Red Tiles

chapter 24

  I was placed in a hospital room with a guard at the door to make sure nobody came in who wasn't supposed to be here. I was confined to the hospital bed even though I wasn't injured. I had to be examined, apparently.

Tommy came in before the doctor did, and he was so happy to see me. He came over and sat on the edge of the bed, giving me a big hug. I hugged him back.

"How are you feeling, Jay?" He asked, rubbing my thigh. My leg tensed at his touch. I jerked away. He frowned a bit but didn't say anything.

"I feel fine. Just want to get out of here. I don't need to be examined. I'm not hurt or anything. Please take me home." Tommy stifled a small laugh.

"Same old Jasper, still the most stubborn creature on god's green earth." I couldn't help but smile at that.

"If you're not hurt, then just let the doctor have a quick look at you then I'll sign your release forms and take you home. Ok?" I nodded.

"Fine. But it better be quick." He laughed.

"Why, you got a hot date or something?" He teased. I nodded.

"I do, actually," I said matter-of-factly.

"With a long book, a sofa, and a fuzzy blanket. My idea of an orgy. Care to join?" Tommy laughed again, shaking his head.

"Let's just worry about getting you discharged first. Good news." I perked up a bit.

"Once discharged, you're back on the case." I smiled, but when I thought of Jinx, my smile disappeared quickly.

"What's going to happen to Jinx?" I asked nervously, looking down at my hands. I twisted the ring on my finger.

He sighed.

"She's going to be released tonight, not enough evidence to hold her." I nodded.

"She didn't do anything wrong, Tommy," I said coldly. His expression went from plain to hurt.

"What do you mean she didn't do anything wrong, Jasper? She kidnapped you, tortured you, did things that I'll find out about in a few minutes. I told the doctor you needed to have a full body examination." So that means my eyes, stomach, ears, and a rape kit. Great.

Feeling slightly angered by this, I sat up and glared at him.

"I'm not doing an examination! She didn't do anything to me that I didn't ask for!" I swung my legs over the side of the bed and hopped down, only to have an arm wrap itself around my waist and pull me back onto the bed. Without thinking, I smacked Tommy. The loud sound of skin hitting skin echoed in the tiny room for a second. I stepped back slowly, looking up at him, a hand over my mouth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," I said softly, knowing he was hurt. Not physically, but emotionally. Without wasting another second, I gathered myself, slipped on some shoes that were by the door, and quietly exited the room. I walked right by the sign out desk with my head down and went right out the door.