My Dawn

Chapter 9

Mark walked to the linen cupboard and grabbed a sheet. The paramedic aimed it around her waist then the female paramedic slowly raised her small gown to look. It showed a deeper and larger bite on her left side.

“Dawn roll slightly this way please.” Wendy asked.

Dawn listened as she felt the paramedic tug her to go lean to her left.

“That one looks worse than the last one.” The male paramedic said.

“We need to clean it before it ends up getting infected.” Wendy said.

They wiped it then squeezed as much saliva out of her side. Dawn screamed into the cushion as the saliva was pushed out with quite a bit of blood. They heard Dawn crying softly after they stopped squeezing. Wendy used a wipe to clean it up. Some dripped down behind her back. Wendy looked to clean it and gasped.

“Dawn, who did this to you?” Wendy asked.

“Did what?” Tate asked.

“She has fresh and old bruises along her lower back.” Wendy said softly.

Dawn was still crying softly.

“Dawn never mentioned she was hurt. I’ve been her support worker for 3 years. She’s bounced from home to home. She’s at her first sleepover. Do they look like they are less than 2 weeks old?” Tate asked.

“They definitely are less than 2 weeks old. There’s a lot of purple on them.” Wendy said.

The male paramedic got up to look from behind the couch.

“These marks look like it was a thin hard object.” The male paramedic said.

Dawn kept flinching when they touched it. Everyone saw her body flinching.

“Mark, how serious were you about your suggestion?” Tate asked.

“Very serious, we have a spare room for her next to Laura’s.” Mark said.

“Hang on, I need to call the boss.” Tate said.

Tate walked outside the back to call his boss.

“Dawn, can you say who did this to you?” Wendy asked.

Dawn kept ignoring them as she cried into the pillow.

“Sir, I found a permanent home for Dawn. We have to get her out of her placement urgently.” Tate said.

“You know we have to follow protocol.” Luke said.

“Sir, she’s at her first sleepover and was bitten by a wild snake, they called animal control, paramedics and myself to let me know. The paramedics have found bruising that is fresh and within the recent couple weeks she’s been at the new home. This family has a room for her, next to her friend. She won’t be alone here. He is planning on doing the paperwork tomorrow. But I need you to at least grant her temporary stay here or do a trial run. I am not taking her back there tomorrow. They have abused her.” Tate said.

“How bad is it?” Luke asked.

“Hang on.” Tate said.

Tate walked in while they examined the bruises on her back still.

“Can I get a picture for her case file. My boss is on the line and needs proof before he can remove her from the house.” Tate explained.

The paramedics nodded and Tate took a picture.

“Sending it now.” Tate said loudly.

Tate walked back outside and put his phone to his ear.

“Did Dawn disclose the abuse to you?” Luke asked.

“No, she wanted to stay because she made a friend and didn’t want to leave her. She’s at the friend’s house right now. The father has been nothing but kind and considerate to them all.” Tate said.

“I’ll speak to a judge and the police. Stay there until further notice.” Luke said.

“Yes sir.” Tate said.

Tate walked back inside and Mark looked at him.

“He’s calling the judge that he’s friends with to grant temporary custody until you go through the appropriate channels. He’s also calling police on that home as well but I need to stay here to confirm if it is all good.” Tate said.

Mark nodded.

“You can stay for dinner, but I think the bread buns are burnt.” Mark said.

“We pulled it out of the oven when the timer went off while you were helping trap the snake.” Patrick said.

“Thank you, Patrick.” Mark said.

Patrick nodded.

“How bad is the bruises?” Mark asked.

Tate showed him the photo. Mark’s face went visibly pale. Jessie and Patrick noticed it and realised it must be really bad.

“Dawn, can you give us a name?” The male paramedic asked.

Dawn stayed quiet. Her crying had stopped but she felt the pain still. They covered the snake bite but they needed answers for their report.

“Can you at least tell us what they used?” Wendy asked.

“You can open up to us Dawn. None of us want to hurt you. We all promise to protect you.” Mark said.

“There is way too many people nearby still, Dawn can’t talk well in crowds. Her anxiety plays up.” Tate said.

“Kids, can you go to your rooms for a bit?” Mark asked.

“Yes dad.” Laura and Patrick said.

“Yes, Mr Bridge.” Jessie said.

They left.

“Dawn, the kids are gone. It’s just the paramedics, Tate and I here. Can you talk to us now?” Mark asked softly.

They visibly saw her lift the cushion slowly to check. Her face was red and soaked with tears. She looked around the room as she arched up.

“Who hurt you?” Mark asked softly.

They listened closely.

“The new dad.” Dawn said.

“You mean Lester?” Tate asked.

Dawn nodded slightly.

“What did he use?” Tate asked.

“Cane.” Dawn cried.

“Cane?” Mark asked.

“Like the wood fence things.” Dawn said softly.

“Bamboo?” The male paramedic asked.

Dawn nodded. She was starting to cry again.