Page 43 of Why Not Me?

“Miss Vincent, I’m Doctor Anders. Before we dive into your injuries, I want to let you know that we completed a rape kit, and the results came back negative. As you were unconscious, we gained permission from your emergency contact that we had on file. It was stipulated he could give medical permission to treatment should you be unable. The police were called, and they will want to talk to you at some point.” He pauses and grabs my chart from where he set it on my food tray. “Now, I’m sure you’re feeling quite a bit of pain. You have four fractured ribs, a minor concussion, and several contusions over your body.”

His voice drowns out as I relive what happened to me. I know I should be paying attention to what he’s saying, but all I can hear is that horrible voice taunting in my head.

I sit there, feigning attention, my eyes on the doctor, but replaying each moment. Never once in my life did I think I would be the victim of an attempted rape. I was supposed to be in Landon’s car with him, on our way to go camping. Our town is supposed to be safe. I’ve never heard of anyone being attacked while out. It never crossed my mind to think twice about waiting outside for Landon.

Dr. Anders wraps up his instructions, checks my ribs and my pupils, and leaves the room. The rhythmic beeping of the machinery is the only sound in the room. Glancing around, I spot my purse sitting on a chair pulled up next to my bed. I find my phone, sighing when I discover the battery is dead.

There is a light tap on the door before it inches open, Brendan’s head peeking in. His brow is creased, his hair all over the place. His eyes are bloodshot, almost like he’s been crying or rubbing them. “Oh my God, Allie. When the hospital called me I almost had a heart attack. You never updated your emergency contact, so I called your parents. They’re on their way home, they said they’ll be a few days.”

He comes in the room, Dawn following close behind.

It seems trivial considering what happened, but the first thing I notice is the fact that they’re holding hands. My eyes dart to Dawn and back down to see her pulling her hand away.

She avoids my gaze when I look back up. All of a sudden her weird behavior makes perfect sense. I know Dawn, she’s flooded with guilt, but she shouldn’t be. Brendan and I aren’t together, and I’ve known for a long time that she likes Brendan as more than a friend. It makes me happy to see them happy.

“What did the doctor say?” Dawn’s calm, low voice is soothing, and as much as I love Blake, I’m glad that Dawn is here and not her. She would be bustling around the room, her energy all over the place.

“Ummm, if I’m being honest I kind of tuned him out.” I feel my cheeks flush as they gape at me. Squirming under their scrutiny, I lash out, “I figure I have a good reason to be a little out of it. I was almost raped.”

Dawn’s eyes fill with tears, trembling fingers covering her lips. I instantly feel guilty. It’s not their fault that they want the information and I know I should have listened. This whole situation is overwhelming and all I want is Landon and I can’t even get ahold of him. He’s undoubtedly so worried.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t nice. I’m just tired and scared, and my phone is dead so I can’t even contact Landon and he’s got to be so worried.” I start to cry.

The bed dips as Brendan sits next to me, his arms pulling me into his chest as he hushes me down. Dawn sits on the other side of the bed, rubbing my back.

“I have my charger in the car, I’ll get it so you can charge your phone. Until then, I can call Landon.” Brendan gives me one last squeeze. “I still have his number from when I called about your party. I’ll be right back.”

He disappears into the hall, the door shutting behind him.

I lean into Dawn, feeling better knowing that soon Landon will be here. I can’t imagine the panic he’s in. I don’t say anything as we wait, but I can feel Dawn growing restless.

“Allie, this isn’t how I wanted you to find out . . .” Dawn starts, her voice filled with remorse.

Taking her hand, I smile. “You both look happy, so I’m happy. You two make sense. Let’s not worry about anything else.”

Wincing as she hugs me, I hold back a whimper because we both need the comfort of being held together.

“Hello?” I can hear the panic in my voice. I don’t recognize the number, but at this point I will answer anyone who calls if there is the chance they know where Allie is.

“Hey, Landon. It’s Brendan. I’m at the hospital. Allie was attacked this evening. They called me because I was still listed as her emergency contact from when we came here a couple of years ago. Her phone’s dead, which is why she hasn’t called, but I know she wants you here.” His words come out in a rush, so fast I barely have time to process before he’s done.

He runs through the details, but there isn’t much he can tell me because Allie didn’t know much. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest.

“Thank you for calling me. I know this is awkward, but if you can tell her I’ll be there as soon as possible, I would really appreciate it.” I’m already pulling an illegal u-turn, praying I don’t get pulled over. It feels weird to be getting this info from Brendan, but he’s being surprisingly nice about it. He could easily have ignored the fact I’m not there, he could have ignored the call from the hospital, but he didn’t.

“She’s going to be okay, Landon.” His voice is reassuring, confident. “It’ll take some time, and knowing Allie her world has been rocked on its axis—she’s always been somewhat of an idealist—but I know you’ll be able to help her through this.”

“Thanks, Brendan.” I hang up and press on the gas, speeding as much as I can without drawing attention. The need to get to her is so intense, I’m in pain. I won’t feel better until I’m holding her in my arms.

I arrive to the hospital in under twenty minutes, parking and racing inside. I don’t care if I get a parking ticket, I’m not wasting time grabbing a pass.

I race through the maze of hallways, because why would a hospital be easy to navigate?

“Is she okay?” I finally see Brendan and Dawn, the surprise at seeing her sitting on his lap diminished by the desperate need to see for myself that Allie is okay.

A nurse comes out of her room, leaving the door open a crack. “You have an hour before we need to ask you to leave. We’ve extended Allie’s visiting hours due to the circumstances of her being here.” She gives us all a pointed look before heading back to the nurses’ station.

“We’re going to head out. Allie has my cell charger, let her know we can pick it up tomorrow.” Brendan gives me a small smile as he takes Dawn’s hand.

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