Chapter Five:
Robin made her way back to her house laughing to myself. What an idiot. She was mad at herself for thinking there may be a chance for something to happen between her and Patrick, and she was mad for being angry with him. She had no right to be angry. It's not like they were together or anything. Theye had one lousy date and one amazing kiss where she ran out, nothing more. Why shouldn't he have fun and see other people? She just happened to loathe the one he chose, but so what, it was still his choice.
She decided to stop at the park to think for a few minutes, to gain perspective. She pulled over and walked deep into the woods towards the bench she often frequented. Robin suddenly got a strange feeling, a bad feeling, a really bad feeling. I need to leave, I am not alone, she thought. She began to walk back to the car when she heard a stick crack from someone walking behind her. Why had she walked so far into the woods and when did it get so dark?
Her panic pushed her forward, the only thought was survival. Oh god, she knew why this was so familiar, it was the dream, but she was wide-awake. Just keep going, she told herself as she made her way through the trees and searched for cover, looking back to see if anyone was following. She couldn't see anyone, but knew someone was there, lurking in the shadows. She could feel her heart pumping blood through her body.
"Okay, calm down and think, maybe it was your imagination and you are running around like a freak for no reason," she said aloud to no one in particular. She wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead and continued moving. She was almost back to the road when she tripped and lost a shoe, hitting the ground hard and scraping her arm on a branch. She sat for a minute and tried to relax. No one was there, she was safe, and she was okay. She heard a noise behind me and turned around just in time to see a hand raised above her face. Everything went black.
Did that really just happen? Did she come here and see me with Jody and did I just blow the chance she was giving me? Patrick let the thoughts swirl in his head as he took the box back to the kitchen. Jody looked at him. "What's in the box?" She asked as she slithered over to him.
"Nothing, Um Jody, I think I'm all set with these lesson plans, do you mind if we call it a night? I have a test to grade before tomorrow." Patrick tried to politely get her to leave, something he should have done a while ago. He didn't like how she had wormed her way into his home after just showing up in the first place, telling him about a parent concern, He figured it was made up and he was more than a little irritated. He really didn't have any use for her and found her to be rather annoying.
"Oh, we were just beginning to have fun," Jody said with a pout. "But, it's your loss. A word of advice, don't waste your time on Robin, she isn't worth it," She said.
"Jody, I teach high school, I'm not in high school. And as for worth, from what I have seen, Robin could run circles around you. She has more worth than a lot of us," Patrick said and smiled as Jody left in a huff.
Patrick opened the box and looked at the cupcakes Robin had brought. They looked amazing. He had no idea she baked. He saw the note folded inside and picked it up.
Patrick,
This is to apologize for being such a flake the other night. The coconut and chocolate flakes in the icing show that although I am a flake, I am worth it if you eat, or get to know me better. It won't happen again. Are you up for another try?
-Robin.
Patrick smiled at the note and thought he would do one better. He would go to her house with his answer
Patrick made his way towards Robin's house, determined to make things right. He didn't understand how things had gotten so out of control since their date. He needed to make sure she understood what had happened, and why Jodi was at his house. He didn't even like Jodi, he told himself, and he didn't like how she treated people, especially Robin. He hoped that by the time he got there he would figure things out, because right now, nothing was making sense to him. He just knew he needed to see her. He didn't do relationships, he never had, but something about her was different. He cringed as he pictured the look on her face when she saw Jody, she was hurt, but she was trying not to show it.
He made his way to her place, turning the car down the path by the park on the way to her house. It was late and dark, and he didn't even know if she would let him in. Why should she, he thought to himself? He didn't deserve her. He saw her car parked on the side of the road and realized she must have gone to the park for a walk. She told him how often she did that and he figured she was upset. He pulled over and took a deep breath. He got out of the car and made his way up the walking path, lost in thought. It wasn't until he almost tripped over something that he realized how far he had walked. He looked down and saw a shoe. He had tripped on a shoe. Nice, he thought. Why do people lose shoes? He realized quickly, that this wasn't an ordinary shoe, but it belonged to Robin. He recognized it from school because he had walked in on Elizabeth making fun of them when Robin had worn them.
He felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He picked up the shoe and looked around. "Robin?" he yelled. "Robin, it's Patrick, are you here?" He asked again. He looked around frantically, searching for her. He felt the fear rise up in his chest as he once again called to her. "Robin, please answer me if you hear me." He picked up his cell phone and dialed her number. "Come on, please answer the phone," he felt the sweat on his brow when he suddenly heard a noise. He walked towards it, realizing it was the ringing of a cell phone. His heart filled with dread he realized it was her cell phone. He saw her purse on the ground and ran towards it. Nothing could have prepared him for the scene he was about to see.
Patrick walked through a line of bushes when he saw her. She was lying on the ground between a rock and some trees, almost hidden by the mess of shrubs next to her. She was unconscious, her pants torn, but still on. Her shirt was ripped revealing much of her torso. Her wrists were tied together and her arms were bruised. Her face was hidden by her long hair, which covered it. "Oh my God, Robin?" Patrick cried as he ran to her. He quickly brushed her hair away from her face and saw the bruises and bleeding from the beating she must have taken. She moaned slightly as he touched her face.
"Robin, it's Patrick, you're going to be okay." He said in a soothing voice, trying not to show the fear he felt.
"Please don't touch me," she said in the most pathetically sad voice he had ever heard. "Leave me alone," she cried softly.
"It's okay, it's me, Patrick. I'm going to get you help," he said.
"Please don't touch me," she said again and drifted out of consciousness.
"It's okay. I'm going to get you some help." Patrick said and pulled out his cell phone and called 911. "Help is coming, you need to hang on. You're going to be fine." Patrick said as he reached for her hands, which were still tied together. "Dammit!" He tried to untie her but his hands were shaking too badly. He swore and looked around for something sharp. He let go of her hands and she whimpered.
"No, don't leave me," she murmured. "I'm so cold."
"Not a chance," Patrick said as he felt his tears fall. He pulled off his coat and placed it over her and sat down on the ground. He gently brushed her hair away from her face and held her hands as he heard the ambulance arrive.
"Over here," he yelled as they came closer. The police followed and immediately began surveying the scene. "The paramedics are going to help you, I'll be right here," Patrick said as he moved to allow the medics to help her. She didn't respond as she had lost consciousness again.
"Tell me what happened," One of the officers asked him. "Who are you?"
"I am her friend," he spat the words out like they were a joke to him. "I abandoned her," Patrick felt like he was going to be sick. "Who the hell would do something like this?" he yelled, running his hand through his hair.
"We will find the person who did this, I promise. What is your relationship to the victim? How did you find her?" he asked.
"We teach together at South. We had a misunderstanding, I guess, and I came to talk to her. I saw her car parked out here and stopped to see her. She often walks in the park. I tripped over her shoe and then I found her." Patrick said. The paramedics loaded Robin onto a stretcher. "Can we do this later; I would really like to be with her now," Patrick said.
"That's fine; we'll meet up at the hospital," The officer said. Patrick thanked them and followed Robin into the ambulance. He rode in silence as he watched the medics bandage her bloody wrists from where the rope had cut her. He watched as one of the men placed an IV into her arm. He looked at how pale she was under the lights of the ambulance. He felt like he was watching the scene from another place. The ambulance screeched to a halt at the hospital. Patrick watched as the paramedics pulled Robin out and rushed her into the hospital. He followed behind until a nurse placed a hand on his chest. "You can't go in there, you need to wait out here," the nurse told him gently. "They will let you know when it is okay to come in."
"Is Maxie Jones working tonight? That's her cousin. Can you please call her?" Patrick asked the nurse.
"Yes, she is here, I'll let her know. Please have a seat," the nurse said and went to call Maxie. Patrick pulled out his cell phone and called Elizabeth. He told her there had been an accident and Robin was in the hospital. He would fill her in when she got here. He thought that Robin would want her there. He would let her make the other calls. He turned and saw a bathroom nearby. He ran inside and vomited into the stall before sitting down to try and collect his thoughts. What the hell had just happened? How could he have let her get hurt like this? Was she going to be okay? He made his way back out to the waiting area, fighting back tears.
