His reasons are always the same. One slap, because I was a mistake. Two kicks, because he's stuck with me. Three punches, because in his eyes I'm a disgrace, and lastly, the final knockout hit because I'm the reason why his life was destroyed.
• • •...
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∞
When I woke up, I was in a bland, white room. One that was strangely familiar to the room I was in the last time I had gone to the hospital...
"I'm starting to think you like it here," said a voice, startling me, "I can't imagine why, the food is worse than the food at our school."
I sat up, turning my head to see Mason sitting in the chair in the corner of the room.
"What happened?" I asked, slowly pushing myself into a sitting position. Mason stood and moved to sit next to me on the edge of the bed.
"I don't know if I should tell you everything yet..." he said hesitantly, creasing his forehead in worry, "Let me just go get the doctor. I'll be right back, okay?"
I nodded, watching curiously as he left the room. Why can't he tell me what happened?
My head started pounding, like there were tiny men playing the drums in my brain. I threw my hands up to my face, gripping my forehead in an attempt to lessen the pain.
Then images flashed through my mind.
The blood.
The bush.
The body.
Robert.
He's dead.
Then the pain lessened, but only slightly. I opened my eyes to see Mason and an unfamiliar woman leaning in front of me.
"Erin?" Mason says worriedly.
The doctor hands me two pills, "Here, it'll help with the headache."
I thank her, eagerly taking the medicine.
"So, Erin. Can you tell me what you remember from last night?" she asks softly, pulling up a chair next to my bed.
"I remember everything," I said quietly.
She nodded, "Well, Erin. Last night you went into an episode of psychological shock. It can happen after you experience or witness something traumatic." she informs me.
I look up from the white sheets over my body, giving her a slight nod to say that I'm listening.
"You're okay now, but I suggest taking it easy for a couple of days. Try to not think about what happened last night." she said gently.
"Should she still go to school?" Mason asked.
The doctor shrugged, "That is completely up to Erin. If you feel like you're okay to go, then that's okay. But it's okay to take a couple of days as well." she said.
