“What? I am not leaving you,” she says, a hysterical edge creeping into her voice. I nod my head yes, encouraging her. “Fine, but I’m just getting a hotel in town and taking a nap. I’ll be back after you rest. Flynn will probably come by soon for answers.”
I nod that I understand and point to the door with a smile. Her eyes soften.
“Fine, you win. When you're out of here, we can talk about how you have two boyfriends and a girlfriend. I love you, Charlie,” she whispers as she hugs me. I snort at her mention of my love life, glad to see she isn't upset with it. The last part has me emotional, though. It's the first time she's said 'I love you.' I squeeze her back.
"Love you, too," I rasp out as my eyes slowly close.
A few hours later, the nurses bring in more ice packs for my face. Since I have to hold it on for twenty minutes, I decide to write down my account of what happened, in detail. I start with the shady school counselor and finish with Timmins cutting me. I include detailed descriptions of the counselor, guards, Timmins, and the boss. I write down exactly what was said and what I observed. I'm finishing up and taking the ice packs off when Flynn walks in.
“Hey, kid. How are
you healing?” he asks as he takes the seat next to my bed. I give him a thumbs up and a small smile. He chuckles darkly; he saw what I endured, he knows exactly how bad it was there. Not to mention he carried my limp, bloody body out of that hellhole.
Knowing why he’s here, I slide my paper toward him, and he reads it over. “Thanks. I think we have Timmins in the group we arrested. The guards were shot when they shot at us, and they didn't survive. The boss wasn’t there.” I wince at the boss not being caught but get a distinct sense of satisfaction that the guards died.
The boss deserves way worse than what prison has to offer, but at least prison would be something. I grab another sheet of paper and tell Flynn to go get some rest. He smiles and takes my statement before he gets up to leave and gives me a tired smile.
"I'll get this to the FBI. Thanks, kid," he says, giving me one more sad look.
“Thank you, old man. You saved me,” I say, sincerely. He just nods and walks out. He was never one for dwelling on gratitude or emotions.
Monday
Morning
Charlie
It's been a few weeks since I was released from the hospital. My elevated vitamin levels went down slowly and somehow I didn’t have lingering effects. I was released before they went back to normal, but at least they were in a 'not life-threatening' range. My stomach does heal faster than usual, but nothing remarkable like Timmins had hoped. They eventually find traces of chemotherapy drugs in my system as well. I guess they thought they could heal anything with chemo and vitamins? Whatever they thought, they could contemplate it in prison.
The trials are scheduled for February, and I'm expected to be at Timmins’s and the counselor's trials to tell my story.
I’ve been working over the last few weeks with a physical therapist and a vocal specialist. Of course, once I told Sophia, she’d found the best ones around and took me herself. I’ve only been a few times but I can already feel the difference. Between that and the medicine I’m on, they think I’ll be able to talk without as much pain pretty soon.
School is now out on winter break, which is nice so everyone doesn’t have to see me looking like a monster.
“Charlie, breakfast!” Sophia’s voice bellows from downstairs. I pull myself out of my musings and finish getting dressed so I can join her. When I step into the foyer, I notice she has luggage by the front door. She didn’t mention a business trip of any kind.
“Good morning!” she sings out as she piles the French toast and bacon on the kitchen island. My stomach rumbles, and I give her a quick smile before filling a plate.
“I have a surprise!” she announces as we both sit down with our food. “We are going to my parents’ cabin in the mountains for a week! I was going to ask my parents to join us if you are ready to meet them?”
I hadn’t even considered that she would have family I would have to meet. It’s been us against the world so far. She must have been waiting for me to adjust, not wanting to overwhelm me. But if she has family, I want to know them too, so I nod my agreement. I wouldn’t deny her family time even though the prospect of meeting new people freaks me out a bit.
“Oh good, I’ll call them in a few minutes. We leave tonight, so pack after breakfast! I also took the liberty of ordering you a few new things, they are on the couch!” She's super chipper today and I can’t help but let it raise my own spirits. We’ve had enough sadness around here.
Wanting to check out my new stuff, I scarf down my food. Before I can jump up, she stops me.
"I just wanted to tell you, Charlie, that I'm okay with your relationship. I'm happy you've found happiness with them, they're good people too. Just be careful with that heart of yours, it's fragile. Either way, I trust you and support you. I just wanted you to know," she says quickly, trying not to make the conversation weird. I'm glad she finally addressed it; I don't want to keep secrets from her.
"Thank you," I rasp out. I'm trying to use my words more and more. The doctors think that it will slowly adjust to the use, and if I can keep my nightmares at a minimum, then I won't keep inflaming it over and over. The meds they give me to help me sleep has brought them down some but I’ve got a ways to go.
She was telling lies when she said she only ordered a few things. The couch is barely visible under all the new stuff. I find packages full of new pants and sweaters, a new coat, two sets of gloves, hats and scarves, a pair of fuzzy lined winter boots, and a new phone. The last one has me excited. I’ve been phone free for a few weeks since mine was left strapped under a sink at the facility. Though it had likely made it to evidence by now.
I load my new stuff into my arms and run upstairs. Dropping it on the bed, I open my closet to pick out a few more things I'll need. I go to reach for my luggage and roll my eyes at a brand-new set sitting in its place. Sophia must have snuck in and replaced it while I was at the hospital or out with the group. She's always sneaking in new things like I won’t say anything if it's hidden. She's sweet like that, still always looking out for me and spoiling me when she can.
The doorbell rings downstairs, and I put the last of my makeup in a smaller bag. I make my way downstairs and am shocked to see my friends filing into the room with their own luggage bags. I shoot a confused look at Sophia.
“I sort of invited all of your friends and their families too,” she says with a sheepish smile. In return I just walk over and give her a huge hug. She knew I’d hate leaving them and it gives me an ally when meeting new family.