Answered

 “Sara?”

“Okay.”  Rebekah went back to concentrating carefully tweezing out the bark. She rubbed some ointment over the scratches and bandaged her up. Right before she was about to tell her she was done something caught her eye.

 “I’m going to look at one more thing.”

“No.” Sara reacted knowing what it was. Rebekah untied her hospital gown in the back. She had three fresh welts on her backside. She looked closer and noticed previous welts that had scarred. Sara covered her face with her hands. Rebekah treated them and then tied her back up.

“Okay sweetheart, let’s get you settled in for the night.” Sara still had her face covered. Rebekah helped her sit up and then gave her a brief side hug, before having her transported.

***************************************************************************************************

“Drew?”

A cute blonde nurse smacking on a piece of pink bubblegum summoned Drew from where she waited. Drew’s head snapped up from where she stared at the tiled floor her eyelids becoming heavy. She glanced at her watch like she always did and stood up.

“Yes?”

 Linda glanced around noticing Drew was the only one in there, something not unusual for Ronaline, a small town and the last thing from wild.

“Sara is being settled in for the night.”

“Of course. How is she doing?”

“She’s been pretty quiet. Will you come on back with me please?”

“Sure.”

  Drew paced around Sara’s room anxiously waiting for her and Rebekah to come in. She checked her watch for the umpteenth time before she saw Sara being rolled through the doorway with Linda behind her pushing the wheelchair. Sara met eyes briefly with Drew before lowering them ashamed. Linda helped her into bed and gave her something to swallow to help her fall asleep. Rebekah came in shortly. She mainly told them goodnight and that she would be back first thing in the morning to check on her. Drew nodded absorbing all her words and instructions. Rebekah hugged Drew; they had known each other for a while now. “Take care. Night Sara.”

Sara just nodded her head unsurely. Drew pulled a chair closer to her bedside. She didn’t know whether or not to look over at her. Drew began to speak so she felt obliged to look her direction.

“How do you feel?”

Sara’s mouth opened but no words came out. She didn’t know what to say. Drew understood and placed a gentle hand on her.

“I’m sorry, Sara.” Sara stared at her in utter shock.

““I’m sorry I made you come. I couldn’t let you go with him.” Drew continued, needing to get it all out. “I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left you there. I know I probably messed up some things for you, a lot of things. I’m really sorry. I never meant to do that.”

Drew waited for Sara to say something in return, but when she didn’t, so she stood to leave.

“I’ll let you get some rest. Good night.” She turned to leave and give Sara the time alone.  

“Wait.” Sara said barely above a whisper. She didn’t want her to go. She needed someone. Tears started to streak down her face in pure exhaustion.

Drew looked back at her and saw the tiredness and confusion in her eyes.

 Back by her side, Drew tucked a loose strand of Sara’s hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail.

Sara inhaled deeply, trying to keep her voice steady. “He’s all I have.”

Drew processed her words as she started into another fit of tears. Drew squeezed her hand lightly. “No he’s not.”

“He’s going to be so mad. He’s not coming back. He won’t come back after this.” Her voice broke, as more tears rushed down her face. She put her head down into her hands. Drew was a little unsure of what to do. For a moment, she wondered what she would do if this were her daughter, if her daughter was twenty-two years old and had just bore the unthinkable. Drew grew numb thinking of her sweet little girl, with blonde curls and blue eyes, being taken advantage of. Awkwardly, she leaned in and hugged Sara.