Damaged

Jessica's POV:  I haven’t had a good day or a good week or a good month. Things just happened and there’s nothing you can do about it right? Wrong. Nothing prepared me for what had happened two weeks ago. I’m still reeling from what happened with all the chaos.             The weirdest thing is that my mom had made plans for me to live with a friend of hers. Though they have a challenge on there hands. Because of this incident that happened I have lost my ability to speak. My words and my voice are locked up unable to escape.            The doctors say it’s because I’ve sustained mental trauma. Well I can understand because most of my family is gone. My aunt and my cousin are still alive, but everybody else is gone. I haven’t heard from my aunt in three weeks. I don’t think I’ll be hearing from her any time soon.          I’m sitting at the bus station waiting for the social worker to come back with our tickets. We will be bus hopping because we are headed to Michigan. My name is Jessica Dulaney and I’m fifteen years old.          My new guardians were going to pick me up in Vermont, but I was not ready for that, so an agreement was made that someone will accompany me by bus because I’m terrified of planes. I will make my way to Chicago where my guardians will pick me up. I met one of the guys that came with my guardians, but I haven’t met my guardians.           My mom trusted these people with me so I trust her decision on this matter. I’m just extremely nervous because I haven’t met them.           My social worker Karen Buschine. I could tell she was single. She held her red, curly hair that was so thick it looked like the hair tie would break. Then her green eyes and freckles stuck out. She had her own beauty, and I liked the color of her hair and eyes.            We boarded the bus going I don’t know where. It was the longest ride and I tried to sleep through it, but it’s not like I could sleep. I stared out the window watching the scenery wiz by me. We hopped a couple of buses.           By midnight we were on a main road heading toward Chicago. I watched as the darkness engulf the forest I see. Moonlight won’t even shine through the trees.          Then I saw it. The long black hair flowing in the darkness. Daniel's POV:                “Daniel, I just got a call today from Jefferey,” I looked at David.          “What did he say?” I asked David.            “She’s gone Daniel. Delilah has passed away. Delilah’s sister has disappeared with her child and nobody knows where she went. Jefferey told me that Jessica is now all alone,” I looked at him shocked as hell.         “He also told me something else. Jessica lost her voice. She can’t speak. According to the doctors it’s psychological.” Baffled I just stood there staring wide eyed at David.           We were in my room, but he thinks just because we are twins does not mean we should just walk into each other. But telling me this just made things hurtful knowing Delilah is gone.           She was such a wonderful friend to us. Even though we rarely saw her, but when we did she was always telling us about what’s going on about her lovely daughter Jessica.           Delilah would always describe her daughter as a happy child. Always smiling no matter what she went through.           Now I think Jessica cannot even smile. I don’t know if we will ever see her smile. But not only that she is all alone. No one to be there for her.         “In a few days Jeremy and I will go to Vermont for the transfer of guardianship. So, you’ll be in charge until I get back,” he mumbled the last part.             “Why you and not me?” I asked.          “Remember Delilah asked if we both would care for her. But we only need one guardian. She wanted me to sign the papers, but also one of us needs to stay here to keep things running. We also have to be here to train these kids and make sure they get their missions. Leave this to me.” He gave me this look. I sighed in defeat.        “Okay, but just remember that you wanted to be the legal guardian. I guess I’ll have to be the one to be there for her.” I said knowing David’s schedule. Being the youngest brother and having to handle this and being more responsible than me. I’m the first born, so he has it rougher than me. Mostly because I’m still not as mature as him. He likes to make sure I know this.          My brother and I have our differences even though we are part of triplets, but we call ourselves twins since our brother decided to do the unthinkable. He turned evil and left us. He killed our whole family except us. He also set the family mansion on fire. It’s been a long time. I would say about 100 years. I can’t believe it’s been that long.          