Blood Iris

Chapter Twelve

I felt arms lift me, but I hardly noticed. My mind still was trying to erase the fear and trauma left over from another meeting with Kara, and my body was screaming in agony from my reopened wounds. I tried to stop the words repeating through my head. I will find you again. You and everyone you love. I will find you and you will wish you had never crossed me. The words wouldn't stop, keeping the fear too close.

I would never escape. The only hope I could hold onto was telling the police everything and hoping they could help.

I was gently laid on the same bed I was just trying to escape. But this time I didn't want to escape.

I began to notice the people around me. Officer Matthews was beside my bed, holding a bag of clothes.

"I thought you might like a shower. There's a bathroom just down the hall I can help you to, if you'd like."

He was so nice. I didn't deserve it, but a shower did sound refreshing. I nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Here are some bandages to re-wrap your wounds." He handed me a roll of bandages. I took the clothes and slowly made my way over to the bathroom.

I tore the filthy clothes from my body. It felt heavenly to wash the dirt, grime, and blood from my skin. I savored the warm water sliding across my skin, soothing my aching muscles and tender bruises.

After I was cleaned and bandaged, I pulled on the black t-shirt over my head. It was slightly too big, but I didn't mind. I slipped into the grey leggings they provided me, admiring their silky texture. I kept my socks, to cover the ankle tattoo that I despised and hated. My old shoes were beaten and in terrible shape, so I donned the tennis shoes they had provided me.

I stuffed my old clothes into the bag, throwing the bag in the trash can so I would never have to look at them again. I didn't need any more reminders of the last few nights. I never wanted to remember the terrible things that happened, but I knew that I could never truly escape the past.

I shook myself, trying to get rid of the dark thoughts that plagued my mind. I carefully made my way to the door, trying not to re-open my fragile wounds as I walked. When I finally stepped back into the hospital room, I found it full of police officers watching me warily. I only recognized Officer Matthews and his son, Evan.

Evan rushed over to my side as soon as he saw me.

"We need to get you to the car as soon as possible. We'll take you to a safe place where no one can find you while we figure out what to do." His dark eyes held my gaze as he reassured me.

"Okay. We'd better hurry, though. You never know when they could be watching us." I looked away from his deep, probing eyes that would see the pain and fear in mine.

I began limping forward, toward the exit.

"Here, let me help you." Evan moved to put his arm around me, but I flinched, moving away from his touch.

"No, I can do it. It's fine." I pushed past him, shuffling into the hallway. I couldn't get stronger if I didn't push myself. And I had to be strong when Kara hunted me down next. Also, I didn't want anyone to take my independence away from me. I couldn't rely on other people because other people would just let me down eventually. I couldn't trust anyone. I had trusted Kara and I had trusted the Queen, the leader of the Blood Iris, and look where that had gotten me!

Evan stepped in front of me, looking into my eyes sternly. "You just got shot multiple times and beaten nearly to death, you could use a little help. We also need to get you to a safe place quickly, so just let me help you."

I shook my head frantically, trying to protest, but I found myself letting him wrap his arm around me, taking the pressure off my aching leg and abdomen.

Why wasn't I fighting harder? Why couldn't I say no? Maybe I was tired of fighting; I had done enough damage, maybe it was time to stop. Or maybe it was because I liked the way his intense, dark eyes made me feel safe, made me trust him. Maybe it was because I enjoyed his careful, tender touch that made my mouth go dry, and my breath stutter.

I continued to shake my head, trying not to think about his steady arm that wound tightly around me, or how close our faces were, almost cheek to cheek.

We finally arrived at the police car sitting right outside the hospital. Evan opened the passenger door, carefully helping me sit without hurting my wounds. He quickly closed the door and rushed to the driver side. He started the car and I almost forgot to buckle my seat belt before we peeled out of the parking lot.

We drove for what seemed like hours. I kept looking back behind us to see if anyone was following us. I was very on edge, despite Evan's involuntarily calming presence. He drove as if he wasn't worried about a bloodthirsty gang capturing us.

"Relax, Victoria, no one will find us." He glanced at me. "We're going somewhere safe." 

His words and his relaxed state calmed me, but not completely. I knew what they could do to us, he didn't. I knew the horrors they were capable of, he didn't. I had very good reasons for being terrified out of my wits.

"Just go to sleep. I'll watch out my back mirror for anyone following us. It'll be fine." He assured me.

I didn't want to listen to him, my self-preservation was telling me to ignore him, but another part of me trusted him. I was also really tired.

I took a shaky breath and closed my eyes.

Within seconds I was fast asleep.