Chapter Three-

When Sam came to, he was surprised to find he was someplace cool. Cool, dry, and soft. He ran fingers over silken sheets, the softest he had ever felt. His head was against a squishy pillow. The events from before flashed before his closed eyes and finally he chanced opening his eyes.

He was in a dark bedroom. It was large. The walls a light purple of all colors and the sheets a silken black. A bathroom stood open off to his left and a large TV covered the wall across the room from the bed. A thick plush rocking chair was occupied by a rather large tabby cat wearing a bow tie silver collar.

Sam scooted to the end of the bed before he noticed he was naked, wrappings covered his chest, where pain flared up in his ribs. Cracked ribs, then. As he stood, he winced at the pain in his head. But one agonizing pain sent fear straight through his heart. It radiated from his lower back, and his pelvic area. He couldn't help but look down and swallowed hard at the purpling bruises on his hips and covering his pelvic area. He forced himself to look away and he approached the bathroom. Each step was agony. Sending shock waves of pain up to his brain in pulses. Fresh blood welled up between his legs and he couldn't help crying out. The door to the room opened and he froze, shaking and naked by the bathroom door.

The door opened to reveal a girl. No older than 16. Her brown hair curled down her face and back. Her eyes a light hazel. Her eyes looked sad, as she traced down his body.

"I didn't expect you to wake up so soon." She said, her voice soft and low.

Sam glanced down at himself, blushing. He wanted to cover himself but he didn't dare touch it.

"Its ok. I was the one to clean you up the first time." She shrugged, her eyes never leaving his face.

"Ummm… thanks… I'm Sam." Sam mumbled, his legs beginning to shake.

"I'm Ruby. Let's get you to the bathroom and back into bed." Ruby approached him and guided him into the rather large bathroom.

"Is this your house?" he asked, as he shakily sat down on the toilet. He blushed as he did his business, but he could hardly move anymore without shaking.

"It sure is! And don't be embarrassed. I'm in school for nursing." She said, poking at the bandages on his head and chest.

"How? How old are you?" Sam groaned as he tried to stand. He was about as stable as a newborn colt.

"I'm an Emancipated Minor. You have to be 16 but it helps a lot… getting away from horrible parents." She replied, helping him stand. Sam started badly when he saw in the toilet.

"That's not good…" he whispered.

Ruby shrugged. "You have a bad bruise where your kidneys are and lots of trauma to your urinary track. It should heal on its own… but till it does. You are staying here, Sam."

Sam chuckled dryly, "I don't think I could make it home like this."

"No I don't think so either." Ruby grinned softly. She helped him back into bed, Sam closing his eyes as her shirt stretched, exposing her silver lace bra. As he settled back into the bed, she sat down next to him.

"So how bad off am I?" Sam asked her.

"Well… you have a concussion. A couple cuts on your head I sewed up. Your ribs are busted on your left side. Your shoulders were popped out of place.. be careful for them. And obviously they hurt you badly in your kidneys. You had a bit of tearing I'm sorry to say… I took care of it." Ruby reached out a hand and petted his hair. Sam leaned into the touch. She was gorgeous. And she smelled so good.

The tabby cat leapt up without warning breaking the spell.