Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,46
my knowledge,” I reply sharply. “Our relationship wasn’t good. It ended on bad terms between us.” I start picking at the hangnail on my left pointer finger. The skin rips leaving a welcoming burn of pain. I focus all my attention on the small line of blood bubbling along my nail bed.
“Has he ever been physically violent towards you in the past?”
I can feel him staring at me.
“Uh—”
Elias cuts me off. “Yes, he has.” He glances my way, continuing, “She told me it only happened twice, the second time was more serious. He pulled her hair, threw her out the door, and kicked her in the stomach.” The venom in his voice is evident.
My face heats with embarrassment having it so bluntly laid out in front of this stranger. My heart is racing in my chest and my palms are damp. I risk a quick glance to see Officer Andrews taking notes in his notepad.
“Okay. Marlena, I know this is difficult but I need to hear these things from you. Can you corroborate with Mr. Brooks’ series of events?”
“Yes.”
“And did you report this incident at the time?”
“No.” I think I see frustration flash across his face, but he clears it away before I can be sure. He’s all business as he keeps the questions flowing.
“Let’s continue. Tell me about this incident with the car. You say he tried to run you over. Did you report this at the time?”
I take a deep breath.
“No.”
“Why not?” the officer frowns.
“We didn’t realize at the time it was his car. I only got a quick glance at it that night before it turned the corner. It came out of nowhere. Elias had to tackle me out of the way.”
I have to pause to take a deep breath. Regret and guilt swell within me like a balloon on the verge of bursting. My chest aches with the pressure of my own stupidity and embarrassment. How could I have allowed this to happen to me? Why is this my life?
I sigh, resigned, and hurry on quickly, “It wasn’t until this morning and I saw Travis in the driver’s seat of a dark blue Impala parked outside of my apartment that I put two and two together.”
“So you didn’t actually see this Travis driving the car that tried to hit you?” More notes in the note pad.
“No.” My chest rises and falls at a rapid pace. This is stupid. I don’t know why I let Elias talk me into coming here. They aren’t going to help me.
“And how many times have you noticed him parked outside your apartment?”
“Two.”
“Within how long of a timeframe?”
“I don’t know, a few weeks at most.” My fingertips are starting to tingle. I shake my hands gently to relieve the feeling.
“And how long ago did your relationship end?”
“About 4 months ago.” Scribble, scribble. I shake my hands out once more.
“Thank you. I know it can be difficult to talk about. Here’s what I can suggest for the two of you. After we finish here, I’ll write up a request for the restraining order. A judge will review your case and determine if there is enough evidence to grant the TRO. Personally, I do not feel this is a coincidence so I want to remind you to be extra cautious. Do not go anywhere alone and if you need to make sure to let a family member or a friend know where you will be. I will be writing up a report on these incidents and keeping a file on you. If in the future he contacts you again, either by parking outside your residence, or following you anywhere, you need to call 911 immediately.”
The edges of my vision are starting to go black. I take a few more shallow breaths.
“You need to protect yourself and have a cell phone on you at all times. If he continues to bother you, we will have it taken care of.”
I push my chair abruptly away from the table, standing up. The urge to flee, to faint, to throw up is overwhelming. I need to go.
“I need to leave.”
“Marlee, wait,” Elias jumps up after me. I reach out for the door handle to open the door, when the panic seizes me and the room goes black.
***
“Can you hear me? Open your eyes, baby.”
I can feel his hands on me, smoothing my hair from my face, cupping my cheeks. My eyes remain closed. I feel safer this way, encased in the protective walls of my own mind.