Page 24 of Deep Down
Craig tried to nod his understanding, but everything felt disconnected; he couldn’t tell whether he was making the movements or not. More people moved around him, their shadowy figures more blurry than distinctive until blinding pain focused him as he was bodily moved onto something slightly softer than before. Something covered him, and he heard clicks before a voice was back.
“Craig, we are going to move you to the ambulance now. As soon as you’re settled there, and we’re on our way, I will give you some pain relief. Alright?” The voice paused, causing Craig to try to open his eyes. He managed to open it enough to see a young dark-haired man peering at him, but the halo of light behind him made it difficult for Craig to discern his features. “Ah, there we go. Nice to see you, Craig. Let’s get going, shall we?”
Craig closed his eye and opened it again, hoping to make it clear he understood.
“Right. Let’s move.”
He assumed he was on a gurney from what the guy had said about hospital and ambulances, but the path was not at all smooth, neither was the ascent into the ambulance. But sweet relief was given, and the pain slowly receded.
“Okay, Craig, you should start feeling better now.”
Craig opened his eyes, one not as well as the other, and studied the paramedic.
“Hello. In case you didn’t catch it when we were inside, my name is Casey, and I’ll be keeping an eye on you until we get you into the hands of a doctor at the hospital. Are you able to tell me how you’re feeling?”
His body, although not as painful as before the medication, was stinging in places with the motion of the vehicle. He was able to catalogue some of the injuries. He was cradling his arm, so he slowly moved his fingers to show three—he didn’t want to chance talking because his jaw was tender.
“Ah, three out of ten, I’m guessing. Alright, we can work with that.” Casey rested his hand on Craig’s uninjured shoulder. “You’re in no danger now, Mr Talbot. You’ll be safe at the hospital.”
Craig frowned. Why would he need to be safe?
“Your partner has been taken into custody. You won’t have to deal with him any time soon.” Casey’s words had a slight anger to them, and Craig’s eyes widened.
Darren had been arrested. Why? He’d been angry because Craig had not told him about Alex’s visit, understandably. It was his own fault…or was it? Craig frowned again, closing his eyes to follow his train of thought. Why was Darren angry about that? He thought Craig had been having an affair, that’s why he was angry…but he didn’t let Craig explain. He started hitting him. Why didn’t he let Craig explain? Shouldn’t Darren be happy Alex was checking and making sure he was okay?
Craig’s thoughts went around and around in his head. He remembered the things Alex had told him, things he’d seen on TV when he had watched it, things he’d heard on the radio over the years. Was Darren abusing him? It didn’t seem to fit in with what he knew about abuse, but Alex might have seen something he hadn’t.
“Are you okay, Craig?” Casey asked softly.
Craig shook his head, wincing when pain flared up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Craig unclenched his jaw, waiting for more pain, but a slight ache was all he felt. Slowly, he spoke, his throat aching like he had swallowed glass. “I can’t figure out…why everyone…thinks I’m being…abused.” He licked his lips. “I thought he was overreacting…I don’t know…” He hesitated, not knowing what he was trying to say.
“Craig? Did you ask to be hurt?” Casey leaned into Craig’s eye line.
Craig thought about the question and peered at Casey. “I don’t think so.” He frowned.
“Then it’s abuse.” Casey sounded matter of fact about it.
Craig thought about all the other times it had happened over the five years they had been together. He had begun to need hospital visits recently, but the others were small things like a black eye or bruised ribs.
He felt the ambulance brake, and Casey spoke again, “We’re here. We’ll get you sorted in no time.”
It was all hustle and bustle as Craig was rushed into A&E. The bright lights pierced his retinas, and he closed his eyelids to get some reprieve.
“Okay, what have we got—? Fuck! Craig?” Alex’s voice compelled Craig to open his eyes, and he stared into eyes the colour of the sky.
