Stephan by Hazel Gower

cleared my dry throat. “Hospital,” I
rasped.
    “Yes, you’re in recovery at Reed Creek
Memorial Hospital. What is your pain at the moment? One being none
at all to ten being extreme.”
    “Hundred.” I was more than ten I knew.
    “I will go get you some pain relief and tell
the doctor you’re awake and we’ll look into getting you to a
room.”
    I didn’t say anything. I was in too much
pain. I moaned, and closed my eyes again.
    *****
    I came in and out of consciousness a lot. I
don’t remember much but pain. When I came to and my eyes finally
opened enough for me to see, I let the tears fall and gave over to
the despair.
    “Little bit, are you in pain? Do you want me
to get the nurse?”
    I sobbed harder as soon as I heard his voice.
“You’re here? Now you can see me for what I am…trash.”
    “You are anything but, you’re my treasure.
And I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Jade.”
    I cried harder, because I didn’t want Stephan
to ever see this side of my life. It was bad enough he was seeing
me beaten and broken. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”
    “What? Why?”
    “I look terrible. Now you can see with your
own two eyes how bad I am for you.” My heart broke he was seeing me
like this. I bet the police were called. I’d be moved to foster
care. At least I wouldn’t get hurt any worse from Stephan if they
moved me.
    “You are beautiful to me.” He stroked my
cheek, which made me cry harder.
    “I’m so sorry. So, so, sorry.”
    “Why are you apologizing? You have no reason
to apologize.”
    “Yes, yes I do. Not only am I sorry you saw
me like this, but I’m sorry for leaving you.”
    “What? You’re not making any sense. You
didn’t leave me.”
    “I’m going to. DoCS will take me. I won’t be
able to be with you if I’m living so far away. You won’t want to be
with me after this.”
    “You’re not going anywhere, I promise. Even
if you did, I would follow. I will always want to be with you.” He
stroked my cheek and I leaned into his touch, basking in his
comfort.
    *****
    I was going crazy. Stephan wouldn’t leave me
alone. I’d been stuck in the hospital for five days. The police had
come and questioned me. I couldn’t tell them anything besides the
obvious of what Grandpa had done to me. I found out on the second
day Grandpa had been arrested and would be going to jail for a long
time. They’d gotten a warrant, searched the apartment and pub, and
found all his drugs. He wasn’t even given bail. I’d never be going
back to him. The police came to see me again and told me they would
have more questions when they were ready. I cried for hours after I
found out, not because I loved my grandpa or because I wanted to
live with him. I cried because one door had closed for me. I now
had no known family. I was now a State problem to deal with until I
turned eighteen. I cried because I knew I’d be moved. I’d lose all
my new friends and any chance I had with Stephan.
    On the third day I was told who my new
guardians were and I was pissed. “What the hell, Stephan. I have
been worrying and upset over leaving all my new friends here and
starting over again and you didn’t think to tell me your fucking
parents have custody. I cried and wailed over it all and you never
said anything.” Right then I wished he was closer and sitting next
to my good hand so I could punch him.
    The wanker shrugged. “I told you, you weren’t
going anywhere. I told you I wouldn’t let you.”
    “Argh, I didn’t think it meant me coming to
live with you. How on Earth did your parents get custody? Do they
have a foster care license?”
    “Nope. They know a lot of people. Plus did
you know your grandfather signed a document giving them
custody?”
    “No because no one told me.”
    “I’m telling you now.”
    “Grr, you drive me crazy. You know that
right?”
    The wanker shrugged again.
    That was two days ago. Right now I was about
ready to kill him. I was meeting his parents for the