Beautifully Broken

I smile as best I can and then shake my head. “I want to go home. Just take it out and leave. Say you didn’t see us.”

“Just so you know,” she huffs, clearly upset with us, “I’m not agreeing with this.” She pulls the needle from my arm, and I wince, making Damian take a step closer to me.

“What are you going to wear?” the nurse asks.

Damian takes the blanket from the bed and wraps it around my hospital gown-clad shoulders.

The nurse is just about to open her mouth again when he yanks his wallet out. He throws money on the bed and then slides his arms under me.

Lifting me to his chest, Damian whispers, “Time to go home, baby.”

Without sparing the stunned nurse another glance, Damian carries me out of the room.

I avoid any eye contact with the people around us and keep my gaze locked on the ink peeking from beneath Damian’s t-shirt.

When we’re out of the hospital, it hits me that I won’t see Annie again. Another wave of sorrow engulfs me, and I bury my face against Damian’s neck.

I’m so tired of losing everything that matters to me.

Chapter 21

DAMIAN

I drive until I feel we’ve put enough distance between us and that town. I find a motel, and when I switch off the engine, I pause for a moment to take in our surroundings.

It’s close to midnight, and the parking area is quiet. There are only four cars.

I hate leaving Cara, but I need to go get us a room. “I’ll be right back.”

She doesn’t answer me, and I quickly get out. I make sure to lock the doors before jogging to the office.

The place is filthy and run down, but it’s the best place to hide. People don’t notice you around motels like this because they’re too busy dealing with their own shit.

The man at reception doesn’t make eye contact as he comes to stand in front of the counter. “What can I do you for?” he mutters, either half drugged or half asleep.

“One room for a night.”

He checks me in and gives me a key. I rush back to the car and quickly take my bag from the trunk. It has the first aid kit in it, and I’ll need it for Cara.

I unlock her door, and when I have it open, I carefully pick her up. Her head falls to my shoulder, and for a moment, I think she’s asleep, but glancing down, I see her eyes are open.

The only life in them is the tears shining in the dim light coming from the dingy motel sign.

I walk to our room and let her body slide down against mine. “Just lean into me while I unlock the door,” I whisper. Her hands are fisted in the blanket, but she leans into me.

At least she’s still with me.

I quickly unlock the door and move us into the room, then immediately lock it behind us. After switching on the light, I carry Cara to the bed, where I gently lay her down.

I close the curtains and, grabbing the first aid kit from my bag, I take a seat on the side of the bed.

Letting out a deep breath.

What a fucking mess.

I have so much cleaning up to do so they won’t find her again.

Rubbing tiredly over my face, I take a moment to close my eyes.

“I keep losing people,” Cara whispers brokenly. “I just keep losing them like they’re a set of keys or a sock.” She sniffles, and I open my eyes to look down at her.

The first time I saved her, she was beaten and out of it, but not even that compares to the haunted look staring back at me.

“Let me clean your wound, and then we’ll get some rest.” I have no false words of comfort to offer her.

We’re back to square one, but this time, I can’t find it in me to mask my feelings from Cara. I want to wrap her in my arms and hide her from this fucked up world.

I reach for the blanket but then pause. “Is it okay if I clean the wound?” I ask, not wanting to upset her any more than she already is.

She only nods.

The previous time I had to clean her wounds, she would look away and stare blankly at some spot on the ceiling or wall, but now her eyes find mine.

“I’ll be quick,” I whisper. I pull the blanket down, then push the hospital gown up until I have a clear view of the bandage.

The hospital underwear doesn’t look comfortable, but I don’t want to push her too hard by having her change into her own clothes.

I open the first aid kit and take out the antiseptic and some wipes. Careful not to hurt Cara, I pull the bandage off and toss it aside. I can feel her eyes on me as I start to clean the area around the wound.