We would see D’Angelo from time to time trying to beat us, but usually around this time he would come and try to fight us. What in the world could that man be doing. I’ve been waiting so I can beat him and then get him before the council to answer his crimes.          Now we will have Jessica and I’m afraid she might be pulled into this fight as well. Jessica's POV:         The bus was airborne like it was flying. The passengers were still sleeping, my eyes became wide as the roof was ripped off the bus. Then the bus dropped sideways onto the ground. We had flown over the guard rail and landed straight onto the ground at the bottom of the slope on the right side which we were driving on.        I get dizzy and started to get up, but I touch the side of my face. I felt some warm liquid flowing down my face. I pulled it back seeing red. I started to shake, but I tried not to cry and go crazy because I needed to check on the passengers and go for help.        I got up ignoring dizziness. I looked at Karen and already knew she was gone. Some passengers had spilled out of the bus onto the ground.          Everybody was fine just the driver and Karen were dead. I looked up the hill and took a breath. It was kind of steep but I climbed and climbed until I reached the guardrail. It was a cool summer night and breeze just came through and it chilled me to the bone.        I grasped the guardrail pulling myself up and stepped over it. My shoes crunched on the glass. Thank god I left my phone in my pocket. I froze because I forgot I couldn't speak a word. How am I gonna get help. Then I remember something else.         I pulled his number up and managed to text Jeremy. He gave me his number after his visit. Jeremy's POV:          My phone pinged and I looked at my phone. Jessica is actually calling me. Unfortunately I’m working a double tonight. I sighed. It’s going to be a long night.       I opened it and became so shocked at what she was telling me.        Jeremy, this is Jessica and I wanted to ask you what I should do. I can’t speak a word, but there is an accident here. The bus went off road. Excluding two passengers the others were sleeping but now they are unconscious. I’m scared and need help too.       Sweat started to pour down my face. My green eyes wide from fear of what Jessica might do, but I can’t do a thing. Not one thing for her.      Jessica hang in there I’m going to get the right people to you just hang on. I texted her. I went through my contacts finding the number I was looking for. David's POV:         “David, we’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry up,” Daniel yelled.           “I’ll be down as soon as I can,” I yell back. Daniel had begged me to let him come with me. I sighed. He can be so persistent about this. He really wants to be the one she first sees.         Why does he have to be such a child at times. We are way too old to be acting like children. Especially in our line of work. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Sometimes he just gets on my nerves. That’s why I constantly hang out in his room to bug him.         I grabbed my phone and ran down two floors to get to the hallway. Daniel stood there leaning against the wall. He looked distant as if he were thinking about something worrisome. I didn’t get him at times.       “Ready.” I stated plainly.       “Took you long enough.”        “Sorry I forgot to sign some paperwork and wanted to get it done before we leave,” I said as we walked out into the cool night. I brought an extra sweatshirt just in case someone needs it.           I got into the drivers side and started the car and buckled up. Daniel got in the passenger getting settled in as well. And we drove away. Daniel's POV:          “David, we’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry up,” Daniel yelled.           “I’ll be down as soon as I can,” I yell back. Daniel had begged me to let him come with me. I sighed. He can be so persistent about this. He really wants to be the one she first sees.         Why does he have to be such a child at times. We are way too old to be acting like children. Especially in our line of work. I pinched the bridge of my nose. Sometimes he just gets on my nerves. That’s why I constantly hang out in his room to bug him.         I grabbed my phone and ran down two floors to get to the hallway. Daniel stood there leaning against the wall. He looked distant as if he were thinking about something worrisome. I didn’t get him at times.       “Ready.” I stated plainly.       “Took you long enough.”        “Sorry I forgot to sign some paperwork and wanted to get it done before we leave,” I said as we walked out into the cool night. I brought an extra sweatshirt just in case someone needs it.           I got into the drivers side and started the car and buckled up. Daniel got in the passenger getting settled in as well. And we drove away.           