Chapter 9

Madison Conner.

When I regained consciousness, I heard some beeping sounds coming from the side, which irritated me. I slowly opened my eyes and quickly closed them again because of the brightness.

What? What is that light? Where am I? Am I dead?

I tried opening my eyes again and closing them a few times, but soon I got used to the bright light and reality hit me when I realized I was in a hospital.

No! No! No! They can't possibly know! They can't!

The beeping started getting louder and I jumped when the door opened, my eyes widening when I saw Hailey.

"Madison!" She ran to me and I was even more surprised when she hugged me.

Her arms were so warm that I almost wanted to get closer to her arms, but in the end I broke away.

"Hailey, why am I in the hospital?" She sighed and held my face, and I couldn't pull away.

"We know what happened to you."

I feel my heart beating faster.

"Wha-wha-what?" I tried to free myself from her hand again, but she wouldn't let me.

"No! We won't let you go."

I looked at her in disbelief.

"Madison, we need to know who did this to you so we can help you."

"No!" I turned around in fear.

"No, Hailey! Please don't!" I begged.

"This man will never hurt you again, Madison. You are safe now."

"I'm not safe! Neither are you! He could kill you because of me!" I started to feel suffocated.

A huge pressure built up in my chest, leaving me breathless.

"Hey!" She held my cheeks again and stroked them.

"Breathe with me, Madison. Come on, sweetheart."

I followed her breathing and started breathing somewhat normally.

"Yes, keep at it."

Then I started breathing normally.

"Hailey... you don't understand." She stayed quiet, waiting for me to continue.

"I...I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

"This won't happen."

We looked toward the door and I saw her husband walk into the room.

"You don't have to worry about anything else, Madison. I have my own security, my wife and I are well protected, and we can protect you too."

I looked down at my hands and that's when I realized my arms were in casts.

"Madison." I turned my eyes to him and was slightly surprised to see him beside the bed.

"We just want to help you, you shouldn't have to go through this. Now there are two people who can help you get out of this horrible situation. This person can finally be released, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure he or she gets a life sentence. Let's help you."

I couldn't hold it in anymore and I started crying. He hugged me and I cried, letting out all the pain, all the loneliness, all the fear I felt deep inside. I hugged him tighter and eventually screamed uncontrollably.

"Oh oh why...do I have to suffer so much?" I cried hard. "He...he always blamed me...my mother...she died giving birth to me...I-then he started beating me...told me I killed my mother.. .I-I can't stand it anymore...I can't stand it...He, he won't even let me die."

I felt someone kiss my hair.

"You're safe now, honey. He'll never do anything to you again." He spoke softly, in a tone that calmed my heart.

I turned around awkwardly and looked at Hailey. She walked over to me and wiped my face with a small towel.

"You're safe now, don't try to push me away." I nodded.

"But I have nowhere to go."

She laughed, which I thought was weird. Why is she laughing?

"You're going to move in with us."

My eyes widened.