“Tiffany…” She looked up at me. “I didn’t even know it was him and I was the one…” I shook my head. “It’s not your fault.” She looked at me like I should know something. Like she knows more than I should and it really was her fault. She’s too hard on herself. We both are.
“Can I talk to you real quick?” Zach asked. Everyone looked at Zach and nobody moved. “Alone.” I nodded. Everyone moved to the far side of the wall where my family was sleeping. Zach moved closer to me and I noticed he seems different. Zach doesn’t look like the guy I punched in school. He looks like the guy I once dated. “I know it’s weird between us… I was going through a rough time and you were there. It’s not an excuse but I’m sorry. For everything I did…and said.” He whispered then he said, “And I wanted to say thank you.”
“Thanks for what?” I asked confused. There is something different about him, something sincere. Did he have an epiphany?
“You saved my life. Why did you do it?” He asked.
“Why not?”
“Because of how I treated you. If I were you I wouldn’t have thrown myself in front of me like that.” He said. That got to me.
“You don’t deserve to die because of what you did.” I said.
“I started the rumors. If I hadn’t then you wouldn’t have been raped.” Oh, god. “It’s my fault this happened to you.” He definitely had an epiphany. Hearing him say those words…I really feel bad for punching him now.
“Zach…it’s not your fault. Giovanni’s crazy…just…get that whole idea out of your head.” I said. “You’re not a bad guy.” Zach was about to say something when the room door opened again. Everyone looked up to see who it was, my sleeping family included.
Bryan walked in with a Styrofoam cup in his hands. I expected him to ignore me and ask Tiffany for a ride home. After all we aren’t talking and I did get him kidnapped. He stunned me when he walked over to my bed. Zach stood up and turned to leave. “Zach.” He turned back around. “It’s not your fault.” I said. He gave me a weak smile then walked back to everyone leaning against the wall. Weird how Sophie and Zach are speaking to me like humans now. Damn, I guess almost dying does bring people together.
“Um, anyone hungry? Now’s the perfect time to go to the cafeteria.” Declan said standing up. Everyone stood up and got the hint. When they walked outside, Bryan walked over to my bed.
“I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you. It’s just hard to be around you, Em.” He said looking at my arm then my eyes. “What you did yesterday…I’ve never seen you so…”
“Killerlike.” I said looking away from him. I’ve never hurt anyone in my life…except in a few fights. They only ended up with black eyes and scratches. I never thought I would hurt anyone in my life. Not like that.
“What?! No. I was going to say brave.” Bryan said turning my head to him slowly. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Must run in the family.” He said holding my eyes. “It took a while for my mind to process everything but I’m glad you’re my sister.” I started crying.
“What kind of sister almost sleeps with her brother?! I’m sorry.” I wiped my eyes. “I’m just like my father.” He raised me for ten years like a daughter then decided to take advantage of me. I almost slept with my brother! It’s like the same thing.
“Which one?” Bryan asked and we laughed. When his smile faded, I knew what was coming. “Em…what happened to you when you were younger? What did he do to you?”
My smiled faded and I got a pain my chest. It wasn’t like the same pain I got when Scarlett was stabbed. It was even worse. My head throbbed and my vision started to get blurry.
“Bryan.” I said.
“What?”
Blood ran down my nose to my lips.
“Something’s wrong.” I tried to breathe in but couldn’t. “Get the doctor.” His face changed then he ran out of the room.
I can’t breathe.
My vision blurred and I heard the monitors beeping non-stop. I think it’s the heartbeat monitor. Something’s definitely wrong. I heard the door open and I guess it was doctors and nurses rushing in. I couldn’t make out who was who. The bed flattened and someone flashed a light in my eyes. It was too bright so I shut them and tried to stay calm. I couldn’t.
The bed was moving and people were yelling medical terms around me. I can’t breathe without tasting blood. I couldn’t breathe period.
I felt my body give up.
I felt myself go limp.
14. Blocked Out
“Emily? Emily, can you hear me?” I tried to nod. “Okay good. I’m Dr. Thompson. Do you remember me?” She’s the doctor I had when I was brought here to get stitched up.
