Somewhere in Between (3 page)

Elliot watched his aunt and best friend walk slowly out of the room with lead in his stomach.

*
LtB
*

Mary had Gemma go with her to her guest bedroom on the first floor. It had a bathroom, and it was closest. After helping Gemma remove Elliot’s jacket, Mary was able to get a better look at what she was dealing with. Gemma knew she looked hideous. A quick glance down her torso in the alley had shown her bruises and blood,
her
blood. But knowing how much she hurt, she didn't want to think about
all
the damage her body had sustained.

"Sweetie, can you tell me what happened?" Mary asked softly, her eyes carefully roaming over Gemma’s still trembling form, cataloguing.

Gemma shook her head hard, biting her lip and then regretting it when she discovered it was split. Blood coated her tongue and it made her gag.

"Well, someone beat you up pretty good. That much I can tell. But you're clothes are ripped too, and you have blood down your legs," Mary observed, noticing Gemma flinch. "Something had to have happened to cause that. Can you tell me how that happened?"

"Nothing happened, I tripped going to the movies," Gemma whimpered. She didn't want to say it; she didn't want to face the truth.

“This doesn’t look like nothing. This doesn’t look like a fall.” Mary tried coaxing.

"Nothing happened because if I don't say it, it isn't real. Please don't let it be real." Sobs escaped. She couldn’t stop them.

Mary closed her eyes briefly, taking in a deep breath. She would have to tread very carefully and pull in all her training. "Let's get you cleaned up first. We'll go from there." For the next forty-five minutes, Mary helped Gemma rinse away the blood on her face, being careful of her new black and blue eyes and split lip. She helped clean away the dirt and rocks imbedded in the skin on her back. Then she helped her remove her tattered clothes, offering her sweats to change into. By the time Gemma was free of the visible mess and redressed in Mary’s clothes, Mary returned to the invisible mess. "I understand you don't want what's happened to be real. I don’t blame you at all for thinking that way. But there are some things I need to talk to you about." Gemma only nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm going to go into nurse-mode now to explain. Okay?”

Gemma nodded. A nearly inaudible “okay” leaving her lips.

"Okay. You've been hurt. And from the little Elliot has told me he stumbled upon, and from what
I
can see, I know some
one
hurt you." At this, Gemma whimpered. "Someone's?" It was hesitant, but Gemma nodded, her eyes squeezed tight, despite the pain that caused. With a nod of her own, Mary continued, "More than one person hurt you. From seeing your injuries, I can see that some of the damage is not only external, but internal as well. I need you to be checked out to make sure you're okay, that they didn't do too much damage. Inside."

"No, I can't. No examination!" Gemma was panicking again. Just the thought of someone touching her there, after tonight, made her skin crawl. "I can't go through that."

"Okay, okay, it's okay. Just take a deep breath. Try to breathe," Mary soothed. "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to, but Gemma, there could be evidence. And at the hospital, they can give you the morning after pill, to prevent pregnancy, as well as check for any STD's that may have been passed on."

At this Gemma started to cry. She'd never even been kissed and suddenly, everything, all those pure, sweet moments she dreamed of, suddenly all of it was taken from her. She didn't want to end up pregnant, not because of this,
especially
not because of this, but also because she was only fifteen after all. And she didn't want to get sick. What if they had AIDS? She started to hyperventilate, tears spilling down her face. Oh, God, what if they had
AIDS
?

"Gemma, breathe, sweetie. I need you to breathe." Mary placed her hands on Gemma’s shoulders, stoking them gently. But Gemma couldn't get her breaths to regulate, no matter how hard she tried. Images of them on top of her, images of her pregnant and dying from AIDS flashed across her mind terrifying her further.

It wasn't that Elliot was listening, it was just that they hadn't traveled far in the house, so when Gemma began to cry, loud body-shaking sobs, he’d heard her. Worse yet, he heard her and couldn't fix everything for her. After listening for several minutes, though, he couldn't take it anymore. Rising from the couch, Elliot rushed toward the guestroom, and pushed open the door. He saw the bathroom door cracked so he hurried toward it.

Just as he reached the door, he heard Gemma speak, her voice disjointed, broken, "Please, no!"