We were two towns over when my cell phone started ringing.         “Who the hell would be calling you at this time of night?” David asked I looked at my phone with a puzzled look plastered to my face.          “It’s Jeremy,” I said and answered my phone. “What’s up?” I asked playfully.           “Jessica’s in trouble,” his concern reached me. My eyes went wide and my body went rigid.         “What’s going on?” I asked and David made a quick peek over at me.         “She texted me saying the bus got into an accident. Unfortunately, because she can’t speak she can’t call 9-1-1 and because she doesn’t know her location there is no way someone could get to her in time,” he seemed really worried. It made me extremely worried now.        “Okay thank you for calling me, bye.” I hung up and I took a few deep breaths.         “We have to find Jessica,” I said and explained to David what Jeremy told me. Jessica's POV:   I was trying not to cry pacing the road. I felt really cold. I have to stay here or people won’t be able to find me. I looked down the hill and saw some of the unconscious start to rouse from their slumber. Some started to freak out when they noticed what happened. I wish I could ease them. But I won’t be able to convey it the right way.       I went back to pacing again. Why do I have to be so useless in a time like this? My head started to pound. I crouched to the ground holding my head.      This is the worst time to have a car accident because I have been out here and not a single car has passed by. I’m starting to think he planned it this way. Making sure innocent people get dragged into this without any reason other than that he knows it’ll hurt me.      Then I saw it. Headlights in the distance, but I’m definitely sure it’s not a hallucination.        The relief made me feel dizzy. I couldn’t even stand so I stayed crouched. But in that moment, all I could think about is Karen. How she is dead and I’m still alive? I felt that it wasn’t fair. I wish it had been me. I wish these innocent people didn’t have to get involved. Why did I get into his car? Why was he there that night because I knew it was planned.        The headlights were so close to me that I thought they were gonna hit me. I’m still crouched, but I wasn’t dizzy anymore. My face was in my hands, as I crouched there in total depression. Two distinct doors I heard opened and closed.        “Miss?” A soft male voice asked. “Are you okay?” He asked very softly as to not upset me or something. I shook my head no.        “Can you tell us what happened here?” Another male voice asked. His seemed a little rougher than the other one was. I shook my head no again. This male exhaled as if he was frustrated with me.        “I’m gonna call 9-1-1, and then I’ll go check on the other passengers,” I went rigid. My chest tightened and I stopped breathing. All I could think was Karen.          Without realizing it I moved my hands from my face. And the look of horror covered my face. I can’t believe Karen is gone. I can’t believe I got her killed.        I started to shiver because the cold started to get to me. I looked up at one of the men. The look of shock covered his face. I didn’t realize they saw the look on my face.        This man bent down to get closer to me. He looked at me with concern. But he wasn’t looking into my eyes. They were fixated on the wound on my head.        I started to notice something about this man. He looked a lot like D’Angelo. The only thing is he had shoulder length, Black, curly hair. It looked so silly that I wanted to touch it. His eyes were like pools of a deep blue color that I felt I could get lost in them.         I pulled out my phone and started writing in the notes. He seemed surprised at that. I finished and handed my phone over to him.         “What’s your name?” He read aloud.       “My names Daniel. What’s your name?” He asked me handing back my phone.         “My names Jessica?” I typed handing him the the phone. He looked at me wide eyed as if he was expecting me. His face softened after a bit, but he looked a little sad.          “Everything’s gonna be alright now.” He ruffled my hair. He handed my phone back to me. I typed quickly on my phone.        “Are you and the other guy my guardians who were supposed to pick me up?” I handed him the phone and he read it aloud. He nodded but he scowled at the cut on my forehead.         “Come with me,” he ordered and I stood up but for a summer night it was colder and I shivered. He had grabbed my arm when he felt me shivering.       “Are you cold?” He asked getting closer to me. I nodded. He sighed with relief. He pulled me over to his car and opened up the backseat door behind the drivers side. He reached in to grab a hoodie. It was one of those zip ups hoodies. He unzipped it and hung it around me. I slid on the sleeves and zipped it up. The hoodie was so warm that I shivered again not realizing how cold I was.        