Second Chances
A/N: This is the rest of what I have written for it. I wanted to upload them together as the first chapter is short. Again, sorry for any errors…
BPOV
I stumbled into the clinic, thankful that I had made it through the bus ride here. The bus had been nearly empty at two am, everyone still out partying and celebrating; and here I was, beaten and battered. I slowly made my way over to the counter, and letting my bangs block out my right eye, hopefully camouflaging it, I requested the necessary paperwork. The woman gave me a small packet held together by a clip board, along with a pen, and, thankfully ignorant to my extreme injuries, allowed me to take a seat to fill them out.
I filled the paper work out with a fake name, hoping that they wouldn't do a follow up on any of the information. This visit was bound to bring up some questions, and questions meant inquiry, and inquiry meant James would be involved. I could only make this trip because he was in the basement. His basement. James, being the 'artist' he is, needs his own space. I was forbidden to go down there, although, I don't think I wanted to in the first place. A place filled with 'pure James' was bound to be unsettling. His 'artwork' dark and dramatic, and that was putting it lightly.
Giving the paperwork back to the nurse, I waited for 'Carrie Ann Smith' to be called. Ten minutes later, a red-headed older woman, called for the name, her southern, nasally voice echoing in the vacant room. Her light green scrubs stretched tighly over her large body. I pulled myself up from the seat, carefully making my way over to the doorway she indicated.
"Happy New Year, honey. You're just about the only person been in here today. All them celebrations and stuff, you'd think that more people be in here. Drunks and such. But, nope. Everyone seems to be ringing in the new year!" She popped her gum, leading me through the halls to the room. I trailed behind her, forcing my body to keep as close a distance as it was capable of.
"Here ya go hon. Doctor'll be in shortly. You have a happy new year, and don't go getting yourself all scratched up. I tell you, ya look like you were at the business end of a train…you be careful now." Without waiting for an answer, she left me alone in the sterilized room. I pulled off my heavier jacket, laying it down on the chair beside me. My blue turtleneck keeping me warm in the chilly room. I carefully lowered myself onto the medical table, the paper rustling as a sat.
I mentally reviewed my possible lies and excuses for the injuries, coming up blank. I couldn't use the 'I fell' excuse anymore, the fingerprints on my neck made it impossible. I couldn't tell them the truth, I knew better. The police could only do so much, inept against James' abilities.
We had left Arizona because the ability to conceal the bruises in the heat was hopeless, making unanswerable questions. Giving in, I had answered, just that one time...That's all it took. James still had won, making us move. Unable to escape him, I gave up. I died inside then, and was slowly, and painfully getting closer to the physical death I was sure James was soon going to deliver.
I was startled out of my dark thoughts when the doctor came in. His blond hair was in state of disarray. Like my life…only his was more attractive, and probably less painful. His pale green shirt, nearly hidden beneath his white coat, brought out the deep blue of his eyes. Within his hand, he carried the false paperwork I had filled out, his wedding ring glinting in the fluorescent lights. His eyes were preoccupied on removing a pen from his coat pocket.
"Hello. I'm Dr. Hale... Ms. Smith, it seems you are experiencing some abdominal pain. Not a fun way to start your year, right?" His grin evaporated the second he met my eyes, the right one swollen and turning black. He ran his eyes over my face, taking in my covered neck. His lips pursed, and slightly pulled into a frown.
"I need you to take your sweater off, so that I may check your chest and stomach." He spoke quietly, his jaw tensed. I went to remove my sweater, my breath intake sharp as raised it, aggravating my ribs. The bruises covered my sides from where James had punched and kicked me, pulling me back up after I collapsed after each blow. The marks on my neck were blatantly clear against my pale skin, making them much more pronounced.
"Ms. Sm…Carrie? Did some…Who hurt, Carrie?" His jaw was tensed as continued to scrutinize the marks. Looking directly into my eyes, he began to check my ribs, feeling for which ones were damaged. I inhaled harshly when he grazed over one of my broken ribs. I blinked my eyes repeatedly, forcing the tears to remain trapped against my eyelashes. I slammed my mouth shut, planning on keeping it like that for the remainder of the examination.
Not receiving an answer, he stepped back, and stared at me thoughtfully. Taking in my expression, sensing my refusal to answer his question. Nodding his head he went to pick up his papers that he had left on the counter during his exam of the damage.
"As far as I can tell, you have two broken ribs. I need to do an X-ray, and check to see if there is any internal damage. I also need to check your neck, as its extensively bruised as well... In the shapes of fingers. I can't make you tell me what has happened, but I would extremely recommend telling me." He looked at me for another moment, then walked to the door.
"I am going to go order your X-rays…There shouldn't be a long wait. I will be back momentarily. In the mean time, I would also recommend thinking about how you would like to proceed from here, Carrie." The door shut very quietly, leaving me staring at the light blue paint on the wall. What do I do now?
A/N: Hope your enjoying the story. Reviews would be awesome, thanks for reading. Hugs and Kisses,
EmmettsTeddyBear