Thank you to those of you who have reviewed and favorited, it's helped keep me motivated with this story. I do apologize for the delay in this new chapter, I have three jobs beside being a full time student so it doesn't leave a lot of time for anything, much less writing. I apologize that this is a shorter chapter than the others but I hope you like it. As always there is a TW for discussion surrounding assault and injuries sustained in an assault. Additionally, I forgot to mention that Frannie does not exist in this story.
Chapter 3
Amanda wanted to drink, she wanted to forget today had happened. However, somehow the words of her old sponsor stuck in her head, she knew if she drank she might forget not to gamble and she wasn't going to fall down that rabbit hole...that was something best left in Atlanta. As Amanda slowed from a sprint down to a jog and then to a walk, as she headed away from the precinct she couldn't help but notice the pain, her head was spinning and her lower abdomen and upper thighs were aching. She stole a quick glance down and noticed she'd bled through her pad and underwear, this was certainly not a good sign and she worried she may pass out. Somehow combining the sight of the blood with the spinning pain in her skull and cramping pain in her abdomen was enough to push her over the edge. She glanced around, not super familiar with the neighborhood she was in. Despite the pedestrians coming and going she began to sit on the sidewalk, realizing that was her only hope of staying conscious.
Just as she sat on the unforgiving concrete she heard a familiar voice calling to her from the street. While her vision was a bit fuzzy thanks to the concussion she was able to make out her co-worker, Olivia who had pulled a car to the side of the road and was trying to talk to her, Amanda realized with a start that she wasn't listening. The edges of her vision began to blur and she put her head between her knees, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths. The next thing Amanda knew she felt a hand tentatively rub her back and she couldn't help the unconscious flinch. "I'm so sorry Amanda, let's get you off the street and to a hospital," Olivia softly muttered. That last part got Amanda's attention and she quickly whirled around to look at Olivia, ignoring the pain and dizziness. "I don't have to go to the hospital, nothing happened," Amanda said, almost pleading with herself. Olivia shook her head, frustrated with her stubborn coworker. "Well, let's at least get you off the street and into the car then." Amanda gave a weak nod and docily allowed Olivia to help her up. Olivia couldn't help noticing the blood on Amanda's pants, but didn't say anything, knowing it wasn't the time. Amanda allowed Olivia to open the door for her and help ease her into the seat, she couldn't stop the wince as she sat, everything hurting.
As Olivia drove through the mid morning Manhattan traffic she couldn't stop worrying about her coworker beside her, it was clear something had happened. "I can tell you're in pain, and I saw that you're bleeding." Amanda felt a hot blush creep up her neck and across her cheeks. "You don't have to be embarrassed about, but it might be smart to get looked at to make sure there isn't anything serious going on." Amanda felt her eyes beginning to well with tears but she stubbornly bit them back. "Fine. But I'm not doing a rape kit." Olivia nodded, "You don't have to, and you don't have to decide now." Amanda tried to take some deep breaths, "I can't do it Olivia, it won't take time to decide, I can't do this. I'm not strong enough and it doesn't matter anyway." With that Amanda broke down into tears, turning away from Olivia and pressing herself into the door, as if she was ready to escape at a moment's notice. Olivia tried to suppress a gasp at the suffering she was witnessing. "Amanda look at me," Olivia begged. However, Amanda shook her head and curled more into herself. "Okay, that's okay, just listen to me at least." Amanda gave a minute nod, letting Olivia know she heard. "I don't know what happened, and you don't owe me an explanation and I won't force you to get a rape kit. But I need you to know that whatever happened isn't your fault, you didn't deserve this and however it happened, that doesn't make it right." Amanda sniffed, wiping away the tears and trying to take halting deep breaths. "You probably think I'm a fraud, someone else reported her, not me. I wasn't strong enough to do it myself," Amanda bit back. Olivia shook her head and immediately grabbed Amanda's hands, looking into her eyes. "I absolutely do not think that. I think something really bad happened to you and you were scared and didn't know what to do. Is that right?" Amanda nodded, "it's better to pretend it didn't happen. It's better that way, I know they won't believe me," Amanda choked out before she began crying once again. "Hey, we believe you Amanda, I promise. Why do you think we won't?" Amanda shook her head, trying to turn away, but Olivia kept a hold of her hands. "Because another woman hurt me," Amanda said. "Assault and abuse don't stick to a gender, we would never ever think that. Let's get you checked out and make sure you're physically okay. I won't force you into doing anything you don't want to." Amanda gave a small smile and a nod.
