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“Mr. Mitchell, we’re here because your sister, Lexi Mitchell, was found by a member of the public. She’s in Eastford Hospital, currently in surgery.”
“Where was she found?” I ask.
“Out by the old train tracks on the edge of town. She’s been severely beaten. We believe whoever attacked her, dumped her believing she was dead. It’s not looking good. I’m sorry.”
My heart thrums hearing she’s alive, but it pounds like rocks in my chest hearing what condition she’s in. I don’t know who moves first. Me or Psycho.
“Mr. Mitchell! We have a few questions before you go!” one of the officers hollers.
Psycho turns to me. “You go to her. I’ll deal with the pigs and then follow you. I’ll message Evie, she’ll meet you there.”
Nodding, I start my bike and the prospect opens the gate wide enough for me to pass through.
The hospital is on the other side of town and not hard to find. I weave through the streets, not stopping at red lights. Every second I ride closer is another second closer I can lay my eyes on her. I need her in my sights like a man needs air to breathe. Whoever did this to her will pay with their sanity during torture and then with their lives but for now all I can focus on is her.
I leave my bike on the path by the entrance doors and rush to reception.
“Lexi Mitchell. She was brought in tonight, the police said she was in surgery.”
“Are you family?”
Shit. Lying has always come easily to me, and I have no problem tonight. “Yes, I’m her fiancé.”
Because once this is over with, she will be mine in marriage. She taps on the computer screen and tells me, “She’s in recovery in ICU. If you follow…”
I don’t need to be told to follow the signs, I’m more than capable. It turns out I take the wrong turn three times before I reach the doors to the intensive care unit.
I press the buzzer and try to keep my patience waiting for a nurse to answer.
“Vincent Hayes here for Lexi Mitchell,” I tell the person on the other end when someone picks up. “I’m her fiancé.”
The doors unlock and I push through immediately hit with the silence of the patients fighting on the fine line between life and death.
A nurse meets me, and I try not to dwell too much on the grave frown on her face.
“If you’ll follow me.”
I do and no amount of preparation is possible when I stand at the end of her bed and take in her injuries.
“The doctor will be along shortly to explain…”
I wave her away needing to be closer to Lex. I pull the chair from the corner and take my place at her side.
There’s not one inch of her face not swollen or a colourful array of bruises. Clenching my hand, I bite into my fist to stop myself from screaming. She would’ve suffered extreme pain. Such pain she would’ve wished for death. For the first time since I was a kid, my eyes fill with water. She can’t die. I remind myself she’s in the best place for her to get better, all the while unable to tear my gaze from her pain.
“Mr. Hayes?”
The doctor stands at the end of her bed and I nod, unable to find the words to speak.
“Your fiancée has suffered multiple injuries. We took her into surgery to stop the internal bleeding she had from two broken ribs. Most of the injuries you can see are superficial, but she has extensive damage to her collarbone, ribs, and nose. We carried out a rape exam and the results have come back negative.”
I’m stunned. That wasn’t even a concern I had. My mind went straight to physical violence and stayed there. Pushing it out of my mind, I say, “Her sister, Evie Mitchell is on her way.” I don’t know why that comes out, but I need the damn conversation not to be Lexi and rape in the same sentence.
I fall back onto the chair and I don’t know when the doctor leaves, the dark thoughts rushing through my mind, imagining each blow she took overrides reality.
Evie arrives and I’m only alert to her presence when I hear her gasp followed by a sob.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I suggest.
