The Boys

cinder block garden

York Hospital came into view not that long later. I had stopped crying and Josh had stopped trying to talk to me. The radio was on, playing some music I didn't know but it soothed me anyhow. Josh parked by the A&E ward and helped me into the ward a few minutes later. He leaves me on a chair while he signs some forms to say what happened. When he rejoins me, he lets out a long sigh.

"They said we could be waiting for up to 20 minutes. Would you like to go and get a McDonalds after this? For dinner? I really would like you to eat something before you go to bed tonight, just so I don't have that on my conscience." Josh offered again. I haven't had a McDonalds in years. I would love to eat something around about now. I just nodded for an answer, not bothering to speak. I'd have to yell for Josh to hear me.

"I wrote down on the form that you cut your leg when messing around in the garden shed in the dark and you you know there were sharp tools in there." Josh informed me. Okay, so he didn't want to explain that I was fostered after being abused. Fair enough for him. I wouldn't want to explain either. I nod again to show that I knew what he was on about. I hang my head sadly and tiredly.

"It'll be okay, Eve. This wasn't the best first official day you could have had here but the sooner we get the yucky stuff out of the way, the better." He added, noting my mood.

It feels like a life time before a doctor calls us in to a private room. She read the form before talking to us.

"If you don't mind me asking, dear, but what were you doing in the shed at night? Why didn't you turn on a light?" She asks, Josh sitting me on the bed.

"She was looking for our younger brothers teddy. He can't sleep without and left it in there earlier today." Josh answered, sensing my fear.

"And what did you say you cut it on?" She asks, putting on some gloves.

"Shears." I answered too quickly.

"All right. Can I take a look, sweetheart?" She asked, turning back to me. I chew on my lip nervously. She's going to see the rest if my bruises and scars and cuts.

I shuffle down my joggers and start to unwrap the blood soaked bandage.

"Oh. They were some sharp shears, honey." The doctor started cleaning everything up for me, not commenting on anything else. She puts 6 stitches in and then some clean bandages over the top.

"And the bruises? Did you get those from falling as well?" The doctor eventually asked. I cringe, pulling up the jogging bottoms.

"She's just clumsy in general." Josh covers for me.

"Can I speak to you on my own, Sir?" The doctor asked, taking off the gloves and putting them into the bin. Oh god. Please don't say he's in trouble because of me. He's going to hate me. He'll get so annoyed that he's going to beat me like Dad did. Oh no. Please don't.

He follows the lady out of the room and was gone for about 5 minutes while I was having a mini panic attack about him hating me.

Not Dad. Not Dad. Not Dad.

"I told her." Josh announced, walking in. What? How could he tell her!? He lied on purpose.

"I need to know if you have any other injuries, Eve. It's important I know. It's kind of my job to know." She knows I have more but it's just the matter of me telling. I should tell her and she could stop my pain. But Dad has always said that he would kill me if I told anyone and he may be in jail right now but one day, he will be free and he will find me and kill me. I can't take that risk. I haven't said anything about him hurting me to anyone. It's what everyone else has assumed so I'm still safe enough.