Elayne’s POV
Honest to God, I will need at least five people to explain what in the actual hell is going on right now because none of this is making any sense to me.
I wake up butt naked in a tub with some women looking at my body in some type of way(or so, I felt it) and then I get told that I’ll be having a s****l assault examination. Please make it make sense because no matter how hard I try, it still sounds silly to me.
“Miss, we know how you’re feeling right now. It’s very overwhelming, but what we have to do is going to be of great benefit to you in the long run even though it may not feel like it at the moment.” One of the women says to me and all I manage to do in response to what she tells me is to look at her as though she's just told me she committed murder. I don’t know how this is going to help me.
“Now that you’re awake, we’d like to begin the process sonn so that we do not lose any evidence. Aiutala a uscire dalla vasca e metti le lenzuola sul divano. Non possiamo permetterci di perdere nessun tipo di prova.”She says, switching from English to Italian instantly.
Translation-Help her out of the tub and place some sheets on the couch. We can't afford to lose any type of evidence.
And that is when two of the women walk toward me and help me out of the tub. Mind you, I’m naked, but there really is no need to try and cover up anything since they were the ones who stripped me till I was bare, yet, I can’t help but feel all the words to describe uncomfortableness as we walk to the couch. My legs feel like noodles, as though my original ones were severed off and they put some sort of alien’s leg there. If I don’t sit or rest against something very soon, I know I am going to pass out.
It’s like the women read my mind because before I know it, I’m seating of a couch and all I want to do right now is stretch out on it and fall into a very deep sleep.
“Please,” I raise the index finger of my right hand up to ask a question. Whatever happens, let it not be said that I never asked more questions about what was being done to me and it was right under my nose.”
“Go on,” The one who I think is the head says to me.
“Before we begin, I just need to know the meaning of the acronym.” I tell her and she nods, beaming lightly.
“It’s good you want to know. It is called s****l Assault Nurse Exam.” She tells me and I want to press further and ask why she think I’m a victim of s****l assault, but I don’t go on since I know that something isn’t adding up here.
“Miss, we want you to get comfortable and tell us if anything hurts. It will get a little intense, but we’ll slow down and take necessary breaks when we need to, okay?” All I manage to do is nod and she smiles again, opening a box that is on the floor. All of these women are nurses. At least I know that now.
She requests for a container and I’m assuming it is meant to collect samples.
She uncaps it and brings it close to my mouth and then pulls out a cotton swab.
“I’d like for you to open your mouth, Miss.” I do as she wants and she places it into my mouth, moving it left right and centre until she’s sure she’s gotten what she needs. “Spit.” She urges me to do so in the uncapped sample container and I do so. A sound of satisfaction comes out of her throat and she nods.
“We're getting to the intense part, miss. Please keep still” She tells me and before I know what is going on, the nurses assisting her pry my legs open. I’m already naked, but I’m not comfortable with any of this.
“I’d like to collect some samples from your genitals.” I swear, my face goes red from that statement , but I still open my legs wide to give them the chance to do whatever it is they please with me. After all, it isn’t like I’ve got a choice.
She dips the cotton swab in my genitals and I swear, I try to hold it all in and attempt to control all sort of emotions hovering all around in my chest, but I really can’t help it when I move my head to the side and puke all over the floor.
The nurse conducting the exam stills as the external agent she inserted inside me doesn’t move anymore.
“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t handle all of the emotions.” I tell her and the look of shock clears from her face and it is replaced by one of pity.
“Don’t worry. Your response is pretty normal.” She tells me and I highly doubt that judging from the look on her face when I puked on the floor.
“Would you like to take a break?” She asks me and I nod.
“We’ll leave you be for now but we have to leave the cotton swab in your v****a, Just pretend like it isn’t there at all.” She tells me and I nod, finding the entirety of it weird.
“Pulisci tutto questo. Non vogliamo che si senta in alcun modo una volta tornati.” She says to the rest of the nurses helping her and they walk away immediately.
Translation-Clean all of this up. We don't want her feeling any type of way once we get back.
I lie down on the couch trying to get comfortable even though I’m well aware of the fact that as long as this external object is inside me, there is no way I’ll be comfortable. It’s like telling someone to go to sleep with a gun pointed at his head.
I don’t know what suddenly happens, but the minute I close my eyes in an attempt to take a break from all of this, multiple images begin to swirl around in my head and that is when it hits. Every single moment till the time I saw him.
The time when I hurled a knife at him, thinking he’s skillfully dodge it like he did the rest of the items being thrown at him, but the tip went right into his finger. The time when I drove him to the hospital. The time when I gave him my blood. The time when I went to eat and couldn’t pay and so the waiter chased me, got hit by a car and I got arrested. The time when I was tortured to confess to a crime I never commited. The time when I saw him and I passed out. And then now.
Suddenly, cold shivers racks up my body. From the tip of my toes to the top of my head. I feel every inch of it. The thing is, it only lasts for a few seconds or so because as soon as it's gone, it's as if I feel so much better.
"Hi, nurse, I think I'd like to continue with this SANE exam. I've tested enough." I call out, immediately switching from my relaxed posture to one where I'm seated upright on the couch. Oh, how things can change so quickly.
Before I know it, she's inside the living room, surprise written all over her face.
"Something's changed. Do you remember anything?" She asks, slightly turning her face to the side, hoping I come up with something.
"Honestly, the last thing I remember is seeing him before I passed out." I tell her.
"Seeing who? She quizzes, the level of hope compared to the last time has gone up insanely.
I swallow the lump that forms abruptly in my throat and say again. "Him,"
When she waits for a response for what seems like eternity and nothing more comes from my mouth she moves closer to me.
"Okay then, we'd continue, but if you remember any other thing, please be sure to let us know." She says and I nod.
The rest of the examination goes by in a blur. They do all sorts of things to me and I comply.
"You're good, miss." The nurse claps in my face and with an immediate effect, I snap out of the haze I've been in for God-knows-how-long.
I shake my head twice before getting up from the couch.
"What next?" I ask.
"As for me and my team, we're through with you, but it is time to begin the appropriate treatments to take care of you. I'll speak with the doctor right now."She tells me before dialing a number on her phone. They talk in Italian back and forth.
I really do need to learn that language. I can't have two men saying they would r**e me and they smile in my face.
A short man walks in immediately.
" Hello, " He says. He speaks in such a way that it seems as though he needs his nose and mouth to communicate.
"Hi," I say, feigning a smile, knowing full well that all of this s**t is weirding me out so damn badly.
"I understand that you've been through a lot over the past couple of weeks and we're here to really help you. I'd like you to answer the questions you'd be asked in all sincerity." He tells me and I look confused.
"Excuse me?" And that is why we'll be bringing in a therapist we are sure you'll be comfortable with."
Great, the surprises keep coming in great measures, don't they?