Pushing forward, he nudged his aunt out of the way and pulled Gemma tight against him. He knew the quick action might startle her, but as she clung to him, he knew she needed him in that moment. He could feel her tears drenching his shirt; feel her chest-deep sobs quaking around her whole form. But he held on. "Shh, baby, it's okay. I'm here. I'm right here. It's okay, sweetheart." He ran his fingers through her hair, wincing every time he came across a knot full of dried blood. "What happened?" he asked his aunt just above a whisper.

She shook her head, a sad look on her face. As Gemma continued to cry against his chest, Mary mouthed, "
I'll tell you later."
Elliot nodded and continued to console Gemma.

Thirty minutes later Gemma had stopped crying, her body slackened against Elliot's. He peered down and noticed she was asleep, having cried herself out. As carefully as he could, he lifted Gemma and carried to the bed in the guestroom. The moment she was curled up on the comforter, he took inventory of her. Her face was unnaturally pale, and it was even more apparent by the bruises forming around her eyes. Her soft, full, pink lips were damaged, her bottom lip split. She was wearing a t-shirt so the bruises forming on her arms were prevalent. Thankfully, pants covered her legs so he couldn't see the damage there.

With a heavy sigh, Elliot fell to the floor beside the bed, his head in his hands. Only hours ago he was trying to figure out a way to convince Trisha Scott that he was worthy of her time. Only hours ago, he was pathetically pursuing someone who didn't care two cents about him. Only hours ago, the one person who
did
care was being brutally hurt, and he was being too ridiculous to save her from that hurt.

Moisture splattered against his palms as his heart bled through tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Gemma. I'm so sorry."

"Elliot?" Mary whispered, her hand lightly coming to rest on his shoulder. As soon as his wet, red eyes gazed upon her, she spoke, "Elliot, what happened tonight? Gemma just had a massive breakdown over just the suggestion of seeking help. I need you tell me as much as you know."

He had to take several shaky breaths before his lungs would cooperate to speak. Then his mouth ran dry, the images of Gemma stumbling toward him, her clothes ripped to shreds, her jacket barely covering what the clothes couldn't, and her whole body beaten and bloody. And the images of those three guys congratulating each other, like what they'd just done was the greatest thing ever… he couldn't hold back the agony any longer. Jumping from the bed, Elliot darted into the bathroom and promptly threw up the day’s meals.

Heavy sobs wracked his body. Mary held him just as he had Gemma, letting him release his pain. Once he was able to calm down a little, he pulled away from his aunt, and began his tale.

He told her how stupid he'd been obsessing over Trisha for months and how everyone couldn't stand to be around him because of it. How everyone told him Gemma liked him but since all he talked about was Trisha, she didn't want to be around him either since it probably broke her heart, as Christie put it. He told his aunt about not asking Gemma to go to the Homecoming dance because he was so delusional to think he should try for a chance with the head cheerleader, and didn't think about anything else, so Gemma made up a story about hanging out with Ryan Matthews to keep from being humiliated, to keep from seeing him fall all over himself for someone he didn't even know.

Then he told her how Josh, the quiet one through his stupidity finally said something and it made him realize he'd been a dunce this whole time. And then Ryan had shown with his back on-again girlfriend, not knowing anything about hanging out with Gemma, and Leighanna didn't understand why Ryan was at the dance when he was supposed to be with Gemma at the movies.

Finally he told his aunt about Leighanna not being able to reach Gemma, and the anxiety he felt along his spine that got him moving and heading to the strip mall.

Fresh tears sprang up in his eyes as he began to tell Mary about seeing the three guys, and knowing it was them who hurt Gemma. And then the moment he saw Gemma, stumbling down the alley, he completely broke down again. "I know what they did to her. I know they… I know they r-raped her. She won't say it, but I know that's what they did."

"I know, honey. I know it too," Mary sighed somberly. "But we can't make her say it if she doesn't want to."

"Could I, could I report it? I mean I saw the guys, so could I file a report on them?"

Mary seemed to think for a moment. "I don't think you can. I mean, okay, you saw three men, but you didn't actually see them
do
anything."

"But I saw them walk out of the alley, the one Gemma was in. Shouldn't that count for something?"

"If Gemma goes to the police and files a report, you are a witness to the men who potentially caused her harm, but because you didn't actually see them hurt her, it's just your word against theirs." Mary was sympathetic, but it wasn't what Elliot wanted.

"So, they just get away with it?" he cried in anguish.

"If Gemma doesn't file, then unfortunately, yes."

