Rosalind was studying when Lauren came home from the pub with a woman in her arms. This wasn't the manner in which Rosalind expected that combination of events to occur. The woman (a stranger to Rosalind), looked as though she'd been beaten and her clothing had the look of being hastily dragged on. Rosalind stared in shock, unable to really comprehend what she was seeing. "Rosa, help me get her on the bed."
Rosalind nodded, putting her shoulder under the woman's free arm. They carried the woman to the bed, depositing her as gently as possible. Lauren gently shoved Rosalind out of the way when that was accomplished. The light illuminated the poor woman's face, showing it to be both cut and swelling. "What happened?" Rosalind asked, putting a hand over her mouth to hide her shock at the woman's condition. Her stomach tightened horribly as she contemplated the visible injuries.
"Her date." Lauren said, her expression grim. "He must have distracted her chaperone somehow and dragged her off. The poor old bird asked me to help find her." Lauren spoke in calm, matter of fact tones. "Put your boots on. We need to do something about this." She looked up at Rosalind, her expression certain and determined. Rosalind was reaching for her boots before she ever had a chance to think about what was going on.
Rosalind felt that her life had suddenly gone mad. She shook her head and tugged her boots on, trying to make sense of what she'd heard and all that was happening. "What on Earth are we going to do?" Rosalind asked, her voice quiet. She laced her boots up as she spoke, her fingers fumbling in her haste and shock.
"We're going to treat her and keep the matter private." Lauren explained, her voice still entirely devoid of emotion other than urgency. "We'll get her some sleep and care for her injuries, then make something up if she doesn't remember the act. If she does. . ." For the first time Rosalind saw uncertainty in her roommate's expression. "We'll worry about that when it happens."
Rosalind nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She had to put her own feelings aside to be of help. "What do you need me to do?" She squared her shoulders and convinced herself that she didn't sound as afraid as she felt.
Lauren took a deep breath as well, then straightened her back and smoothed her hair back in place. "Can you move quietly? We'll need to steal some supplies."
Rosalind nodded. "I can do my best." She took Lauren's hand, turning her attention away from the woman on the bed. "Let's go and be done with it." If they had to do something illegal it would be best to get it underway before they remembered what would happen to them if they were caught or failed.
Lauren nodded and picked up a valise, emptying it of her effects. "Follow me."
The women stole out into the night, rushing toward the student hospital when they were outside the building. Rosalind focused on the task at hand, tailing Lauren closely and trying to determine what they'd need. Ice for sure, if they could get it. Bandages. Perhaps something for pain. She knew that she was out of her depth, but putting together a materials list distracted her from the fact that she was witnessing the results of exactly the kind of thing everyone had warned her could happen if she came to college.
The doors to the hospital were always open. Lauren led Rosalind through a back entrance, pausing at the laundry room to get them both aprons and hats. "Stay quiet and if a doctor tells you to do something reply, "yes, sir" and repeat the instruction back to him wrong. I may leave you if that happens, so stall if you can, but take your leave if you think you'll be detected." Lauren had obviously mastered her no-nonsense manner of speaking to people who were in strange emotional states. Rosalind didn't even think to argue with her instructions.
The pair strode down the hallway, grim faced and determined. A doctor nearly stopped them as they went, but Lauren made up a quick excuse about being on an errand to the supply closet. Rosalind nodded her agreement and stuck close to her friend. Her calm, collected mask was getting a fair bit of use this night. She was grateful she'd practiced it so much.
The supply closet proved to be locked, but Lauren had obviously prepared for this emergency. She turned to Rosalind, fishing in her valise for a slim leather roll that appeared to be meant for jewelry. "Cover me, Rosa. Complain about how the key's always sticking or something."
Rosalind nodded, leaning on one hip and sighing. She wanted to watch Lauren work the lock, but that would be unrealistic for a bored and annoyed nurse. "You'd think they'd have a little powdered graphite in a hospital this well funded. It's ridiculous to go around having to unstick a damn lock every time we need a piece of gauze."
Lauren nodded, sighing heavily. "Oh you know how they love to brag about this place and then keep us overworked and underfunded. I'd like to see the budget the high and mighties came up with for their own homes. I bet they have lovely drapes but nothing but cracker in the cupboard." The snark sounded very realistic, but Rosalind supposed that it would. She smiled when Lauren straightened and opened the door. They strode inside and closed it behind them, and Rosalind turned to Lauren for guidance.
"Bandages and ice, please. I'll get the medications. I'll also need a hypodermic and the smallest bottle you can find of Phenol." There was another lock that needed tending. Lauren went directly to it without stopping.
