Read Online Pretty Little Dreams by Jennifer Miller - Free Book Online

the worst - I don’t want to leave her. I swear I’m not a pussy, and I know that I’m being irrational and unrealistic, but I don’t want her out of my sight. Even in a room with police officers. I just need to be able to keep an eye on her right now. To know that she’s safe – and okay, maybe also so I can keep reminding myself that she really is here.
    Pulling the door behind me, I start to latch it closed, but then stop. I know I shouldn’t do this. I should respect her privacy, but I can’t help it. I just need to be within listening distance. If something distresses her, I want to know about it. I want to be there in a second if she needs me, and I just feel better knowing she’s basically within my reach. This stupid door feels like a huge barrier, and the fact that it is all that is keeping me from her is putting unease in my stomach. I want to rip it off its hinges so that the obstacle is no more.
    So, I make a decision. I don’t close the door all the way behind me.
    I’m not standing here long before a voice trails out to me. I can barely make out what’s being said. I want to try not to listen, I really do, but I abandon all my best intentions at the words I hear.
    “Olivia, other than being drugged, were you abused in any other way, meaning physically or sexually?”
    I stiffen.
    I can’t breathe.
    I don’t fucking move.
    My stomach has dropped to my ass.
    I can’t hear the response from Olivia, but what I hear next confirms my worst fears.
    “Okay, we are going to let our forensic nurse know. She's the nurse who will help us gather evidence. She will do a medical exam, gathering samples required for the rape kit protocol, perform a vaginal inspection, draw blood for testing, and take some pictures.”
    “Pictures?” I hear her voice now and the sound of it, makes my knees shake. She sounds scared.
    “Yes. We need pictures for evidence purposes.”
    Suddenly, it feels as if the walls are closing in. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and even though I’m standing still, my body rocks forward a little with each beat. No, it’s more of a thud. My heart may be exploding from my chest. My breathing becomes rapid and shallow and my face must register excruciating pain and shock, because pure alarm flashes across Pyper’s face. She steps toward me and takes my hand, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
    I open my mouth to reply, and find that nothing comes out. My mouth and lips suddenly feel dry and I’m pretty sure if I don’t walk away right now, someone will be summoning a nurse for me. And some poor custodian is going to have to clean up the goddamn puke I’m about to project all over the damn place.
    I’m rescued as Joy suddenly approaches us, “I know it’s awful here, but we are going to go get some more coffee. Can we bring you anything?” She’s looking at me, and it takes extreme effort to make my lips move and give her a reply.
    “No, thank you,” my voice sounds unsteady, raspy, “I’m fine.” Part of me wants to break out in hysterical laughter at the word ‘fine’. I’m anything but fine.
    “How about you, Pyper? Can we bring you back anything?”
    Pyper, with her eyes red from crying and looking extremely tired and disheveled, doesn’t look away from me when she answers. “Some coffee would be great, thank you.”
    “Would you like cream and sugar?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Okay honey, we will be right back.”
    Pyper nods at Joy, but I don’t acknowledge her leaving at all. I don’t think she noticed though. Pyper continues to stare at me, though now appearing to be in a state of confusion. I’m sure Pyper thinks I’m nuts. I’m not budging from Olivia’s door, and I know I have a look of horror frozen on my face. I can’t help it.
    “Olivia, other than being drugged, were you abused in any other way, meaning physically or sexually?”
    Those words are an echo…continually reverberating in my brain. “ Were you abused… were you abused…. were