Every time I looked at Nova, I saw Amanda and my heart ripped to shreds thinking of the similar things she had endured. The only difference being that Amanda didn’t escape - she died. I couldn’t let myself get any further into those thoughts, so I closed off my mind and went numb, turning to watch the lights flicker through the back window of the vehicle as we headed toward the local hospital. Somewhere between getting into the truck and making it to our destination, everything went black.
Chapter 7
THE NEXT DAY
Sydney, Australia
NOVA
I felt heavy. Every inch of my body refused to move from where it was weighed down onto a thin mattress. At first, the panic swept through me, wondering what Demon had done to me now. Why couldn’t I move? Why couldn’t I open my eyes?
And then the events of yesterday ran through my mind. Being dressed up and presented to a room of hungry men. Sold to the highest bidder, who turned out to be the man from the beach. I don’t know how he found us, but I’m glad he did.
There were sobs echoing from my mother and I wanted to reach out to her, but I couldn’t. I was tired and my body was exhausted, so I drifted deeper into the quiet sleep that begged for my surrender.
Hours later, my eyes finally cracked open, and I couldn’t tell how long I had been out of it. The lights above me were off, but beautiful orange and pink colors lighted the room through the windows as the sun fell behind the horizon. I slowly glanced around the sterile room and found my mother leaning against my father’s chest as they slept on the small couch tucked against the wall. Tears flooded my eyes and I whimpered at the sight of them. I wanted to reach out and touch them, to receive any comfort they could give me, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t think I’d ever feel safe again.
My dad’s eyes popped open at the sound of my voice, small as it was, and he gently maneuvered from underneath my mother and made his way over to me. His gray hair was disheveled as if he had run his hands through it multiple times. He stopped at my bedside and I saw fear in his face, as the most courageous man I’d ever known began to weep. He ran his hands through my hair, down my cheeks. He checked every place he could to make sure I was okay, before leaning down and placing his lips on my brow, holding me and breathing me in as if he thought he’d never see me again. Then again, maybe he did think that.
“I love you, baby girl.” His voice broke the silent moment.
I stilled myself, repeating, “He’s my dad. He’s safe,”in my mind, over and over again, so I wouldn’t push him away. He noticed my stiffness and pulled away slightly, horror in his eyes. I turned my face away from him and breathed a sigh of relief as he moved out of my space and took a step back, pain etched across his features.
“It’s me, Nova,” he pleaded.
I turned my eyes to him and forced myself to relax. “I know, dad. I just… can’t be touched right now.” My voice cracked in sadness and I cast my eyes to the blank wall behind him. He just moved into my vision, forcing me to face him.
“All right, baby girl. Whatever you need.” His soft southern twang fell over me and I let myself relish in the sound of his voice. My mother woke at our exchange and was instantly at my side, just as my father had done moments before. I didn’t flinch away from her, letting her mother me as only she could do. I could see the confusion in my father’s face at first until understanding flooded his eyes. He was a man, and I couldn’t let another man touch me, even if it was my own father.
“Where’s Evie?” I asked, wondering how my best friend was doing. My mom stilled her busy hands from tucking the blanket more firmly around me and looked into my eyes.
“She’s next door,” she answered me softly.
“Is she okay?”
“As okay as she could be, I suppose.” Mom gripped my fingers tightly.
“I want to see her.” Pushing myself up into a seated position, I winced as the pain shot through my legs. My mom settled her hands on my shoulders, halting me from moving.
“Not right now, baby girl. You need to rest.”
“I’ve had enough rest.” I yanked the blankets from my body and swung my legs over the edge of the hospital bed, attempting to avoid pulling out whatever tubes they had attached to my arm. Slowly, I planted my feet on the cold tiled floor and used the metal handrail to help me stand. As soon as I was upright, I gripped the rolling IV stand and took a few tentative steps forward, ignoring the pulling sensation of the stitches in my thighs. Mom and Dad quietly followed behind me as I opened the door and stepped out into the quiet hallway. Mom pointed to the room on my right, and I shuffled as quickly as I could toward the door and opened it.
Evie sat up in her bed, fingers prodding the gauze taped across both of her cheeks. The noise of my entrance startled her and she glanced up, tears immediately brimming her eyes. I limped to her side and she scooted over, allowing me room to slide into the large hospital bed with her. I rested my head on her shoulder, gripping her hands in mine. We both let go at that moment. Our cries were hard and aching, growing louder by the second.
Nurses came in, attempting to convince me to move back to my room, but I refused to leave Evie. She was the only one who understood, who could completely comprehend what was going through my mind. So we stayed there, together. The doctor eventually ordered my bed to be brought into the same room and I was forced to move under my own blankets.
Later that afternoon there was a soft knock on the door and my father rushed to open it. He stiffened and glanced at me, before turning to face whoever it was and pulling the person into his arms. He tried to hide it, but you could see his shoulders shake slightly in a quiet sob. I saw muscular tan arms come around my father as a few thank you’s were spoken softly before my father moved out of the way, revealing the visitor.