A look of determination crossed Elliot's features. "Then I'll just convince her she needs to go to the police. I'll make sure she sees a doctor, and files a report."

"You can't do that, Elliot. You can't make her do this if she isn't ready." Mary again reached out to Elliot. "She is in a very fragile place right now, any pushing on your part may make things worse."

"I just can't sit back and do nothing though."

A soft smile graced Mary’s face. "Just be there for her. Put aside 'you' and that unhealthy thinking you had about that girl, and just be there for Gemma. Talk about what she wants to talk about. Do things she wants to do."

"I'm not going to be thinking about Trisha anymore. I can't believe I was so stupid," he lamented heavily. So much wasted time, and for what? Nothing. That was what.

"You're not stupid. You're just sixteen, and a boy at that. One day you may grow out of it. Just look at your dad," Mary smiled weakly, the joke falling flat. "You think he was always this put together? No, before your mom, my brother was a pretty big jackass. But he got his shit together, and became the respected man he is today. One day, you'll lose your teenaged boy ways too."

A whimper escaped from the bedroom, and it made Elliot shudder. The idea of those teenaged ways seemed so far away now. "I think I'm growing out of it now."

"Yeah, I know. And honey, I am so very sorry this was what propelled that." Mary grabbed him and hugged him again before they both got up to go check on Gemma.

CHAPTER THREE

They were coming at her from every direction, and no matter where she turned, they were right there to grab her. She tried to scream, but no sound would come out. Her throat felt constricted, and then her arms felt like they were being held down. She tried kicking but her legs were now being restrained. There was no way out.

"No! Please, let me go!" she cried out, tears pouring from her eyes.

Her shirt ripped, her jacket torn away, as hands began to feel along her torso, touching her chest and yanking away her bra. She was exposed to them but they weren't stopping. Next went her pants. She felt the material pull against her flesh, digging against her hips as they tried to tug them down. Just as she saw one of them come to rest atop her, preparing to destroy her, her eyes flew open.

"Gemma?"

It was Elliot, his voice calling out to her as she broke through the fogginess of her nightmare. Her body trembled, even under the thick comforter, and her teeth chattered. "Elliot? Oh, Elliot!" she cried grabbing him to her in a hug. She needed to feel him, to know he was tangible and that she was okay. Except her heart crashed against her chest with every movement she made, causing pain to flare up, especially between her legs. Tears began to pour from her eyes unyielding, as she realized it hadn't all just been a horrible dream. Those men had really done those things. "Why? Why me?"

He didn't know what to do. He had no answer, and no words to soothe with. All he could do was hold her as she sobbed heartbreakingly into his dress shirt. "I don't know, Gemma. But we'll get through this. Okay? You and me, we'll get through this."

Mary, who had been in the kitchen preparing tea, walked back into the room, and looked at Elliot's helpless expression. "Gemma, sweetie, drink some of this tea. It'll help warm you up and calm your nerves." She handed the steaming cup to her nephew who then helped Gemma sip. The young girl only managed to choke on most of it.

"I want to go home," Gemma cried though that wasn't really the truth. She knew she'd have to explain her injuries to her parents, and her father, the lawyer, would not miss something like this on his daughter. But she wasn't ready for that yet. Still, she wanted to be in her bed, away from the prying eyes of Elliot's aunt. For as nice as she was, Gemma knew what she wanted from her, and she couldn't give it.

"Gemma, I know you do, and I know you don't want to hear this, but you need to see someone." Elliot almost fumbled over the words he'd been rehearsing from the moment Gemma passed out, but he got them out. "We need to make sure you're not…really hurt, you know, and if there's evidence, we need to make sure the cops get it so that they can find these… these guys and put them away."

Gemma tensed instantly, her mind telling her to run, her body trying to curl in on its self. He didn't know what he was asking of her, he couldn't possibly understand what he wanted from her. "I can't. You
know
I can't."

He tried to hold back his frustration because it wasn't directed at her. And he knew there was a way he may be able to convince her. "Gemma, if you don't report them, they could do this to someone else! They could hurt another young girl just like they hurt you. Please, if you won't do it for you, please do it for some other girl. Please do it for... for me." When she still wouldn't even look at him, he knew where he needed to take this. "Think about your dad, “Legal Eagle” Grady is gonna wonder where the black eyes and split lip came from. And you have bruising on your arms too. What are you going to say when he asks what happened? That you fell? No one will believe that. Everyone knows you’re not that clumsy." It was a low blow, he knew, but he needed her to act, no matter what his aunt told him.

