Forgetting Adaline

Chapter 22 - Actions vs Consequences

I need to move her - she's wearing the same dark, baggy clothes as this morning so I have no way of telling just how hurt she is. I can't even get her to speak right now to get consent to touch her. The best I can think to do is to talk her through it in the hopes that some part of her can hear me. The situation is far too familiar for comfort and I can't stop the intrusive thoughts. I promised she'd never get hurt again. I swore to protect her and now look at her. All I do is fail her.

"I've got you, baby." Baby? Where did that come from? I rub my thumb gently over the less damaged cheek in what I hope is a comforting gesture. "I'm going to pick you up and take you to my place ok? It's not going to feel great but we can't stay down here. I'm so sorry if it hurts." I don't even remember the last time the words 'I'm sorry' left my mouth; I'm rambling but can't seem to stop myself.

I don't expect an answer from her but still deflate a little when I get no response at all; she hasn't moved except to drop her forehead back to her knees. I quickly stand and enter my private code and the doors slide open immediately. I try to jostle her as little as possible as I pick her up but the movement still causes her to whimper in pain. I have no idea what other injuries she may have but I am instantly worried about her ribs and potential internal bleeding if the pain is bad enough to get a response out of her while she's so dissociated.

She feels like nothing in my arms - how anyone could lay their hands on someone so delicate and vulnerable is beyond me. I halt that train of thought - I can't think about Evan right now, I need to focus on Addy and not let my anger towards him come out in my treatment of her.

I take her straight to the couch and place her down as gently as I can. As soon as my hands are free I'm reaching for my phone to contact Matt and Eli - privacy be damned, she needs me to take care of her and I can't do it alone. I call Matt first - I can beat myself up later once I know she is alright. Hell, Matt and Eli will most likely gladly do the job for me.

He answers on the fourth ring. "Harry! Baby! Didn't expect you to be done so quickly. That good was she?" I can hear laughter and music in the background but more concerning is his slurred tone. Fuck, he'd better be sober enough to help.

"Shut the fuck up Matt. I need you and Eli at my place. Now!" My voice sounds so hoarse I almost worry he won't understand me.

"Fuck, what happened? Don't tell me you have an overdosed hooker in your bed or some shi-"

"Fucking now Matt!" I hang up before he can reply and then head back to the living room to start damage control.

Addy still hasn't moved and her breathing is far too shallow. "Baby, hey." I gentle take her face in my hands again and start thinking out loud. "Addy, can you talk to me? Tell me where it hurts." The unrelenting blank look in her eyes is scaring the absolute shit out of me. 

"Fuck," I keep talking, hoping that she will at least hear me and remember what I'm saying, "I understand you can't talk right now baby, but can we work something out?" I have no idea where 'baby' has suddenly come from but I can't stop calling her that now that I've started.

I am desperately trying to get a reaction out of her and it's near impossible to keep my voice calm. I've never seen this expression on her face before; she's normally so easy to read, but now I can't tell a single thing she's feeling. Addy is gone. I've never seen a blank face convey so much trauma.

"How about we try blinking - one for 'yes' and two for 'no'." It's more of a statement than a question. I wait a few seconds and release a breath I didn't even realise I was holding when she focuses on me for a brief moment and blinks. Once.

My shoulders sag in relief. "Ok, good. You did so good." My hands itch to reach out and touch her but I can't make myself do it without her consent. Not now that I've figured out a mode of basic communication.