Lola clutched the brown blanket covering her closer, feeling sick. She’d had the same thought so many times, but it was strange hearing someone else ask those words.
“Where is my mother?” Her voice cracked.
“She was called, Lola. She’ll be at the hospital, I’m sure.” Dr. Jones put her face close to Lola’s and looked her in the eye. “You’ll have to talk to the police. You tell them everything, understand? Don’t be scared. He can’t hurt you anymore. You tell them the truth.”
Dr. Jones didn’t look away until Lola gave a faint nod.
She pulled her into her arms and held her tight, placing a kiss on her head. She smelled good; clean. “They’re ready to take you now.”
Panic soared through her and Lola clutched at Sebastian’s mom. “I don’t want to be alone. Please.”
The EMT waited outside, eyes trained on the ground to give them a semblance of privacy.
Dr. Jones gave Lola a smile, eyes wet with unshed tears. “You’re not alone, honey. You’ve never been alone. We’ll be at the hospital waiting for you. I promise.”
Lola nodded, but her thoughts were on Jack. She wanted Jack with her. Her lower lip trembled and tears formed in her eyes.
Dr. Jones got out of the ambulance and the EMT went about hooking Lola up to things. From where she lay she saw two figures standing outside the ambulance. One was taller, rangier; the other more muscular and not quite as tall. Jack and Sebastian.
Sebastian climbed in and stared down at her, emotions flickering over his face like lightning. He swallowed and grabbed her hand, his grip almost painful.
Lola knew there were things he had to ask, needed to say, but what came out of his mouth was, “I called Jack. I knew you’d want him here.”
She nodded wordlessly, tears choking her.
His mouth opened and closed. Sebastian looked at her for a long moment. Lola watched him, wondering what he was thinking. “I’ll see you soon.” Sebastian dropped her hand and left.
Jack crouched beside her. He didn’t speak, just looked at her with the fiercest expression on his face. He reached over and clasped her hand within his, bringing it to his lips.
“Make it quick. We need to go,” the EMT said.
He nodded, eyes trained on Lola.
Lola blinked back the tears that threatened to consume her. “I heard your voice,” she whispered. “I heard your voice and it gave me strength.”
He jerked his head once, lips pressed together. Jack averted his face for a moment. When he faced her again, his eyes were red.
“I hear you voice all the time,” he told her.
Lola let her eyes close, exhausted.
***
Lola had been examined, tested, photographed, and talked to by the police. It had been nerve-wracking and painful to put to words the horrible events. Talking about it made it real. Her tongue had stumbled over words, feeling thick and numb. Like her. She felt numb.
She was alone for the moment, in a white hospital room that smelled like bleach and was chilly. A dim light cast shadows about the room, making her uneasy.
Lola had to stay overnight for observation since she’d hit her head and passed out. It seemed she may have a slight concussion. There were bruises on her as well. She was stiff and sore and a little dizzy. None of that compared to the pain inside her.
Rest was what had been recommended by the hospital doctor. Though it was well into the middle of the night, Lola couldn’t. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Bob, felt her skin crawl like he was in the room with her. She felt impure, tainted.
A scalding hot shower hadn’t helped; all the soap in the world couldn’t seem to remove the smell of him from her flesh; his touch lingered even now.
If Sebastian and his mother hadn’t found her. Lola shuddered and took a deep breath. But they did. Remember that.
The door opened, admitting a nurse. Her name was Molly. She had blond hair and a cheerful smile; pink scrubs on for her uniform. She smelled like bubblegum. “Getting some rest?”
Lola looked at the blanket twisted between her hands. “No. I can’t sleep.”
Empathy shone on her face. Molly patted her shoulder. “I understand. I’m going to take your vitals again, okay?”
“Is my mom here yet?”
Molly finished up; the blood pressure cuff making a ripping noise as it left Lola’s arm, and shook her head. “Not yet.”
Lola’s stomach dropped and she couldn’t meet the nurse’s eyes. Her mother had been called hours ago. Why wasn’t she there? Lola’s throat tightened.
“I’m sure she’s on her way.” The nurse paused, and then asked, “Do you need anything?”
She shook her head and the nurse left.