Chapter 12 - Chapter 12

"Well, you look chipper, young lady.""I feel chipper, sir."He studied her chart and then unwrapped the bandage on her head and poked around the wound on top. "It's healing well. How's the headache?""It's better," Caylee said."I'll still send some stronger pain tablets home with you that you can take for the next day or so, and then regular Tylenol should be enough. Now, let's check your shoulder."That bandage came off, and he probed the wound. "This is looking fine. If it starts to get red or inflamed, bring her back in. I'm a little concerned about infection, so we gave her some antibiotics. I'm hoping it's enough.""So, you are sending me home today?" Caylee asked."If you have someone with you, I will. You won't be able to move around very well. Your ankle will hold you. Just be careful and go slow."She looked at Nolan to see him staring out the window with his hands in his pockets and his back to her. Then she glanced at Holly and Jonah and saw the same confusion on their faces."We have an extra bedroom you can sleep in," Jonah said.Nolan turned suddenly. "No, she'll be with me." He didn't sound like he was looking forward to it, and she almost accepted Jonah's invitation, but she decided to wait to see what happened."There are two FBI agents out in the hallway waiting to talk to you," the doctor said."Oh. I should have realized that.""If you don't feel up for it, I'll send them away," Jonah said."No, I'll talk to them," she said. She glanced at Nolan again. He normally would be all protective over her, but he acted like he didn't even want to be there.The doctor patted her on the shoulder. "I'll send them in."Caylee relaxed back against the pillow and could already feel her energy fading.The door opened, and two large men walked in."Hello, we're Agents Sanchez and Richards. We'd like to ask you some questions.""Okay," she said."We'll go ahead and leave but call if you need anything," Jonah said.Holly hugged her, and the two walked out.Caylee turned to Nolan and sighed before she looked at the agents. "I'd like to do this alone.""That's fine." Richards turned to Nolan. "If you'd step out of the room, this won't take long."She kept her eyes down but could feel Nolan's gaze on her."You don't want me here, baby girl?""I think it's best if you're not."She looked up at him, and she couldn't decipher the look on his face."Best for who?" Nolan asked."You.""Then I'd like to stay."She sighed and looked toward the agents. "Go ahead."The agents looked back and forth between the two, and then one of them cleared their throat."Okay, please tell us what happened?" Sanchez said."I walked out into the living room because I thought Nolan was home.""You two live together?" Richards asked."Yes," she said."May I ask what the relationship is?" Richards asked.She looked at Nolan."She's my little."Caylee was surprised he'd said it that way. When she looked toward the men, they seemed confused."Can you explain?" Sanchez asked."She and I have a romantic relationship. I'm the dominant one, and she follows my directions, and I take care of her."Caylee didn't understand the anger in his tone when he said the last thing."That's interesting. You don't find many women who are submissive nowadays.""You'd be surprised how many are out there," Nolan said. "I think they hide their true nature because it goes against what society says, that they should be independent and sexually free. It's called a Big/little relationship. Have you ever heard about it?""I have. I just didn't realize it was prevalent in the Midwest," Richards said."They're everywhere.""Let's get back to the questions," Sanchez said and turned to her. "Please continue, Miss Holmes.""Please call me Caylee."He smiled and nodded. "I'm Raul, and that's Brodie.""The man grabbed me from behind, and I fought him. He hit me in the side of the head." She touched the injury that the doctor had covered up again. "He pulled me to the elevator and continued hitting me. I tried to stall long enough to get us into the elevator when he said he'd shoot Nolan if he came home before they were gone."She didn't look at Nolan. "He talked about the things that would happen to me and that he'd get a piece of me." Now, she did glance at Nolan. "I'm sorry, Daddy. When I found out, I decided I'd rather be dead than have him touch me, so I called him a sick fucker and asked him why his mommy didn't love him."She flinched at the fury on Nolan's face and then watched as he tried to get control of himself."I… I've got to take a minute. I'll be back," Nolan said.She nodded. "I understand." She watched the door close before she looked at the agents."You're a brave girl," Richards said."I just thought it was better for Nolan to know I was dead instead of imagining the things that were happening to me if the man took me away.""It's going to take a while for your man to get over this."She nodded. "I know it's hard for him."Sanchez snorted. "Jesus, you're a sweet one. You're the one in the bed hurting and more worried about your guy.""Because I love him. Isn't that the way it should be?" she asked."I would be the same as you. It's just we don't see a lot of it, and we haven't been able to find a woman like you.""You will. Just don't give up."They asked her a few more questions."We'll leave so you can get some rest. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." Brodie handed over one of his cards.Caylee took it. "Thank you. Be safe."