“What happened?” I asked when I looked around the room. Everyone was standing around the bed watching me. Mom was squeezing my hand and wiping away tears.
“You lost a lot of blood.” Dr. Thompson said holding my eyes. “You flat lined for a few minutes but don’t worry, you’re back to normal now.” She leaned on the bed railing. “I believe it’s stress. Have you been getting the nose bleeds recently?”
“They just happen.” I said.
“Nothing shows up on the tests. Medically, there is nothing wrong with you but physically…” She furrowed her brow. “I heard of something like this before. The patient’s mind’s trying to keep something blocked out. Whenever the patient thought about that thing or something related to that thing she got severe migraines and nose bleeds.” Sounds awesome. “I believe that is what is wrong with you. Do you know what that can be?” I have an idea.
I looked at Mom, Scarlett and Declan. They don’t know the whole truth about what happened. “David.” I said looking out of the window. I notice now that every time I thought about David, I would get the nose bleeds. Mom walked over to face me.
“Honey, what about David?” I didn’t answer her. “You were a child when that happened. Are you scared? Honey, it’s not going to happen again.” She turned to the doctor. “When she was younger…my ex-husband attacked her.” Mom grabbed my hand. “I don’t understand why it’s causing problems now. He never came back into our life after that.”
Tears slid down my cheeks.
“Mom.” She glanced at me. “You don’t know the whole truth about that night.” I don’t want to say anything but it kills me to keep this a secret. I don’t want to keep lying to my family. “He did try to kill me but something else was going to happen if Declan didn’t come in.” She looked up, probably at Declan.
“What are you talking about?” Mom asked. “Emily?”
I took a deep shaky breath. “He almost…tried…” Shit. This is harder than I thought. I shut my eyes. “He tried to rape me.” I whispered. I heard Mom gasp. Maybe everyone did.
“You should have told me.” Mom cried as she pulled me into a hug. She mumbled other things but I didn’t make out what she said. My arm hurts but I don’t care. I need my mom. I pulled her in closer and saw Declan and Scarlett over her shoulder. They didn’t say anything though. They just stared. I would too.
“I have to go to the bathroom.” I said as Mom let me go. She nodded and helped me off the bed. My eyes stayed on the floor as I stood up. I can’t look at anyone. They know one of my deepest secrets and they were just kidnapped… I need to get away.
Someone slipped their arm around my waist and held me up. “I’ll take her.” I let myself smile when I heard Alex.
“This wasn’t suppose to happen.” I cried into his shoulder. My leg throbbed with every step. Alex helped me into the bathroom and just when he was about to turn and leave, I grabbed his arm. “Can you come in?” He looked to the side of him then walked in and shut the door. I studied myself in the mirror. I lifted the gown to look at my thigh. It was wrapped in a white bandage and my skin was bluish around it. “Alex–” He wrapped his arms around me, careful not to touch any wounds. His lips brushed my neck as he talked.
“I thought I lost you, Emily.” He rested his head on my right shoulder. “When t
hey said you flat lined…” Something wet hit my shoulder. “Everyone I ever cared about is gone…and then you…” I pulled him away for a second.
I cried when I saw tears running down his cheek. “I’m sorry.” I cried out. “Everything is turning into shit. You guys could have been hurt…my family knows the truth…I killed someone.” I stared at him. “Right?” I don’t know for a fact but who can survive a knife to the neck? It’s probably really rare. Alex nodded slowly.
“The police said they were DOA.” He said. Dead on arrival.
“I did that. I killed them.” I cried.
He brought his hands to my face and cupped it.
“Emily, you defended yourself.” Maybe I did but I still killed people. I ended two lives. I let Alex hold me as I tried to calm down. Alex opened the bathroom door and Declan and Scarlett waited against a wall for me.
“We have a lot to talk about when we get home.” They said as they hugged me.