"Elliot," Mary whispered, harshly. He was treading on rough water and he knew it, but Gemma needed to do something and not let these assholes get away with what they did to her.

"I know what you're saying, Mary, and I get it. But Gemma, I saw these guys, I
saw
them! I can help get them off the street.
You
can help get them off the street!"

Silence permeated the room for several long minutes. Gemma glanced between Elliot and his aunt, watching the unspoken battle raging between them. She didn't want them fighting over her. "Let me just think about it," she finally said even though she wasn't sure if she would help or run and hide. He was right though, about her father. The lawyer in him would wonder what happened to her and if she lied and said she fell, he definitely wouldn't buy it. She could be clumsy, like anyone, but she wasn’t inept, like her injuries suggested. Maybe she could say she was mugged, and had filed a report so he'd leave her alone? But what if he tried to check it out? Oh, God, what was she supposed to do? What if Elliot was right and they did go after someone else? "I'll think about it. I promise to think about it."

He released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Okay. That's better than no."

"I would really like to shower," she said quietly more to Mary than Elliot.

Mary inhaled sharply. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

Tears formed in her eyes again. She felt so dirty, so tainted and she needed to wash to get away from that. "Please."

"You know what Elliot was talking about, the evidence? If you shower now, it'll wash away. So if you do decide to report, that'll be lost," Mary tried to explain without coming across cruel.

It was in that moment that Gemma felt pushed against the figurative wall. She had no escape. If she took time to think about it, to actually think through this, following Mary’s logic, she would never feel clean again. But if she decided against reporting, she could shower immediately and finally feel somewhat better. Yet Elliot's words rang in her ears. And not just the ones about her father questioning her. What if they hurt someone else? She would feel responsible because she had done nothing to try to stop them.

"Can… I mean, can we go then?" she sobbed. There was no way around this. She was as trapped now as she was when they had her held down. "Can we just go to the hospital and get this over with so I can wash them off of me? Please?"

The air felt like it was knocked out of Elliot's lungs. He did not expect that to come out of her mouth. He'd been bracing for more of a struggle, trying to formulate a way to make Gemma understand better, but she surprised him. He could see it in her eyes, she was absolutely terrified, but he could also see that she was now finally understanding everything he had been trying to say. With a nod, he helped Gemma from the bed, watching as his aunt took Gemma's ripped clothes and placed them into a trash bag to take with them. She would drive separate, she told him.

*LtB*

North Suburban Hospital was quiet when they arrived. It was typically always busy during the day, as it was also in the middle of the night, but there was no one in the waiting room at Emergency. But that still didn’t help the situation. Gemma felt complete trepidation at being so close to home. What if someone came in and saw her? It was Homecoming night, the odds were high one of her classmates was out acting like a fool, getting into trouble and possibly hurt.

That thought only further ignited her terror.

She had some idea as to what to expect from this trip, as she'd seen things like this on television before, and the thought terrified her. They'd ask her questions, they'd examine her-if she let them-and then her name would be in their records as a victim. And not for something stupid like having too much fun at an after the dance party.

She began to hyperventilate just thinking about what was going to happen. She couldn't do this. She couldn't do this at all. Her family would find out. Her friends would probably find out. It was mortifying enough that Elliot knew everything, but to have everyone know? She wanted to throw up suddenly.

"Gemmalyn Grady?" A pretty young nurse, who looked familiar, but couldn't be placed, called her name just as she considered bolting for the door. She didn't even remember registering, though she saw a clipboard in Elliot's left hand. "My name is Heidi. Right this way."

Her hand gripped Elliot's, squeezing it painfully. She wasn't going to let go. He would have to come with her though he didn't think he was allowed. Still, he followed. The nurse, Heidi, just smiled at him, sympathetic, like she understood. Maybe she did, he didn't know. His father never talked about cases like this, though he knew his father was a surgeon and probably didn't work with… well, girls who had gone through what Gemma had. Unless it was absolutely necessary. He was suddenly so thankful it wasn't.

As they reached a private room that connected to the examination suite, the nurse, Heidi gently touched his shoulder. "Why don't we let her get changed and wait out here till she's done?"