"Patrick, Patrick, what happened? Where's Robin?" Elizabeth came running into the E.R. She looked and saw the expression on his face.
"Oh God, is she, oh God," she sank down into a chair.
"No, she is alive and they are working on her," Patrick couldn't bring himself to look at her. His heart was breaking for what Robin must have gone through.
"What happened, you need to tell me right now," Elizabeth demanded.
"Robin was attacked at the park. I found her unconscious. She is really messed up," Patrick said and broke down as he spoke the words aloud. "Her clothes were torn and she has bruises all over."
"What? Not Robin, oh please, not Robin," Elizabeth said over and over as she put her head in her hands.
Maxie came out and saw them sitting there. She wiped the tears from her own eyes as she made her way over. "Hi Elizabeth, and Patrick," she nodded in his direction.
"How is she?" Patrick pressed.
"I can't really give you any details, Patrick, because you aren't family, and I don't know you well enough, I'm sorry. Robin will have to decide what and if she tells you what happened. Elizabeth, do you know where her parents are? I can't reach them. Are they still out of the country?"
"They are, and probably can't be reached for another few days. I can take care of her. Can I see her?" Elizabeth asked Maxie as they walked to a private area.
"In a moment, but I need to prepare you. Robin is very bruised and battered. She is awake, but won't admit to what happened to her. We really want to run a rape kit on her, but she is refusing. Do you think you might be able to talk her into that? It is the best chance we may have to catch this guy."
Elizabeth nodded, holding back her tears.
"Let me go see if they are ready for you," Maxie said.
"Okay, I'm going to go and talk to Patrick for a minute," Elizabeth said. She took a deep breath and walked over to where Patrick was sitting, watching her anxiously.
"Hey," she began.
"What's going on? How is she?" Patrick asked, rubbing his hands on his pants. He was so upset, he couldn't think straight.
"You should go home. There isn't anything else you can do here. Robin is in good hands and I'll be here," she said and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not going anywhere. When can I see her?" Patrick asked with a tone to his voice that Elizabeth knew was serious.
"I don't know. I am going to go in to help her through the rest of the exam. It's not something she wants to do, but she has to. As soon as I know more, I'll let you know," Elizabeth wiped her tears and stood up to go meet Maxie. Patrick grabbed her arm.
"Please tell her I'm here. Tell her," he stopped and put his head in his hands.
"I will." Elizabeth said and walked away.
"I just want to go home," Robin's voice rang out emphatically. "I am fine, I just got a little messed up, it's no big deal."
"Hey sweet stuff," Elizabeth said as she entered the room, trying to act normal. She felt tears immediately spring to her eyes as she saw her best friend. Robin had a huge red welt on her cheek and her lip was cut and bloody. She had a bandage on her forehead and her right arm. Her wrists were bandaged and she was sitting up and arguing with the nurse.
"What are you doing here? I am fine, this is ridiculous. Will you tell them that I can take care of myself?" she said.
Elizabeth looked at the nurse. "Can I have a minute alone with my friend?" she asked. The nurse nodded and left them alone.
Elizabeth sat down next to the bed. "Hey, do you remember what happened?" She asked as she took Robin's hand in hers.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that? I was in the park and thought someone was there. I think I scared them and they ran away. I must have fallen or something and got cut up," she said, not wanting to admit she really didn't remember anything after she left Patrick's.
"Well, because that isn't what happened, sweetie. Patrick found you in the park," Elizabeth began.
"What do you mean, no he didn't," she said, not believing anything she was saying.
Elizabeth continued. "He found you unconscious and beaten on the ground. He called the police and paramedics and stayed with you until they got there." She could see Robin beginning to tear up. 'Sweetie, you were attacked, and whoever did this may have also sexually assaulted you. We need to check," she said carefully.
"Get out." Robin cried. "I don't know why you are saying this, it isn't what happened. Patrick wasn't there and you don't know what you're talking about," she said as she turned to look away from her, tears spillingndown her cheeks.
