"This is Linda, she ran into a building, and she has sustained severe burns to her entire body, and a fracture to her right arm and left leg. I'd like to treat her if that's okay with everyone?" Tom said, to a group of doctors and nurses. I was confused. Why was he calling me Linda?
Everyone surrounding me, nodded at Dr Kent, and he started to bark orders at nurses, who all started to scurry around him, doing exactly as he said.
Sam was arguing with Matt, who was trying to come over and see me.
"Mr Riley! You can't be near her right now, so come over here, and let me treat you!" It was clear was angry at him, and that she could sense something was going on between us.
"Sir, please it's fine. I'll be fine. You just get checked over, and then come and find me okay?" I said, trying to calm him down. Tom looked over to Sam. Sam pulled a face, a kind of I-told-you-so face. I got scared. Sam and Matt walked off.
"So Linda. You and Mr Riley seem pretty close. I know he's your foster dad, but I know that kind of protection, that he has over you. If you need to talk about anything. I'm here. You are going to be in hospital for a while, and there is no point of having any secrets. We'll just find them out anyway. So Linda, is there anything you want to tell me?" I stared at him. I decided I would tell him. But I had to ask him something first.
"Why do you keep calling me Linda? That's not my name." He stared at me.
"Why did you tell me, that you were called Linda then? What is your real name?" I looked up at him, as he put a stethoscope on my chest. Then he checked my pulse on my wrist.
"Alex"
"Okay, Alex, why is there bruising on your wrist." He checked my other wrist, "Alex, why do you have bruises all over your arms? I'm going to check your stomach and legs" His face was frowning, as he lifted my school shirt, and then peered down at my skinny legs, which looked long as my skirt was quite high. There was bruising all over them. He went back to my stomach. He pushed down on it gently, but it was agonisingly painful.
"OW! Okay stop now! I don't have to tell you anything. I'm 16."
"ALEX! I just want to help you! Why won't you let me?!"
I didn't know what to say.
"I... Mr Riley... We..."
Dr Kent stormed out of resus.