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She hesitates, then slowly puts her hand in mine. She keeps her head down as I gently wrap my arm around her shoulders and guide her to my car. Once she’s in, I turn the heat up on high for her, but she never stops trembling.
We are halfway to town when she says four words that tear my heart out.
“My mother sold me.”
I glance over, but she doesn’t look my way.
“Thank you for helping me.”
I don’t know what to say. You’re welcome. I’m sorry my father raped you is not exactly a great response.
Ten minutes later, we pull up to the nearby hospital.
She’s out of it, possibly drugged or in shock. I drive around to the emergency entrance, but she doesn’t move to get out. I shut off the car and jog around to her side to pick her up. She holds me tight, burying her face into the side of my neck as I carry her inside. The nurse working reception knows me on sight. I’m used to the double take and the slight widening of eyes in recognition.
Not because I make a habit of coming here, but because there’s a portrait of our family in the Mitchell wing.
“I’m Alden Mitchell. I’ll pay for whatever my friend needs. She’s hurt.”
They take one look at her swollen face and lax body and rush her to the back without another word. I don’t even know her name, but I sit down in an uncomfortable chair and wait for her to come out.
My head is back against the wall, and people are moving all around me, but all I can see is that girl on the bed. It replays in my mind. What if I stayed at the party? What if I ignored the scream? The ache in my chest and the ice running through my veins are paralyzing. I check my watch and realize that four hours have passed.
The same nurse is at reception when I walk over.
“Hi, I’m just checking on my friend. Did she need surgery or something? It’s been four hours.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell. I can’t tell you anything about her condition.”
“I understand, but please, can you just tell me something? I’m trying to reach her family.” It’s a lie, but the nurse looks at me like she may cave. “It’s been a really long time. I’ll take any update. Please don’t make me call the board. I don’t want to do it, but I will if you force me.”
This is the first time I’ve ever used my family name and status to get what I want. Annoyance flashes in her eyes, but she reaches for the phone. While she’s talking, she glances at me, and I know it’s bad news.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell, she left.”
My stomach plummets through the floor, and I grip the desk.
“What?”
“She slipped out of the room right after the doctor saw her. That was the code yellow earlier. Did you not hear it?”
A code yellow? I vaguely remember something, but I was so lost in thought that it didn’t register.
“And you’re sure she’s gone? Have people looked for her? What if she passed out in a bathroom or something?”
“They did, Mr. Mitchell. The sheriff has come and gone. He took down her description.”
Shit. I don’t want the police involved. It’ll only scare her. Dammit, I should’ve insisted on going back with her or something.
The nurse grabs the phone again.
“Please don’t make me call security,” she says.
Apparently I’m not doing so well keeping my emotions in check. She was just so scared. I should’ve talked to her more, made her feel safer.
“Fine.”
I march outside and look for any sign of her. I even lap the building, but there is nothing. She’s gone.
