Page 2 of Saved By Two

“Squeeze my hand if you can’t speak.”

A warm, calloused palm gently takes my hand, and I listen to his instruction, using his coaxing voice as a guide. I give it a slight squeeze.

“Fuck, we need to call an ambulance or get her to the hospital.”

My heart begins to accelerate at the thought, and I tremble, my entire body shaking uncontrollably. Fuck, is this shock? Am I going into shock?

“No, please,” I rasp between my chattering teeth. “Not safe.”

The sounds of murmurs breeze above me. Full-blown panic sets in again, unable to decide between flight or fight—in this moment, I know I have neither. I wonder if I ever did.

I make a poor attempt at trying to get him to release me, but my body feels weighted and entirely out of my control.

And then Caleb’s moving as he holds me bridal style.

“Sssh, I’m just taking you to the guest bedroom, okay?”

The metallic smell dulls slightly as a masculine scent overrides it. For reasons I cannot even fathom, it makes me feel safe, makes it a little easier to breathe. I’m gently shifted out of those arms and onto fresh, crisp linen and a soft mattress, causing me to groan.

“Mitchell said he can be here in twenty.”

The bed dips next to me. I feel the brush of fingertips against my temple, my hair matted to my face.

“Jessica, can you hear me?”

I force my good eye open and wait until Caleb comes into focus.

His eyes are dark as he takes in my face, his jaw chiselled like an ice sculpture.

“Who the fuck hurt you?” His question makes me tense, my breathing more erratic, wishing I could disappear.

Noah leans over and whispers something to Caleb. I watch as he grinds his jaw, his nostrils flaring. He inhales deeply and lets it out before taking my hand and speaking again.

“Sorry, Jessica, can you tell us what happened?” His voice is softer now but is still underlined with an unreleased fury.

Licking my cracked lips, I wince as the cut opens again, the wet taste of copper coating my tongue.

“I just need somewhere to stay for a couple of days.” My voice is hoarse. I try to swallow to clear my throat, but it feels so raw.

Noah pats Caleb on the shoulder. “I’ll go grab a bottle of water. Let us give her a minute,” he says, and I close my eye, working on my breathing. Every single breath is becoming more of an effort now.

Caleb rubs his thumb in small circles over the back of my hand. I have no idea whether he’s doing it subconsciously or intentionally, but I do know that slight touch is comforting.

I jerk awake, or back to reality, when Noah asks me if I’m thirsty.

I nod slightly, and Caleb reaches over and helps me sit up. I bite the inside of my cheek against the sharp pain. Noah holds the bottle to my mouth, and I manage a few small sips, the cool water like heaven. But I’m too afraid to drink anymore because it might make a re-appearance.

“T-thank you,” I say, my teeth chattering, and I shiver. So bloody cold.

Noah glances at Caleb and then back to me.

“We need to get you out of those wet clothes.”

I know he’s right, so I give myself a moment and then try to push myself up and groan at the pain shooting up my wrist and arm. It's as though my senses are coming back to me. Everything is hypersensitive, and now I’m feeling everywhere he hurt me, everywhere his anger touched me and caused me pain.

“Here, let's just get the hoodie off you for now,” Caleb says, and between him and Noah, they ever so carefully extract it from my body. They decide to leave my t-shirt and help me into an oversized sweater. It feels so soft, like cashmere, and smells expensive. I should feel bad for soiling their clothes and bed, but I’m too damn grateful to be out from the cold and wearing something dry.

I’m lulled into darkness again, drifting, being dragged under, when I hear voices, more than two, and the sound of footfalls pulls me back, there’s a stranger staring down at me. I attempt to scoot back, but Noah stops me, his hand on my shoulder, gaining my attention.

---