The Enigma Within (Thorn Under Pedals Book 2)

Chapter 5:

Bright light shone through the curtains and slipped through a crack. I groaned, feeling the warmth from the sun. My head was hazy while my body ached all over. It took a moment to flutter my eyes only to be blinded by the light. I turned my body. Immediately pain pierced my system as my legs were still not fully recovered. A whimper left my dry lips and my hands reached to my legs wanting to smooth out the pain.

“What is wrong? Are you okay?” A concerned voice forced my eyes open to see the girl from before shooting out of her seat to lean over me worried.

“M-my legs…” Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I closed my eyes as the waves of pain were not easing. The girl, who I forgot the name of already, pressed a button near me. I only knew that because of the clicking sound of it being pressed down. A few seconds of quiet before we heard the door being opened.

The familiar doctor rushed in. “What’s happened?” He asked quickly, making his way to my bed. Seeing as I was curling my upper body towards my legs he must have understood. The blanket was ripped off the bed making a heaping pile on the tiled floor next to the girl. A scream left my lungs as a burning sensation coursed through me. The doctor yelled for help.

Soon the room was filled with nurses and other doctors along with the girl. The girl was pushed back as I was forced onto my back by several of the staff. My vision was blurry with tears and I felt myself fighting against the hold they had on me. I was thrashing my arms wildly around scratching at skin. Why? Why was this happening to me? I chanted in my head as the pain was not disappearing.

“I need a syringe now!” The doctor yelled above all the faces that were just shadows in front of me. Ringing was blocking out most of the words spoken around me. My muscles felt like they were melting away in my legs. I wanted to ask what was happening. I wanted to plead for help to make the pain stop. All I could do was draw blood and leave bruises on the staff closest to me. It was like I had no control over my body.

Something cold pressed against my forearm. In the split second my skin froze, the cold object dug under my skin being pushed into my bloodstream. Darkness was edging my vision. The sounds of hushed relief filled my ears and someone called out the name I was told was mine. Slowly the pain of being burned at my legs was numb.

Isabella clinched her shirt over her heart in fear. She had been woken up by Cassandra’s whimper. As soon as she had asked what was wrong Cassandra had started to cry. Instinct told her to call for the doctor. Isabella slid down the wall of the hospital room watching as several large male staff members held Cassandra down. Seeing her clawing and fighting against the men Isabella fought the urge to run to her. However, there were too many people surrounding Cassandra to even try. The people at the head of the bed were trying to physically subdue Cassandra enough for one blonde nurse to insert a syringe needle into her forearm.

The staff around her lower body were studying the injuries that she had received when found. Cassandra’s legs were scared from her ankles to her knees with what appeared to be teeth and scratches. There were bruises at her ankles like she had been held firmly by something. Those were not what they were examining. No. There was a mark much like Isabella’s three coins but inside was the number six on Cassandra’s outer bottom right leg. Isabella’s eyes widened at the mark knowing that it was freshly made and that was why Cassandra had been screaming in pain.

Doctor Michell looked from the mark to Isabella. The mark was not present during his exam upon receiving Cassandra into the hospital. Plus the marks did not flow with the injuries. It was more like she had been branded. His eyes narrowed at the girl wanting answers but was not going to do it in front of all these people. Knowing he had to check on Cassandra’s health first he began to give instructions to the nurses present.

Isabella continued to stare at the mark horrified that her deal with a demon had caused Cassandra more pain. Tears streamed down as the feeling of guilt was consuming her for her choices even if reason tried to ease a fraction of the negative emotion. She was in her own whirlwind when she was pulled out by Doctor Michell kneeled in front of her resting a hand to her shoulder. Blinking to see him clearly she whispered, “What?”

“Do you know where that mark came from?” He asked straight to the point.

Isabella scanned the room scared that the others were listening only to see that they were the only ones in the room. A bit of relief filled her. Looking back into his eyes her stomach knotted up. What was she going to say? There was no way a doctor would believe her if she spoke the truth. The man probably thought that she had caused it. That is when an idea struck her. Her one scapegoat if she played her cards right.