"I'm not leaving you. Not now, and not ever. You can get angry with me or ignore me, but this is too important. Robin, you need to get checked and you need to get help. I don't want to push, but this cannot wait. If you are so certain that nothing happened, then you can prove me wrong after the exam, okay?" Elizabeth pushed her on this, but it was imperative to see her get checked.
Robin turned to look at her best friend for her whole life. The one she trusted more than anyone else. "I don't feel well," she said simply, laying back and closing her eyes. Oh God, what if she was right? This couldn't be happening. Fresh tears cascaded down her cheeks.
Maxie came in followed by another woman. "Hey sweetie, this is Dr. Kyra. She is going to do a pelvic exam and make sure you are okay. Elizabeth and I will be here the whole time, okay?"
Robin just nodded, wanting to say something, but not finding her voice. Was this really happening? Was she really sitting here in the stirrups being examined for, oh God, she couldn't even think it.
"All done," Dr. Kyra said and covered her up. Robin gently sat up, beginning to feel the effects of all of the bruises. The doctor motioned for Maxie to follow her outside.
"You did amazing." Elizabeth said and smoothed Robin's tangled hair down. "How are you feeling?"
Robin just lay there silently, tears falling down her cheeks. Maxie and Dr. Kyra came back inside.
"Robin, we need to go over a few things, do you want Elizabeth to hear this, or we can talk in private." Maxie said.
"No, she can stay, I want her to stay."
"Okay, well, the rape kit was negative, but it was a definite attempt. You have bruising up to a point on your thighs but there was no penetration. It is likely something scared him off." Dr. Kyra said.
Robin's eyes took a glassy look to them. She didn't recall what else was said because she kept hearing that word over and over. Penetration, was there or wasn't there? What did she say?
"Robin, are you okay?" Elizabeth asked me with concern.
"I want to be alone," she said.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Maxie said. "We are going to keep you overnight for observation. Let me take some blood and we will give you something to help you sleep."
"I really don't want to stay here," she said and cried. "Oh my gosh, what about Toots? She must be so scared."
"I will go check on her when I leave here. I am sure she is fine." Elizabeth said. Robin nodded and laid back down, completely exhausted. The nurse came in and took blood. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, after finally being left alone.
"Hey," Elizabeth said to Patrick who had fallen asleep on the chair in the waiting room.
"How is she?" he asked her. He was looking haggard and stressed out. His eyes were red and his face was showing the stubble of needing a shave. He ran his hands through his hair.
"She is asleep. She is going to stay the night for observation, but she will be okay, physically. It is going to take a while for her bruises to heal. She still won't admit to what happened. I am really afraid for her," Elizabeth said and finally let her tears fall. Patrick hugged her.
"She is lucky to have you, Elizabeth. Can I go see her?" he asked.
"She said she wanted to be alone, but I don't think that's a good idea. I am going to go to her house to get a few things for her and make sure the cat is okay, she was worried about that," Elizabeth said. "I'll be back."
Robin sat up after finally being left alone. She needed to shower. She felt gross and just plain contaminated. She gently removed the IV from her hand and held pressure on it. She walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on. She carefully stepped into the stall, wincing from the pain of the bruises, which were making their presence known. She felt the water cascade over her body and she slowly sank to the floor of the stall, tears wracking her body. She sat there for a while and finished washing her body of all feelings. She washed her hair and stepped out of the stall, grabbing the towels, which were there for her to use. She stepped in front of the mirror and for the first time she saw what had happened. Her face was bruised and her eyes were red. She had a huge welt on her cheek and her forehead was bandaged, which now needed to be changed. She pulled the gauze off and reached up and touched her cheek as her tears fell down. She put on her hospital gown and put her hair up in a knot. She took a sheet from the cabinet and wrapped it around her body, feeling the need to be more covered up. She felt a wave of nausea come over her and she sat down for a moment. She heard a soft knock on the door.
"Robin, are you okay? It's Patrick," his voice came through the door full of concern and care. "Should I get someone?" He had been waiting outside the bathroom for a while and was worried.
"No, I'll be out in a minute," she said weakly. She couldn't imagine what he was doing there. She covered up every inch of herself and opened the door. She walked to the bed and sat down slowly, pain wracking her chest. She caught her breath in her throat as she sat down. Patrick walked slowly toward the bed, keeping his distance.
