Page 93 of Sole Survivor

“Well, officers Poke and Wild. Our engagement is new.”

“I didn’t know if I was ever going to get my memories back, so I had to find a way to live my life without them. And Valen became a big part of my new life. He was one of the few people who knew me before I lost my memory and stuck by me.”

Officer Poke clears his throat, clearly looking uncomfortable. I look away from them and cup Rue’s face.

“Tell me what happened, baby.” My thumb skims over the cut on her cheek. I grit my teeth but keep my shit together.

“We need your statement, Miss Anderson,” Officer Wild reminds her.

“I want him to stay.” She grabs my hand and holds it in her lap.

“I’m not sure—” Poke starts, but I glare at them.

“Please,” she whispers as she starts shaking.

I curse. “Fuck this.” I kick off my shoes and climb onto the bed beside her, tucking her against my chest. I glare at the officers, daring them to say something.

“Miss Anderson.” Wild steps closer.

“It’s Rue. And umm… do you have a female officer I could talk to?”

“I’m not sure you—” Poke taps his partner on the shoulder, clearly understanding Rue’s implication. His eyes shine with sympathy.

“Officer Dean is in the waiting room. I’ll ask her to come in.”

“Thank you.”

He heads out, leaving his partner behind.

I look down at Rue, a firestorm brewing inside me. “Tell me what to do. I need to help somehow.”

“You’re already doing it,” she whispers.

“Are you in any pain?”

“I’m okay,” she says softly. A knock sounds at the door, and a female police officer enters.

“Hey, Officer Poke said you wanted to talk to me.” She looks at Rue without judgment.

Rue nods, holding my hand tight.

“Would you like to talk to me alone?” she asks.

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I don’t want to have to keep reliving it.”

“Okay. Do you mind if I record you while Officer Wild takes notes?”

“That’s fine.”

“Okay, good.”

I watch as Officer Dean pulls out a recorder and turns it on, explaining who is in the room. When she says my full name, I know she’s been briefed by Poke.

“Alright, Miss Anderson. Start from the beginning.”

“It’s Rue, and I’m not sure where the beginning even is anymore.”

“How about you just start anywhere you like, and I’ll ask questions if I need to?”

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