Page 5

5

Lincoln

I don’t know if I’m more shocked to see Spencer, the ruby-haired beauty who flashed through my life a month ago, or Katy, the fierce, level-headed junior cowering in the corner.

When Axel called me fifteen minutes ago, I didn’t answer because I was working. But when he sent a 9-1-1 text, I immediately called him back.

“What’s wrong?”

“Junior at your school. Katy. I don’t know her last name. Brown hair and eyes. Funny. Didn’t come back to school after lunch. Do you know who I’m talking about?”

“I think so. Let me check the attendance.” I scroll through the attendance on my tablet and see that Katy North was marked absent for sixth period. I know Katy, but that’s not her usual behavior. “Okay, yeah. What’s up?”

“We have a situation.” He sighs, and it’s filled with disgust. “Meet me across the street at the gas station parking lot. She was attacked, Linc.”

“The fuck? I’ll call the station—”

“No.”

“No? Why not? If she was…taken advantage of, we need to report it.”

“Lincoln, this is Webb’s Katy, the little girl that saved him. She called Justin directly. We need to handle this situation with the utmost of care.”

“Fuck.” I rub my hand across my forehead.

“Yeah.”

This is wrong. As a trained police officer, I know what I need to do. Report the incident. But I also know his story, and I know how important Katy is to Justin being alive today.

“Okay. I’ll meet you there and assess the situation. But Axel, I make no promises. I’ll help you because I know Katy and Justin, but if she was raped, we’re taking her to the hospital for a workup.”

“I understand.”

From the front of the high school, I watch the parking lot like a hawk. I don’t want to spook Katy. She called Justin, and Axel is somehow involved. I drive over as soon as I see his truck pull into the gas station.

I recognize Spencer’s braided hair as I approach and see the interaction she has with Axel. She’s tense, but a situation like this would make anyone feel that way. As happy as I am to see her, I’m more grateful a female is here to help.

The first and only time I’d laid eyes on Spencer, she was giving her statement to a fellow police officer after we were held at gunpoint one morning getting coffee. While her striking natural beauty is hard not to reminisce about, seeing her and my stepbrother playing tonsil hockey in the heat of the moment was completely unforgettable. To my knowledge, he hasn’t heard from her since that day, despite giving her his card and an open invitation to his club, Midnight Moonshine.

As Axel and I enter the alleyway, Spencer lifts her hand for us to stop. She’s explaining who we are to Katy and asking if she’s comfortable with us coming closer. I already respected Spencer after realizing who she was. I was her dispatcher for a year while I was in recovery, but hearing her in action, I’m in awe.

She waves us over after getting Katy’s approval, and when I approach, I immediately sit on the ground. I don’t want to stand over her and overwhelm or intimidate her. Axel stands back, waiting to help however he can.

“Hey, Katy. Thank you for letting us help you.” My visual assessment shows scrapes on her hands. She’s wearing a dress and it looks to be ripped down the front. Her chocolate-colored hair looks muted and disheveled, and her face is tear stained, makeup lines running down her cheeks. “Hey Axel, do you have a jacket or hoodie in your truck? Katy could use a little cover-up.” A small smile tilts Katy’s lips as she tightens the fist she’s using to hold her top closed.

“Yeah. Be right back.” His footsteps retreat as I turn my attention back to Katy.

“Are you injured anywhere? Is there anywhere you’re significantly hurt?” Her eyes bob back and forth between Spencer’s and mine before casting down. “Would you feel more comfortable if I left and you could talk to Spencer?”

“No. No, I’m…” She inhales a hiccuping sigh. “Stay. Please.”

Behind me, Axel whispers my name and reaches out with a zip-up jacket.

“Thanks.” I open it in front of Katy, and she leans forward to let me drape it over her shoulders. “I’ll turn my head so Spencer can help you get this the rest of the way on.” I look toward Axel and use my hand as an extra shield while I hear Katy and Spencer shuffling around. The sound of the zipper closing lets me know they are situated.

“Thank you. Um. My hands hurt.” She reveals them to us palm up and we can better see the scrapes and small pieces of gravel and dirt embedded into them.

“Can Spencer clean those for you?” I’m not sure why Spencer is letting me take the lead on this since she’s the experienced paramedic, but unfortunately, Katy isn’t my first sexual assault victim, and maybe Spencer can sense that.

Katy nods at Spencer and shifts her arms closer in her direction. Spencer opens her bag and brings out the necessary supplies.

“Anywhere else?”

She closes her eyes and nods again. “My knees…I was on them when he…” Her words trail off as sobs wrack her body. Every fiber of me wants to console her, but I know I can’t. If she needs comfort, I hope she can find it in Spencer. “I’m a…was…a virgin.” Katy pulls her hands from Spencer and curls into an even smaller ball.

