First Love

Chapter 11

I slowly opened my eyes in a hospital room. It took me some time to adjust to the bright light.

"I will call you as soon as she wakes up, mom." Kei's voice came from the corner where he was facing the window. "No, she didn't, they were just some thugs." I didn't fully understand what he was saying since I was still in a daze. "I will." Kei said before hanging up the phone. He leaned his forehead on the window and sighed.

"Kei," I called. My voice was weak but he still heard me.

"Oh my God, Sam." He rushed to me frantically. "Are you ok?" He took my hand in his. They were very cold. "I'm going to call the doctor." He disappeared for a few seconds and came back accompanied by a doctor and a nurse.

"Sam, I understand you speak Japanese, right?" The doctor asked as he checked my eyes with his small flashlight. I nodded. "Great. I'm doctor Tanaka. So, how are you feeling?"

"I don't know... I feel strange."

"It is very normal, we have given you some heavy pain killers." He looked at Kei and back at me. "You have bruised ribs, so you will need to rest for three to four weeks. You will have to take it easy at home and take some pain medication when necessary, also you have to try to breath normally even if it hurts at times."

"Are you saying I have to miss school for three weeks?" I asked with horror.

"Yes, you should rest until your ribs are fully healed," the doctor answered. I looked at Kei who smiled at me with sympathy. "Your body was also dehydrated so we gave you an IV." He added. "In addition to some cuts around your body that we have also treated."

"Does she have to spend the night here?" Kei looked uncomfortable.

"No, you can take her home after we finish some paperwork. Oh, but the police have been waiting to ask you a few questions." The doctor's eyes traveled back to me. "Is that alright?"

"Sure." I couldn't wait to send that freak to jail.

"Miss Sato, please prepare the release forms," the doctor instructed the nurse.

"Of course, Dr Tanaka."

"I will send the police officers in." Doctor Tanaka smiled as he left my room, followed by the nurse.

I tried to sit up but a sharp pain shot from my left side. I let out a yelp.

"Let me help you." Kei hurried to me, fixing the pillows behind my back. "Listen..." He looked at me in the eyes. He wasn't wearing his contacts. "You can't tell the police about Minako."

"What?" I couldn't believe what he had just said. "Why is that?"

"I will explain later."

"Kei, I can't believe you." I felt like daggers were planted in my chest, and it wasn't because of my bruised ribs. "You saw what she did to me." I felt a stinging behind my eyes. "How can you still protect her?"

"I'm-" He was interrupted by someone knocking on the door.

Two police officers entered the room and greeted Kei and me. The age difference between the two was obvious. The older man who was probably in his fifties took out a small notepad from his pocket and gave me a warm smile.

"How are you feeling, Miss Martin?"

"I could be better." The officer chuckled at my sarcasm.

"Well, I'm officer Fujita and this is officer Ogawa. We're just going to ask a few questions about what happened today." I nodded. "So, tell us what happened."

I told them about Yoko and the convenience store. I told them about how I was pushed into the alley and surrounded by people.

"How many were they?" the younger officer Ogawa asked. He couldn't have been older than twenty-five.