Save Me

Chapter 7: STRANGEST FEELING

James Santoro reminder! 

*trigger warning*

James:

Another tough day at the hospital, ever since she left the days seem to be dragging by. Like a huge rock is tied around me and I drag it everywhere I walk. My heart craves to protect her and see if she's okay. It took everything in me not to go look for her at the shelter she stayed in. 

I polished off my 3rd cup of coffee and stared at my watch. It was 10:45pm. Fuck, I'm tired. I rub my hands over my face and begin walking to get my stuff. Thank God my shift was over. As I hang my coat in my locker and put on my leather jacket. I hear a giggle and turn, Emily. 

Emily was a pediatric nurse, petit compared to my height, beautiful with the most adorable big green eyes and a smile that left many men swooning. Even me, but after trying to be with her I noticed she didn't understand me and I needed to shelter my pain from her because she couldn't bare the burden of it. 

"I love when you wear that jacket," she says while coming closer to me. I noticed she wasn't in her scrubs but already dressed to leave with a peacoat and jeans. 

"Care to join me for a drink? I know you're going to say you're tired but..I promise I'll make it worth it afterwards" she winks then smiles at me and I smirk. She's smooth but I can't be bothered to sleep with her tonight. I just nod and follow her to leave. My coworker Anderson passes us as we walk towards the elevators and gives me a knowing smile but I just shake my head and roll my eyes. 

"Your car or mine?" she says as she leans into my side, way too close to be considered professional. I step back a little and she straightens, "Separate, only one drink and then I go. I'm exhausted." She pouts and I just laugh and shake my head ready to just go home into bed. 

We make it to the bar and I order my usual: two shots of whiskey on the rocks. Yeah, it was one of those nights. Emily starts making conversation, going on and on about her annoyance with working weekends. I sip my drink and my mind shifts to her again. 

Ava.

Why didn't I just let Evans take the case that day? I wouldn't be sitting here worried out of my mind if she's okay or not or pouting like a fucking child about her being with that little shi....I mean Toby. I roll my eyes and turn to look at the clock, 11:30pm. Ugh. I look lower and notice a familiar face, there stood my older brother in his usual expensive business suit, drunk and making himself look like an idiot. I turn away so I won't risk him seeing me. I order a water so I can stay a little longer after I notice him leave. I sigh and take a sip of my water and eat peanuts as Emily continues on about some pathetic shit. 

I finally grow impatient after finishing my water and tell Emily that I have to go,

"Oh?" she pouts, "So soon? I was hoping we can talk about...us." I raise my eyebrows not being in the mood to listen. 

"Look Em, I have a lot going on and I'm ready to go home and sleep. You said it yourself when we cut this off that you didn't want to deal with my 'emotional antics'. So there is no 'us' to discuss. Okay?" I put two fingers on her shoulder when I finish that and search for understanding in her eyes. I can see her want to start to argue, but she looks down, breathes deep, and accepts defeat. "Okay James, have a goodnight." 

I smile and toss my jacket on and leave, it was cold yet again and it reminded me of Ava. 

FUCK! Why does she consume all my fucking thoughts?! I barely know her! 

I continue to walk, taking a left turn from the bar towards my car, when suddenly, I feel something, something telling me to stop and turn. It was the strangest feeling but when I did I feel my knees buckle under me and my breath catch, 

There, inside the alley was a woman, she was on the floor with bloodied clothes, her arms on either side of her, one flip flop hanging off from her toe and the other thrown next to her foot. Then, I notice something that made my whole body shake....the cuts on her arms. 

No!

I walk closer and confirm my suspicion, there laid my beautiful broken angel, more broken than when I last saw her, bruised cheek with the swelling already starting to form, her nose was bleeding as well as her bottom bruised lip, and she had a cut above her eyebrow. 

I swallow several times trying not to cry from the utter cruelty fate had to bring us together again like this.

I immediately take off my jacket and throw it over her as her breast was exposed and I didn't allow myself to think the worst because if I did...IF I thought about the possibilities....

I would raise hell and make sure the person who did this would regret the day they even became a thought of conception. 

I make sure to examine her for any broken bones. Her nose looked broken but there were no bones that were displaced, I had to breathe through the whole examination, the anger building in me was consuming and her being in this much pain made me want to trade places in a heartbeat. 

I make sure I don't move her neck a lot and I pick her up heading towards my car. I start walking when I hear her pained voice croak out, "J..James."

My heart squeezed and I willed myself not to look at her or I would break down right here and now. "I've got you Ava. I've got you."

She lets her self drift off and drops her arms like a rag doll. I hold her tiny frame closer to me afraid I can do any damage. I gently place her on the backseat of my car and she stirs awake again,

"Don't worry Ava, I'll take you to the hospital now, they'll help you..I promise angel." I feel my voice crack, I swallow again. She doesn't need to see me cry..not now..she needs me.

"N..no, James, p..please..n..no h..hospital." She winces from pain and grabs her side. 

Bruised ribs. Possibly broken. 

"P..please J..James..." she drifts off again, that's when I notice her bleeding head. 

Fuck! 

I pace, contemplating what to do. Then I decide to put her wants before mine. I drive as quickly as possible, not caring that I'm cutting people off and swerving. I needed  to get her safe and better.

So I did what I thought was right. 

I took her to my house.