Deklan

“Kera? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah.” I glance at her and then stare at the hairs on my arms.

“Last night, you told the EMT that your husband was responsible for them. Do you remember saying that?”

“No.” I narrow my eyes at her. I barely remember anything about the ambulance except for puking on the floor.

“Can you tell me how you got them?”

“It’s nothing,” I say.

“I’d still like to know.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me.”

My shoulders tense as I squeeze my hands into fists.

“Look, it doesn’t fucking matter, okay? Just a little…exuberant sex. I didn’t get them last night.”

“Exuberant?”

“Yeah.” I glare at her. I don’t like the way she’s looking at me as if I’m an idiot. I know what she’s implying. “I’m fine. Deklan’s not hitting me; he’s not like that.”

“I didn’t say that he was.” She leans forward a little. “Why did you bring it up?”

Manipulative bitch.

“Could you tell me what happened last night?”

I shake my head.

“There are a couple of police officers outside. They’d like to talk to you. It might be easier if you and I talk first.”

“No.”

“What do you remember, Kera? Can you describe the men who took you? Tell us how you got to the hospital. Do you remember how long you traveled in the van?”

“I don’t remember! I don’t remember! Just leave me alone!”

“You’re going to have to talk to someone, Kera,” Elizabeth says, pulling me out of my daydreaming. “I can see there’s a lot going on inside your head right now. I hav

e a call in to Dr. Jolly. I understand you have worked with her before.”

I don’t want to see my previous therapist, and I don’t want to talk at all. However, this woman obviously won’t take no for an answer. What I need right now is for her to go away.

“I’d like to wait and talk to her,” I say quietly. “Would that be all right?”

“Of course,” she says. “I’m afraid I can’t speak for the officers outside though.”

She pats me on the hand before standing and heading to the door. I don’t watch her leave. It’s too late. I’ve already retreated. I’m back inside my head.

“If you don’t allow yourself to remember what happened to you, how do you think you will ever begin to heal?” Jennifer Jolly tapped her pen against a legal pad.

“How is remembering going to help with that?” I didn’t look up from my hands. I didn’t want to see her look of disappointment again. “I’m fine. I keep telling you I’m fine.”

“But you aren’t.”