“P-please.” Her voice was weak as she begged softly. Just following the idea Isabella reached out to grip his doctor coat in her hands. Looking up at him with all the emotions mixing into her eyes. “Y-you have to help us.”

“Us?” He knitted his brows in confusion.

With shaky hands Isabella lifted her jacket sleeve revealing the mark on her forearm to the doctor. He sucked in a breath once his eyes saw the mark that looked angry and fresh to his eyes. “How did you do this to yourselves?” As far as he knew no one had come by to this area of the hospital besides himself and a couple night nurses. Therefore his thought process assumed that either Isabella had caused the mark on Cassandra or Cassandra herself had. However, he could not understand why either would do such a thing nor how when there was no branding material in the room.

Isabella whimpered, clenching her eyes tightly letting tears fall freely. The image of the demon clearly in her mind's eyes as he sealed the deal before she blacked out. “H-he won’t ever let us go.” She shook her head as her body became cold. “We can’t escape now.”

Doctor Michell could feel the young girls pulse as it beat rapidly in fear and anguish. He did not understand what she was going on about. The girl seemed to be traumatized from what took place. “Who is he?” Isabella shook her head roughly not wishing to speak the name. Once she did there would be no going back from this idea. Yet what other choice did she have when needing to keep the real reason a secret since no one would understand.

“I can’t help you if I don’t know who or what I am dealing with Isabella.” Doctor Michell tried not to let his frustration show. He was doing a poor job at it as he was overworked by doing a double shift from emergencies. This was also a situation that was not in his field. He was a medical doctor who specialized in surgical emergencies, not a counselor or therapist. Which is what both of these girls clearly needed. Doctor Michell promised to call a few of his colleagues that might be able to help them. After he figured out what she was going on about.

“O-our f-father Henasen Johnson.” Isabella stuttered over the name that she had been trying to numb all of her past torment on. The image of her father popped into her mind as his name left her mouth with a terrible taste left at the back of her throat. “He came in and…and…” Isabella felt the common feelings come in waves along with the memories. She tried to push them away but they were stronger than they had been for months.

“He did what?” Doctor Michell tried to soothe her. He had an idea of what she was trying to say and by the way her body began shaking uncontrollable. Doctor Michell could only guess the man was abusive. However, he needed her to say the words not for him to assume or suggest any ideas. This was an important legal step if the girls were to face a court with their father.

“He came in to see my sister. W-we ran away from him as he was…” Isabella swallowed loudly, clenching her eyes closed. Doctor Michell waited patiently for her to break down the wall to continue. “He was abusive. Our father b-beat us. Sometimes I would wake up on the floor covered in my own blood after a beating. I h-have the marks to prove it. He snuck in with a knife. H-he c-carved us saying that we would never escape.”

“I didn’t see anyone enter or exit the room, Isabella.” Doctor Michell was not very convinced by the store. Something just did not add up.

“C-check the window if you don’t believe me!” Isabella cried trying to pull at the doctor's strings.

The prince of chaos chuckled at the scene between the two unknown to them. The girl had been entertaining him especially with Lord Mammon appearing. The pair of girls were very different. The prince loved the despair and ruthless need for revenge that had almost consumed Elizabeth only for her to be left without her memories as Cassandra. Isabella was becoming a treat for him as she continued to fight to protect Cassandra. Wanting to see how the idea in Isabella’s mind played out the Prince of chaos waved his hand allowing his powers to create evidence that was not there for the doctor to find.

Dread flipped her stomach over, making her nauseous. Now she was grasping at straws and knew that there was nothing that could make the doctor believe her lie. Isabella wanted to disappear as the doctor got to his feet and moved to the window. A million outcomes came to her mind of her being sent to jail or worse once the doctor knew she had lied.

“NURSE RONNIE!” Doctor’s Michell’s voice vibrated the whole room as he yelled. Isabella squeaked and shrunk back trying to disappear into the wall. Isabella was afraid even though he wasn’t looking at her. Why wasn’t he looking her way with anger? He was just standing in front of the window with clenched fists. What would he do to her? Isabella wondered as her breath stilled as Nurse Ronnie came into the room.

