Trapped

The blanket around my shoulders doesn’t provide any comfort. My teeth are chattering like there’s no tomorrow and my insides are frozen to ice. I stare at the wall, my brain barely registering the sounds of the occasional nurse tiptoeing around me. Every time I move, pain throbs through my body, but I’m so used to it by now that I hardly notice. Something hot drips on my skin; I’ve started to cry again.

A hand claps down on my shoulder and I jump, almost falling off the chair.

“I’m sorry, Kelsey, I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Detective Larouge.”

I narrow my eyes to focus on his face. He is an older guy, maybe the age of my father. A badge is stuck to his belt, which signals “friendly,” but my mind still cries caution—he’s a man who can hurt me. Detecting movement behind him, I strain to make out a young woman with a wide, fake smile.

“I know this is difficult for you, but can we ask you a few questions?”

I want to scream at them to leave me alone. “I already told the other officer what happened.”

He gives me a crooked smile. “I know, but we have to go over a few points again.”

I glance around for Mom and Roy in the hopes that they’ll rescue me. They’re still not here. I shake my head to get the fuzziness out of my brain before refocusing on Larouge and the woman.

He lowers himself on the empty cot next to me while she pulls up a chair at a much safer distance. Tucking the blanket closer around me, I try to control my trembling hands. Something is pushing on my chest and I’m having trouble breathing.

“Kelsey, you told the officer at the police department intake desk that two men abducted you?”

I nod.

“And do you know who they were?”

I close my eyes and Jed’s face flashes in front of me. The memory of his cynical laugh as he bends down to force a kiss turns my stomach into a tight knot.

“One of them was Jed Edwards.” My voice is hoarse and no longer recognizable. I sound like a broken robot.

“Are you absolutely sure?”

Stupid question. Jed tormented me every single day for three months and his face is forever burned into my mind.

“Yes, I’m sure. He and my brother were in the same year together. Most kids in school used to pick on him.”

“What about the other one?”

When I remember the night he took my innocence, a sorrowful sob escapes my throat.

“I don’t know.” Tears stream down my face. “I was always blindfolded when I was with him and he never spoke. I have no idea what he looks like.”

The two officers exchange a glance.

“Do you have any idea how old he is?”

I bite down on my lip.

Please, just stop with the questions.

The dull pain in my head pounds so hard that I’m about to lose it. All I want is to go home—hide under my blankets—and not be stuck in this hospital with a bunch of strangers.

“He was very strong with firm muscles.” The words quiver. “I don’t think he was that old.”

“Anything else you remember that could help us to identify him?”

With a sigh, I close my eyes. I just want to forget, but they force me to dip back deep into those horrible memories I try to block out.

“Kelsey? Do you remember anything else? We need you to tell us everything.”

I open my eyes and realize that I’ve been silent for a while. Larouge wants to hear everything. The words are pulled out of me by an invisible force that knows I have to cooperate if I ever want him to leave me alone. “One night, he untied one of my hands and made me jerk him off.” A shudder runs through me, and I choke on the words as bile clogs my throat. “He had a scar, I mean down there, on top of his inner thigh. It wasn’t big, like a small slash.”

“That’s very helpful, Kelsey. You’re doing great.”

I give him a weak smile.

“Now, let’s get back to Jed—”

A scream from the doorway interrupts him. “Kelsey, oh my god.”

I turn toward the voice, the whole room blurred from my tears. “Mom!”

I missed her so much and want to run to her, but my legs are no longer under my control. She squats down next to me and pulls my head against her shoulder. I breathe in her scent; a hint of baking mixed with her perfume. The special scent of home that was gone from my life for three months. I weep, feeling halfway safe for the first time since this whole ordeal started.

“Shh, honey, everything will be alright now. You’re alive, that’s all that matters.” The words are muffled by her tears.

“I’m so sorry, Mom, that I didn’t listen to you.”

“Don’t worry about a thing. No one blames you.” A cry escapes her mouth. “I thought I lost you forever, Kelsey. I love you so much.”

“I want to go home.”

She strokes my hair. “Can I take my daughter home?”

I raise my head and turn to Larouge with pleading eyes.

He can’t even hold my gaze. “I’m sorry, Joan, but there’re still a lot of questions we need to ask her.”

Roy huffs. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow? As you can see, Kelsey is exhausted and in shock. I really want to take her home.”

I manage a small smile. Just as usual, Roy is my hero. Since he and Mom married about ten years ago, he has always been there for me. With his son, Luke, we’re just like a smaller version of the Brady Bunch.

Larouge’s face twists, but then he nods. “I understand. We can postpone the questioning, but I’m afraid that Kelsey has to remain at the hospital until the doctors complete her physical examination. As you know, we have to preserve the evidence.”

Roy takes in a sharp breath. “I presume . . .”

As his words trail off, my mother’s hand clutches over her mouth. All eyes are on me with pity. I must have the word “RAPE” written all over my forehead.

Larouge clears his throat. “We’ll likely make an arrest in the next few hours and need Kelsey to make a positive ID in a lineup.”

Roy nods, his eyes determined. “That won’t be a problem. I will make a few calls to ensure the bastard won’t get out on bail. Who is it?”

“You know I can’t tell you that in an ongoing investigation.” Larouge squirms when my stepdad rolls his eyes.

“Come on, Nick, we’re talking about my family here. Don’t give me this bullshit. We have been friends long enough that you know you can trust me.”

Larouge glances at the lady cop, who takes the hint and excuses herself with some mumbled words under her breath. They wait until the door closes behind her before Larouge speaks again.

“It’s Jed Edwards.”

A frown wrinkles Roy’s forehead. “Isn’t that the kid who lives out there in the woods by the creek?”

“Yes,” Mom jumps in. “His parents died a few years ago and he hasn’t been around much since.”

Roy huffs again. “I always knew that boy was trouble.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kelsey, I’ll make sure he’s locked up for a really long time. He’ll never be able to hurt you again.”

I put all my hope and trust in him in this moment, certain that my tormentors and rapists will go to prison and rot there for eternity. In the end, justice will always prevail—because that’s how it’s supposed to be.