SAM

Changes

Sam woke up the next morning, her body felt like it was on fire. There wasn't a part of her that didn't hurt. She slowly got up fighting the dizziness and stood in front of the mirror and gasped at the sight reflected. The left eye was black and swollen shut, two stitches on her brow like two black bows. Her lips were swollen, black, blue and red marks run down her cheek into her neck. Sam opened her nightgown and swore. Her breasts were black and blue, a bruise on her left hip spread all the way back, when she turned around she saw the long scratch that run down her back and bruises everywhere. Sam had the urge to cry. What had Henry done to her? Sam stripped and looked at her legs and thighs, besides the bruise on her left hip and knee she didn't see any signs of bruises in the insides of her legs. Sam breathed in, she remembered someone whispering to her, it had been Bryan! What had he said--she remembered and flushed.

 "It's all right honey--he didn't rape you, you are safe, I won't let him hurt you anymore." Bryan's voice had soothed her, she would have to thank him. Sam saw Ann walk in and stop. Frozen. 

"Come in Ann and close the door."

"Sweet Jesus--Sam!" 

She watched as Ann's eyes  filled with tears.

"Ann please, don't cry--" Sam felt tears run down her own eyes. "Come here and help me get dressed before Cecile gets here. She'll faint if she sees me." 

Ann put the tray down. She helped Sam place her robe on and then got her silk outer robe and placed that on her tying the sash around the slim waist.

Sam looked so frail-- Ann hugged the young woman and felt Sam's shoulders shaking as she cried. Ann patted her gently and took Sam to the table by the window where she had set breakfast. Taking a comb she brushed Sam's hair down, until it shone.

"Eat something Sam--Harry woke up this morning and ate everything we put in his plate."

"How is he?"

"Pissed as a rattlesnake, but fine."

"I want to see him--will you take me?"

"Sam--I don't think he should see you like this--it would kill him."

Sam was about to protest when Cecile walked into the room. She froze when she saw Sam's face, hiding her horror, Cecile got closer to Sam.

"How are you feeling today?"

"In pain but fine--Cecile--do you know what happened--while I--"

"Nothing happened, you can ask Bryan." Cecile watched as Sam's face showed relief.

"I want to see Harry but Ann thinks I would hurt him if I showed my face like this."

"He will hurt, but he's been asking about you all morning. Here take my arm and we can walk down, he is downstairs in one of the spare rooms."

Ann placed Sam's slippers on her feet and made her drink some tea before she left. Cecile fussed with her hair and straightened her robe. Sam stood up and walked beside Cecile feeling every movement bring pain from her toes to her hair. She couldn't even bite her lips to help her, they were as sore as the rest of her. Sam stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down, she'd never make it. Cecile followed her eyes and imagined each step was hell. 

 "Sam wait here, let me get someone to help you down." Hearing footsteps behind her Sam turned as slowly as possible and saw Bryan standing beside her. She smiled bravely but winced at the pain. Sam looked into his eyes but saw they were hooded not letting her read what he was thinking.