Page 59 of Yellow
“I’m not sure,” she said in a small voice just as there was a knock on the front door.
“Hang on.” I got up to open the door.
A severe-looking policewoman stood outside. “We’ve been informed that there was an assault and that the victim is here.”
“That’s correct.” I pointed to Chloe, who looked up at her with teary eyes and her lips quivering.
The policewoman, a brunette in her mid-thirties with a significant scar across her cheek, empathetically went to squat down in front of Chloe, recognition sparkling in her eyes.
“Hello, miss. My name is Officer Becket. Can you to tell me what happened?”
Chloe’s body shook and she wrapped her arms around her midriff, rocking back and forth.
“Listen,” the woman said and placed a comforting hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “I know you’re scared and I don’t blame you, with what you recently went through. I was on duty that night you were shot.”
Tears were rolling down Chloe’s face but she kept looking into the woman’s eyes. Clearly the policewoman had dealt with many victims in shock, and remained perfectly calm herself.
“You’re going to be okay,” she said slowly.
Chloe nodded again.
“Are you hurt? Should we call an ambulance?”
“No.” Chloe’s answer came firmly. “I don’t want to go back to the hospital.”
“Maybe just for a quick checkup?” she suggested.
“No. I’m fine,” Chloe said dismissively and covered her wrist with her opposite hand.
“Can you tell me what happened outside?”
Chloe drew in a long deep breath and started telling. “I was about to open my door when someone threw something at my back. When I turned to see what was going on I was attacked. It happened so fast and there were so many of them.”
I wanted to jump in and tell the policewoman that there had been five girls but I kept quiet.
“Did they say anything?” she asked.
“They called me bitch.”
“Anything else?”
“I don’t know. I was trying to protect my head.” Chloe paused and dried away tears. “I didn’t see much either because I was hiding my head. It wasn’t like I had a chance to defend myself, it all happened so fast.”
“Why do you think they attacked you?”
Chloe sniffled. “Because of Niko, of course. His fans have always been fanatics – that’s why I secretly call them Nikomaniacs. They’re probably blaming me for his being in jail.
“I see.” The officer frowned. “Did you hear them say Niko’s name?”
“I’m not sure; it’s not really clear to me what was said.”
“Okay, I’m going to step outside and talk to my colleagues. Can you wait here?”
“I want to go upstairs to my apartment,” Chloe said softly.
“What floor are you on?” She looked up.
“The top floor,” Chloe told Officer Beckett and winced when she tried to stand up.
