Page 6 of He Will Come for Me

“Yes. The doctor will visit every few days, but Mr. Phoenix hired a nurse to take care of you full time until you’re better.” Picking at the bandages around my wrists, I think about how much thought Phoenix is putting into my care.

Is he going to use me to get to my father? Did he get me before my father could rescue me? Is my father looking for me? Is he worried? Was I kidnapped at the party we went to?

Sighing, I force myself to stop thinking about all the questions riddling my brain. I wish I could remember.Why can’t I remember?

“Miss McKenzie?” I turn my attention back to Clara.

“Sorry. Did you say something?”

“I was saying I’ll be back in a few minutes. Do you think you have the strength to go on a tour of the house?” I stare at her for several seconds before answering.

“I can leave this room?”

She chuckles. “Of course you can. You can even go outside with an escort. You just can’t leave the grounds without someone with you.”

“Maybe another day of rest before that.”

As much as I’d love to go now, I know my limits and I wouldn’t make it just yet. She nods, grabs the tray, and leaves. I suck in a breath and scoot to the edge of the bed. Resting for a few seconds, I drop my feet on the floor and push myself up slowly until I’m standing.

I brace myself on the bed until I’m sure I have my balance, then grip the pole that my IV bag is hooked up to and slowly shuffle to the wall with the curtains. Grabbing one, I push it thinking it will be hard, but it slides easily and I have to catch myself from falling because I put too much of my weight into it.

My breath catches at the view. My room seems to be on the side of the house. There are rolling hills with trees that have colorful leaves. So, it must be fall. I’m pretty sure they held me captive for around six months. The night of the party, which is my most recent memory, was in the spring.

I’m rapidly losing the small burst of energy I had, so I attempt to maneuver the chair Phoenix sat in because I want to face thewindows, but I quickly realize that isn’t happening. So, I lower myself into it and turn awkwardly to look out the window.If only I had a book to curl up with.

I wonder how much land Phoenix has. The gardens below are gorgeous. It has a variety of flowers and I’m pretty sure I see apple trees. When I get my strength back, I’m definitely going to explore if I’m actually allowed to. I know Clara said I could, but I’m still skeptical. Especially about leaving the grounds.Why would he let me do that?

There’s a light knock on the door, so I turn to see who it is. It’s Clara and an older lady in a bright pink nurse’s uniform with her gray hair pulled up into a bun on top of her head.

“Hi, Miss McKenzie. I’m Millie. I’ll be your live-in nurse for a few weeks until we know you’re feeling better.” I offer her a slight wave as she walks toward me.

“Nice to meet you,” I reply.

“It’s good that you’re out of bed. I need you to start moving more. Dr. Chamberland mentioned you have some bed sores. I’ll make sure to keep those treated so they’ll heal nicely, but getting out of bed will help.” She sits her bag on the side table next to the chair and takes out her stethoscope.

“I’m going to do a quick check up, then I’ll unhook your IV so you can take a bath. The needle will need to stay in your arm, though.” I nod slightly as she grabs the blood pressure cuff and puts it on my arm that isn’t hooked up to the IV. She takes my temperature, listens to my heart, and checks my reflexes.

“You seem to be in decent health, all things considered.” She offers me a small smile as she unhooks my IV.

“I’ll go start your bath,” Clara says and hurries into the bathroom. As Millie writes down her notes, I go back to looking out the window. I’m terrible with small talk. I’d rather have a deep conversation with someone or not talk at all. I’m definitely not going to talk to someone about the weather.

When Millie gets done, she packs all her things. “I think in a few weeks you’ll be good as new.”Hardly.I keep my thoughts to myself, though. My body may heal, but I know it’s going to be a long road to healing my mind and emotions.

“Dr. Chamberland says you’re also having drug withdrawal symptoms. How are you feeling today?” I push a strand of hair behind my ear as I consider her question.

“I don’t feel as anxious as I did yesterday. My stomach is still churning and my throat is on fire. My hands are still shaky, but, like I said, it’s not as bad as yesterday. So, we’ll see, I guess.”

She pats my hand and gives me an encouraging smile. “You’ve had a rough go of it. I know this isn’t easy on you.” I scoff and turn my attention back to the view.

“And your employer isn’t making it any better.” Millie stops what she’s doing and turns her eyes to me, but I ignore her. Everyone is acting like me being held prisoner is normal. I don’t understand how they’re all just going along with this.

Millie doesn’t respond. Clara walks back into the bedroom from the bathroom and looks between me and Millie.

“Both of you and Dr. Chamberland act like it’s normal that I was rescued from one prison, only to be put into another one. Granted, this one is a lot nicer than my last one.”

“Miss McKenzie,” Clara says in a placating tone that grates on my nerves. “Mr. Phoenix has his reasons for rescuing you. You’ll have to ask him what they are.” I slam my hand down on the table, causing them to flinch.

“I want to know what’s going on. I deserve to know what’s going on.” A tear escapes from my eye and I bat it away angrily.

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