Chapter 11: Fighting Back
As Ana was lifted off the ground and forced into the wall by her waist, the gears in her head were turning like crazy, trying to find a way out of of her dilema. Her head hit the wall behind her, jostling her and making her vision momentarily fuzzy. However, that didn't stop her from lashing around wildly, trying with all her might to get away.
"Stop struggling!" the man ordered, trying hard to maintain his grip on her.
Ana didn't reply, only fought harder. She clawed and flailed and kicked, landing ineffective punches left and right to his face, chest, and groin area. Giving up on trying to keep her against, the wall, the man tightened his grip around her waist and tossed her back against the far wall, where she collided with a bang.
Ana's back collided with the wall, the back of her head clashing with the tile brick. She grunted in pain and slid to the ground, her head and body pounding with the pain. Her attacked stalked over, picked her up again, and slammed her back down on the floor until she went limp in his arms.
As Ana lay on the cold floor, she felt the breath leave her body and she gasped for air. The man who had attacked her stood over her, sneering at her trembling body. She tried feebly to move, but it was too much pain, and she slumped back down. Her attacker let out a deep breath- she had fought harder than he had thought she would. It was a strange feeling.
As he watched her struggle to get up, he found himself staring at her. The fight had been surprisingly.. fun. It had been enticing. He sighed to himself, and smiled as a familiar feeling creeped up through his bones. He kneeled down over her and dropped to his knees straddling her body. She reached up and weakly tried to push him away, but her took her hands and led them down to his jeans.
"No," she pleaded, trying to pull her hand away.
"Yes," he smiled, leaning in close to her face.
Ana tried to pull away, but found she had no strength. Suddenly, as he began to reach toward her, the door swung open with a bang and light flooded in.
"Freeze!" someone shouted, but the man straddling Ana did just the opposite.
He leapt up and rammed into the window, forcing himself out and shattering it. Shots were fired, but none made contact with the man as his feet hit the ground and hae began to run. Ana tried to look around, but her vision was going fuzzy.
"Elliot?" she breathed.
"No," the man replied, "I'm Officer James. We got a 911 call from someone in hospital who heard a ruckus. Are you okay?"
"No," she replied, closing her eyes and shaking her head slowly.
She tried to sit up, but he held her back down. At this touch, she began to scream.
"It's okay!" Officer James assured her, backing off. "I'm not going to hurt you!"
Ana continued to scream, her head filled with painful memories and clouded by PTSD. Some other officers ran in, and Ana found herself being wrapped up into a familiar pair of arms.
"Olivia?" Ana asked faintly, recognizing the smell of her lilac perfume. "Am.. am I dead?"
"No, sweatheart, you're not dead," Olivia told her, pulling her toward her. "You're safe now."
"He said he hurt you," Ana told her with a sniffle. "I thought you were dead."
"I'm very much alive," Olivia smiled. "And so are you."
"He tried to hurt Lacey," Ana began to sob. "I had to do something."
"Lacey is okay, thanks to you," Olivia told her. "She ran to get help. She's the one who called us. She'll be okay."
"Good," Ana sighed, closing her eyes. "Good."
And at those final words, Ana began to drift into a peaceful sleep.
When Ana woke up again, she was in the hospital again, only this time she was in a different room. She looked around, wondering what she was doing here. Then, like a tidal wave, memories began to float back. She fell back against the pillow, wincing when her back hit it. There was no doubt in her mind that she had probably broken her shoulder blade, and had probably bruised some ribs. At least she hadn't been raped. That was a positive... right?
"Hey," came Lacey's voice from her bedside. And turned to see her sitting in one of those plastic visiting chairs. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit," was Ana's reply, rubbing her sore ribs. "How are you?"
"Fine," Lacey smiled. "You saved me."
"Good," Ana replied, wincing as she sat up. "God, that hurts."
"You sure you're okay?" Lacey asked sincerely.
"I'm fine, Lacey," Ana assured her. "It's you I'm worried about. Did he get to rape you before I woke up?"
"No," Lacey replied, shaking her head. "You woke up just in time."
"Good," Ana repeated, gazing around the room. It was decorated with vases of flowers and get-well cards. "Those for me?"
"Yeah," Lacey chuckled, following her gaze. "When they heard you got hurt they all rushed over with gift baskets and flowers."
"Wow," Ana smiled. She looked at Lacey, who was staring at the wall and rubbing her wrist gently. It was then Ana noticed a touch of red on her sleeve. "Lacey... what happened to your arm?"
Lacey flinched but didn't look away from the wall. "Nothing."
"Give it here," Ana ordered, holding out her hand. Lacey hesitated, but held her wrist out to Ana. Ana pulled back the sleeve and gasped. Along the soft skin of Lacey;s wrist was a thin, red line. Made by a blade. "Lacey, why?"
"You don't understand," Lacey snappe,d snatching her wrist away and holding it protectively to her chest. "I had to."
"What, did some hold a gun to your head and make you cut yourself?" Ana demanded. "Lacey I know you better than that!"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Lacey cried, jumping up from her chair. "You never will! You don't know what it's like, Ana! You'll never know unless it happens to you!"
And with those final words, Lacey stomped out of the room, leaving Ana feeling hurt and dumbfounded. Her gaze fell to the floor, where she noticed a crumpled piece of paper. She reached down and grabbed it, unfolding it as she sat up. Then, she began to read Lacey's familiar loopy scrawl.
Like waters falls
My tears do streak.
They gently wash
My tender cheeks.
On darkness I choke;
The dark shadows whisper;
"You will soon be with us, Sister."
I want to cry out
But I have no choice.
The darkness has drained me
Even of my voice.
I do fight it off
But it leaves me so drained
That there is nothing left
To drive away my pain.
I'm on my own now,
Blind and deaf.
My way, I cannot see.
I am falling to my death.
My body is empty,
I am now just a shell,
Empty and hollow,
No energy to even yell.
My spirit stretched flat,
My soul left broken.
They took it for payment
Like a Chuck-E-Cheese token.
So now here I sit,
Breathing my last breath.
I say goodbye to my world,
And I welcome
DEATH.
Notes: Anybody know what's wrong with our girl Lacey? Take your best guess.. lol easy question. So I'm still tryin' to get caught up on my story, but I'm gettin' the hang of it, never fear. :) Lol and please don't forget to reviewww! Thanks!