Michael sat at Elizabeth's bedside, anxiously waiting for her to wake up.

How could this have happened? I was just with her less than 24 hours ago.

Michael blamed himself for her current state. He just wanted her to be okay, and to ruin the sick fucks who would do this to any human being. The doctor broke the confidentiality rule when Michael demanded to know what was going on with her. He told him she'd been raped and beaten, had a fractured bone in her ankle, several broken ribs and a torn ligament. They found the DNA of four different individuals inside and on her body.

-

Elizabeth woke up twelve hours after being hospitalized. She stirred and tried to sit up in bed, confused about where she was or how she got there. She instantly worried about things like where her belongings were or if someone stole what little money she had to her name. She began to panic, her heart rate increasing, and a nurse rushed in.

"Hey, hey, hi, Elizabeth. I'm nurse Janie, I'm glad you're awake, but you need to lay down and remain calm." She said, coming over to change out Elizabeth's IV bag.

"How did I get here?" She asked, looking around the room.

"You were brought in by a friend of yours. He went to go grab some lunch, he'll be back soon, okay? In the meantime, I'm notifying your doctor and letting him know you're awake."

"Friend? Who is he? How long have I been asleep?" Elizabeth feared Jimmy had brought her in just so she wouldn't die and he wouldn't catch another case.

"You've been asleep for roughly twelve hours, darling. And your friend, Michael Jackson."

Elizabeth sighed in relief, but her face contorted in confusion. She didn't know how he found her or why he'd bother to help her.

"I'm really thirsty." Elizabeth said, licking her dry, cracked lips.

"I'll get you a cup of ice chips. You can't have any water until the doctor takes another look at you and decides if you need any surgeries or anything to that extent."

Elizabeth nodded and searched for her purse, her cellphone, anything. The door opened a few moments after the nurse left, and Michael walked in with a sandwich and chips, dropping them onto the table and rushing over to her.

"Oh my god, you're awake!" Michael nearly shouted.

"Michael, how did you find me and why did you bring me here? I don't have insurance."

"Well, Lola," He said, emphasizing the fact that she gave him a fake name, "I know that you know I can handle that part of this situation. I was on my way to the airport when my driver nearly ran you over. You were in the middle of the street in the pouring rain."

Vivid memories of Jimmy and his friends beating and raping her as she tried to escape them flashed through her mind. They took turns holding her down and violating her, punching and kicking her as she screamed and begged them to stop.

She nodded, closing her eyes tightly.

"Listen, I'll take you away from here. I'll keep you safe, but I need to know who did this to you."

She didn't want to say anything, but she felt that she could trust Michael.

"My boyfriend, Jimmy. Jimmy Kelsing. I don't remember who all the guys he... had do those things to me were. It was awful, they were all so awful." Elizabeth said, her voice cracking as her eyes welled up with tears.

"Hey, I'm here now. I'm going to help you get back on your feet, Elizabeth." Michael said, stroking her hair.

She hated being called Elizabeth. It reminded her of her family, but she liked hearing Michael say it. It sounded personal and loving coming from him.

There was a knock at the door, followed by a doctor entering the room. He was tall with salt and pepper hair, a neatly groomed goatee, and a kind smile. He couldn't have been anymore than 55 years old. Michael stood up and took a seat against the wall across the room.

"Hello, Elizabeth. I'm doctor Mateo Azucar." He said, walking over with a chart in his hand.

Elizabeth weakly smiled and looked at Michael.

"Is this your boyfriend or husband?" The doctor asked her.

"Um, just a really good friend."

"Would you like him to take a seat out in the waiting room?"

Elizabeth nervously looked at Michael and the doctor and decided it would be okay for him to stay, assuming she would have to repeat all the details to him later.

"No, it's fine. He's here to help me."

"Alright. So, you slept for about twelve hours since you arrived, we found traces of other people's DNA in your body and your... internal injuries indicate sexual assault. Does that sound right to you?"

She nodded, looking down. She was so scared of the possibilities of things that could result from the things they did to her. She could have contracted an STD, or become pregnant by one of them.

"Do you think you can recount any of the things that happened to you? How much do you remember?"

"I umm... remember everything that happened.  My boyfriend violently sexually assaulted me, then his friends joined in. After they left, I tried to pull myself together; I packed a bag, took all the money I had, and I was going to fly across the state to go to my parents' house. The last thing I remember is being in a taxi."

"Miss Grant, I cant even begin to tell you how sorry I am about what you just went through. We've got the DNA samples being tested, and with your help, we can get the people who did this to you."

"I only know of my boyfriend being one of the men who did it. Jimmy Kelsing. I was so dizzy and everything was so blurry by the time the others... began to do things too."

"Okay, I appreciate your cooperation. You have a couple of broken ribs, a torn ligament in your right knee, and a fractured ankle. The lacerations on your face, back, and arms will heal without scarring. You have a busted lip, a black eye, and your cervix has taken severe damage."

Elizabeth could feel her heart pounding, her entire body ached despite the pain medication she was given. Knowing she was severely injured was one thing, but hearing it all shook her to her core. She didn't think Jimmy would ever take it that far.

The doctor told her that if she wasn't having trouble breathing or any unusual discomfort, she would be okay to relax for a while until the police showed up to fill out a report.

After he left, Michael went back over to sit next to her.

"You're going to be okay, Elizabeth. I'm so glad you're alive." He said softly.

"I'm so lucky you found me. I don't know if I'd even be alive if you hadn't." She said, putting her face in her hands.