"Are you okay?" he asked tentatively, realizing it was a stupid question.
"I just took a fall, I'll be fine. You don't need to be here, you can go home," she said, lying down on the bed, facing away from him.
Patrick felt his heart break at her lie. He didn't know if that's what she believed or if she just couldn't bring herself to admit what had happened. "Do you mind if I just sit here?
She didn't know what she wanted or what she felt. "No," she said almost imperceptibly, huddling on the bed in a fetal position. The nurse came in and saw the IV was out.
"Why did you do that?" The nurse asked.
"I needed to take a shower. I had to clean up," Robin said in a small voice, forgetting that Patrick was there.
"Well, there are ways to do that without tampering with your medication. All you have to do is ask," the nurse got out the materials to replace the IV.
"I am sure she didn't mean to make your job harder," Patrick said to the nurse, trying to ease the tension.
Robin turned to look at him and pulled her sheet up closer to her neck. "Patrick, I didn't know you were still here."
"Hmm, I suppose." The nurse smiled at him. "There, now please keep that one in." She told Robin who nodded in agreement. The nurse walked out.
Patrick stood up and walked closer to the bed. "Can I get you anything?" He tried to be helpful, needing to do something.
"No, you really don't need to be here," her tears came again as the sheer exhaustion of the evening began to take over.
Patrick walked to the bed tentatively, not sure how to proceed. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her until she felt safe, but he knew he couldn't do that, she couldn't handle it. His heart broke as he watched her. He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down, handing her a tissue. "Please let me help you." He asked her sincerely.
"You can't help me, I don't think anyone can," she hugged her covers to her and lay down in the bed, crying softly.
"That's where you're wrong," he said. "I can be here."
Robin looked at him, for the first time since the attack, her bruised face and red eyes searing into his soul. "Why?"
"I don't know. I just want to be here." Patrick cleared his throat as his emotions began to run over again and a single tear fell from his eye.
Robin looked at him, trying to detect his sincerity, but utterly incapable of objecting. The meds they had given her to relax were working. She lay back down and closed her eyes, unable to muster any words, but she nodded her consent.
Patrick pulled up his chair and sighed in relief, grateful for the small opening in her wall. He watched her close her eyes and breathe evenly. "I'm so sorry this happened, Robin," he began to speak as she slowly drifted to sleep.
The sun beamed in on her face and she slowly opened her eyes, trying to remember where she was. Stretching, her whole body was wracked with pain. She I looked over and saw Elizabeth asleep on the chair. She didn't remember what had happened, was she in a car accident? Moving the covers off of her legs, she felt tears sting her eyes as she looked at herself. Her legs were covered in bruises. How did that happen? She looked at her wrists, bandaged heavily. What the hell happened? Did I try to hurt myself? I knew I would never do that, she thought to herself. "Elizabeth?"
"Hey, you're awake," a voice said which was not Elizabeth.
"What's going on? Patrick? Where is Elizabeth?" she asked as her tears began to fall and she quickly covered herself up. "Please, go away," she whimpered, not knowing why she felt so afraid to be seen.
"She just stepped out, I'll get her," Patrick said as he hurried out.
A few moments later Elizabeth rushed in. She came to the bed and sat down facing me. She took my hand gently in her own. "Hey, how are you? Do you remember what happened?" she asked.
"No, obviously not," She snapped. "Please tell me what I am doing here. Why is Patrick here? How did I get these bruises?" Robin asked softly. "Was there a car accident?"
"No, sweetie. You were attacked in the park," she said carefully, not sure how much to tell her. "Patrick found you and brought you in. He has been here all night."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, clearly drawing a blank. "I don't remember anything," she said, unable to stop the tears from falling again.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Elizabeth asked her.
"I don't know, I made cupcakes for Patrick. I think I took them to his house, but I'm not sure. That's the last thing I remember. Can I go home?" she pleaded with her, really wanting to get home.
"I'll go see if Maxie is around," Elizabeth said as she stood up. She turned to look at Robin. "I know you're scared, sweetie, but you're going to be okay," She leaned in to kiss Robin's cheek and walked out.
