Married To The Clown

Chapter Twenty Eight 'Waking up'

Athena's POV
"Mom my whole body hurts" I croaked out looking at her in sadness.
"I know my love you've been through quite the war" she sniffled running finger under her eye to collect the fallen tears.
"Don't cry mom! It's ok I'm here" I smiled reassuringly grabbing her hand.
"I...t..th...tho..ught..I'd lost you! You're heart stopped twice, I was so afraid" she sobbed loudly bringing my hand up to kiss.
Shock ran through me at her words.
My heart had stopped twice!
I knew it was bad but I didn't think it was that bad. Surely J's bathroom and bedroom attack were worse than this.

"I'm sorry mom" I whimpered snapping out of my thoughts.
"Don't apologise! The only people who should be sorry are the bastards who did this" she growled her once light blue eyes turning black with rage.
"What goes around comes around. Don't worry mom they'll soon pay I promise" I sneered, flashbacks of my attack running through my mind.
"Jack will sort them out I know he will!" My mom chirped in making my heart hurt.
"I know mom" I sighed.
I could see the hope in her eyes.
She loved Jack more than anything, I couldn't hurt her.
"He's a good boy and he adores you. I don't think I've witness a love like it" she grinned giving my hand a squeeze.
"Yeah that's me and Jack, totally loved up!" I muttered looking down at the bed broken hearted.

"Oh I better go tell the doctor you're awake!" Mom exclaimed after a few minutes silence.
Before I could speak she had flung herself out the chair beside me and was sprinting towards the exit.
As soon as she disappeared I let out a huge sigh which was followed by uncontrollable sobs.
I can't believe this happened!
What had I done so wrong in my life to deserve the treatment I had received over the last few months. All I did was try to stand by him and be a good wife but that obviously wasn't enough.
I was so scared!
What if that guy had really injured me?
The pain within that moment was the worst pain I'd ever felt, even worse than J carving into my skin.

My head was a mess!
I was angry, sad, broken but a part of me was glad to finally be away from Jack. The way he had ended our marriage destroyed me yet maybe there was a positive in all this. I wouldn't get hurt anymore!
He and his men weren't here to cause me harm.
I was now within the safety of my family's arms and I knew things would get better from here.

"Ah Mrs Napier I see you have finally joined the land of the living!" A cheery voice called out as the door swung open.
He appeared to be a young doctor but you could see the stress that came with the job had effected him greatly throughout the years.
"Call me Athena" I smiled while my insides twisted and bile lumped in my throat at the mention of that name.
"Of course! I am Dr Holland and I will be your doctor during your stay" he smiled, his eyes twinkling with innocence and care.
"Hello Dr Holland" I waved weakly.
"Now tell me Athena, how are you feeling?" He asked his face changing to sympathetic.
"Like I've been hit by a train" I groaned jokingly.
"That's completely normal. I have some things I wish to discuss with you but it is completely up to you if you want to do it in public or private" He smiled looking towards my mom.

I wanted her here with me but what if he said something troubling?
I didn't want her anymore upset than she was.
"Mom could you wait outside please?" I smiled at her, nodding reassuringly.
At first she went to protest but the look on my face silenced her and with a nod of her head she quietly left the room.

"You can continue now Doctor, what would you like to tell me?" I slightly whispered turning my attention away from the door and back to him.
"You were in bad shape when you got here Athena. Both of your shoulders were dislocated, three ribs were cracked, the drug injected within your system is deadly and should not be administered to any human, and lastly you had small lacerations within you which we managed to stitch up without a problem. It is easy to see the war you have went through these last few weeks but with a little bit of tender, love and care you shall make a full recovery. We also have a therapist within the hospital who would be happy to sit and talk to you if you wanted" he explained slowly giving me time to process everything.                                                

"Thank you Doctor for everything you have done but I won't be needing any therapist just my family" I smiled brightly.
"There is something else" he sighed sadness taking over his form.
"Oh! Is it bad?" I whispered suddenly feeling extremely nervous.
"I'm afraid so but it is something you must know"
"Ok please tell me Doctor I hate the tension" I tried to joke but my heart was pounding in dread.
"I'm sorry to say this Athena but"...........

End of POV

Pauline paced the hall frantically.
This was all too much.
What the hell had happened to her little girl?
Who were them men?
Where was Jack?!
When he phoned her telling her to prepare for a visit Pauline was expecting the happy couple with news of a grandchild. Instead she watched her beaten child get thrown to the ground like dirt, blood covering her little form. She had been tortured and abused yet Jack was no where in sight.
What if something bad had happened to him too?
Pauline had tried getting in touch even since Athena had been rushed to the hospital but she had yet to receive anything.

She wished Athena would have let her stay but she knew that girl was too proud. She also knew Athena wouldn't want her to be hurt.
Pauline wondered what the Doctor could possibly be telling her.
All this waiting was driving her crazy! She just wanted to be with her baby.

Suddenly a heartbreaking scream echoed across every hall within the hospital.
Pauline's heart stopped as she immediately recognised it as Athena's.
The screams didn't stop instead they got louder and louder.
Without a moments hesitation Pauline longer forwards and sprinted into the room. Upon entering she felt her heart completely break.

Athena was curled up on the bed, screaming into her pillow in sheer agony.
Not thinking and letting her motherly instincts take over she hurried over to the bed and picked up her distraught baby.
"Ssshhh baby it's alright I've got you!" Pauline whispered kissing Athena's head as her own tears began to fall.
It was useless!
Athena continued to scream.........