Page 9 of Patching Over

“You have a familiarity about you, Sprite, but I don’t know why because if we had ever met, I know I wouldn’t have forgotten you,” I whisper, my hand reaching out to stroke hercheek. “You’re an enigma, a puzzle that I look forward to figuring out.”

I double check that the mattress’ heating pad is still switched on, give her one last lingering look then settle myself on my couch, remote in hand as I see what I can find to help settle the noise in my head.

CHAPTER

FIVE

Rayleigh

One week after being found

“It’s time to wake up, sweetheart.”I hear the comforting voice that sang to me last night say. Well, I think it was last night, but I’m not really sure of how much time has passed since I was last. conscious.

“Am I dead?” I wonder out loud, my voice a slight pitch above a whisper.

“No, love, you’re not,”the voice replies.

I’m shocked that I’m able to open my eyes; I recall Enoch’s fists flying toward my face andknowthat both of them were pretty much swollen shut. Listening carefully, I don’t hear sounds to indicate I’m in the hospital. Besides that, the bed is far too comfortable and I’m sure the thick comforter that encases me isn’t something a medical facility would us.

“H-h-hello? Is anyone there?” I rasp out. My throat is dry yet sore, making me wince as the pain travels through me.

Hearing no response, I scan cautiously around the room. The bed I’m in is humongous; not that I’m particularly bigespecially since I haven’t been well-nourished in a very long time. I know I’m probably twenty to thirty pounds underweight because all my bones protrude, from the ones in my wrists to my ribs as well as my hips. I cringe thinking about how awful I must look to someone else. Not that I’m vain by any stretch of the imagination, but still, knowing that I resemble a raggedy scarecrow hurts for some reason.

Carefully, I move to a sitting position, amazed when I’m able to do so with little discomfort. Based on prior experience with my parents, IknowEnoch’s kicks to my torso either cracked or broke several ribs, yet I can breathe without any issues. What on Earth happened to me that I don’t feel as though I was hit by a Mack truck? Better yet, how long was I out that I barely hurt?

“I don’t understand,” I mumble, still looking around to figure out where I ended up. The last thing I remember was snow falling on me as I lay crumpled on the ground. I should be dead. Why am I still alive?

The unending questions pouring through my brain are giving me a headache. Deciding to explore a bit, I ease myself off the bed, smiling when I’m able to stand upright. There are three doors in the room and I’m hoping one is a bathroom because my bladder has realized we’re awake. I see evidence that at some point, I must have had an IV, but it’s no longer in use. The first door I check has jeans, t-shirts, and long-sleeved Henleys hanging up, along with several coats. Several different kinds of helmets are on the shelves above the racks. The second door opens into a bathroom that has me practically drooling in envy. The walls are done in white tile with alternating black inserts, giving it a retro feel like those old timey diners I’ve seen on television. There’s a walk-in shower that’s big enough for four or five people, as well as a huge tub.

It’s been so long since I’ve been totally clean. I wish I was able to use both the shower and the tub, but not knowing whereI’m at keeps me from doing so. I finally spot the toilet which is tucked in the corner complete with its own fan and door. Snickering, I move as quickly as possible and hurriedly take care of business. While washing my hands, I look in the mirror.

Deep purple circles under my sunken eyes have me wincing. I can see a white line near my temple that goes down to my jaw and realize it’s the gash Enoch left on when his ring smashed into my face. “But how is it healed?” I question.

I gaze down at myself and notice several things at once; I’m wearing clothes that are way too big for me, I’m cleaner than I’ve been in a long time, the arm that was obviously broken is totally healed, several gashes and cuts are also no longer evident except for the faint white scars.

“I must still be out of it and dreaming,” I mutter. “There’s no way I’m whole again.” Well, as whole as I can be with the scars as a reminder of my shitty life. In addition to the new ones that Enoch added to my body, I bear the evidence of my parents’ so-called love, although those marks are mostly confined to places that are not easily seen.

Hearing a noise coming from the bedroom, I begin to shake as my heart feels like it’s going to beat its way out of my chest. “You can’t stay in here forever, Rae,” I scold my mirror image. “No matter what or who’s behind that door, it can’t be worse than what you’ve already apparently survived.”

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and come face-to-face with the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

“H-h-hello,” I stammer out, looking up at him. He’s practically a giant compared to me, yet I don’t feel as if I’m in danger. Quitethe opposite, actually. I feel safe, protected, secure for the first time in my life.

He clears his throat a few times then says, “Been worrying that you were never gonna wake up.”

“H-h-how long have I been sleeping?”

“A week,” he replies.

“There’s no way!” I exclaim. “I know one of my arms was broken, and likely a few ribs too. Those don’t heal in a week. Surely, you’re mistaken.”

“Nope. One week ago, I picked you up from the side of the road and brought you back here.”

“Where’s here? I’m definitely not in a hospital.”

“My clubhouse. The Royal Bastards Motorcycle Club,” he states.

I force myself to hide the shiver that wants to take over my body at his words. I’ve heard of his club; they’re known to be ruthless in their dealings so hearing that I’m in their clubhouse has me wondering if I’ve gone from the proverbial frying pan straight into the fire. While I wasn’t allowed out and about as a rule, my parents always told me to stay away from bikers because they did bad things to people. Although I haven’t been around him for very long, I don’t get the impression he does anything like that to folks unless they deserve it.

---