“Katy, you’re safe now.” I hesitantly place my hand on her arm, hoping not to scare her but letting her know I’m here. She throws herself into our arms. With one arm slung over both Spencer and me, Katy sobs and hiccups, and I know if we don’t calm her down, she’s going to hyperventilate.

With a gentle hand, I smooth down her hair, whispering words of encouragement and strength. From my knowledge of Spencer, I know this can’t be comfortable for her.

“Katy, I’d like to take you to the hospital to get checked out. You might feel okay right now, but your body is still running on adrenaline. I want to make sure there isn’t anything more going on. Is that alright with you?” As quickly as she threw herself into our arms she retreats.

“N…n…no.” She stumbles over the word, but when it comes out, it’s firm.

“Katy—”

“No.” There’s no hesitation this time. She’s building a wall and is too vulnerable right now for us to lose her trust. “He said, ‘No hospital. No police.’ H-he had a gun.” A tremor rolls through her body, making her teeth shake. She looks at my uniform, and panic flashes in her eyes.

“Y-your…” She tries to slide further back into the wall, but there’s nowhere to go.

“No. I’m not here as a police officer. Axel and Spencer called me as a friend. I’m here as your friend, Katy. Nothing else.” I extend my hand, offering it to her in comfort. After some hesitation, frightened hand accepts it.

“Katy,” Spencer starts. “We need to get you cleaned up. Can we take you home and clean you up there?” Katy scoffs and looks at Spencer.

“You’ve met her. Nothing has changed. S-she doesn’t care about me. I haven’t even seen her in a few days.”

She? Spencer sees the confused look on my face and mouths, “Mother.”

“She can come back to my house.” A spark of light illuminates Katy’s eyes at Spencer’s offer.

“Are you sure?” This is a big deal. We’re walking the ethical line, but Spencer only makes calculated decisions, and she would know what is acceptable even better than me.

“I’m certain.” There’s confidence in Spencer’s tone, and I’m going to trust her.

“Do you think you can walk?” Katy shakes her head once. “Can I carry you out?” She squeezes my hand in response. Tenderly, I lift her into my arms, bridal style, making sure to keep her modesty in her dress.

Spencer, Axel, and I look at each other in a silent conversation, deciding the best way to get her there.

“I’ll drive,” Spencer offers. I’m grateful because Axel has a pickup truck, and I’d hate to have to lift her into that. However, given her grip on my neck, I’m not sure she’s going to release me to drive us.

“Is that okay with you, Katy?” She nods into my chest, and we walk out of the alley. When we step out of the shadows, Katy buries farther into me, and I shush her soothingly, letting her know I have her and she is safe.

Spencer opens the passenger door for me, but when I try to place Katy in the seat, she whimpers and clings harder.

“Please?” I’m not sure what she’s asking me.

“What do you need, Katy?” Her body shakes in my arms.

“Don’t let go.” Her words are muffled and broken in my chest, but I understand her.

“Okay. I won’t. Do you want me to sit in the back with you?” She nods again. I look at Spencer, and she closes the front door and opens the back for us. I carefully sit and slide into the back seat, making the smallest movements possible. As I settle us in, Katy’s dress lifts slightly, and I see the abrasions covering her shins and knees. This poor child has gone through the unimaginable, and she’s being so strong.

“I’ll be right behind you.” Axel gets in his truck and waits to follow. Spencer gets in the driver’s seat and turns to look at us.

“I’ll be as easy as I can on the road. Lincoln, do you want help with a seatbelt?” Katy stiffens in my arms at the thought of moving.

“We’re okay. Just drive safe.” Spencer gives me a tight smile and starts the car.

The drive to Spencer’s house is quiet and somber. Katy’s body occasionally shakes, and I can’t tell if it’s from her adrenaline or crying. Either way, I don’t let go of her until Spencer shows us to a guest room, and I lay her on the bed. She’s reluctant to release her grip on me, but I sit on the edge of the bed, and she curls into my side.

“Katy, we didn’t meet out there, but I’m Axel, an ED nurse. I’m going to help you. I’d like to clean you up. Can I start with your hands?” She trembles at my side but adjusts her position and extends both hands to Axel.

I’ve been on an handful of rape cases in my career and this is usually where my job shifts to try and obtain as many details as possible, but this is different. I don’t know if it’s because I know Katy or because of her young age. Something is keeping me here, holding her.

Axel cleans her up and bandages a few deeper cuts. He looks at me before speaking gently to her. “Katy, I’d like to take care of your legs. If you’re more comfortable, I can have Spencer do it instead.” Spencer sits in the corner of the room, texting. I would guess she’s letting Justin know how things are going.

“It’s okay.” She shifts again and moves the throw blanket Spencer used to cover her lower half when we sat. There doesn’t seem to be any significant injuries, just more cuts and scrapes like her hands.

Axel takes care of her with gentleness, and I appreciate him more than ever. When I look over at Spencer again, she’s staring at me, but not. I can see the glazed-over look in her eyes. I wonder where she is?