"How is she? She was really freaked out," Patrick approached Elizabeth in the hall outside Robin's room. His stubble showed the hours he had been there and the circles under his eyes showed his fear, doubt and exhaustion.
"She doesn't remember anything. I am really scared for her, Patrick. I don't know what to do to help her. I'm going to get Maxie and see if she will release her. She wants to go home, but I don't know if that's a good idea either. I just can't believe this happened." She wiped her eyes and saw Maxie approaching them. She walked to meet her.
Patrick paced as they spoke, trying to figure out what to do next. He didn't know why he had stayed all night, or what he expected Robin to allow him to do, he just needed to be there, to see her, help her, do something. He was at a loss and truly didn't know where to go from there. Suddenly a blood-curdling scream came from Robin's room. Elizabeth and Maxie turned toward the room but Patrick was already inside. He ran in and found Robin cowering on the floor in a heap, her iv pole on the ground and her arm bleeding from where the needle had come out. She was staring at her hands and crying, but not making a sound. Patrick approached her and she backed away in fear.
"Robin, it's okay, you're okay, no one is going to hurt you," he said as he tried to get her to come out of the corner. "Robin, it's Patrick, I promise, you're okay," he spoke gently as he tried to get her to move. "You're safe and you can come out now." He felt completely powerless at how scared she seemed.
Robin looked at him as if she didn't see him. Patrick held his hand out to her and tried again.
"Robin, please come out and talk to me. Do you want me to get a doctor?" He put his head in his hand and sighed. She finally seemed to see him.
"No, no doctor, just leave me alone and I'll be fine." She moved to cover herself more, even thought there were no parts of her skin showing. "I'm just going to sit here for a while."
Patrick looked at her. "Okay then." He said and sat down on the floor next to her.
"What are you doing?" she asked him.
"Sitting on the floor." he said matter-of-factly.
"Can't you just leave? You're being ridiculous," she sighed.
"I am on the floor of a hospital because you won't get up and I'm ridiculous?" he said, hoping she would keep talking.
"This is my room, and I can do what I want. If I want to sit on the floor I can do that and you have no right to judge me," she yelled at him, forgetting for a moment why she was there.
"Last time I checked, you didn't own the hospital, so I can sit wherever I want," he said and crossed his arms.
"You're an ass," she stood up quickly to leave and the pain in her body took over and she faltered with a cry.
"Hey," he was at her side in an instant. "I'm sorry, it's okay." He held her in his arms for a minute until she was steady.
Robin felt paralyzed. She didn't know what to do. After a moment, she backed away from him. "I think I need to sit down." She said as she gently sat on the side of the bed. The sheet she had wrapped around her legs had fallen to the floor and she reached to grab it, feeling insecure.
Patrick handed her the sheet and noticed for the first time just how bruised she was. She pulled the sheet over her legs self-consciously.
"Are you hungry?" Patrick asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"No, I'm tired." She said.
"Okay," he said and pulled up a chair.
"I would really appreciate being alone for a bit," she said to him. She wiped her hair away from her face, feeling how tangled it felt from the previous nights shower.
Patrick looked at her. "I don't care how many ways you ask me, I am not leaving." He looked right at her.
Robin felt tears prick her eyes. "Why not?" she asked as she brushed a tear aside.
"Because you need to have someone here with you," he spoke gently. "If I leave you, you will start thinking about what happened, which is good, but then you might get scared and you'll be alone. You have been alone too long already," he knew he was rambling, but he couldn't help it.
"But it isn't your job to help me. You don't even know me," she said softly.
"You're right. I don't know why I want to help you. I don't think you need my help. It's selfish, really. I don't know why I care what happens, but I do. I just want you to be okay. I can't stop thinking about what had begun and how I ruined it. I just need to be here with you," he said, knowing it sounded pathetic and clingy.
Robin looked at him and studied his face, trying to determine his intent. "Okay," she said.
"Okay?" he asked her with an air of hope.
"Okay," she said and closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over.
"Okay," he said and kept watch as she slept.