Chapter 2
Van Pelt pov.
When Rigsby called me, it gave me hope that maybe he would find me. But, what would he think of me? I had been destroyed; raped. I hated it.
Once the man heard me on the phone he forced me to stand then bound me to a wall. I groaned; bruises covered every inch of me. Sweat sheathed over me and I felt tired; my eyelids drooping. Out of the corner of my darting eyes I saw the man pull a knife out of his pocket. I bit my lip to keep it from trembling; that was what he wanted to see, me in pain. The knife slowly dragged across my thigh leaving a trail of blood. He continued to cut my legs up and I felt tears pool in my eyes.
"Does it hurt Grace?" He said maliciously.
I said nothing so he dug the knife into my leg. I cried out in pain; unable to stop myself. The man laughed to himself and pulled the knife out. My arms were then scored.
"I'm gonna make sure you die real slow." The man murmured to me and sliced my shoulder to collarbone.
The knife moved to my throat and I knew it was the end of me. He'd let me bleed to death. The knife pushed against my throat and I winced. Then, I heard a gunshot. My eyes widened but I couldn't see anything well; it was all blurred. The knife clattered to the ground with a plunk.
"Van Pelt! Can you hear me Grace?!" I knew that voice.
Rigsby.
I groaned and heard footsteps running towards me. Hands touched my shoulder carefully and undid my ties. I could trust these hands. I knew Rigsby wouldn't hurt me. I felt arms wrap around me and pick me up. My head lolled to his shoulder and, right now I didn't care.
"I won't hurt you; let it all out." Rigsby whispered softly.
I felt tears roll down my face and sting the cuts on my cheeks. I heard a car drive closer and turn off. Two doors slammed shut and footsteps echoed. "Is she…okay?" It was Lisbon's voice that I recognized. "I think so." Rigsby whispered. "I'll call an ambulance." Everything was a daze. I felt myself sink to the ground in Rigsby's arms. He stroked my face lightly with a towel and got the blood off me. Every inch of me ached and burned. It seemed that no one had noticed the extent of my injuries. Then I heard sirens and voices and I fell out of consciousness.
Rigsby pov.
I found her. She was safe in my arms and Marklin was dead. When I picked her up she felt light to me. Grace's perfect red-honey hair splayed across her face and on my shoulder. The smell of blood hung heavy in the air. I saw how she was holding it all in. There was a battle going on inside her. "I won't hurt you; let it all out." I said. Tears streamed down her face rapidly and it tore me apart.
I longed to stroke her face; kiss her and tell her I love her. But, that would break the trust I had worked so hard to gain. I saw Lisbon's car with Jane next to her and Cho in the back with an annoyed yet worried look on his face.
"Is she…okay?" Lisbon asked worriedly. "
I think so." I muttered.
If she wasn't I would die.
"I'll call an ambulance." Lisbon said and stepped off to the side with her phone in hand. I sunk to the ground against the warehouse wall with Grace's head on my shoulder. "Here." Jane said handing me a towel. I looked and saw an understanding yet worried gaze on his face. I took the towel and carefully wiped Grace's face off with it. She stirred and whimpered lightly.
I broke apart right there. This woman I loved so much was in pain and had been tortured so badly.
Most of the blood had dried leaving red dashes all over her body. I caressed every inch of her visible skin lightly incase any blood was still flowing. Then, it occurred to me. Did Marklin rape her? Grace was barely wearing anything. Or did he just want more skin to cut. 'Oh please let that be it.' I thought. That would leave her more traumatized over the whole situation.
Sirens bounced off the alley walls. Grace stirred again and opened her eyes. "It's okay." I murmured lightly. Grace nodded lightly and rested her head back on my shoulder. The ambulance parked near us and a group of paramedics jumped out. I stood and took Grace over to the gurney and carefully laid her down. I heard her suck in breath at the contact of herself and the cushions. "I'll be with you." I whispered and got into the ambulance and it drove off to the hospital.