Emma dozed off on the drive to the hospital, but roused when Kai shook her awake. Another good sign. He assisted her from the cab and handed money to the driver. A harried, impatient-looking nurse whisked Emma away while Kai filled out the required paperwork.
He paced back and forth, uncomfortable in the tight, confined space of the small curtained cubicle. He’d waited over an hour before another nurse wheeled Emma back from the diagnostic imaging department.
She set the brakes then left the room. Emma sat in the wheelchair, quietly twisting the soft cotton of the borrowed shirt in her hands.
“Well? Did they say anything?”
Emma threw the worried cloth to her lap, eyes widened. “Oh, you scared me! I didn’t realize you were still here.” Pink spread over her pale cheeks. “I thought you’d have left by now.”
“Nah, I wasn’t planning on it. At least not until you’re settled safe and sound for the night,” he assured her. “So, did they say how your tests turned out?”
“No, it’s hospital policy. The nurse said I have to wait and talk to the doctor when he comes in.”
“Well, I hope he doesn’t take long. It’ll be morning soon, and I don’t know about you, but I could sure use some sleep.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long night for you, and it’s all my fault.”
“No, it’s not your fault. None of this was your fault,” Kai corrected. “You didn’t ask for any of this, and I’m glad it was me that found you.” It shocked him to realize he meant it. “Who knows what might have happened if it had been someone else?” A gang bang might have been the sole purpose for the attack but then again, maybe not. Human trafficking wasn’t unheard of even in this day and age. He shuddered to think of the horrors she might have faced.
Kai had seen terrible things. Atrocities were still committed every day in every part of the world. Over time he’d learned he couldn’t save everyone. Heaven knew there were times he’d tried. Tonight, he was there for her. That counted for something. What’s with this connection I feel with her? He didn’t usually feel this intense responsibility for victims. Something felt different with her.
The doctor’s sudden appearance broke Kai’s concentration. “Hello, I’m Dr. Herrington.” A Freudian looking doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope draped over his neck held his un-callused hand out to Kai as he introduced himself. Kai ignored the doctor’s proffered hand, and instead crossed his arms over the expanse of his chest and glowered at the man. He didn’t care about niceties and chit chat; he wanted to know what was happening with Emma.
The doctor dropped his hand stepped back. Kai stood at rigid attention beside Emma, booted feet braced, arms crossed. “Well, um…I have some good news. The x-ray and CT showed no evidence of a skull fracture or intracranial bleeding. However, there does seem to be some swelling that is concerning.”
“Swelling?” Kai leaned forward crowding the doctor’s personal space. “Is that why she can’t see?”
The doctor retreated, moving a step closer to the curtained doorway. “Well…It looks like the injury to her head may have caused some increased pressure within the skull.” From the cautious glances Dr. Herrington shot between Kai and Emma, he assumed they were a couple. He shifted his eyes back and forth as he spoke, avoiding eye contact with Kai.
“As I was saying, there doesn’t appear to be internal bleeding, but it looks like the swelling may have put pressure on the optic nerves and interrupted her vision. But as she can still see some light and shadows, I’m hopeful she’ll regain her vision when the swelling reduces.”
“And how long will that take?” Kai asked, not even giving Emma a chance to ask her own questions. Emma let them know enough was enough.
“You know I’m right here! You can talk to me directly.” She turned her face in the direction she believed the doctor to be and leveled a sightless glare.
“I’m sorry. I thought…never mind. As to your question, I’m not sure. It could take days, maybe less, maybe more.” He turned toward Emma. “Right now it’s just a matter of waiting. What you need most is rest and time to heal.”
“So, you think my vision will return?”
“I can’t say for certain that it will return. At this point, we can’t rule out complications. The swelling could get worse before it gets better and choke the optic nerves, cutting off blood circulation. If that happens, it can cause damage to the nerves and worst case scenario may cause complete and permanent blindness.” Emma couldn’t hold back her distressed whimper. Kai moved closer and took her chilled hand into his. He squeezed gently.
“That’s a worst-case scenario. As I said, I’m still hopeful you’ll regain your vision when the swelling goes down. For tonight, you should go home, put some ice on it and get some rest.”
“So you’re not keeping her in the hospital?” They wouldn’t release her if they thought it was more serious. Would they?
The doctor glanced at Kai, then back to Emma. “I don’t think that’s necessary. We’ll give you something for the pain and to help bring the swelling down but other than that, there’s nothing we can do for you here you can’t do at home. With the bed shortage we have here, we’re conservative about admissions.” The doctor patted her arm. “The nurse will give you some handouts on what to watch out for. If you experience any of the symptoms listed, act according to the instructions and if necessary, return to the ER.”
“How am I supposed to read these instructions? I can’t see!” Emma clearly thought the doctor’s suggestion was ridiculous.
