Free Emily by Storm Jk

and she didn ’t want any blood to run because of her.
    Emily pulled away from the men and for the first time in their relationship she lied to them both. ‘I don’t know who did this to me, I didn’t see him.’
    Eric asked softly, ‘Emily were you raped?’
    ‘ No. Applejacks and the cats saved me and then Rumour forced the man outside. I don’t think he’ll be back,’ Emily replied, wishing that the last bit was true.
    ‘ Maybe Applejacks could identify who it was,’ Vladimir suggested.
    Emily could see he was not going to let the matter rest. ‘I already asked him and he doesn’t know.’
    ‘ Sometimes it just takes time to remember the details, did you call the police?’ Vladimir’s was almost undeniable in his intensity and while he was soft with her, he expected straight answers, answer she was not willing to give.
    Eric interjected, ‘Vlad, she’s in shock, let’s get her home.’ Turning to Emily, he asked ‘Have you eaten Em? You look so pale.’
    ‘ I’m not hungry Eric, I’m sick from the bump on my head,’ she replied, relieved at the change of subject.
    The men quickly dressed and Vladimir picked Emily up and carried her back to the farmhouse. They showered separately, one of them staying with Emily at all times. Eric cooked up their usual meal of rare steak while heating up a previously made vegetable soup for Emily. She took a few sips and began to feel better, and by the time she had finished the cup, her stomach was settled and her head hurt less.
    ‘Do you think if you touched Applejacks your head would be healed?’ Vladimir suggested.
    ‘ I’ve tried but that doesn’t seem to help. Vladimir, can you help me shower?’
    Vladimir put a stool in the shower and Emily sat with the warm water running soothingly over her while Vladimir gently soaped her skin. He then dried Emily and helped her put on her favourite pyjamas, they were butter-yellow with small pink flowers. Her headache had been reduced to a dull ache and the events of the night before had begun to fade. The afternoon was quite cold and Vladimir sat Emily down in front of the fire. He decided not to press her for answers, that could wait until tomorrow, Vladimir understood she needed silence. Drifting off to sleep, Emily felt loved.
    * * *
    Waking abruptly, Emily realised that David was in the room checking her pulse. Both Vladimir and Eric had become stern as soon as David had walked into the house and for no reason that David could fathom, a bead of sweat trickled down his back. As he looked into Emily ’s eyes he could see her pleading with him not to say anything.
    ‘ Your head looks good Emily. I’ve written a prescription for a stronger pain relief if you think you need it.’ He handed it to Emily.
    Vladimir interrupted sternly, ‘How can you write a prescription David? You are a vet.’
    Emily shot Vladimir a look begging him to be polite to David, which Vladimir ignored, so she said, ‘David is a qualified doctor as well as a vet.’
    Looking back at David, Vladimir responded, ‘So, how does such a thing come about?’ His challenge to David was unexpected but David understood why. Emily had been hurt and he knew that Vladimir wanted answers – which he would not give.
    ‘ My father insisted that I go to medical school, so I became a doctor and actually ended up in genetics. But when he died I decided to become a vet. It was always my goal.’
    Emily added, with pride in her voice, ‘And he did it in two years, quicker than anyone else,’ she smiled at David then added, ‘Thank you David, I’m so much better now, my head hardly hurts anymore.’
    ‘ I’ll come back tomorrow to see how you are, if you don’t feel better by then I’ll give you a pill that’s for pigs.’ David replied teasingly, returning her smile; she was such a dear friend to him. Emily laughed and the men relaxed at the sound.
    ‘ Whatever you think David, you are the healer and I do feel better.’ He smiled at her and turned