Redemption Song

Save You

Will

I sat at the edge of Marlei's bed waiting on her to wake up. The police had questioned me about her and I honestly didn't know what to tell them. I had decided to go by her house last night after the awkward run in we had. I didn't feel right leaving her alone but when I had gotten there her front door was cracked open and I saw her laying naked on the couch with bruises all over her body. A lot of them looked a few days old and a few of them were fresh wounds. She was unconscious when I got there and ended up waking up as I was about to call the ambulance. When I had told her I was about to call them she freaked out on me and begged me to just bathe her and then take her to the hospital afterwards. I declined a few times before I eventually gave in and did as she told. When we got here the police harassed me as she tried to assure them that I wasn't the one who caused the bruises on her body. They wouldn't even let me go into the back with her since they swore up and down they had their man. I ended up having to snap on one of the officers before they finally backed down and I was able to go in the room with her. She wouldn't tell me what happened and all I could think about was where in the hell was her weak ass nigga when this happened. Like, the nigga literally stays across the street and this happens to your ol'lady. Shit was just crazy. I was even gonna knock on his door before taking her to the hospital but his car wasn't there.

I looked her over, shaking my head at the bruises all over her neck. They were fresh and whoever choked her had to have had a tight grip around her throat. She wasn't a light skinned girl so she shouldn't have been bruising that easily which means the person used excessive force.

Her eyes opened and she looked at me before quickly looking away.

"I told you that you could leave" she said in a raspy voice

I shook my head "Why you keep denying my help" I asked, getting a little annoyed

She glared at me "I'm fine, I don't need any help"

I bit my tongue at the response she was about to receive from me and instead grabbed her hand.

"Marlei, who did it" I asked, staring into her eyes.

"And where's your boyfriend" I asked

She slightly shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know who did it. He was wearing a mask" she said, looking away from me.

I knew she wasn't telling me the truth. I could read her and I had noticed how her eyes would dart around when she was lying. She couldn't look me straight in the eyes.

"I just wanna help bro. You stopped me for a reason" I told her

She looked over at me as a few tears fell down her face.

"I don't know who did it" she cried

I sighed out of frustration. She was protecting somebody and my mind went straight to that bitch ass boyfriend of hers.

"Where ya dude at Marlei" I questioned her

"I don't know" she whispered

I grabbed her phone off the table next to her hospital bed and went through her phone until I found his number. She remained silent as she stared me down.
I hit the call button and the phone rung a few times before he answered.

"Hello" he answered in a groggy voice as if he were asleep

"Aye bruh, come to th-" I began before he interrupted me

"Who the fuck this is" he said, more alert this time

"Will. Now come to the hospital. Marlei hurt" I said before hanging up the phone

She watched me a little longer before finally speaking

"What he say" she asked

"Shit. He worried about who I am" I shook my head

"He should be here soon tho" I added

She nodded her head, biting her bottom lip. The doctor walked into the room a few minutes later holding a clipboard.

"How ya feeling" she asked, looking at Marlei

Marlei remained quiet.

"You're fine to go home. All of your tests came back fine. Minus the bruises which will eventually heal with time, everything looked fine" the doctor said.

She gave Marlei the discharge papers to sign along with a few domestic violence pamphlets and left out of the room with a look of sympathy on her face. I kept my thoughts to myself but I knew more than just somebody beating her ass went on in that house. She was naked and claiming that her private area hurt and she was limping when she walked. She decided to leave that out when she spoke to the doctor tho and it wasn't my place to speak on it.

"You ready" I asked

She nodded her head and slowly stood up holding onto my arm for support. We exited silently from the hospital and to my car. Once I made sure she was in and comfortable I went around to my side.
I started the car up just sat there for a few minutes.

"Where I'm taking you to?" I asked

She sat and thought for a bit.

"Can I stay with you please" she asked

I nodded and drove off towards my home.

Once we got there I helped her out of the car and up the stairs.
I made sure the door was locked once we were inside and walked her to the guest room.

"You good" I asked her

She nodded her head and said a quiet "Thank you" before sitting on the bed.

"Ima be in the living room if you need me" I said, leaving the door cracked as I left out the room.

I sat down on the couch, running a hand over my face. I wanted to help this girl so bad but she wouldn't allow me to and it was stressing me out. Today was a long day and I was beyond tired. I kicked my shoes off and relaxed back on the couch as I sat in silence. I'd deal with everything tomorrow.