Page 46 of Ruin
“Constant.”
She cringes, sucking in a sharp breath.
“And what about your face, sweetheart?”
She blinks at me, tears dripping down her cheek.
“The Iron Runners were using her as a sex toy. And when she put up a fight, they’d hit her.” Kolton’s words are heavy in the air. A thick, still silence falls over us like an itchy wool blanket.
My eyes fall closed, and I take a slow breath. How does he deal with shit like this all the time? It has to take a toll on him, right? I can deal with the physical shit, the blood and guts and severed limbs, but this shit? This always got to me.
I’m sure people say the same thing about me. I’ve lost plenty of people on the table. They never truly leave you.
“They liked the fact they couldn’t get her pregnant—again,” Kolton adds, and it makes my stomach sick. The vile people in this world…
I push away my disgust with humankind and focus on this girl who needs my help. She will be safe now that she’s with Kolton, that I am sure of.
When I finish listening to her back, I move to her stomach and listen for the baby’s heartbeat. It’s solid and steady. I smile down at her.
“Your baby sounds great.”
“Really?” she asks.
For the first time since I’ve arrived, her face lights up with hope.
“Yes. They have a very strong heart beat. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
She shakes her head, her eyes going sad again.
“Have you been to the doctor at all?” I ask.
“Just theirs.”
I remove the stethoscope and put it back in my bag. “I’m going to feel around a few places. I need you to tell me if anything causes you pain, okay?”
She nods, taking a breath.
I start with her stomach, feeling around for the baby. I’m not a gynecologist, but I’ve dealt with enough pregnant women through my years of working in the ED at Boston Med.
“Your baby feels just fine. In position, but I don’t think they’ll be gracing us with their presence today.”
“Oh, thank God.” She lets out a choked sob and tears pool in the corner of her eyes.
I move to her ribs, pressing around them, careful not to apply too much pressure. Then, I move to her collarbone, under her chin, down her arms and legs. She doesn’t complain once, and when I ask her if anything hurts, she tells me no.
“Help me,” I tell Kolton as I stand.
He comes right over, and together we help this young girl to her feet.
“I think you are just having a panic attack over everything that’s happened. You look healthy, nothing seems to be broken. Your baby sounds and feels good. I don’t think you’re having contractions.” I turn to Kolton. “Do you have a safe place to take her?”
He nods. “But no way to get her there.”
“We’ll take my car.”
“You can take her,” Kolton says, giving me a dead stare.
I stare right back at him in challenge. It’s been a long time since I’ve put my foot down with him. He used to like it. Said it was the only thing that made him feel safe. I’m not sure if he needs to feel safe anymore, but that won’t stop me from pulling out every trick I have to make sure he is.