Daniel had disappeared and then reappeared with a first aid kit. Opening it to a bunch of stuff like gauze, tape, bandages, etc. He reached in and grabbed a couple of alcohol wipes. He put on a pair of latex gloves. He ripped open one alcohol wipe and pulled it out.       “This is gonna sting,” he warned and started dabbing at the wound. I winced at the pain. My hands were balled into fists, but this pain was nothing against the pain I’ve gone through. He was surprised by that.          Once he cleaned the blood and any dried blood from my forehead he pushed my head back looking at it in the car light. Then he pulled my head back upright.         “Looks like your going to need some stitches. For now I’m gonna cover it with gauze until we can get you to the hospital.” He pulled the gauze and medical tape cover the gash I managed to get in the accident. It was small but it went from the right part of my forehead curving down. He covered it with the gauze and taped around the edges of it.         By then police, firefighters, and ambulances had come and lit up the road. The other man was talking to the police on what he came across. Then they came our way. Of course David came with them.         “We would like to ask miss Duley a couple of questions. Do you mind if we talk to her privately?” They asked, but David shook his head.       “She is underage so I’m not allowing it. I’m her legal guardian.” David came to my side and folded his arms. “If there’s something you want to ask her you can ask with us present.” I was surprised that he was actually protecting me.           “Alright then. Miss Duley do you know what happened?” They asked me. I nodded my head, but they looked a little I don’t know, but it was hard to describe.         “Could you explain what happened?” The other officer asked politely. The first officer looked a little seasoned with salt and pepper hair and hazel eyes. His face started to look worn with wrinkles here and there on his face. With the uniform he did look kind of intimidating though.         The other officer doesn’t look new, but looks like he wasn’t on the force for more than two years. His black hair buzz cut and deep green eyes warned me not to truly trust him. His smile gave off something that disturbed me.           I grabbed my phone and started to type the account on my phone so I can show them. They both looked confused.       “Miss could you tell us?” The older one asked.        “Due to certain circumstances she can’t speak. She was on her way to us when this accident happened,” Daniel stated.       “Are you her blood relatives?” The younger officer asked. That caught all of us off guard. I erased what I was going to say and typed away. I handed my phone to the older officer.        The older officer read it to himself. The more he read the sadder he looked. Then when he finished he sighed. He looked at me with saddened eyes.         “I’m so sorry about your family,” I nodded my head acknowledging his condolences for me. I looked down wanting to cry. The officer handed me back my phone.      “I typed everything from the crash. I did lie in some parts like I was asleep like everyone else but I woke up before the crash happened. I didn’t want to become a suspect. Also I didn’t want anybody knowing. They asked a couple more questions which I answered. They then left me alone.        I sighed a very tired sigh. Daniel peeked at me and then started talking to David. Telling him that I need to go to the hospital to get stitches. An officer came over carrying my luggage. Good thing I had to tagg it all. David and Daniel took my luggage and put it into the trunk. David came to my side.        “We’re taking you to the hospital now,” he said. I nodded tucking my legs into the car and he shut the door. I fastened my seatbelt and we were going to go, but David looked at Daniel. For a moment there was silence. They just stared at each other.        Daniel sighed and unfastened his seatbelt getting out and getting next to me behind the seat he was in. I was so confused, but then I caught David peering at me. He sighed.       “The reason he’s in the back seat is because you look very pale and your likely to pass out,” David explained. He is right, because I’ve been feeling like I am really tired. Daniel is sitting in the back to prevent me from doing that just in case I have a concussion or something.            