Second Time Around

Identifying the culprit

*Katrina POV*

I remained on the phone with the guard at the prison. She assured me that Seth was calm now, but had to be taken into medical to give him something for anxiety, and to wrap his hand. He had punched a wall, and his hand was swollen.

I apologized for his outburst, and she told me that it was alright. She didn't blame him, and he wouldn't be reprimanded for it given the situation.

I thanked her, and she asked me if I had heard from the police. I told her all I heard was the loud music, people still partying, and my mother's moans. I explained what I had walked in on, and she asked me if I had somewhere else to stay.

I told her that I might, for at least a night, but not permanently. She then asked if that person would be able to go with me to the hospital. I told her I wasn't sure, and that up until now, Seth was my rock and my go-to person.

"Well, that doesn't work for you. Do you have any relatives?" she asked. I told her about Mr. Darnell, but that he wouldn't be able to leave his house. There was one person I could call, but honestly didn't want to disturb her. My school counselor, Ms. Millet.

The guard asked for her number, and I gave it to her. The line fell silent, as she changed lines to call Ms. Millet. I felt humiliated, but the officer was right, I needed someone to be there with me.

"Ms. Katrina, I was able to reach out and get a hold of Ms. Hillary Millet. She agreed to meet the ambulance at the hospital. The police officers should be there any minute. Has anyone come back to the door?" she asked me.

I told her that no one had been back, and that I had done as she asked. I felt disgusting and just wanted to scrub this jerk from my body, but until I was examined, I couldn't.

After another couple of minutes, I heard the front door being broken in. "Parties over! I suggest everyone take a seat. Cause no one is leaving this house!" an officer bellowed.

"Kat, tell me when the officer knocks on the door," the kind guard said.

I heard people screaming and tasers being used on those who resisted. Then I heard a hard knock on the door. "This is Officer Combs, it's alright to open the door now," he said.

I told the guard there was someone outside the door identifying himsef as a policeman. She had me open the door, and hand him my phone.

She explained what had happened, and he told her that he would handle it from there, and would let her know what was discovered after my examination.

He shut the door, and sat me on the toilet seat. "Sweetie, the only reason I have the door shut right now is to talk to you. I need you to tell me in your own words what happened. However, I need to call another officer in here with me as a witness. It will be a female, so you will feel more comfortable, alright?" he asked.

I nodded my head, and felt like if I spoke the words one more time, that I would spiral down a dark hole. I couldn't succumb to that though, I had to be strong, because I had no one anymore to be strong for me.

While we waited for the female officer, he talked to me about school, and college, and my future plans and dreams. He tried to ease my mind and calm my soul. It worked to a point, but I still couldn't get the image of what just happened to stop playing over and over in my brain.

I heard my mother screaming my name, because apparently one of the officers had filled her in. The female officer, whose name I learned was Officer Newman, asked if I wanted her to be present as I explained things to her. I shrugged my shoulders and told her that it didn't matter.

My mother forced her way in, and tried to be a comfort for me. I slightly shoved her away and told her I didn't want to be touched. She was barely covered, her face and hair were a mess, and she smelled of sweat and s*x.

"Mom, I think I would prefer you to go. I can't stand the sight of you right now," I sneered. She started to protest, and another officer came and took her out.

"Katrina, is there somewhere else you would prefer to go and have our conversation?" Officer Newman asked. I nodded and asked if we could go up to my room in the attic. She sweetly nodded and wrapped a cool washcloth around my neck.

Walking out of the bathroom, I tried to look forward. I heard someone clear their throat, and my head turned in the direction it came from. I froze in place and couldn't move my eyes away from him.

Officer Newman noticed what was happening. She didn't say anything else until we got to my room. "Kat, was the man you were in a stare down with the man who assaulted you? I need you to be honest, because he has been suspected in other attacks," she asked.

I was afraid to answer, but I did anyway. "Yes, ma'am," I said. She asked me to tell her again what happened, and after I repeated what happened, she asked me about my mother. I didn't understand why at first, but I told her everything that involved my mother since the day my dad died.

The ambulance had arrived, and needed to take me to have a rape kit done. However, she said I would first need to pubically identify the man who raped me. I was scared shitless, but she said she and officer Combs would be with me the whole time.

I packed an overnight bag with a few days worth of clothing. I gave my keys to officer Combs, who was going to have someone drive my car to the hospital. I would call Mr. Darnell at the hospital to see if I could stay with him for a couple of days.

I had to return to my room before going downstairs to retrieve my satchel of money. I wasn't about to leave it here, no matter how well it was hidden. After taking it out of the head of an old doll, I rejoined the officers and went down to the living room.

I stood between officer Combs and Officer Newman, and her hand never left the small of my back. She looked towards me and said, "OK, Kat, I need you to show us who did this to you. We need you to identify the man who attacked you."

I glanced towards her and pointed at the man who had violated me. "It was him. The bigger biker guy with red hair," I said.

Without another word, they escorted me out to the ambulance. I gave my things to the officer who was driving my car, and asked him to put the bag in the trunk. He assured me he would, and Officer Newman climbed into the ambulance with me.

The EMT checked all of my vitals and asked another million questions. Officer Newman then suggested that I lie down and rest a bit.

"Katrina, is there someone I can call for you? For after you leave the hospital?" she asked. I nodded my head and handed her my phone.

"Could you please call Mr. Darnell? He is like a grandpa to me, and it's the only place I have to go. I am supposed to leave for school in two months, but I'm sure he will let me stay there."