Before I could voice my concerns, Jake spoke again, his voice tinged with urgency. "We need to take care of your injuries first," he said, his gaze unwavering as he met my eyes. "I'll explain everything later, I promise."
I nodded. The urgency of the situation was all too real given the pain and extent of my injuries. With a gentle touch, Jake lifted me into his arms, cradling me against his chest with a tenderness that seemed to take my breath away. Despite the pain that radiated through every fibre of my being, I couldn't help but feel a sense of safety in his embrace—a fleeting moment of solace after the hell I'd just experienced.
As Jake carried me through the threshold of the elevator and onto the third floor, my heart raced with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. The men who greeted us with bowed heads seemed to regard Jake with a mixture of respect and deference; their movements were precise and disciplined. All were dressed like members of the Men in Black, in tuxedos with white undershirts, black shades, and earpieces. Their burly builds hinted at their physical prowess, a silent warning to anyone considering crossing their path. Each step they took resonated with purpose while their serious expressions spoke volumes, conveying a message of unwavering resolve and absolute commitment to their duties.
"Summon a doctor," Jake instructed one of the men with urgency, his voice carrying a note of authority that brooked no argument. The man nodded briskly before hurrying off to carry out his orders, leaving us alone in the sterile confines of the hallway.
With a sense of relief, Jake gently lowered me onto a nearby gurney, which made me realise just how similar the room looked to that of a hospital. Yet another peculiarity that I would be sure to bring up later on. For now, I focused on his touch, as gentle as it was reassuring. The weight of his concern hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgement of the perilous journey that lay ahead.
Soon enough, the door swung open, revealing the figure of a doctor clad in a pristine white lab coat. He moved with purpose, his demeanour calm and collected as he assessed the situation before him.
"Miss Reeves," he said, greeting me with a nod of acknowledgement, his voice soft but authoritative. "I'm Dr. Hernandez. Let's see what we can do to get you patched up."
With a sense of relief, I allowed myself to relax into the sterile embrace of the medical bay, the gentle ministrations of the doctor a welcome respite from all of this.
As Dr. Hernandez guided me to sit nearer the edge of the bed, my legs dangling over the side, I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability wash over me. The sterile surroundings of the medical bay seemed to magnify the severity of my injuries, casting a harsh light on the physical toll that had been exacted on my body.
"Let's see what we're dealing with here," he murmured, his voice a calm reassurance amidst the storm of emotions raging within me.
With a gentle touch, Dr. Hernandez began his examination, his skilled hands moving with precision as he assessed the extent of the damage. I winced as his probing fingers traced the contours of my bruises, each tender spot a painful reminder of the ordeal I had endured.
As he worked, he listed off the injuries he noticed. I felt myself cringe at the sheer number of things he called out to us. "Multiple contusions and abrasions, likely from blunt force trauma," he began, his tone clinical yet compassionate. "A sprained wrist, possibly a hairline fracture. And some minor cuts and lacerations that will need cleaning and dressing."
As Dr. Hernandez continued his work, my mind wandered to the earlier moments when I struggled to stand with Jake's assistance. The memory of my faltering attempts and the pain that shot through my body served as a stark reminder of the physical toll the ordeal had taken on me.
"I tried to stand earlier," I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration. "But it was harder than I thought. Jake had to help me and I still couldn't, despite no damage really being done to my legs."
Dr. Hernandez paused in his examination, his expression thoughtful. "It's not uncommon to experience difficulty standing after such an incident," he explained, his tone gentle. "Your body has been through a trauma, and it takes time for the muscles and joints to recover. We'll need to take it slow and steady."
"Take your time," Dr. Hernandez reassured me, his words a balm to my restless mind. "We'll work on your mobility gradually, and I'll provide exercises to aid in the recovery process. It's essential not to push yourself too hard too soon."
With all of that over, Dr. Hernandez took his leave, while Jake and I were now left swimming in an uncomfortable silence. One that was unlike the usual friendly or even flirty atmosphere we usually had together. Then again, with this situation, it was all too clear why this was the case.
My wrist was encased in a cumbersome cast, arm snugly cradled in a sling, evidence of the recent altercation evident in the patches on my face and the unmistakable bruise colouring my busted lip. As he looked at me with a mixture of guilt and remorse, I felt my heart ache at the defeated aura he was giving off. Even so, I only demanded an explanation for the hell I'd gotten myself into.
"Are you ready to explain what the hell is going on?" I asked, my tone a blend of frustration and concern.
Jake hesitated, his gaze dropping momentarily, before meeting mine once more. "I'd never be ready to explain this to you..." he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Despite his reservations, Jake gently lifted me once again, careful to support my injured frame, and guided me to the top floor, where his office awaited. He settled me gently onto the plush couch in the corner, ensuring my comfort before taking a seat across on a matching, smaller couch.
With his legs apart and his arms resting heavily on his thighs, he hunched over, his posture reflecting the weight of the situation bearing down on him. His expression was one of melancholy, as if burdened by the weight of his actions and the consequences they had wrought.