“Yes Doctor Michell?” She asked a little out of breath from the rush to the room.

“Call the police. I want someone here immediately.” He hissed.

Isabella paled a paper sheet white shade hearing his order. Nurse Ronnie nodded slowly but had to ask. “What should I tell them?”

Doctor Michell turned to the nurse glaring at her. “Tell them there is a crime scene they need to investigate. That my patient was branded by someone who escaped from the window.”

Isabella’s body was tense until the last part. Had she heard him correctly? Isabella and Nurse Ronnie both looked at the window while he was facing them. Isabella’s mouth opened and closed like a goldfish in surprise before she caught herself. There in front of her the window that had been closed was cracked open enough for a body to slip through, a set of bloody fingerprints were smeared as if someone had pulled it open, and a couple strands of hair stuck to the very top corner. All signs of someone entering or escaping through the window.

Nurse Ronnie quickly ran to call the police. Isabella could not believe her eyes when she saw the window. She must be seeing things. Pinching her knee had her wincing and realizing that this wasn’t a dream. Doctor Michell was controlling his breathing at the anger filling him. Pacing back and forth before Isabella he tried to process what he was seeing and the things that still didn’t add up.

At some point Isabella moved back to the chair she had been in while Cassandra looked like she was sleeping peacefully while Doctor Michell was pacing. Both of them are thinking of the window. Isabella was wondering how that got there while Doctor Michell was pondering what to do in this situation.

A knock made Isabella flinch. “There was something we needed to see, Doctor?” A voice that was cold in seriousness with a husky drawl asked into the room. Doctor Michell stopped his pacing finally to address the 5”7’ tall hispanic officer. Isabella took Cassandra’s hand closest to her, praying that her eyes were not seeing things as the Doctor directed the officer and his partner closer to the window.

Silence thickly covered the room as the officers examined the space. After taking a few photos one of them left to the hallway with his phone going to his ear. The officer that had first spoken turned to face them with a heavy sigh.

“Tell me what happened.” He stated with authority to Isabella sensing that she was the reason he had been called.

Isabella took a couple breaths to calm her emotions. As detailed and clear as she could be Isabella twisted the truth. She fabricated her web of lies to the officer and doctor much like she had her confession. The officer stood silently as he listened to her speak. “I woke up feeling cold next to my sister. My mind was hazy from not sleeping well so I didn’t notice that the window had opened or that someone was in the room. N-not until I heard h-his voice. I opened my eyes hoping that my ears were wrong. H-he was standing at the edge of my sister's bed with a carving knife. I must have made a noise when I saw him because the next thing he did was lunge at me.” Isabella lifted her arm with the mark visible since she had not moved it. “H-he branded m-me. I wasn’t s-strong enough. I couldn’t d-do anything.”

Doctor Michell placed a hand gently on her shoulder hoping to comfort the girl a bit. The officer, though gentle, demanded, “Who branded you?”

Isabella looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. Hurt and anger filled her pupils. “My father. He marked me and then he went after my sister marking her too!”

The officer looked to the doctor waiting on his testimony of events. Isabella could not tell what the officer was thinking as he had a poker face making her worried. As Isabella listened to Doctor Michelle's own statement and concerns she was feeling a bit better about her lies. The officer wrote everything down. By the time their statements were finished the second officer came in and took pictures of the marks she and Cassandra now had on their flesh forever.

“Miss Johnson, may we speak outside please?” The officer that was writing the notes down asked Isabella. Isabella glanced at the doctor who nodded for her to go then she looked at Cassandra before standing on weak legs. She was terrified that they would send her away or catch on to her lies. Yet the comforting gesture of the officers with soft smiles and opening the door for her to walk through did not give her the feeling that they knew.

