Page 78 of Alessia
“Three weeks,” she says softly. “You’ve been unconscious for three weeks.”
My eyes widen, and my breathing quickens. “Three weeks?”
“Harper, breathe. Look at me,” Alessia says, her hands moving to cradle mine.
“I’ve been here the whole time. You’re okay now. We’ll take it one step at a time. Just breathe.”
My gaze locks onto Alessia’s, my chest rising and falling as I try to calm myself. Alessia’s steady presence, the warmth of her hands, and the depth of her eyes are like anchors pulling me back from the edge of panic.
“You stayed?” My voice cracks.
“Of course I stayed,” Alessia says, her voice breaking with emotion. “I’m not going anywhere, Tesoro.”
Tears well in my eyes, a mix of gratitude and fear. I feel weak, disoriented, but not alone. I squeeze Alessia’s hand as tightly as I can manage. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
“Thank you,” my voice trembling.
Alessia shakes her head, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“You don’t have to thank me. Just focus on getting better. I’ll be here, waiting.”
The room falls quiet again, save for the steady beeping of the monitor and the soft sound of our breathing. Alessia doesn’t leave her spot next to me, her thumb brushing gentle circles over my hand, a silent promise in her touch. My eyelids grow heavy again, but this time, as I drift back to sleep, it is with the comfort of knowing I am safe.
The next morning, I wake up with the scent of coffee filling my senses. GOD, I’ve missed coffee. Alessia is sitting on her chair next to me, cup in hand and another on the table beside my bed.
“Hi,” I clear my throat, “Is that one for me?”
“Good morning gorgeous, yes, it is.” Alessia gets the remote to raise my back and hands me the cup.
I take a sip and it’s like black heaven on my tastebuds. We sit in silence as we both drink our coffee.
“Do you want to take a shower?” Alessia asks, “I can help you.”
“I don’t want you to help me. Sorry, that came out harsher than I intended. It’s just…”
“It’s just what?”
“I don’t think I’m ready to be naked in front of anyone right now…” My voice so soft I don’t even know if she heard me. Alessia’s eyes darken with anger and I sink back in my pillows.
I know I’m broken; I’m damaged goods. I don’t want her to see my used and tortured body. I haven’t seen it in weeks but I can only guess that my body is littered with scars. And that’s only the half of it. My soul might never recover from this. Ever since I woke up, I feel hollow and dark inside. Yes, I love seeing Alessia and being alive and all, but it feels like something inside me is missing. Like it bled out of me on that marble floor, unable to be a piece of me again.
I lift my covers and swing one leg over the side of the bed. Alessia stands to help me up and supports me to the bathroom. She lowers me onto the shower stool and her eyes dart over me. I can see the pain and anger in her eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You can wait outside. I’ll call you if I need help, besides there’s an emergency bell here.” I point at the red string that’s strung throughout the bathroom.
“Okay… There are clothes in the cubicle for you.”
Alessia bends down to kiss me on top of my head and then she leaves me.
I strip away the hospital gown and stand to look in the mirror. My body is covered in scars, some are thin, others are thick ridges across my stomach and chest. I stare at myself for a long time, not able to comprehend what they did to me because I wasn’t conscious when it happened. Tears land on the ravaged skin. I wipe them away and step into the shower. I turn on the water and let it take those same tears down the drain.
I listen to the steady clatter of the water and close my eyes. Images flash before me of Anna and I’m sucked back into the memory of finding her.
“ANNA!” I scream at the top of my lungs. I’m not able to shut out the memory. I scream again and again and don’t even notice that Alessia comes in the bathroom. I scream and claw at her.
“Harper, I’m here. Snap out of it. I’m here, you’re save.” I hear somewhere in the distance.