Davis stood in the doorway, wooden crutches under his arms, face guarded. He nodded to Evie in greeting and she didn’t say anything but lifted her fingers in a small wave. His blue eyes landed on me, and they were burning with intensity. I shivered and tried to break his fiery gaze.
“Hi,” he spoke softly, stepping closer to me. I stiffened as panic rolled through me. I swung my eyes to my father, and in response his hand landed heavy on Davis’ shoulder.
“Right here, son.” My dad waited for Davis’ compliance before moving back to his position on the other side of the room.
“How are you feeling?” He prodded, obviously hoping for a good answer.
I scoffed at the question. “Feeling?”
He nodded, waiting for my response. I couldn’t help but chuckle, but the laugh was mirthless. “I wouldn’t say I’m feeling much right now. Just numb to it all.” I turned my head away from his gaze and stared at the ceiling above me.
“Yeah, I can imagine.” He spoke with sadness, as if he understood the pain I was going through.
“Well.” He cleared his throat, and then glanced at the both of us. “I just wanted to stop by. The agency wanted to offer you any help you might need. If you need someone to talk to, or just, anything really, give us a call.” He handed my dad a small business card.
It didn’t take long for him to make a hasty retreat from the room, seeming as if he couldn’t get away fast enough. It was as if he couldn’t stand to be looking at me in this condition. The one thing I did notice was what I saw in his eyes, there was some sort of emotion that ran deeper than I was ready to explore. My chest expanded in relief as he left the room and I curled into my bed, once again letting the rolling tears cascade down my face and into my pillow until I fell asleep.
I woke to murmuring voices. My gaze landed on my mother and the doctor going over a chart. A few moments later, my mother glanced up and she smiled, covering the sorrow that was etched in her eyes. Noticing the direction of her gaze, the doctor turned to face me. He took a few steps closer but stopped at the end of the bed, conspicuously avoiding physical touch.
“How are you feeling, Nova?” He asked as he scribbled notes onto a clipboard resting
in his hands.
“Fine, I guess. A little sore.”
“That’s to be expected based on your injuries. I just wanted to let you know, we’re going to do a few more tests today and if everything is good, we’ll let you go home tomorrow.” His eyes met mine and peace radiated from him.
“What kind of tests?” I asked. My mom slid to my side and brushed her fingers across my palm, interlacing them with mine. I glanced nervously between the two of them and the doctor finally cleared his throat and spoke.
“We’re going to have to take a DNA test of sorts to see if any…evidence…was left behind.” Fear rippled through me in understanding, knowing that the doctor would have to touch me to do this. My chest pounded and my breathing quickened. He noticed my panic and took a step away.
“You can’t…” I cringed into my blankets further.
“Nova, I won’t be coming near you. The nurse will be doing all the work, if you can manage that? If not, I’ll have to give you a sedative and we’ll do the procedure while you’re under.”
Relief washed through me at his words. The pressure in my chest dissipated until my breathing became normal again, and I nodded then turned to my side, shutting them out.
An hour later, an older nurse dressed in blue scrubs walked in, carrying a small tray. Her graying hair was twisted into a bun on the top of her head.
“All right, sweet girl. This won’t take long,” she said as she closed the dividing curtain between me and the rest of the room. I shivered at being closed in the small space.
“Evie?” I called through the curtain, fear rippling through me.
“Yeah?” Her voice cracked as if she was in pain and crying.
“I can’t do this.”
“You have to, Nova. I’m here. I’ll talk to you the whole time.”
The nurse instructed me to slide down the bed and I followed her instructions as she arranged me how she needed me.
“Hey, Nova?” Evie spoke, her voice a little firmer now, pulling me out of my drowning worry.
“Yeah?” A tear began to slide down my cheek as I turned my head to stare at the curtain.
“Remember the lake? The first day we went there was so beautiful. It was so breathtaking. Hidden by all the trees and then the path that opened up to the beach and water.”
I whimpered a little at the prodding between my thighs. Evie spoke louder in an effort to shift my attention away from it.
“Remember how I pulled you through the sand and into the water fully clothed? It was awesome. We were soaked, head to toe after the water fight. All the other new students decided to join in. Everyone had so much fun that day, that we kept going back every year on the first day of the move in to have the fully clothed water fight. We should do that when we get home, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I croaked, reaching up to wipe my eyes.
“All done,” the nurse said, helping me get situated back on the bed. Then she walked through the privacy curtain and our parents stepped back through to my side. For the next few minutes I reminded Evie of the fun we used to have in school, listening to music as loud as possible, dancing in our pajamas, and dreaming of our future. When the curtain was removed, our glistening eyes met and we just stared at each other, unmoving for a long time.
Hours later the doctor came in with a clipboard and smiled softly at both of us. “All right, girls. Looks like we have everything we need. All your results came back normal and the exam was successful. I can release you tomorrow if you feel up to going.”
My dad immediately took out his phone and started making arrangements for us to travel back home to Texas. It didn’t take long until I sought out the darkness again, the one that I had become so familiar with.
Chapter 8
Sydney, Australia
DAVIS
I buried my face into the soft pillow beside me as the screeching of my alarm sounded repeatedly from the bedside table. Today was the briefing of our staff and our board of representatives on the rescue. Today was also the day that I would hand in my resignation.
