Escaping Grace

Andy POV

I stood on the curve, already on my third cigarette as the paramedics dealt with a very stubborn and irrational Leah. She was serious about not going to the hospital, and no one could convince her otherwise. She was sitting in the ambulance now, a blanket wrapped around her as the paramedic doctored her face.
I shifted, taking another long drag. Man, I had never been so afraid for someone else in my life. When I'd heard her over the phone... The fear in her voice, I had left the studio and ran every red light on my way here.
I sighed.
And when I'd gotten here, and I'd seen that bastard hit her, I'd lost it. I glanced down at my busted knuckles. He'd got one good hit in before I'd beaten him to a pulp. The coward had crawled out while I'd been trying to wake Leah.
She hadn't been moving, and there had been so much blood --- I'd nearly had a heart attack. I looked at her again, seeing her aggravated expression as the paramedic spoke.
She had to be one of the sweetest people I'd ever met, and she'd never done anything I'd ever seen to intentionally hurt anyone. I had no idea who that guy had been, but if I ever saw him again I'd kill him.
The cop stepped over to the ambulance, and glanced at me where I stood. He said something amd then headed in my direction.
"I'm Officer Riley," he introduced himself. "Can you tell me what happened to your friend?"
"We were on the phone and I heard the guy break into the apartment," I tossed my cigarette down and put it out with my shoe. "I didn't know what was happening, so I came over immediately. The door was busted down and that guy was hitting her --- so I hit him a few times and he ran off."
The cop scribbled some notes down, his brow furrowed. "Do you know who it was?"
"No. Leah knew him though," I glanced over at her, and she looked like she was about to bite the paramedics head off. The woman was trying to look at her back, but Leah smacked her hand away, and even from here I could tell she told her off. The paramedic patiently sat back down, her hands raised in a placating manner.
"And who is Miss Kabinov to you?" the cop asked, directing my attention back to him.
"We're friends."
"Ahuh. If you saw this guy again, would you know him?"
"Yeah."
"Riley," the male paramedic called, and the cop glanced over. He told me to stay put and then walked to the ambulance.
Well where the fuck did he think I was going to go.? I wasn't going to leave Leah by herself.
God, I ran a hand through my hair. I needed to call Vale and get her over here. Maybe she could deal with her roommate.
"Mr. Biersack," the woman in the ambulance motioned me forward. I hurried over. She stepped out of the ambulance, an annoyed expression on her face.
"Mr. Biersack, your girlfriend still refuses to go to the hospital." she was scowling. "She has some bruises and her forehead is cut up, but she doesn't need stitches. However," she was scribbling on a piece of paper, "if she starts having ANY of these symptoms, you'll need to get her to a hospital in case of a concussion or any internal injuries." She handed me the paper. I glanced down at it, and then shoved it in my pocket.
"How is she?" I asked. "Very irrational, but I believe that was due to her medication and then the sudden stress."
Medication?
"Is there anywhere she can go?"
"Uh," I watched as Leah pressed her hands against her face, "she can come home with me until I get ahold of her roommate."
"Good. She doesn't need to be left alome after a trauma like that. Officer Riley is going to talk to her now, if he can, and I'll give you a list of painkillers and others that will help with the swelling." I nodded and stepped over with her, my eyes on Leah as the cop tried to talk to her.
She just stared at him, as if she would rather disappear then answer his questions. Finally, she started talking, and I felt myself relax slightly. She didn't look ready to throw a fit like she had on the woman.
"Would you like me to help with your hands?" the woman asked me, and I glanced down. "They'll be okay." I shrugged. She frowned, but didn't press. The cop stepped over to us.
"Okay, she's ready to go," he said, slipping his notes in his shirt pocket. "We'll have to talk another time."
"Did she tell you who it was?" I asked.
"Yeah. We have his name and we'll be looking for him," the cop nodded.
"Okay," I glanced over, seeing Leah shrug out of the blanket. She patted her pockets, and then a panicked look splashed across her face. I stepped over to her immediately before she started to freak out again.
"My phone, I need to call Vale," she burst as I neared. "My brother ---."
"I'll call CC, don't worry," I forced my tone to be soothing best I could. "But right now let's get you out of here, okay? We'll go to my place."
Leah nodded, but it didn't look like she was really listening to me. I offered my hand, and she took it as I helped her down. I placed a supporting arm around her shoulders, and started to lead her to my car.
