Free Body by Audrey Carlan Page A

The sickening smell of bleach and antiseptic fills the air. A hammer knocks against my forehead. Bam. Bam. Bam
    The pressure above my eye feels like someone hit me with a baseball bat. With shaking fingers, I feel my face. A large bandage covers the tender spot above my eye. My cheek bone is twice its normal size.
    The memory of what happened slams me into the here and now. Oh God. Bile rises in my throat leaving a sour taste. I was robbed. At gunpoint. I had been waiting for the taxi. Opening my eyes, the haze and cloudiness slowly fades. When I get my eyes open and blink rapidly, I’m able to look around. The white room is dimly lit from behind my bed. As I make my visual trek around the room, my gaze settles onto the very pissed off face of one Chase Davis. Anger pumps off his large form in waves, and I start to shake. I’ve seen anger like that in the eyes of another man. I don’t care to ever experience it again. He stands and pulls the blanket over me more tightly, tucking the sides around me. I have to hold my breath, trying desperately not to flinch. Panic rises like a high tide at sundown. “How did I get here?” I croak, voice thickened by drugs. He grabs the pink plastic water cup sitting on the side table and brings the straw to my lips. I sip. Pure heaven. He sets down the cup and takes a seat next to the bed, arms crossed defensively.
    “You were mugged. The taxi driver found you and called 911.” Chase’s eyes narrow, and he holds his chin tight, teeth clenched. The man is really upset.
    The evening’s events come back to me. Tears well and I grip the blanket tightly. “You could have been killed, Gillian.” His voice is horrified, perhaps even emotional. “You were accosted, roughed up, and left in a very tough neighborhood. I am so angry with you.” 
    Tears slide down my cheeks, and he wipes them away with both of his thumbs. His touch is so light against my skin I can barely feel it.
    “Why are you here?”
    He winces at my question.
    “The nurses searched your clothing. My business card was in the pocket of your blazer with your cell phone. My call was the last you received.” He gets up and paces the small space like a caged animal. “You have no idea what it was like being told that you had been attacked,” He takes a harrowed breath and shoves his fingers though his hair roughly. “Then, I come to the hospital and see you like…like this! You could have died!” His gaze holds mine with a questioning look. I have no answer.
    “I’m sorry you had to leave Tatiana for me.” I grumble and look away. I wish he’d just leave.
    He grips my chin and lightly tugs it back so he can look me in the eyes. “Tatiana means nothing to me. You on the other hand…” He sighs heavily and slumps back into the chair next to me. He’s too far away to reach.
    “Tell me…” I urge, desperate to find out what he was going to say.
    The nurse walks in, destroying the moment. “Welcome to the world of the living, Mrs. Davis.” I’m certain the look on my face is one of complete confusion. Chase leans forward and clasps my hand. It’s warm and comforting. I latch on to his lifeline as it if will disappear at any moment.
    “When can I take my wife home?” Maybe that blow to the head was worse than I thought?
    “Once the doctor looks her over, checks the stitches, and gives you the okay. Then you can take her home.” She smiles at Chase, but he’s staring at me. “You gave this man quite a scare, young lady.” The nurse gestures to Chase. He shrugs and looks away. “You should have seen the way he burst into the ER, roaring, demanding access to you immediately. Like he was a real life Superman.” She clucks her tongue and the image makes me snicker a little. He is a real life Superman. Chase squeezes my hand and the nurse leaves.
    “Your wife?” I ask.
    “They asked if I was next of kin. I told them we were married.”
    “I thought you never lied. That dishonesty was weakness?” I