I just couldn’t do it anymore. My heart and soul felt drained and I knew that I couldn’t face the past on a daily basis, not anymore. I had to let Amanda go, and I had to find peace. I’d completed the final mission, and it was time to move on. Nova’s face flashed across my mind and my gut twisted at the last conversation we had. She was afraid of me, the horror etched deep within her showing plainly on her face when I stepped anywhere near her. That image will be burned in my memory for as long as I live. Never again will I be able to look at the face of another girl like Nova, a girl who had just been through the life-changing events that caused such traumatic emotional damage.
I threw off the sheets and rolled to sit on the edge of mattress. Grabbing my phone from the small table, I checked for the confirmation of my flight that was scheduled for later that day. Once I had my time frame set, I pushed myself up and quickly shuffled to the shower and prepared myself for what was about to take place. My life was going to change, but I knew it was something that needed to be done. I showered and dressed, careful not to damage my stitches. Afterward, I grabbed the few letters I had printed the night before off the printer and tucked them gently into my briefcase, then reached for my crutches.
Hobbling to my truck, I managed to slip the wooden annoyances into the back and hop on one foot to the door, sliding behind the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life and I turned the truck into the street and headed toward Corinth.
Using my crutches, I slowly made my way up the stairs of the office and into the doorway. Everyone was gathered around the table, each sipping their choice morning beverage.
“Good morning.” I reached my hand out to Grant and then greeted Monica, Nathan, and Jared.
“Good morning, son. I was just about to begin. You’re right on time, as usual.” I nodded and slipped into one of the leather seats, setting my briefcase on the table and pulling out my files and documents for the office, setting them on the table.
“It looks like everything went according to plan, for the most part.” He spared a glance at my crutches and his jaw clenched.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” I shrugged as Monica offered me a Styrofoam cup of steaming coffee. My lips lifted into a small smile. “Thanks. You always make it just right.”
Grant studied me momentarily before continuing his informational session, rehashing all the details for the police reports. When he concluded, I reached down and picked up one of the letters and slid it across the table to Grant. Curiosity filled his eyes as he lifted the paper and began to read. His shoulders instantly sagged and sadness emitted from him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I just… can’t do it anymore.” Scrubbing my hands down my face, I glanced up at the wide eyes of my staff. “I have done the last five years doing this work. It’s hard and wearing. After losing Amanda…” My voice cracked but I pushed through it. “I was on a mission to avenge her. But living a life purposed for revenge is not the kind of life I want to live. And although we were helping people tremendously and with the help of God, I know it’s time I step away and work on my own healing, and my life. I have to move on, I know it’s what I should do.”
Jared reached out and patted my shoulder. “I get it, man. That’s why I turned in my resignation this morning as well.” Everyone chuckled a little, but there was a sad undertone.
We said our goodbyes before Jared and I headed out of the office. We lingered on the pavement and Jared shoved his hands into his jean pockets and took a seat on the bench outside the cafe.
Jared glanced up at me with a serene look in his eyes. “Now what?”
“I don’t know, man. I’m going to go home and spend some time finding myself again.”
“I get that. I think maybe I’m going to take up surfing for real. Maybe teach a few classes.”
I smiled at him and saw the freedom from stress and worry. It was nice to know he was doing the same t
hing as I.
“Well, if you ever feel like visiting the States, call me. You can stay on the ranch for a while if you’d like. I could teach you the ropes on ranching.”
“I might just take you up on that.” He chuckled. I couldn’t complain since the thought of him on a horse in the country caused laughter to bubble out of me. Here was a man who was at home on a surfboard.
“Why don’t you come by the house around two? I need a ride to the airport.”
“Sure. I’ll be there.”
I nodded and stepped back toward my truck, parked on the side of the street.
I slipped into the cab and pulled onto the road, heading toward my house. When I arrived, I slid my sleek black phone out of my pocket and placed a call to a moving company, explaining that I’d be leaving this afternoon and arranging for them to come in and pack everything to ship back to me. I took my time packing the bags that I would take on the plane with me, filling them with all the essential items I’d need to tie me over for the next few weeks. I glanced at my nightstand and reached for the framed picture of Amanda and myself, letting my fingers brush gently across her face before sliding it into my briefcase.
Time flew by and I was a bit surprised when Jared pulled up to the curb, glancing at my watch to see it was already that time. I locked the door behind me and slipped the key under the welcome mat for the moving company to find.
“You ready?” Jared asked as he strolled up to my door, hands shoved into his jean pockets. Glancing back over the beach house, I took it all in, remembering the last three years, then turned away.
“Yes.” I tossed the keys into his hand.
“You sure about the truck?” he questioned.
“It’s yours, man.” Nodding at him, I watched as he tossed my bags in the truck bed. I gave one last look at the house and then loaded into the truck. My leg complained at the exertion, and I grunted as I maneuvered my crutches to rest between Jared and I. We pulled up to the airport and Jared jumped out, pulling my bags from the back and setting them on the curb.
Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1) Page 8
