Pulse

Awake

Aphmau's POV
I sit on a hospital bed, waiting to be released and have my statement taken by the police. It's so quiet in here, too quiet. I play with the hospital wrist band and slowly kick my feet back and forth over my bedside. I insisted I was fine, but they wanted to take me to the hospital anyways to make sure.
The police got there before Ein raped me, so I didn't need to do a rape kit. Thank god. The nurse that was caring for me said that I'd been in there for five days, and passed out when the police got there and didn't wake up for a day. I actually see why they wanted to keep me here for a while.
I'm just about to lay back onto my uncomfortable hospital bed when the door creaks open, to reveal Aaron standing with his arm on the doorway for support. "Aaron!?" I jump from my bed on unsteady legs and almost topple over.
"Shh! I'm not supposed to be here." He closes the door behind him carefully and turns back, and I immediately hug him, not expecting to let go for a while. I can't help it, and the tears come. As I cry into his shoulder, a nurse comes in.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" You are supposed to be resting, both of you!" She must have seen me crying because she sighs and steps out, closing the door behind her. Aaron finally pulls away, and grabs my shoulders.
He looks at me, "I'm quitting my job."
That was not what I was expecting. "What? Why? You can't quit! That leaves both of us unemployed. We'll be on the streets in no time!" My voice shakes.
"Being on the streets is better than losing you! I can't let him take you again, you know, Ein was wanting a hundred thousand to let you go, and I was going to give it to him in a heartbeat. I didn't even think about it. I didn't even question if he was going to let you go, all I needed was the chance. But still, I don't care how long that bastard gets put away for, I'm not taking any chances."
What he said surprised me. He would go that far... just to get me? He would pay that much money, not even guaranteeing Ein would let me go, and now quit his job and get put on the streets, for me? "We'll figure something out, even if we get crappy home office jobs or something, or selling plants, I don't know." He smiles. We both know the only plants we can take care of is the big cactus pot I got from Arizona that sits on the floor by the bright living room window.
~~~~~~~~~~2 hours later~~~~~~~~~~

I sit here waiting for Aaron to come back, the PDPD took him back to his room to take his statement, and it feels like it has been hours, but my phone says it's been less than twenty. I sigh and lay back onto my bed, staring at the indifferent ceiling.
I just can't believe this. It's like with everything the world has, it wants to ruin our relationship. And now, I don't know what Aaron is going to do, is he going to leave me? I don't see why he wouldn't. He wouldn't have to quit his job, he could get someone better, someone who isn't me. I remember all the times we spent together, all we've shared, all we've been through. Could that all come to an end after this?
Just as I'm about to go and do something, like touch everything I can find in the room for the third time, when a police officer comes in. "Aphmau? I can take your statement, then after that you and Aaron are free to go home." He closes the door and grabs a chair, and sits on it backwards. In his hand is a notepad and a black pen. I fiddle with my thumbs and rub my hands together.
"So... from the beginning, tell me how he kidnapped you." He clicks his pen and gets ready to write on the notepad.
"Um," I cleared my throat and looked at my hands. "Well, I was making lunch, and Aaron was at work. I heard the door open, and thought he was home early. I called out to him to ask him if we wanted lunch before I finished, and he didn't say anything back. I thought it was odd so I went to look at the door, and it was like I was imagining it. There was nobody there and the door was closed.
"So I turned around, and was about to turn the corner into the kitchen... but... he was... right there." I rub my hands together harder. It feels like it's suddenly a lot colder. "He... Ein... grabbed me and put me in a white van. I couldn't see out of it, the windows were too dark. I didn't know how long I was there, I think I fell asleep.
"Then when he got me into the house, the van was already in a closed garage with no windows, so I had no idea what time it was, how far we went, or where we were. Then I don't really remember what happened, I must have been in shock or something, because the next thing I remember is being in a very dark, cold room with a nightlight that kept turning on and off- anyways, I fell asleep a while later and woke up and tried baning on the door, and he came back and said, "If you don't shut up I'll kill you and if Aaron even shows up, which I doubt, then I'll have to kill him too."
He scribbles on his notepad, and I continue. "So that happened, he left, and nothing happened until I woke up to hear yelling, and when I realized they had Aaron, I started baning on the door again, telling them to let him go."
He stops and furrows his eyebrows. "There were more than just Ein?" He puts his pen on the notepad and looked at me like I'm crazy.
I look up from my hands, and realize that when the police came, Ivan and Gene were nowhere to be seen. "Um, yeah. There were two other guys, their names were Gene and Ivan. I knew them in highschool, just like Ein. They never hung out, I didn't even know they acknowledged each other's existence. But I've seen them around a lot more lately, and I wondered why. I think I know why now.
"Anyways, I heard Aaron yelling, and as I said I banged on the door and told them to let them go. Then Ein came in with a knife, and told me that we'd see each other soon and if I didn't shut up, we'd never talk again. He was hinting to cutting out our tongues I guess.
"Then, I fell asleep again. I woke up to Ein opening the door, and he dragged me out into the house, and then we got into the living room, there was Aaron, tied to a heavy table. Then he tried to rape me, then the police came. And I passed out, and woke up about five hours ago. And here we are."
The officer finished writing down the information I had given. "Do you happen to remember Ivan and Gene's last names?"
"No I'm sorry I knew them, but I can't remember." I sigh. "I wish I could be more help, I have no idea where they could have gone."
~~~~~~~~~~One hour later~~~~~~~~~~
"Aphmau and Aaron, you are both free to go home. Be careful and stay safe, The police will contact you upon any information or arrests on the two remaining suspects. Since you car isn't here, I suggest to call a taxi or Uber. Again, stay safe." The woman at the front desk smiles and hands us the papers.
Aaron and I exit the hospital into the crisp night air of Phoenix drop, and Aaron contacts an Uber. We get home safe, and Aaron doesn't let go of my hand the entire way home.
:D