Chapter 8
Amanda was still in the bathroom when Fin and Liv arrived. The manager met them and showed them to the back. He warned them that she didn't know he had called and she was beaten and bleeding. Liv took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She knew it was about to be a fight, but hoped Amanda would just trust her. "Amanda it's Liv. Can you open the door baby?" Amanda stood there looking in the mirror frozen by Liv's voice and words. She called her baby. Amanda wasn't use to any affection. She was trying to get that damn cut to stop bleeding with no luck. Liv knocked again this time trying the knob and it wasn't locked, but she didn't want to bust in not knowing what she would find. Liv needed Amanda to answer her, she knew something traumatic had happened again. "Amanda, the door is open, but can I come in? Please just answer me even if the answer is no. I just want to help you. Remember our talk yesterday?" Suddenly the door opened a little, just enough to see blonde hair and blue eyes. Liv took a breath, at least she was ok enough to open the door. She pushed the door back more and saw a beaten and bloody Amanda. "Hey why don't you sit down and let me wrap something around your arm. It's gonna feel tight but I need to stop this bleeding. That's a deep cut, might need stitches." Amanda started looking like she was 9 instead of 19. "Please Liv promise no hospital, please." Liv felt bad for her young friend, "unfortunately I can't promise that yet, but I will see what I can do. We need to get out of here though. I think I have a friend who can help you, but you need to trust and listen to me. You trust me?" Amanda had never trusted anyone, because everyone always let her down. Nothing had gone right in over a year and maybe she should trust Olivia. "Okay, I trust you." Liv called for Fin to bring the car around back. She helped Amanda up and out to the car. Once she was safely in the car, Liv turned to thank the manager for calling her. The manager said "she's a good kid and I'm guessing she's going to need a break from work. Please tell her when or if she wants to come back, I'll keep her spot open."
Liv climbed in the backseat with Amanda and started talking to her. Amanda was in shock. She always knew her to be bubbly, funny, with a smart ass mouth that Liv couldn't stand. Liv was looking at a broken little girl. "Amanda tell me what happened baby." Fin looked in the mirror and listened for any important information. "My mom isn't a good person. She really didn't want me here, but I didn't have anywhere else to go. She loves my sister and hates me. She only agreed to let me come so she could get money to get drunk. My sister and I had an argument over the bathroom this morning because I was late for work and my mom pushed, hit, and cut me. Liv I know you're a cop but I don't want her in trouble. I just won't go back. I have some savings and I'll just quit school again if I have to. Please Liv!" Amanda never cried in front of anyone. She thought it showed weakness. She hardly ever cried but when Liv grabbed her in a tight hug and started rubbing a loving circle on her back, tears began to fall. Liv said "Baby you are hurting physically and emotionally, let it out it's okay to cry. I've got you Amanda." Fin was fuming as they headed for Liv's apartment. Amanda was in pain, but was adamant about not going to the hospital. They helped her to Liv's bedroom "Amanda just lay down right here. I have a friend who lives down the hall. She's actually a medical examiner for the police department." Amanda sat straight up, "Wait, what? Medical examiner? Like on dead people? Am I bleeding to death?" Liv pushed her back down gently and noticed Amanda wince, "No but you said no hospital, so she's your last option. I'm sending Fin to get her and I'm getting you some water. Don't move from this bed. Understand?" Liv's face meant business, so Amanda stayed right there. Liv left the room and she could hear them talking but didn't really know what they were saying.
As Liv was getting Amanda water, her friend Melinda Warner walked in with her medical bag. Liv asked Fin to call the Captain and explain what happened and she needed time off and told Fin to pay Mrs. Rollins a nice visit. Fin knew exactly what to do. "I'll take care of it Liv, you just take care of Amanda." Fin went to the room and poked his head in, "Gotta get back to work. Take care and listen to Liv and get better kid. Love ya baby girl!" Amanda smiled no one had said they loved her in a long time.
Fin left and Liv filled Melinda in on what she knew. She told her about the bruises reported at school from Casey and Alex. She then informed her of what Amanda shared today. Liv was an SVU detective, she knew that it was a chance of physical and sexual assault. She tried to prepare herself. "Melinda, I haven't seen all the bruises and I don't know how she will react so please take it slow." Melinda grabbed her bag, "Liv, I'll be gentle, but I think you should definitely come with me."