Jessica belted me in, and then got in and started the car. She carefully backed out and turned around. Smooth, fast. I could see from the signage that the building I had been in was a small deer processing business, with a gravel parking lot, and no one around. I did not see the police cruiser, but it is probably parked out of sight around the back or something. Perfect place to beat and gut someone. It made my heels hurt just to think about that hook.
"I need to get you to a hospital" Jessica said, looking over at me as we drove west, towards the sun. "You have insurance? Do I need to take you to a particular one? Doesn't matter: I will pay."
I shook my head no and very carefully enunciated "Nnooh"
Being right side up is helping. My blood, not all rushing to my head anymore meant that the swelling in my mouth is going down a little. I pushed around to see her better. The pain was totally worth it.
She glanced over as she drove. "Adrian. Don't be stupid. You have had the living hell beaten out of you! You could have internal injuries. Broken bones. I probably should not have moved you at all, except that would be certain death to stay there. Him or us."
I was as firm as I could be. "That is true. He was surely going to kill me dead. Not sure why all the hate. Jessica? Really. No hospitals. Been there. Done that." It came out mumbly but intelligible.
"Where should I take you then? You can't come with me. He'll kill you for sure if he thinks you are with me. God DAMN it! This is all my fault." She was angry. She paused. Gathered herself. Said more evenly. "You really need medical care. You could have internal bleeding."
Now I knew for sure that this beating and near death experience is about her.
"Hah" I replied.
She smiled slightly "OK: Kill you some more." Then added, "What do you mean by been there, done that?"
Talking hurt. I settled down in the seat, flipped down the visor, and did my best to look like I am planted there. I would have crossed my arms, but that would hurt too much.
"Look, there are all sort of reasons you should not come with me. You really don't understand." It was a plea.
I slowly shook my head 'no'. I remained looking planted. I found her. Or she had found me. Whatever. We had to talk before I would willingly leave her again, and talking right now is pure agony.
"Ahhhrrg! Fine. I should know better than most how fucking determined you can be!!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "You can come with me until you are better. You give any sign of shock or internal bleeding, I am taking you directly to a hospital. I'll know the symptoms when I see them, and you are in no shape to stop me. Still, I at least owe you taking care of you till you are better."
I am not sure why she thought she owed me anything, but all I tried to say is "Then I am never getting better" but of course I spoke too fast and it came out mumbly.
I felt sleepy and tired and hot. They say you are not supposed to go to sleep if you have a concussion, but I have no idea why that is. My head had been a punching bag for a crazed cop with a nightstick, so I surely have a concussion or three. I could not stay awake, and I have already been passed out from the pain a number of times. I doubted U would get worse by sleeping. Worse case, I fall asleep, Jessica takes me someplace and plucks me from her car like a toy, assuming she still had enough fear to power that. I would not be able to do anything about it. My stubbornness is all show. I could not stop anyone from doing anything to me they wanted to right then. My last thought as I drifted off was a mild surprise she agreed to no medical attention so quickly.