Chim - Make You Stay

Chapter 45

Cheryl

"Would you like to come back through? We're all finished"

My head snaps up from looking at the floor and I leap out of my seat, following another woman back into the room. I'm guessing she's a nurse.

When I go over to her bed, Kimba's asleep. Her face looks more swollen if that's even possible, but at least she finally looks relaxed and in no pain.

"Okay, so currently she's on pain releif through an IV drip. We gave her an x-ray on her face and her nose isn't broken, her face is just bruised with a black eye, but it should heal in time. She has two broken ribs and a lot of bruising, and a badly bruised leg. She's certainly been through a lot but she's going to be okay. She'll need to stay here overnight and we'll see how she is in the morning, if she's not in much pain we can send her home tomorrow and I'll give you some painkillers for her. Any questions?"

"No. Thank you" I reply quietly, slightly overwhelmed with all of this information.

"You're welcome. And I hate to ask, but it's policy to just ask how it happened?"

"It's a long story, but it's being dealt with by the police. They should be here later on"

"Okay, I'll leave you to it. Visiting hours end at seven" she says, going to walk off.

"Wait, what?"

"Visiting hours end at seven. You can come back at 8AM tomorrow"

"But.. I have to stay with her" I protest, tears filling up in my eyes.

"I'm sorry love, but you can't. It's the rules" she says with a shrug, and walks out.

****

Kimberley

When I wake up, the first thing I realise is that most of the pain is gone, or at least duller.

I open my eyes to see Cheryl sitting and holding my hand, tears running down her cheeks. I squeeze her hand and she looks up at me and smiles, trying to hide the fact she's been crying.

"What's wrong?" I ask

"I am so so sorry" she whispers, looking scared.

"Sorry for what?"

"This whole thing is my fault, I should have protected you.."

"How were you supposed to know what he would do? This is in no way your fault, you can't blame yourself!"

"He's my ex, this is my fault. If I wasn't in your life, this wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't be in this mess, you would be happy. You would be living a normal life happily, stress free and.."

"STOP." I cut her off and she goes silent.

"If you weren't in my life, no I wouldn't be here. I would be at home, still stuck in a rut living my boring day to day life. Without you, my life would be boring. And yes, this has happened because I know you, but I would rather feel this pain and have you than not feel it and be alone again. Cheryl, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me" I say, tears coming to both of our eyes.

She stands up and carefully kisses the top of my head and sits back down again, never letting go of my hand.

"I just hate seeing you hurt like this" she says, still emotional.

"Babe, I'm okay. I'm going to be fine. Promise" I reassure her.

We sit in silence for a while, just listening to the clock tick, every second dragging. Suddenly, two police men walk in, breaking the silence. Cheryl quickly stands up and greets them and I just lay, confused.

"Kimba, I forgot to mention. The police are here to talk about what happened. So Ashley can be arrested" Cheryl says, coming back over to me with the men following

My heart feels like it's beating out of my chest, and my mouth dries up as they all take seats around my bed.

"So, Miss Walsh, could you please tell me the story, from the begininng, from your point of view" one of the policemen asks, pen and notepad ready.

Just thinking back on the events, I can't say it. I can't talk about it. My breathing quickens and I close my eyes, wishing the memories would go away. I want to run, but I'm stuck in this stupid bed, held prisoner.

"Kimba? Can you tell us what happened?" Cheryl asks gently, placing her hand on mine.

I open my eyes and look into hers. I feel like in time, I'll be able to open up to her, but not yet and not with these two men listening.

I open my eyes and shake my head, feeling stupid. I just can't talk yet.

The policemen sigh and stand up.

"If you change your mind, call again, but please don't waste our time" they say and leave.

As soon as they're gone I let myself cry, Cheryl helplessly squeezing my hand. 

"Babe, you need to do this, for us" she says, encouragingly.

"I know. Just give me time, please"

"Okay" she says, seemingly impatient. "I should probably get going now anyway"

She stands up abruptly and kisses me on the head.

"See you tomorrow" I say quietly

"Bye" she replies, walking out.

As soon as she's gone, I look at the clock on the wall. It's only 4pm, and she could have stayed for longer.

I slide down in the bed, pulling the duvet over my head, disolving into sobs. My middle aches even more as I cry, but I can't hold it in any longer. I feel useless and pathetic and I want it to be over.