Free A Different Shade of Violet? by K E Osborn

floor.
    “I need to get you to the hospital. We need to do a rape kit. I can’t stand the thought of them doing that to you,” he says and I watch a tear slowly flow in a single line down his cheek.
    “They didn’t rape me, Hudson, just beat me up a little. They said if I wasn’t a whore they would have torn up my insides. So, for the first time I’m grateful for my line of work,” I mumble into his shirt.
    “Oh, thank God. It was killing me thinking they’d done that to you. It kills me seeing what they have done to you. Wait… but you said where you work. Does that mean you’re back on call?”
    I shake my head and then flinch at the pain. “No, I haven’t slept with anyone since you,” I reply and he closes his eyes and his shoulders slump like he’s relieved. “I miss you so much,” I whisper.
    He swallows hard and opens his eyes looking at me. Our eyes connect and we’re staring at each other like it’s the first time. I can see his eyes watering and mine are doing the same. I feel that energy sparking between us and I know he feels it to from his increased breathing just like mine. I lean into him, feeling the magnetic pull of him. He leans in minutely and then his eyes glaze over and he backs away.
    “I need to get you to the hospital, Vee,” he says and then stands up taking me with him.
    Our moment of connection now over.
     
     

 
    Hudson drove me in my car to the hospital where I’m now sitting in the emergency bay with doctors and nurses checking me over. They’re prodding and poking me in places I didn’t even knew hurt until they pressed there. Stupid fucks!
    “Really is this necessary? Can’t you just tell me I’m fine and let me go home?” I ask and Hudson chuckles.
    “Violet, we need to make sure there’s no internal bleeding or any breaks in your bones and then we can talk about letting you go home,” the stern looking nurse berates.
    “Okay fine,” I reply crossing my arms over my chest while she wipes the dry blood from my face.
    “How is your vision?” she asks.
    Hudson sits up taking more notice.
    “I’m fine, I don’t even need to be here really,” I reply and the nurse chuckles.
    “Well honey, I think the laceration to your leg, that part of your eyebrow that looks like it’s hanging on by a thread and the cuts to your lips beg to differ. These things are all telling you that you do need to be here, especially that eyebrow. I’m going to go and get some things to stitch you up right now.”
    “Holy shit! Does my eyebrow really need stitches?” I ask Hudson and he nods.
    I know it’s hurting, but my stomach and arm hurt more.
    “It’s pretty bad, Vee. You scared the shit out of me,” he admits and takes my hand in his. The surge that flows from his hand when he touches mine makes me flush red hot.
    “Is it hot in here?” I ask starting to fan myself with my free hand.
    “No, do you have a fever?” he asks standing up and resting the back of his hand on my forehead. Which only makes me feel even hotter at his touch. Flaming red hot, actually.
    “Wow, you really are hot,” he says pulling the blanket off me leaving me covered only with a sheet.
    “Thanks,” I joke and he half-smiles.
    “Am I going to scar?” I ask, pointing to my eyebrow.
    He looks at it for a second or two. “I think it probably will, but it won’t be too bad,” he says caressing my cheek. I lean into his hand and he exhales and runs his thumb over my swollen and cut lips.
    “After you’re released from here, I’m going to take you to work so you can make a formal statement, okay?”
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Hudson,” I whisper.
    “To be honest Vee, I don’t care what you think. I’m not letting them get away with what they’ve done to you. If you could see yourself you’d understand,” he says and I nod.
    “Okay, I’ll make a statement, on one condition?”
    He exhales and rolls his eyes. “Okay, hit me with it.”
    “Can I do it tomorrow?