Dr. Thompson was next to the window talking with Mom and Tiffany, Bryan, Sophie and Zach were next to the bed in their own conversation. Dr. Thompson turned to me and walked over. “You can go home today but if you’d like to stay another night–”
“No.” I said. I don’t want to stay here any longer. I hate hospitals. “I want to go home.” She nodded.
“All right. First you need to sign this and you can go. You might feel weak and tired, it’s expected. I gave your mother the painkillers. Take one every eight hours if you feel pain. Not more than one at a time though, they’re strong.” Pills are the last thing I need. I signed the discharge paper and handed her the clipboard.
I don’t have any clothes to wear. I feel that I’m wearing a bra and panties. How I got them on is a mystery. Dr. Thompson saw me looking down at my gown and said, “I’ll be back with clothes for you and then you can go.”
“Wait.” I said. “Can I visit Rachel? She’s next door.”
“No, I’m sorry. She’s needs to rest and the doctors are going in and out of the room. She’ll be okay though. Take care of yourself first.” She said before leaving the room.
I turned to the small group of people waiting next to the bed. “Thank you guys for staying but you can go home.” I said. It’s Christmas, they need to go.
Everyone looked at each other and then at my family. “They said it was okay if we stay with you tonight. What do you think?” Tiffany said with a smile. I believe that Tiffany and Bryan would want to stay with me, but Sophie and Zach… they have better things to do.
“We came up with the idea.” Sophie said.
“Four extra hands doesn’t hurt.” Zach said.
“You guys don’t have to…” They looked hurt as I opened my mouth. “But if you want to then it’s fine.” I said. I secretly liked that they wanted to stay with me. But it would probably be a little weird having Zach in my house with my current boyfriend…
The doctor came back and handed Alex the clothes for me. We made plans before we left the hospital. Bryan takes my car with Sophie, Zach and Tiffany. Mom will take the family and Alex and I will drive together in his car. Keep it simple.
Everyone waited outside the room while Alex helped me get ready. That made Declan cringe. Scarlett wasn’t in the right place to help me, I’m too old for Mom to do anything and my friends…yeah, and I’d rather have Alex do it.
The pajama pants were easy to put on but the shirt took a while. The doctor said I have to go down in a wheelchair so I look like an old lady. Mom took care of all the pills and anything that would help the scars heal faster. Then everyone got in the cars and drove to my house.
“I didn’t know I had to die and come back to life for Sophie to start talking to me again.” I said as Alex started the car. He went still as he glanced at me. “It was a joke.” I said.
He leaned in to kiss my cheek. “It’s not funny though.” I peeked at my arm as Alex drove. I must have dreamt it because nothing else makes sense. I really thought Denise cut my arm.
Officer Miles was coming outside of the house wearing casual clothes when we got there. He helped me out of the car while Alex got all my stuff from the trunk.
“I don’t want to sound rude but what are you doing here?” I asked as we walked up to the first step.
“I was here for the party last night.” He said eyeing my mom. “Um, I’m back on duty though. I told the other officers I could ask you some questions when you got home.” He looked me over. “Are you well enough to answer them?” I nodded. I saw Mom give him a huge smile. That smile only meant one thing. Did something happen last night? Well finally. Mom needs to have fun.
“You guys go ahead.” I said nodding toward the stairs. “I’m going to take a while up those.” I looked up at Officer Miles. “I’ll answer them inside.” Alex was back to at my side holding me up.
I waited for everyone to go inside the house when I started walking again. “I don’t think you’re going to have a break with me.” I said to Alex. He helped me up the first step. “Ow.”
“If it hurts too much I can carry you.” He said. I blushed.
“No. It’s fine.” I said trying to go up the next step, I winced in pain. “Okay, I need you.” I said. Alex lifted me off my feet and walked up the stairs. His arms where tight around me but it didn’t hurt. He knew exactly where to put his hands. When we got inside the house, he set me back down on the floor. Everyone was in the living room.
“Another officer is coming.” Officer Miles said. As if on cue there was a knock on the door. Mom opened the door and let the other officer in as I hopped over to the couch.