He turned around and drove us going back. We ended up going back and took a road going north. I started to feel woozy and was about to pass out, but Daniel took my hand in his, squeezing it now and then to pump my brain waves. When that stopped working and my eyelids become heavy he got too close to my face. He looked into my eyes with this look I didn’t understand at that moment, but he was smiling. My eyes went wide, but I felt really comfortable around him. I didn’t smile back, but I managed to nod my head. He backed off, and my cheeks turned pink. He still held my hand though.          We got to the hospital and I wouldn’t let go of Daniel’s hand, which surprised him, but I unbuckled myself and getting out his side and he helped me as I lost my balance. David came to my other side and offered his arm to me. It shocked me. I blushed and took his arm. David and Daniel looked the same, but David’s hair was a buzz cut. It was still quite a curly mess, but it still made him quite attractive. His deep blue eyes seemed to pierce you. He seemed quite intimidating. He probably could be, but I sensed that he was soft on the inside. I could feel it just by being near these two.        You could call it intuition or whatever, but that’s what I sense. It made me unusually warm inside my heart. Like they’re hearts touched mine.       I wasn’t paying any attention to where I was going and almost tripped over the sidewalk. They managed to pick me up and set me on the sidewalk. They looked at me with concern, but saw me blush in embarrassment. I gave them an apologetic look and they both smiled, but concern colored their eyes still.         My body though seemed to become heavier with each step I took. But I trudged on until we got into the hospital through the front door. We were checking when the secretary looked at me and went  straight for the phone. She called the ER section immediately saying it looked like an emergency.       A nurse automatically ran out and saw the three of us me in the middle looking very bad. She disappeared and reappeared with a wheelchair. Quickly pushing it towards me. David and Daniel lowered me into it.      “Umm could I get one of you to stay to get her checked in?” David let go of my arm.         “I’ll do it you stay with her.” He ordered Daniel. He didn’t even have a choice because I wouldn’t let go of his hand.          “Miss you need to let go of his hand he is coming with you, but…” she slowly cut off because I gave her this look. She looked shocked, but she sighed in defeat and pushed the wheelchair. Daniel was actually keeping up with us. I was impressed that he could. I didn’t want to let go of his hand, but I don’t know why.        We actually go a private room where the nurse left us. Daniel helped me up and got me on the exam table. Still holding his hand.        “Your not going to let go are you?” He asked playfully. I shook my head. His eyes felt like they were digging deeper into my soul. I thought he could see the pain that I felt. But he turned away too soon for me to be able to get a good read on that. But he squeezed my hand a little.        It was silent for a bit. I could hear the hustle and bustle outside. Probably people from the crash finally coming in. It was loud, but then a knock on the door brought my attention.        “Hello?” A familiar voice rang in my ears. I looked over at Daniel.        “Come in,” He said. Jeremy walked in with a shocked look for me. His red hair looked really messy. It was short, but not too short and not too long. I’d say it was like a hair cut most Japanese people wear. His eyes were an emerald green color. He had a big white smile, but now he doesn’t even show me that because he was-.        My train of thought was lost to me almost falling over. He ran over as Daniel caught me.        The cut on my forehead shouldn’t of been this bad, so why do I feel woozy.        “No wonder the nurse just brought her back here. She looks very pale. Are you getting enough sleep?” He asked me. I looked down and shook my head.  He pursed his lips. He sighed and scratched his head out of frustration. I looked down feeling sorry because this is a difficult situation.           “Did the nurse take your vitals?” He asked.        “She didn’t, she brought us to the room and went to get a doctor which happened to be you,” Daniel mused.          Jeremy went next to the table and pulled off the blood press cusp and took my arm and wrapped it around. He was gentle when he did this. He started pumping air into it. I felt the pressure of the air around my arm. He took his stethoscope and put it above the crease in my arm. He listened for a minute releasing air little by little.          He looked up at me pretending like everything’s okay. But the look in his eyes said otherwise. I felt really awful because everybody is so worried about me and I’m the source of their worry.          Once the air was fully depleted he unwrapped it from my arm and hung it up. He hung the stethoscope back around his neck.        “Jessica when was the last time you ate something. The last time I saw you you barely ate anything. Plus I think that’s why you seem to be very anemic.”         “Also because of the accident, she has a nice cut on her head. I was going to mention it, but I think you should also look at it. I think she needs stitches.” Daniel said and that’s when Jeremy noticed the patch job.        Jeremy pulled the gauze and tape off my forehead and he examined it. Then he sighed.       “Well you're right about the stitches but I won’t be able to do anything about the pain. I don’t know if she got a concussion so I can’t give her anything to relieve the pain. I’m sorry Jessica we’re going to have to do this without medication,” he quickly left the room and silence filled the air.       “So I’m kind of curious. When was the last time you ate? And be honest because we all are truly worried about you,” on cue David came into the room. He smiled when he saw me. I avoided his gaze. I took my phone out and typed in my notes my answer.         “I haven’t eaten in three days. With all the stress going on I haven’t been feeling hungry,” Daniel read aloud.        “Damnit,” Daniel said and putting his right hand cover part of his face.        “So what’s the prognosis?” David asked.      “We don’t know.  Jeremy just ran out to get her ready for stitches, but from what it seems like I think it might be anemia. She hasn’t been really sleeping or eating and now she’s got blood loss to boot.” He pauses and sighed. I squeezed his hand. I didn’t mean to worry them, but I guess it’s probably because mom told them about me. She did mention it…      Pain shot through my heart and my hand squeezed Daniel’s. It didn’t show on my face, but I was screaming in pain. The thought of that day just brings about more pain for me. I wanted to cry but I didn’t want to cry in front of them.        “Hey are you okay?” Daniel asked and the tears started to flow. I couldn’t even stop them, but I shook my head. I tried to hide my face, but Daniel faces me and puts his big hand on top of my head. He didn’t even bother to let go of my hand.      “It’s okay, just let it out.” Daniel said holding the back of my head now and pulled me close to him. I cried for a bit, but stopped because Jeremy came in.     “You didn’t have to stop on my account,” he said softly. Daniel moved next to me again. I still refused to let go of his hand. Though we did have to switch hands because he was holding my right hand and the gash is on my right side.        I held his hand tightly as Jeremy started stitching. I closed my eyes and just felt pinching and tugging. It took a good ten stitches. He rubbed something on it and put a fresh bandage over it.      “All finished. You can open your eyes now.” I slowly opened my eyes to Jeremy to my right, David standing in front of me and Daniel holding my hand to the left of me. My eyelids felt heavy. I just wanted to sleep, but I probably shouldn’t.      “I’ll be back I need to get some information for you guys because she may have a concussion.” He left and a nurse came in to grab the tray of stuff leftover and left quickly.       David stared at me with this look. I just stared back at him to keep awake. Then I turned to look at Daniel. I stared at him for a while. I must’ve made him uncomfortable. He just looked at me in surprise.        Then something surprising filled our ears. A loud growl filled the room, which the other two looked at me in surprise. My face turned absolutely red. I guess I am hungry now. I faced downward closing my eyes and then I started to doze off a little, but Daniel shook me and my eyes popped wide open.        I felt really embarrassed in that moment. I guess with little sleep and nothing to eat I’ve become quite a burden on them. I can’t help it though. I am still in a lot of pain and it can’t be helped because it inhibits my mind a lot more than food or sleep.         Silence filled the room. Until Jeremy knocked and walked in handing paperwork to David and was talking to him about dos and don'ts. I was listening in because I don’t want to be a burden to them, but Daniel leaned over.       “Don’t worry yourself, we are going to take care of you. So just don’t worry about this stuff. Let us.” He whispered in my ear while David and Jeremy wrapped it up. Jeremy walked over to me.        “Jessica please get some food and some sleep. Rest and food will help your healing process. I would usually have you checked in to the hospital and stay for observation but your in good hands here,” Jeremy smiled pointing to the two men. I nodded my head. Jeremy beconed David out the room to sign my discharge form. A nurse came in with a wheelchair and Daniel helped me into it so we could leave and head to my new home.