Rosalind didn't question the supply list, or what Lauren was getting from her side of the room. She took the valise and found the smaller items, then she loaded in some ice. By the time she accomplished that Lauren had pocketed some bottles from the shelf. Rosalind thought to ask what they were, then decided she didn't care. She closed the valise and clutched the top in both hands. "Ready."
Lauren nodded and got the door. They didn't have to pretend to be on a mission or that they needed to hurry. A small trail of water followed Rosalind after they exited the hospital, but she had sufficient ice to accommodate the melting. The women ran all the way back to their room, closing the door with a slam. Rosalind winced and wedged herself up against the door, as though protecting it from being shoved in by an outside force. Her heart was pounding in her chest as fear of being caught and fear of what had happened to the woman on her bed fought for dominance in her mind.
Lauren set straight to work. She stripped away the ruined clothing with her sewing shears and exposed the poor woman. Rosalind couldn't help but watch, her nausea growing with each moment. The ice was placed over the worst of the injuries. It seemed that the corset had provided some protection to the woman, but there was already a vibrant mark where the busk had obviously slammed against the fragile flesh of her belly. Lauren cleaned the area with water, then the phenol, moving with quick, precise motions.
Rosalind sank down to the floor, the door supporting her weight. "Why are we doing this? She needs a doctor, doesn't she?" That seemed right. If she was injured she needed real help, not stolen bits and bobs of medicine administered by a first year student.
"And tell him what? They'll just accuse her of indiscretion and write her off. No, the doctors will be little help right now. They would ruin her, Rosa." Lauren finished tending the woman's body and covered her with the blanket from the other bed. Now neither of them had a place to sleep tonight. Lauren used they hypodermic to draw some kind of liquid out of a glass container. Rosalind winced a little as the woman tied off the patient's arm and then administered whatever she'd taken from the hospital.
The rest of the evening took on an air of unreality for Rosalind. Not an hour later Lauren was sitting next to her on the floor, shaking visibly. Rosalind clasped Lauren's hand and the women shook together, their eyes on their patient. "It's in God's hands now." Lauren said softly. "Pray with me, please."
Rosalind nodded numbly, but she had no words for God. She bowed her head in respect for Lauren's wishes, her mind reeling. If this woman had trusted the man enough to go out with him then what might become of Rosalind if she did the same? She had no ready chaperone, all she had were her wits. They were no match for a violent person's motives.
She shuddered and did her best to pack her revulsion up tight inside herself. She'd been bold with Franklin since he returned from his holiday. They'd gone to supper together and he'd walked her home. What if he was simply trying to lure her in, and his intentions were as pure as those of this woman's date? Danger had always seemed to come from unknown men, but this changed her perspective quite a bit.
She hugged Lauren, holding the woman tight. "Men are animals." She shuddered when she said it, unable to stop her imagination from turning what had once been a pleasant daydream about love into a savage nightmare about the loss of control over her life and body. The motions were similar, it was only intent that separated the two. She wanted to hide from these thoughts, but she let them run their course. There was only one defense, really. If she might be hurt by a man courting her, and might marry a man for whom drink and violence would become common amusements then she must simply never become so entangled. One could not engage the possibility of sexual congress without also accepting the risk of being so abused.
Lauren shook her head. "No, Rosa. Don't let this sour you. There have to be good men in the world." Her voice sounded desperate to Rosalind's ears. Rosalind wondered who Lauren was trying to convince. Rosalind couldn't even bear to look at Lauren.
She stood, after a few minutes, offering Lauren a hand up. Whatever thoughts Lauren was having were hidden from Rosalind. It was for the best. The women looked at each other, and the grim expression on Lauren's face might have matched Rosalind's own. "When will she wake?" Rosalind asked, sparing the unknown woman a sympathetic glance.
"Hard to say. Perhaps you should be elsewhere when she does. This is my future, in a way. Caring for those who have been harmed. You're no good at it. You'll make things worse." Lauren spoke with the same certainty as before. It hurt Rosalind deeply that she could say such a thing.
"I-" Rosalind began, before closing her eyes, sighing softly. She wasn't a proper woman. She'd all but decided just now that she would continue not to be so. It was best to stop pretending she might change her mind. "I see. I'll cede the bed for the night." Her tone sounded cold, even to her own ears.
Lauren winced, then nodded. Rosalind saw then that this too was going to end. She almost allowed herself a moment to think about how unfair that was, but a glance at the woman on the bed shamed her out of it. Whatever she might be feeling now was a pale comparison to the pain of the injured woman. Rosalind squeezed Lauren's arm. "I will fetch things if you require it, but otherwise attempt to stay out of your way. Do you think you'll need me if I take a shower?"
