Beaten & Bruised

The truth

"Be gentle with her" I heard what sounded like James say as I fell in and out of consciousness. There were brief moments where I could feel myself moving quickly and numerous people around me talking simultaneously. Even though I was out of it and wasn't aware of all that was going on around me, I could still feel every bit of pain that managed to cover my body. This time the pain was more significant, more brutal I couldn't barely move my arm much less my neck. My back was severely injured amongst other things and when I finally was able to regain my focus and open my eyes I found myself strapped to a stretcher being hauled off by paramedics with James by my side.

"Trinity? Her eyes are open!" He exclaimed making the paramedics stop and flash their tiny flashlight in my eyes and ask me silly questions.
"Ma'am do you know where you are?" The lady on the left side of me in purple gloves asked.
I took a painful breathe in and out answered "I was at the casino with my boyfriend and friends" I said getting a very angry look from James who looked scared out of his mind and pissed off... and I knew why.
"Do you know what happened?" She said asking me another question... I paused for a moment trying to think... I knew what happened and so did they. I could lie if I wanted to but I didn't not this time. "I was pushed" I said with my lips quivering I couldn't hide it any longer... and for some damn reason I felt bad for that. That everyone was going to see Kendall as a monster now. Even if he was, I knew there was two sides to him.. even if nobody believed it but me that's the person I was going to be betraying but my heart felt a sudden relief as tears rolled down my face. I felt free... "okay we're gonna take you to the hospital and get you checked out and go from there alright?" She said as I sniffled but shook my head in agreeance.

James rode with me the whole way in the ambulance. I was in and out of it again but I knew he was there. I think I even heard him sobbing at one point but I could be wrong. One thing was for sure, I knew my brother and he was going to be out for blood if he ever got his hands on Kendall.

More time passed, with more time came more questions. From doctors, nurses and policemen that I didn't know. The only person around me was James and they all wanted me to file charges on Kendall but each time I was asked I said no.

"Trinity, why the hell wouldn't you press charges? He nearly killed you!" James spat visibly still mad and now even madder at me for protecting him. "Because... the damage is done the truth is out can we just drop it now. Just stop!" I said getting fustrated with him. "We can't make her file if she doesn't want to file" the officer said closing his notepad and putting it back in his pockets. "She's obviously had a rough day, so we're gonna leave and let her rest. Call us with anything you need or if you change your mind" he said as he left.

As I sat up in the hospital bed reaching for my drink. I saw James shake his head and get up and walk to the other side of the room. "WHAT THE FUCK TRINITY!?" He shouted at me looking at me with a big disappointed look in his eyes. "Why are you protecting that prick? He nearly killed you! How long has this been going on for and don't lie to me!" He said pointing his finger at me while resting a hand on his hip. He was furious and I kept making it worse.

I shrugged my shoulders at him making him shake his head at me before turning around to face the door and not me. "I'm going to kill him!" James said reaching his hand for the door knob when I jerked myself too quick causing my ribs,back and neck to hurt. "For to long!" I said making James turn around back to me. "Yeah, your in pain right? He broke three of your ribs Trinity!! Fractured your collarbone and don't even get me started with the bruises!" He said with tears swelling in his eyes. He could barely look at me. "I know not all of those bruises are new. Your body is covered! They had to clean the makeup off of your body Trin! I seen it all!" He said moving closer to me. He grabbed my blanket and slowly moved it off of my legs. "Why didn't you tell me! I'm your big brother! I'm supposed to protect you, I failed" he said sitting down next to me laying his head on the bed next to my bruised legs.

"I didn't know how, don't you know I wanted to. I-I..." I said breaking down in tears now that all of my skeletons were coming out of the closet. I was ashamed and most of all by being so closed off and letting Kendall control every aspect of my life I had lost myself and more importantly my family and friends... and seeing James react the way he did made me realize that in trying to keep Kendall happy I not only let myself down I ruined everything around me by lying.

"Miss Maslow?" A young nurse said knocking on the door. "Are you hungry? Lunch is on its way?" She asked but I shook my head no. "She needs some rest" James said looking up at me before standing up to give me a kiss on the forehead. "I'll give you some alone time.. you need a break and so do I and I pretty much need to find everyone else. I love you lil sis" he said with a smile but I knew how hurt he felt inside too.

"Love you too" I replied as he shut the door behind him and I dozed off to sleep.