Scars of the Past Read Online Free Page B

pills. “One is an antibiotic for the nasty tears on your back, one is to prevent pregnancy, and the others are to help against sexually transmitted diseases.” She gently pushed me forward so she could examine the bandage on my back. “Keep this as clean as possible. Dry it really well out of the shower, put the ointment on it, and get the bandage back on, okay? And take your antibiotic every day for ten days.”
    “Okay,” I said, tipping the little cup of pills into my mouth before chasing them with water. I put the empty cup down and looked up at the nurse. “Why did I need the one for preventing pregnancy? He, um, wore a condom and I’m on birth control.”
    “Oh, bless your sweet little heart! It’s just an extra precaution. Better safe than sorry, right?”
    I couldn’t argue with her there- I definitely didn’t didn’t want to take any chances.
    My mom had reappeared a few minutes later, a pair of generic hospital scrubs in her arms.
    “I stole these from the laundry area. I figured you might want something different to wear home. I think the detectives kept your pants, too.”
    I stared at the ugly blue scrubs and gratefulness surged through my body. Mom was right; the thought of putting back on the same clothes that he had touched made my stomach sick. I changed quickly into the scrubs, and an orderly knocked at the doorway.
    “Hi Ms. Thomas, I’m Jacob and I’ll be taking you downstairs today.”
    I gave him a confused look, trying to figure out why I would need someone to walk with me downstairs. Understanding dawned on me and I shook my head rapidly.
    “I am not riding in a wheelchair.”
    Jacob the orderly, who had looked friendly when he walked in, now looked annoyed. “It’s hospital policy, ma’am.”
    I shot a pleading glance to my mom, and she gave me a sympathetic look. “Baby, you’re tired. Just get in the wheelchair so we can get you home.”
    I huffed at her and stomped my feet as I walked towards the wheelchair. I sat down, carefully leaning back against it, and crossed my arms across my chest. My mom looked like she was trying not to laugh as I scowled at her.
    “Oh Madelyn, I’m so happy to see that your fiery temper can’t be squashed.”
    I didn’t reply, but the annoyance in me eased a bit at my mom’s words, and I let Jacob the Orderly push me down the hallway.

Chapter Three
    It had been the longest night of my life.
    I woke up in my bedroom and stretched my stiff arms above my head, turning to look at the clock next to my bed. 4:46 pm. As I moved, I jostled the bandage on my back, causing me to suck in a quick breath. Thoughts of the night before invaded my mind and tears immediately pricked my eyes.
    I felt so violated, so disgusted, and worst of all- so ashamed.
    By the time we’d arrived back to the apartment I lived in with Amanda and Sydney, it was already after 11:00 am, and I had just gone straight to bed, hoping to wake and realize it had just been a bad dream.
    Sadly, the reality was still the same after some sleep, so I got out of bed and went into the bathroom Amanda and I shared.
    Sydney Lewis, Amanda Franklin, and I had all decided that we wanted to live together way before high school was over, and so when college rolled around we opted for a three bedroom apartment off campus instead of the dorms. It worked well because we were still close to school, but far enough away it didn’t feel like we lived in a frat house. Splitting the rent three ways was cheap, too, and it made it easy for Amanda and me to live independently and go to school without having to get back breaking jobs too.
    Sydney didn’t have that issue because, even though she hated talking about it, she came from a pretty wealthy family. Her father was the CEO of an insurance company, and spent more time schmoozing people than he did with his family. Sydney’s mom loved the high life, and put a lot of time and effort into keeping her body looking young. Sydney was an only child, and