“Your friend here looks very capable. The nurse will bring your medication and explain the pamphlet to you. I’m sure your boyfriend here will help. You shouldn’t be alone over the next twenty-four hours at least. In the meantime, use ice to help the swelling come down. The medications I’m prescribing are for pain and inflammation but they will also make you drowsy. You can take Tylenol and as there doesn’t appear to be any bleeding, you can take ibuprofen if needed to help with the pain and swelling but not for at least 6 hours. Other than that get some rest.” The doctor didn’t wait for any further questions. He turned and exited the room.
“Well, that wasn’t as helpful as we hoped.” Kai said. “C’mon, let’s get out of here. We’ll get the papers from the nurse on our way out.” The nurse at the desk gave Kai a little gold envelope of pills along with prescriptions and care handouts. “Here, why don’t you take these before we leave?” Kai handed Emma the packet of pills and filled a paper cup for her at the water fountain.
In the cab, Emma attempted to give her address to the driver but Kai cut her off. “No, we’ll go back to my hotel.” Kai rattled off the address of the hotel, over Emma’s protests.
“Why? You heard the doctor, I just need some rest.” She yawned. “I can do that at home just as well as I can at the hotel, probably better! I know my own home and I won’t be bumping into everything trying to find my way around!”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Ok, we’ll go to your place. But I’m still staying.” Until he checked her place out and felt confident she’d be safe there, he was sticking to her like glue. Emma gave her address to the driver again, then leaned back and closed her eyes. The day had been long, the night even longer. She needed some rest. The early hours of dawn already lightened the sky. Exhaustion drained her face of expression, her eyelids drooped, her mouth relaxed. Within seconds, she drifted off to sleep.
On the silent drive to her apartment, Kai’s thoughts kept returning to the kid with the black eyes. He just didn’t know if the attack had anything to do with what was going on in this city or just another random event. Either way, he wouldn’t leave her unprotected.
Emma slumped over until her head rested on Kai’s shoulder. The horror and excitement of the evening had taken its toll on her. Kai wanted a little distance between them but he wasn’t going to leave her. He couldn’t. He knew she didn’t have anyone else. So for tonight or rather today, he’d have to suck it up and deal.
When they arrived outside Emma’s building, Kai nudged her off his shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered, but she seemed incapable rousing. It was no surprise after all the meds they gave her at the hospital. He gathered her in his arms and slid from the vehicle. Finally she stirred when Kai helped her hook her arm around his neck. “Which apartment is yours?”
“Threeee ohhh twooo,” she answered, still half sleeping.
At least she woke enough to answer him. That had to be a good sign. “Where are your keys?”
“Shhhould be in my puuurse,” Each word dragged out.
Damn it! He’d left her purse behind in that parking garage. He’d barely noticed it. There were more pressing problems at the time, like getting her the hell out of there. But it should have occurred to him to grab her keys and purse. Now the thugs knew who she was and where to find her.
Damn it! How could I have been so careless? “Guess I’m gonna have to pick the lock,” he muttered. “Emma, I gotta put you down for a sec, okay? I need both hands-free to open the door.”
She pressed herself closer, her hands tightened around his neck. She murmured a soft protest. “Naaah don’ wanna. I’m good here.” A shiver slid down his spine as the whispered words tickled his neck and she burrowed into his arms.
Door locked, keys missing. Kai had little choice but to force the door. Later he could repair the damage. Right now he wanted to get her to bed. He knew that sounded all kinds of wrong, but in this instance his motives were pure. She needed rest. He stepped back with the girl still in his arms and slammed his foot against the door handle. The door was sturdy, but the lock was flimsy, and gave without much effort. Even if Emma hadn’t lost her keys, her apartment wasn’t safe. She should have a deadbolt at least. It was a miracle nothing had happened to her before this night.
The apartment was small. There were two doors inside. The first opened into a small bathroom. He tried the other. A linen cabinet. No bedroom, just a shabby old couch, presumably a fold out. He placed her on the sofa and untangled loose arms from his neck. Without his heat to warm her, Emma curled onto her side and tucked her knees up in the fetal position.
Kai found blankets and pillows to tuck around her. Then he stretched out on the floor beside her. He wasn’t going far and there were few spaces large enough for him to fit in the little studio. A good sleep wasn’t likely tonight. Just as well. This city had triggered all sorts of memories in him, things he’d buried deep in the recesses of his subconscious. He was tired and could do without reliving the nightmares. He flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling. Memories flooded his mind anyway.
* * *
The acrid smell of smoke filled his nostrils as he returned to his village. He could see smoke rising above the trees as he approached. Throat tight, he sprinted the rest of the way. Charred poles and ash were all that remained amidst the stubborn flames still burning amid the rubble. The bodies of his clan littered the ground close to their dwellings. The attack had come as a surprise. They didn’t have a chance to get to safety, struck down where they stood. Sightless eyes met his each time he rolled a burned, mutilated body over, searching for loved ones and survivors. There were none. The carnage and destruction devastated him. His family, his people had been murdered. Fury and grief warred as he plotted. The marauders destroyed the last ties to his life. He would hunt them and avenge his people.