Four Letter Word..

Chapter Thirty Nine

The next morning when I woke up Stacey was hanging over me "What?" I asked her rolling over "Steve's downstairs... Asking if you're ok" I groaned
"Tell him to go away"
"What happened yesterday? Are you hurt?" I sat up
"Tell Steve I'll be down in a minute" I stretched and then groaned at the pain in my neck
"Kat..." Stacey gasped placing a finger to my neck. I shrugged her off heading to the Bathroom to inspect my throat "Who did that to you?" Stacey asked concerned. My throat was swollen and bruises were forming "We need to get that checked out" I shook my head
"No. It's fine" Stacey shook her head and left the room and I closed the door before pulling my shirt off to get a better look at the damage Neil had caused. The Bathroom door burst open again and Stacey returned accompanied by Steve "Jesus!" I covered my half naked body "Can I get some privacy here?"
"Did Mr Hargrove really do that to you?" I sighed "You've got bruises on your back as well" I tried to look at my back over my shoulder but couldn't see "We need to tell the Police. File a report against him"
"They won't listen, all they care about is keeping me away from the Hargroves"
"We'll tell my Mom. She'll make those pigs listen" I swallowed as Stacey headed out to find Penny "Does it hurt?" Steve asked as I put my pyjama shirt back on
"Yes. It's actually really painful" I spoke "I'm going to take a shower, it might help soothe it" Steve nodded and left closing the door behind him.

When I came out of the bathroom to get changed Penny was stood there waiting for me "Show me Katrina" I sighed and let her study my neck "Oh my goodness sweetie. We're going to the police"
"Penny, they already know he strangled me Hopper has seen the marks. It's my own fault anyway" Penny looked mad
"It is not your fault. You hear me? That man is pure evil and I'm ashamed that I didn't see it before" she continued to study my neck "I'm calling Hopper over here right now" she charged off and I looked at Stacey "Really?"
"Well you won't listen tome. This is serious Kat" I rolled my eyes
"Whatever. I'm going to get changed"

Hopper came over around noon and looked a lot less aggravated than he did yesterday. "What seems to be the problem Penny"
"Mr Hargrove is the problem Chief Hopper. How is he being allowed to get away with strangling Katrina" Hopper looked at me
"Did she tell you what she did to make him do that?" Penny almost growled at the question
"I don't care what she did. That man needs to be arrested" Hopper sighed and looked towards me "Do you want to press charges Katrina?" I looked at Hopper and then at Penny
"Maybe.. I don't know"
"We'll take some photographs of your injuries down at the station. Then if you do decide to press charges against Mr Hargrove we have the evidence" I nodded, not wanting to talk because every time I did my throat stung.

()()()()()()()

Down at the station I was photographed and then I had to be assessed by an onsite medic "These are really bad Miss Carter, it looks like something cut you on the right side as well, was he wearing any rings at all?" she pressed her fingers to the part of my neck that hurt the most making me wince. "I don't know, possibly a wedding ring?"
"And are you in any pain?"
"You could say that.." she headed back to her desk
"I'm going to give you some painkillers, they'll help with the swelling too" She handed me the prescription and I thanked her before leaving to find Penny and Stacey who were waiting for me in the stations reception area "I've got copies of the photographs... I'm going over to Neil's" I shook my head at Penny but didn't say anything "Mom I don't think that's a good idea" Stacey told her snatching the photos away from her "Just let Hopper deal with this alright?" Stacey handed me the manilla envelope and I rolled it up placing it in the inside pocket of Billy's jacket that I was wearing.