“Isabella!” Isabella’s eyes shot around the room for the voice of Erik coming down the hall. He was rushing through the door with Arthur. Their hair was sticking up as if they just rolled out of bed to run to check on them. Isabella and the officer noticed the pair's pajamas misbuttoned, wrinkled, mismatched slippers, and partly tucked in. Her lip started to quiver seeing the pair. Tears were fighting to get the best of her as her fear gripped her. The officer watched as Isabella threw her arms around Arthur and Erik. He observed her cry to the boys.

“Are you okay?” Arthur asked with concern, resting his hands on either side of her cheeks.

“What happened?” Erik asked, glancing at the officer a few feet away and back.

“C-cassandra got hurt. It’s all my fault!” Isabella could not hold back the crack in her voice as she started to sob. Arthur frowned; he started to pull him to her in an embrace. Rubbing his hand along her back soothingly to calm her sobbing.

“Is Isabella being detained or just giving her statements, Officer Ramierz?” Erik asked protectively. It hadn’t sat well with him that the man was here and his friend was in such distress.

Officer Ramierz lifted an eyebrow at the question. He was curious about the pair that had come rushing in. They appeared to be friends of Isabella Johnson’s that were close to her. He began to think that maybe they could help shed light on this case. The teenager that was questioning him seemed to know at least the basics of law but there was something about him that felt familiar. Something that was picking at his senses but he could not place it.

“Miss Johnson has finished her statements but I do have some more questions so we can build a case if her father is guilty.” Officer Ramierz answered not willing to share more but enough to see their reactions. He took the clench jaw and flare of anger from both gentlemen to mean neither one liked the man in question.

“He was here?” Arthur hissed unconsciously tightening his hold to Isabella protectively. “If he hurt you Isabella I swear I will k-” Isabella pressed her index finger to his lips silencing him. WIth bloodshot eyes Isabella expressed the pain she felt.

“Let the officers handle him, Arthur.” Erik closed his eyes to control his own anger. He had seen the expression Isabella gave to Arthur. He knew that meant the father was involved in this. That the father had done something to not only Isabella but probably Cassandra. The man was of course going to show up at some point to force his daughters back into his control.

“What do you know about him?” Officer Ramierz asked calculating the details he was taking in mentally.

Erik opened his eyes and looked the officer dead in the eyes. “Henasen Johnson has been placed on a restraining order by the court due to Isabella’s safety. My father has the records. My father is Sheriff Oliver McKendy. The man is abusive physically and mentally. Isabella was hiding it well from all of us until a while ago when we witnessed a part of the abuse. If he was involved I will stand in front of the court as a witness on behalf of Isabella.”

“As will I. The man deserves to rot in prison for the harm he has caused Isabella!” Arthur growled.

Isabella was overcome with how much these guys cared for her. Arthur creased her lower back. Isabella melted in his touch. They made her feel protected. They make her feel safe and that no one could hurt her as long as she had either one or both beside her.

“That’s how I recognize you.”Officer Ramierz snapped his fingers pleased to have the puzzle solved. “You’re Erik McKendy. In those records have you boys filled out statements?”

Isabella heard the sighs from both. “No sir. Isabella did not want her abuse written down and asked us not to at the time.” She did not see who spoke as she was resting her face on Arthur’s chest but she knew it was Erik.

“I will need a written record of what you gentlemen have seen. This would help her case while we have a team investigating the matters.” Officer Ramierz stated.

“Investigate?” Isabella felt chills giving her goosebumps as her stomach sank. She pulled a bit away from Arthur to look at the officer.

The officer nodded seeing the fear in her pale face. From what he has heard he took the expression and signs as fear to face her abusive father. In reality it was how her lie could come undone if there was further investigation.

“Why must there be an investigation? Y-you have your evidence in the room.” Isabella’s voice shook.

Arthur tried to comfort her while Erik gave her a sympathetic look. Erik knew the steps these officers would have to take. This was a battle that Isabella would have to fight even if they already had evidence. The man would not go down without a fight. Also the officers though they may personally believe Isabella would need to make sure they gathered all evidence so the correct person was on trial for the crime.