"We'll be in touch," the officer called to me, and I threw my hand up in acknowledgement.
I opened my door and settled her in, and the hurried to the other side. I hadn't even took the keys out of the ignition; I'd just jumped out and ran. I angled the Mustang back into traffic and sped off. Leah didn't say anything, just stared out the window, and it didn't take us long to get back to my apartment.
"Come on," I helped her out and up the stairs, hastily unlocking the front door. I kicked it closed behind me and lead her to my bedroom. I sat her down on the bed, and knelt in front of her.
"Get some sleep," I told her, taking one freezing hand in mine. "I'll be right outside, ok?"
"Okay," her voice was small. I hesitated. "Let's get you in something more comfortable."
I stepped over to my closet and dragged a random shirt out, and then some of my smallest sweats. I stepped over to her, and then helped her stand. I quickly slipped her jeans off and she stepped into my sweats, her eyes already closed. I tugged her shirt over her head, and she winced.
"Sorry," I muttered, and turned her around to unsnap her bra.
My fingers froze on the clasp.
Her hair trailed down her back, and I brushed it slowly over her shoulder. Jagged scars ran across her back, deep and ugly on her smooth skin. They went from her shoulders to below the hemline of my sweats, which were barely able to hang on her hips. They didn't seem to have any order, as if someone had just put them there in a rage. They all looked really old, some faded more then others.
What had happened to her?
I shook myself, and then unsnapped her bra and pulled my shirt over her head. She was already asleep before her head hit the pillow.
I left the room, cutting off the light and leaving the door slighly ajar. I grabbed my phone and called CC. About the fourth call he answered.
"Dude, what ---."
"Is Vale with you?" I interrupted him.
"Vale? Yeah, why?"
"Somethings happened to Leah, I need to talk to her."
The phone changed hands.
"What's wrong with Leah?" Vales anxious voice demanded. "Where is she? What happened?"
I gave a quick rundown.
"ROMOCHKA!?" I pulled the phone away from my ear. "God, did he hurt her?"
I hesitated. "Not too bad. I got there in time, I think. She's at my place asleep right now---."
"I'll be there soon." she hung up.
I frowned, and sat my phone on the counter. I sighed, running an aching hand through my hair. I headed to the bathroom, and glanced up.
I was going to have a black eye, but that was the worse of it. I washed the blood off my hands, and dealt with my knuckles. I looked over as my door came flying open and Vale the Valkyrie stormed into my apartment, looking for blood.
"Where is she?"
"Shh!" I hissed, stepping out of the bathroom. "She's asleep in there."
Vale took off. CC calmly closed the door, and then piled up at my bar. I went over to him, pouring myself the strongest liquor I owned and downing it.
Vale stepped out of my room and sighed. She sat down heavily.
"Oh my God," she muttered, running her hands through her thick mane.
"Who is this guy?" I asked, leaning against the bar.
"Ross was Leahs ex from our hometown. He's a total tool, and was always a piece of shit." Vale shook her head. "He and her mother were in cahoots, and Leah never had a chance. He was always mean to her, but she considered him a fucking angel of mercy. When we all decided to move out here cuz we finally found an agent who would take us, Leah almost didn't come. I still don't know why she changed her mind. He did something to her, I know he did."
I frowned. Her scars? I glanced at CC. I didnt want to say anything about it with him here.
"I can't believe he came out here to find her after two years."
"Maybe he won't come back," CC suggested. "Since the police are involved now. It mightve scared him off."
"I doubt it." Vale frowned. "How bad was it?" she directed to me.
"She has some bruises and a cut up face, but not too bad. She wouldn't go to the hospital."
Vale nodded. "Figures. She has a phobia of them or something."
Well that explained it. I glanced at my bedroom.
"How could anyone want to hurt her?" I wondered out loud. "She's so small."
"Leahs tough, she'll surprise you. I've seen her pull through way worse. She's a survivor."
I had to agree.
"Oh, they said something about her medication," I pulled the wrinkled paper out of my pocket, "and to make sure it didn't react badly with any of these painkillers."
Vale glanced through the list. "It'll be fine."
"What does she have to take, anyway?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"Just stuff for anxiety." Vale folded the paper up.
"Oh, and she said something avout her brother."
"Her brother?" she looked confused, and then something clicked.
"Oh! Danny must be in town. I better call him." she grabbed her phone and stepped outside to make the call.
Me and CC sat in silence for a moment, then he turned to look at me.
"You kicked his ass, right?"
"You better believe it."

Notes