"Where is she?"

"Bedroom."

"Lincoln!"  Melody chimed, sprinting from her spot to launch into his arms.

His arms tightened around the girl, relieved she wasn't injured.  "Hi, sweetie.  You're OK?"

She nodded as he released her.  "Mommy hid me in the closet."

"She called me then 9-1-1," Kyle reported, eyeing the officers who were dusting for prints.

"Mr. Flores?"  A male officer called, approaching him.  Melody went back to her movie and ice cream.

Lincoln turned and offered his hand, "Yes, Sir."

"We've been waiting for you because Brooke won't talk to anyone.  She's holed up in her bedroom."

"Did you try sending in a female officer?"

"We've been trying to get one but our department doesn't have anyone available.  We need to get her account of what happened."

"I'll uh...see what I can do," He mumbled.  "She needs to get to the hospital for...tests."

"We'll be waiting here."

Slowly proceeding down the dim hallway toward the unlit bedroom, Lincoln's gut twisted with fear.  Fear that this would push Brooke ten steps back in her healing process.  Nevertheless, Lincoln already knew he would stay at her side.

"Brooke?"  He called softly, knocking on her partially opened bedroom door with his knuckles.  "It's me baby."

"I'm...over here," Her faint voice called. 

Inhaling through his nose, Lincoln ignored the utter brokenness in her voice and proceeded into the dark room toward the closet where he heard the speaking.

She was leaning in the corner, knees up to her chest and wrapped in a blanket.  Brooke stared off passed Lincoln, eyes glazed over, lips set in a pout, cheek surely stained with tears.  He flicked on the lamp casting just enough of a golden glow to find exactly where she sat huddled in the corner.

"K-Kyle carried me in here," Brooke's hoarse voice, so painfully soft explained.  "I didn't want Melody...to see me this way."

Shoulders slumped, lips turned into a forced smile, Lincoln cautiously closed their distance and knelt before her.  Now in the light he could see the fresh finger shaped bruises, the dried blood from a cut on her head and bright red rug burn on her cheek.

"It's OK," Lincoln cooed, scooting closer to her.  "Melody is with Kyle eating ice cream and watching a movie.  There are police officers here, too.  They want to talk to you about what happen-"

"I don't want to talk to them without you!" She panicked, eyes wide high on alert.  "That's what I told him!"

"OK, ok, baby," He soothed, reaching out tentatively to touch her knee unsure how much contact she wanted from anyone so soon after the incident.

Suddenly her lower lip began to quiver, eyes glistening with an onslaught of tears.  "Why haven't you held me?"

Dorian's cruel words that Lincoln wouldn't want her anymore rang through her ears deafeningly.

Arms outstretched, Lincoln fought back tears as well.  "I didn't know-"

"Please," she begged.

"Ok, come here,"  sitting back with his body leaning against the edge of the bed, Lincoln took Brooke into his arms holding her like a child.  Cheek pressed to his chest, the tears flowed freely down her cheeks.  "It's ok...you're safe now..."

After a few minutes of private silence, a soft knock sounded from the door.

"Brooke?"  A female voice called.  "It's Leena.  I'll take Melody to my house.  We have a bag already packed."

She nodded, but Lincoln voiced the answer, "OK, thank you Leena."  Their mutual friend nodded sadly then left.

Silenced reigned again until another knock, more firmly this time.  "Ms. Johnson?"  Lincoln shot the officer a glare that was pointedly ignored as he entered Brooke's bedroom.  "We uh...need to get your statement."

Curling into Lincoln's chest more, his arms tightened around her.  "She's not ready."

"I have to be," She countered on a whisper, teary eyes looking up at him.  "So they can catch him."

"And they will," A warm hand cupped her cheek.  "We need to take you to the hospital for..."

"A rape kit, I know.  After giving them the account."

Carefully Brooke rose, standing on shaky legs as she winced from the soreness.  Chin high, she wrapped the blanket around her tighter and sat on the edge of her bed. 

Through tears and therapeutic breathing, Brooke recounted every horrific moment.  Lincoln's arm stayed firmly around her waist offering silent support.  The officer wrote down each event, lips pressed into a thin line and cheeks reddening as she went on.  He was furious for her that this happened.  When she was finished, the officer snapped his notebook shut.

"I will type all this up into a formal report assuming you want to press charges?"  Brooke nodded.  "The warrant will be issued soon.  I'll send a copy to your attorney."

"Thank you," Lincoln offered, holding out his hand to shake.  When they were alone, he pressed a kiss to Brooke's temple.  "You were so brave to recount that."

Eyes down, Brooke twisted the corner of her blanket.  "I won't let him break me again...I won't."

"We're gonna get him, baby."

****

"You brought a change of clothes Ms. Johnson?"

"Yes," Brooke nodded, handing over the brown paper bag with her clothes worn during the incident.

"Excellent," The sexual assault nurse smiled.  "Did you report the crime?"

"Yes."

"This process could take up to four hours so it is good you have a support person with you.  It will consist of several steps..."

The nurse droned on but Brooke fought to listen.  Her mouth moved, but mumbled words hit her ears.  Another nurse came in and bandaged Brooke's forehead from hitting the coffee table, questions about medications and her health history while photographs were taken of her bruises to add to the accumulating evidence.

"When was your last consensual sexual encounter?"

