuzzy faces. I was moving, rolling down the ambulance ramp into a hospital. A nurse came and started talking to me.
"Hello sweetie. I'm Cassidy. I'll be your nurse. We're just going to take you to a room where you can rest, ok? The doctor will be in shortly to wrap up a couple of your broken ribs, and stitch up the gash in your back, but other than that you're fine!" I nodded.
"Why am I staying overnight?"
"Well, we haven't contacted your parents, so we're just going to let you stay until they come. We'll get info on that later though. Looky here! We're at your room!"
I glanced around and decided it was just about the same as any old hospital room. Stark white, a single bed and a little chair in the corner. Cassidy helped into the bed and I sighed. "The doctor will be in shortly!" She said cheerily as she walked out.

               I groaned as Cassidy came back about an hour later. "That was not fun. Remind me not to break my ribs again, alright?" Cassidy smiled. "I see you have a sense of humor! Good sign!"
I smiled back. "Now that I know I'm safe, I can open up and a relax a bit." Cassidy nodded and sat down next to me.
"So," she said seriously. "What was going on in that house?"
I clammed up, not ready to speak about my nightmare yet. I looked away and didn't answer. She waited a moment before saying,
"It's fine. You don't have to talk about anything unless you want to." Cassidy stood up and headed out. "I'll be back to check on you later, but right now, someone wants to see you."
"Knock knock," a voice said.
"Come in Carson." I groaned. He entered and sat quietly next to my bed, studying his hands.
"How did we get rescued?" I asked. Carson shook his blond head, indicating that he didn't want to talk about that yet. He looked up into my face.
"Are you alright Lexi?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
I took a shaky breath and tears glimmered in my eyes. "No, not really. I just got stitches and my broken ribs set. My face looks like a punching bag."
The tears trickled over and I hiccuped a sob. "He hurt me." I whisper. Tears sparkled in Carson's lovely blue eyes too. He wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm sorry Lexi. I'm so, so sorry." I cried into his shoulder, then jerked away.
"He wasn't supposed to hurt me! You said you wouldn't let him! You were supposed to-" I couldn't continue. Carson looked pained.
"I know Lexi. I know. I failed. There's evil in this world and I can't shelter you from all of it, but I made a promise and I broke it."
He started sobbing like I've never heard before. "I just want to watch out for you and protect you. But look. You'll never get over this! It will haunt you the rest of your life! I ruined you!"
Carson no!" I gasped. "No! I get it! You couldn't protect me! Look! We're safe now! I'm sorry I assumed you could save me from everything. Okay?"
I put my hand on his cheek. "Stop blaming yourself." He placed his hand over mine, and slowly stood up.
"No Lexi." He said quietly. "I can't just forgive myself. Maybe you can, but it will take time for me." Then he left, leaving me gaping at the closed door.