Gemma panicked, her grip tightening further on his hand. He couldn't leave her alone. He couldn't leave her to do this because if he did, she would run. At least that was what she wanted. But seeing the room, seeing the table through the door and knowing that she would need to be on it, she then understood. She didn't want him to see her like that again, seeing her skin exposed as she removed Mary’s clothes. It was bad enough as it was with her feelings for him, and she didn't want him to see her like this when he'd just see the disaster all over again.

The door closed behind her as she stepped through, and she fumbled with the t-shirt, pulling it over her head quickly. She glanced down at her generous chest, noticing the scratches, bruising, and slight markings of where teeth had been. A sob caught in her throat, her mind remembering.

"Looky what we got here, boys,"
one of them had said in regards to her breasts.
"Nice plump ones. The kind you just wanna bite."

And then he did. She remembers screaming out until a hand covered her mouth. She was so thankful the bite hadn't broken the skin, for she knew she would never be able to survive that permanent reminder. Placing the gown across her top, she pushed the sweat pants and her underwear down her legs while trying to ignore the red stains that marred them, shaking as her feet pulled free. Moving to sit on the examination table in the loose hospital gown, she pulled the blanket provided tightly around her body.

As they waited, Mary looked to the nurse. "I have her clothes for you, to put with the rest of the evidence." She handed over the bag.

"Thank you. I'll make sure she's well taken care of," Heidi promised them.

"Okay, I'm okay," Gemma barely called out, and seconds later, the young nurse, with Elliot and Mary, walked in.

Elliot immediately walked to Gemma's side, taking her hands in his. He stood beside her as Heidi walked over and began to speak to Gemma. She informed Gemma of what they were going to be doing so there would be no surprises. Gemma's situation was a delicate one, and the last thing anyone wanted was to traumatize her more. She also explained that due to the nature of the incident, confidentiality was key.

All that Nurse Heidi had to say filtered into Elliot's mind faster than it was being spoken and he felt the room start to spin.

"It shouldn't take too long for the exam. But I'll need you both to leave the room once Dr. Lindley arrives and all questions have been asked, so she can take care of Gemma." Heidi smiled reassuringly at Gemma, and it was then that she figured out who the nurse was. This was Ricky Carmichael’s older sister. Another swell of panic rose up in Gemma and she felt sick. Ricky Carmichael was going to find out. He'd know.
Everyone
would know.

"Please don't tell anyone," she begged before she could stop herself.

"What was that, sweetie?" Mary asked.

"You're Ricky's sister. I couldn't tell until just now. Please don't tell him what happened. Please don't tell anyone." The tears were obvious in her voice, as Gemma continued to stare at the young blond nurse.

"Oh honey, I would never do anything like that. No matter what happens, I would never betray your trust. In this room, for as long as is necessary, I am Nurse Heidi. And I don't know who Ricky is. That will just be another random name that means nothing to me or anyone else. Okay?" Heidi held Gemma's attention, until the young girl nodded. "Now, let's get your blood pressure. The doctor will be in shortly."

It was only minutes later that that the young doctor knocked. Stepping into the room, she smiled a weary hello to everyone, but kept her attention firmly on Gemma. "Good evening, Mary. Hi, Gemma. My name is Dr. Lindley, but you can call me Becky."

For the next half hour, Dr. Lindley spoke with Gemma, held the hand Elliot wasn't holding, and instructed Gemma on what she was going to do and how. The young doctor asked questions, took notes, and did a quick examination of Gemma's facial injuries. "You cleaned them well, Mary. Thank you," Dr. Lindley said without turning away from Gemma. "Okay, now comes the hardest part. I will talk to you through the whole examination, okay? I will instruct you of every move I make, everything I'm looking for. I'm going to need you to lie down on the table for me."

"Elliot? Come on, honey. We can't stay for this." Despite the pain in Gemma's eyes, the look that said he was abandoning her, Elliot nodded, released Gemma's hand, and followed his aunt out of the room, and back into the private waiting area.

"I'm sorry," he said to her before the door closed behind him.

He didn't know how much time had passed. It could have been only minutes, maybe hours, but it felt like years were passing. He sat beside Mary, his knees bouncing, his heart racing. He knew so much just from looking at her, while he didn't know the exact details, and didn't think he'd ever be able to hear them without wanting to die or rip apart the bastards. But still, the possibilities were streaming through his mind, making him crazy. And the longer that door remained closed, the worse his mind was running.