Twisted (Torn Series) Page 0,47
out why I was here. I shifted slightly and a searing pain shot through my ribs. I sucked in a deep breath at both the pain and the memories that started flooding my mind. My mother. She had beat me, apparently bad enough that I was in a hospital room.
Tears stung my eyes as I remembered every blow she had given me. I knew she hated me, but to do this? If there is a next time. She hadn’t just meant to hurt me; she had tried to drown me. In all the years of abuse I had suffered at her hands, I had never feared for my life the way I had by the pool.
I caught movement from the corner of my eye and turned my head. Jordan was sitting in a chair by the window, sound asleep. He looked as bad as I felt; even in sleep his face was drawn tight with worry and his normally clean-shaven face had scruff covering it.
Danny entered the room with a steaming cup in each hand. He smiled at me when he noticed me watching him.
“I see that you’re finally awake.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment.
“You scared us when you blacked out. We thought she did damage internally,” he said as my eyes widened, “Don’t worry, they checked you over when the paramedics brought you in. You’ve got a couple cracked ribs and you’re beat up, but that’s it.”
“How long have I been here?” I croaked out. My throat felt raw, but at least I could speak.
“Almost twenty-four hours. Jordan hasn’t left your side since they put you in this room. I had to get him something to eat because he wouldn’t even leave for that. He’s been beating himself up, thinking he’s responsible.”
I shook my head. “He’s not.”
“I know, but he thinks you’re going to hate him. I’m surprised he even went to sleep, guess he couldn’t handle it any longer,” he sat both cups on the table next to Jordan, “I need to go get one of the nurses, I’m sure they’ll want to know you’re awake.”
“Wait! Where’s Drake?” I called out as he turned to leave.
“I didn’t call him. I wasn’t sure how much you wanted to tell him and I wanted to wait until you were awake so he wouldn’t freak out.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded as he left the room. A few minutes later he returned with a nurse following him.
“Good to see that you’re awake Chloe! My name is Audrey and I’m your nurse tonight. How are you feeling?” She asked loudly.
At the sound of her voice, Jordan jerked awake in his seat. His eyes instantly found mine and he jumped out of his chair and ran over to me. “You’re awake! Oh thank God, I’ve been freaking out! Are you ok?”
“I’m fine,” I said to both him and the nurse.
Neither looked convinced as Audrey pushed Jordan out of the way and started checking me over. She prodded my ribs and I stifled a scream at the pain it caused.
“Tender?”
Well no shit. “A little.”
“Let me get the doctor and he can talk to you about everything. I need to contact the police and let them know you’re awake as well. I’m sure they’ll want your statement.”
I turned to Jordan and Danny as she left the room. “The police?”
“Yeah, they showed up right before the paramedics. Your mom was gone by then of course but they’ve been searching for her. Jordan and I both gave statements, but I missed all of it and he only caught the end so you’ll need to fill in the rest.”
Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I felt guilty about the police being involved. “Do I have to file charges against her?”
I nearly flinched at the rage that crossed Jordan’s face. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just ask us that Chloe. She nearly killed you!”
“I know, I just feel guilty. She’s still my mom.”
“Chloe, think about this. She obviously isn’t worried about herself, so you shouldn’t worry about her. Even if you refuse, I’m still filing charges on her; it happened on my property,” Danny said.
I looked down at my hands and saw the tattoo on my wrist that I had gotten with Drake. Now more than ever, it seemed like the perfect choice.
“You’re right; she deserves to be locked up for this. I won’t let her hurt me again.”
Jordan nodded, looking satisfied. “That’s my girl.”
A couple of minutes later, a doctor and two police officers entered my room.