There isn’t enough room for everyone so Declan and Mom brought some chairs from the kitchen. Zach and Bryan offered to sit on the floor, Scarlett sat next to me and everyone else took the couch or a chair.
Officer Ryans walked in…with Liam. That made me smile. Wow, news travels fast. “Emily, you know Officer Ryans.” Officer Miles said.
“Yeah.” I looked over at Liam. The resemble between father and son is uncanny.
“My son insisted on coming.” Ryans said staring at Liam. “If you don’t want him here, I’ll be happy to send him back home.” Liam frowned and I laughed softly.
“If you don’t mind sitting on the floor then you can stay.” I said. Liam nodded and gave his father a look.
“I had to know you were okay.” He said when he walked by me. He stared at Alex for a second. “Haven’t seen you for a while.” I guess its neighbor talk, I don’t know. He took a seat next to Bryan which was right in-between Zach and Alex.
Officer Ryans took a seat next to Officer Miles and took out a little black notepad. “Officer Miles and I will be asking you questions and if–” He looked around the room. “What is said in this room can not be said anywhere until the investigation is over.” He looked at Liam. “Do you understand?” Everyone nodded.
Officer Miles took out a black notepad and pen. “If you can’t answer a question please tell us and we can ask them when you can.” I nodded.
“Okay.” The place went silent. “Garrett…you can start.” Officer Ryans said. Garrett. I finally get a name. Ethan and Garrett. Sounds better than Officer.
“Miss Vasquez, first I want to ask if you knew the two deceased?” Garrett asked. “I have to ask these questions.” He said when I raised an eyebrow. Of course I knew them.
“Yes. Denise was a close friend of the family and Giovanni was a student from school.” I said. They wrote that down.
Ethan took out a small evidence bag from his back pocket. When he handed it to me, my eyes widened. “These were found in your possession. Are they yours?” He asked. It was the photos.
“Umm…” I cleared my throat. “Yeah. They don’t really have anything to do with this…right?”
“Judging by the photos, he was stalking you.” Ethan said.
“What photos?” Declan asked.
Some of them were of me nude. He is not seeing them. “Nothing.” I said trying to get his attention off them. “Do you need
them?”
The officers stared at each other. Garrett raised an eyebrow and that somehow was an answer. “No…they’re yours.” He said. I stuck them in the crack of the couch and waited for more questions.
“The knives that were found at the scene were examined and tested. One of them was the knife used on the attack of your sister.” Garret said. I looked at Scarlett.
“Was Giovanni Acker the man who sexually assaulted you?” Ethan asked. My eyes found his and I nodded slowly.
“Yes.” I said. Tears slid down my cheeks as I thought about it. He raped me. I finally know who did it. I finally have some answers.
Scarlett rubbed my hand as I wiped my eyes.
“Do you know why Denise Bond was involved?” Garrett asked.
“Giovanni said my father killed his father…Denise’s husband.” Garrett wrote that down. I put my hand to the throat as I breathed in. Declan got up quietly and went into the kitchen. He came back with a few water bottles and put them on the coffee table. After he opened one, he handed it to me. And this is my brother, Declan. He can be the best.
“Is this true?” Ethan asked.
“I don’t know.” I said. David’s capable of anything I guess. “He left eight years ago. We haven’t heard from him since.”
“We talked to your friends and got some of the story pieced together.” Garrett said then he recalled what they said. They thought they were going to a party, got kidnapped and tied up. They didn’t say anything else. They didn’t mention Christy or Mark. Thankfully. “You were tied up as well?”
“Yes.” I said.
“How did you get free?” Ethan asked.
Adrenaline kicked in and I did. “Do I have to give details?” I asked.
They shook their heads.
“It’s fine. Did Denise attack you after you got free?” Garrett asked.
“Yes.”
“How did she get stabbed?” Ethan asked.
“I heard someone coming from behind me when I went to check on Rachel, my other teacher, she had the knife in her hand and I defended myself.” I said wiping my eyes. “We struggled with the knife…when she landed on me, it struck her.”
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