Lauren shook her head and turned Rosalind's desk chair to face the bed. "No. I don't think I'll need you."
Rosalind nodded and began to collect her toilet. Her emotions were trying to break through the icy numbness of shock, but Rosalind pushed back against them. She would not feel whatever was lying in wait. This night was only marginally about her. The only thing she allowed herself was the small satisfaction of knowing she'd helped in her own small way, and the hope that Lauren had cared well for her charge.
Robert cleared the table after their meal, picking up the notes he'd taken while they worked together beforehand. He was excited the year was over and he'd be returning home, soon. He had one last fantasy to fulfill with Michael before he would feel satisfied with his sexual discoveries.
He was bolder than normal when they retired to the bedroom. He wanted to do to Michael what had been done so many times to him. He urged the older man toward the bed when he was aroused and attempted to turn him so he would be face down. Michael went along for the most part, but he refused to get on the bed at Robert's urging. The older man had never shown the slightest hesitation before. Robert took a step back, frowning slightly. "Is something amiss?" He didn't want to talk or explore their feelings right now. He just wanted to feel what Michael had felt for nine months or so on a nearly weekly basis.
Michael scoffed and motioned toward the bed. "Is there? I don't see you climbing in bed yet, either."
Robert frowned, but complied, stripping out of his clothing. Perhaps Michael would prefer to be on his back. That was an enjoyable position, provided the old man could lift his legs high enough for it. Robert knelt on the bed, waiting for Michael to join him.
The old man crawled in bed behind him, which irritated Robert. He turned, crossing his arms over his chest. "I want to be on top, Michael. I'm not inexperienced anymore. It's unfair for me to accept at all times and never give."
Michael's expression looked as annoyed as Robert's. The men glared at each other for a long moment, before Robert's expression softened. "Is it that problematic? You know we'll have sex more than once, and that I'll undoubtedly want you inside me before our time is concluded. It's only fair for me to get a chance to feel what you feel."
"Robert, you've made a mistake." Michael's voice was hard and cold, which shocked Robert to his core. He backed up a bit, feeling his lust superseded by confusion.
"Beg pardon, sir?" He asked, frowning deeply.
"That's better. Now bend over and we'll have no more-" Michael would have continued talking, but Robert slid out of the bed. "You're leaving?" The older man didn't sound hurt or upset. He sounded angry.
Robert nodded, his jaw set in a determined grimace. "You're right. I have made a mistake. I thought we were equals, Michael. I thought you cared for me." He didn't bother to keep the hurt out of his voice. He felt betrayed and used. It was a sickening feeling.
The feeling only deepened when Michael laughed. It had once set Robert's hormones careening through his bloodstream like salmon rushing to spawn, but now it sounded like a donkey's braying, obnoxious and loud. Robert felt foolish and hurt. He collected his clothing and began to pull it on, his lips pressed tight together lest he say something that would cause problems.
Michael stood and grabbed Robert's arm, stopping him from pulling his pants up. Robert jerked his hand out of Michael's grip. It occurred to him that he might need to defend himself. The thought was horrible, but he backed up and prepared for a fight. Michael was not his father and he'd been in a fight or two. For all the man's height he was older and less fit. "You're worse than a woman, Rob. At least they damn well know their place. Perhaps I should treat you like one, see how you like that instead."
That set Robert's fury alight. He didn't wait for Michael to move closer. He lashed out, punching the older man as hard as he could in the belly. Michael doubled over in surprise, which put him at the perfect level for Robert to kick him to the ground. Robert tugged his pants up and closed them as he spoke. "You are not even worthy of my attention. I am quite sorry to have known you." He spoke stiffly, stalking over to the man's dresser and drawing the sketch of himself from the drawer where it was kept. "Good day, sir." He filled the last sentence with as much mockery as he could, before collecting the rest of his clothing and marching out.
When he was on the street he paused, tucking his shirt into his pants. His heart was pounding in his chest, his breath was short. He winced at the pain he felt. His arm hurt but it was a small thing compared to how sad he was. He'd badly misjudged Michael and his intentions. That the man had turned so quickly to asserting his physical dominance troubled Robert deeply. It made him even more certain that his sexual desires were unclean and inherently sinful. If he had been with a woman he would have been safe and of course he'd have shown her all due care and respect.
He stroked his hand through his hair and shivered, walking as he drew on his coat. He couldn't wait to go home, now. He'd rather go back to the Hell he knew then continue to explore this brand new Hell.