-Chapter 5-
When I wake up, I'm staring up into the bright lights of hospitals. I take a deep breath and assess the situation. I'm in a hospital. That means that I'm not with Rico. Which means that I'm alone.
Fear cripples me and tears pour down my cheeks. I stay silent even though I want to scream. I want to scream and kick and throw things. I want to kill something and make it feel the pain that I do. My body aches as I throw myself into a sitting position. My ribs scream in pain, wanting me to lay down again, but I ignore the pain.
I lift my head and look around me. The room is plain, what a shock, and there's a tray of food on the bedside table. It's chicken with steamed broccoli. My mouth waters and I lift my arms to reach for it. Pain shoots up my arm and I grit my teeth, hissing.
"Easy there Tiger." Says man, who's voice I recognize.
"Ughh. Not you." I say as I look up at the police officer.
"Ughh. It's me. You hungry?" He asks, setting the tray on my lap.
"Lost my appetite." I say, glaring at him.
"Your stomach says otherwise. Just try to eat." He says.
I stab a broccoli and gnaw on it, savoring the taste. I hadn't had anything fresh in forever. Before I know it, the entire plates gone. It was the best food that I'd had in a long, long time.
"I'm Jonathon. My friends call me Jon." he says.
"Thanks for telling me." I say sarcastically.
"What's your name?" He asks.
"Call me whatever you want, it doesn't matter." I reply.
"You look like a Claire." He states, "I'll call you Claire." I roll my eyes. Rico and all the girls just called me Baby. That's what everyone knew me as. No one knew my real name and I intended to keep it that way.
"Where's Rico?" I ask.
"You don't have to worry about him anymore. He's in prison." Jonathon says.
"Great, now how am I supposed to live?" I mutter.
"Don't you have any family?"
"Nope. Dead as a door nail, both of 'em." I reply, pushing my parents out of my head. If I were to think about them for too long of a time, I'd end up bawling my eyes out.
"You'll be staying with me for a while." He says, acting all macho, thinking he's helping me or something.
"Thanks, but no." I say.
"The courts already decided it. You're the only one without family. All the rest of the girls went back to their family. So, since you have to be watched by the courts, I offered to house you at my place." He smiles, and adds, " I know you hate me, but I'm not that bad of a guy."
"I don't hate you. I despise your existence." I correct him.
"I hope you don't for long." He says and stands up to leave. "I'll be by after work tomorrow to pick you up. Don't think about bolting before that. The nurses are keeping a watchful eye on you."
"Oh joy."