So here, we are with the final few chapters. I cannot tell you how upset I am that I am coming to this stories' close, however, as is often said all good things must end. As always thank-you to everyone who has read, reviewed or alerted for this story. I never thought when I began it that it would become as popular as it did.
This chapter will begin in Claire's POV.
Claire's POV
My eyes opened slowly, greeting the light painfully. My heart accelerated when my brain started working; where was I? Where was Casey? I looked around and I was still in Casey's bedroom, alone? Something did not seem right at all. Next to my pillow was a little note, I read it quickly,
I had to go and get some supplies from the store for you. I will be back soon.
I quickly got up, not taking the time to assess my injuries and ran towards Casey's house phone. I picked it up, dialing a number that came to me as quickly as my name. It seemed like forever before he picked up,
"Hello?" I cherished the sound of Quil's deep voice,
"Quil, I am so sorry! It's me Claire, I need you to come and get me right now, and I'm in danger!" I told him where I was and that he needed to bring a jacket he said just to hang in that he would be there in ten minutes, all I could wonder though is would that be soon enough? I paced around the room, my anxiety increasing with every second. I looked at myself, the damage inflicted. My face was bruised and swollen, and I was bleeding from the intrusion done by Casey, I did not know much about rape but I knew that I couldn't get a shower , which killed me because I wanted to rid myself of anything that reminded me of Casey.
When Quil all but broke done the door from banging it, I just about screamed my lungs out of fear, thinking initially that it was Casey.
"Claire, it me Quil, open the door! Now!" His temper was rising I could hear it in his voice, but I knew that this was one temper I did not have to fear; I rounded the corner and ran towards the door; not paying any mind to the fact that all I had on was one of Casey's shirts. I opened the door and jumped into the safety of his arms, crying as he held my shaking body. He put the jacket on me and picked me up, carrying me to the car, no words were exchanged. He placed me in the front seat, did up my seat belt and ran to the driver's side. He was crying when he started up the car. He removed his hands from the ignition and pulled me lovingly into his arms, his tears fell from hi face onto my arms,
"Claire, we need to get you to a hospital. I should have known this, I should have protected you!" I flinched a little at his touch, but settled into it, crying into his shirt. I had so much to say but at that moment all that I could muster before I passed out was,
"Quil help me,"
~ unknown amount of time passes ~ I felt like I was not in control of my body. I could hear the voices around me: Quil, my aunt, Sam and I think Dr. Carlisle Cullen, but I could not open my eyes to see them. I tried to speak, but my throat hurt.
"She's coming to, do not overwhelm her, she needs time to heal and adjust. Claire, sweetheart, it is Dr. Cullen can you hear me?" I opened my eyes and replied softly,
"Where am I?" I heard the room erupt in what I would imagine was a sigh of relief.
"You are in the hospital, and all of your family is here for you. I will let you speak with them, but then I need to exam you okay? I just wanted you to rest and get comfortable first."
"Okay." I did not know what else to say, what was I suppose to say to my family, to Quil? As if he could hear my thoughts, he came over and grabbed my hand,
"Claire, it's okay, I'm right here and I will not leave you!"
Tears began falling from my face! I called out to my Aunt and Sam and in the presence of my family and the pack; I told them all of the horrible things that I had been through in the last few months, the abuse and lastly the rape. Quil had to be escorted out of the room because he was too close to phasing and my Aunt bent down and cried inconsolably. Hearing everything that I had been through just about killed everyone and myself. I was terrified to be examined though, after everything I had been through I did not want a man to tell me how broken I was. When doctor Cullen came I became anxious and the monitors began crying out seemingly.
"Claire, I know this will be hard for you, but I promise you as a man, I am not going to hurt you. I want to help you. May everyone please step out and give Claire and I a few moments?"
"No!" I cried out. "Please do not take Quil away from me, he will keep me safe, please don't leave me Quil!" He was at my side in an instant and held my hand.
"With Dr. Cullen's permission I shall stay. You have to stay calm Claire, shhh. I love you." Carlisle granted permission and as promised Quil was there through the examination. It broke his heart to see every bump, bruise and mark, but he remained collected. He had to close his eyes when I had to be looked at… in that area he was beginning to loose his temper, but Dr. Cullen finished as quickly as he could and when he was through, he gave Quil some clean hospital gowns and told him to lead me to the shower.
"Will you tell my family what you found out during the examination?" I did not want to relive anything.
"Of course, and when you are all clean you have a few more visitors. But for now, go get cleaned up and we shall deal with the rest later." He left the room and Quil helped me up from the examining table.
"Quil, we need to talk,"
"That we do, but right now you need to get cleaned up because I know how disgusted you feel. I will be with you through all of this Claire, let's just take this one step at a time okay?" He kissed my cheek and I smiled.
"If I catch you peeking at me," I laughed slightly, "I am going to make you smell like a wet dog mister."
"Claire, I would never violate you, or your trust. And I don't know what you're talking about… I always smell good." He took my hand and helped me wash up. As the warm water caressed my body, I could not help but think, not only was I washing away the remains of the abuse, but I was also cleansing my body, soul and heart for a new beginning.
No, this was not the final chapter… I did not realize until I had re read the ending how final it sounded. But fret now we still have one or two more chapters to bring everything full circle. I hope that you liked this chapter; I apologize for it being so long. As always, please read and review TGL