That question snapped Brooke back to the present.  "Um..."  her cheeks reddened, fingers squeezing tighter around Lincoln's.  "Two weeks?"

"Mhmm,"  She hummed, writing the answer.  "Did the perpetrator penetrate?"  Tears fought to fall but Brooke fought harder.  She nodded.  "Oral, anal, vaginal or more than one?"

"Vag-"  her voice croaked.  "Vaginal."

"Next will be the full body examination.  Where else did the perpetrator cause injury?"

Again, Brooke retold her account knowing it was important so they could check for any other injuries.  She gave a urine sample, blood sample and consented to a mouth swab.  The worst part was the vaginal exam to collect DNA samples.  Lincoln stroked her forehead gently, whispering how brave she was in between soft kisses during the exam.

"I am required to inform you about your options for STI prevention."

Tuning her out again, Lincoln listening intently, a hand rubbing large circles on Brooke's back.

"Thank you Ms. Johnson,"  The woman smiled.  "You are very brave and strong for coming forward.  The samples will be tested and results sent to your attorney and the police.  You're all set and can get dressed."

Slowly, mechanically Brooke changed out of the papery hospital gown and into the sweater and leggings she brought along with them.  New tears silently fell down her cheeks as her hands trembled maneuvering her clothes.  Lincoln took the leggings, slipping them on one foot then the other guiding them up to her knees and allowing Brooke to do the rest after she stood from the chair.  Under normal circumstances, these gestures of care and nurturing would warm Brooke's heart, a gentle reminder of why she fell for this man.  Instead, she felt nothing.

The blank expression on her usually expressive face weighed heavily on Lincoln.  He also couldn't help but feel partially responsible since he brought her to the hospital and made her repeat the events, yet again.  As an attorney, he knew that in this situation it was for the best.

"Brooke, baby," He cooed, gently rubbing her arms now that her sweater was on.  "I'm so sorry for putting you through this."  Shimmering hazel orbs usually dancing with joy and confidence flicked shyly up to meet his own.  "You were so brave.  The evidence they collected will add so much to your defense."

"Can you not be a lawyer right now?"  Brooke spat, brows dipped in anger.  "That's not what I need right now!  I don't need the all dominating Mr. Flores.  I need my boyfriend, Lincoln!"

Exhaling from his nose, he forced himself to remember she had been through a trauma.  "I'm sorry, baby.  I was trying to compliment you."

Now the tears fell anew.  "No," Brooke sobbed.  "I'm sorry."

"Let's get you home."

****

"OK, here are you pj's," Lincoln announced smiling warmly as he entered the bathroom.

Brooke lifted her head up groggily from the perch on her knees hugged to her chest.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, baby."  Lincoln held up the fluffy towel as Brooke stood on shaky legs allowing him to wrap her in the warm towel.  Two strong arms engulf her, pulling Brooke to his chest while hands rubbed her body over the towel to collected the drops of water.  "Do you feel any better?"

Brooke nodded, eyes closed as she fought off tears again.  "A little. Everything hurts still, though."

"I'll get you ibuprofen for that."  Again, Brooke nodded as Lincoln held up the pajama shirt for her.  Once it was on, pants were next.

Silently taking her hand in his, Lincoln led Brooke to her bedroom, pulled the blankets back and let her lay down before covering her up again.  He only left for a brief few moments, but came back to hear her soft sobs.

With a soft nudge on her arm, he signaled the water and medicine was ready.  Brooke turned, took both then downed the pills and water before laying back down with an exhausted exhale.

Lincoln scooted under the covers, pressing his front tentatively to her back when she stiffened but eventually relaxed in his arms.

"Brooke, baby," He summoned, placing soft kisses on her shoulder. She burrowed deeper into the blankets.  "You're safe now.  Please..."  His voice cracked.  "Please don't cry."

"I can't help it," She sniffled.  "I'm...I'm scared."

"He's not going to hurt you again."

"That's not was I'm scared of," Brooke scoffed.  "It...wasn't much different from normal sex with him."

That made Lincoln's arms tighten around her more, his stomach clenching.  "Then tell me what are you scared of?"

She curled into herself more, speaking into the pillow.  "I'm scared you won't want me anymore."

Exhaling heavily from his nose, eyes squeezed shut, Lincoln pressed his forehead on the center of her back.  "That will never happen.  I promise you, Brooke."

More sobs tore from Brooke's body.  "He s-said you wouldn't..."

"Wait...Look at me, Brooke," Lincoln demanded softly, guiding Brooke to roll over to face him.  "H-he...said that to you?"

Brooke nodded, tears filling her hazel depths.

"Oh baby," Lincoln sighed, tightening his hold around her then tucking her under his chin.  "He is so wrong."

"He is?" She sniffled, fingers curling around the cotton shirt.

"Yes, Brooke."  Kissing the top of her head, his lips lingered there for a moment.  "He's angry and terrified because now you're not alone.  He fits the typical abuser profile and is trying his same old dirty tricks to isolate you.  It's not going to work.  I'm not leaving you and you are stronger than that now.  You always have been, he just buried it under his cruelty."

Silence filled the space for several heartbeats until Brooke sniffled sleepily,  "I love you."

"I love you, too," He murmured, pressing his lips to her forehead but she was already asleep.

She not alone and neither are you! ❤️

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!
❤️