Kyla’s Secret

When Kyla awoke, she was confused and disoriented. It seemed strange that there would be so much light in the room. Then she remembered and realized she was now in the hospital. She turned her head, and Corrine immediately came into view. The officer was in full uniform, and Kyla couldn’t help but admire her sexiness even with the pain she was feeling. “Hey, sweetie,” said Corrine. “How ya feeling?” “My shoulder hurts.” Corrine looked sad. “I know it does, babe, but you were very lucky. With a few months of physical therapy, you should regain full use of your shoulder.” “What happened?” “Bastards found you somehow. Must’ve thought to check around the university and wait for the perfect opportunity.” “So they haven’t been caught?” “Not yet, honey, but Joe’s been suspended.” Kyla felt bad. “Oh no, it’s not his fault. Joe’s a good guy. I don’t see why he has to be punished in any way for this.” “Well, he shouldn’t have taken you outside like he did.” “But I wanted to go outside. I begged him to take me out.” The doctor stepped into the room just then, momentarily halting the discussion. “Good evening, Miss Rembler. How are we feeling tonight?” “I hurt,” Kyla told the fifty-something doctor with the shock of dark hair sprinkled with gray. The doctor nodded. “That’s to be expected for a while. The nurse can get you something for the pain in just a moment.” “Will I be ok?” The doctor nodded again. “I don’t see why you can’t make a full recovery with regular treatment and therapy. The muscles and tendons were damaged, but no bones were broken, and there was no serious nerve damage. The bullet mostly grazed the flesh where the upper arm is just below the shoulder.” Kyla tried to sit up and winced in pain. “It’s very important you don’t try to move your shoulder. The arm sling needs to be on full-time for at least a week. After that, we’ll take X-rays and see where we’re at, ok?” Kyla nodded. “How long will I be here?” “As long as there are no other problems, you’re free to go first thing in the morning.” The nurse administered some pain medication, and then Kyla was again alone with Corrine. Corrine reached down and patted her cheek lovingly. “Better?” Drowsily, Kyla nodded. “I’ll let you get some rest in a minute, but first I want to assure you that someone will be posted outside your door at all times, so you need not worry.” “Good. And afterward? Do I return to the university?” “No. You come home with me.” Corrine grinned happily. “Oh, you managed to work that out?” “Yes, but someone else is going to stay with you at the house when I can’t be with you.” “So I’ll be under house arrest instead of room arrest,” Kyla said. “That’s a step up.” Corrine smiled, admiring the girl’s sense of humor despite the grim circumstances. “Yeah, get used to the idea of some country living. Fresh air, peace, and quiet all around… you’ll love it.” “As long as I’m safe from these sickos that are still out there and may never be caught, you can take me to the moon.” “Oh, they’ll be caught,” Corrine said confidently. “Sooner or later, they’re going to make a mistake, and we’ll be there waiting for them when they do.” “Good. Bust their shoulders for me in return.” Corrine laughed, bent over, and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be back in the morning, hun, ok?” Kyla smiled and nodded. Sometime after Corrine left, she was given something to help her sleep, but she often woke up throughout the night. When morning arrived and the nurse helped guide her out of bed, she felt weak and exhausted, much like one feels when they have a cold. The nurse was just finishing helping her get dressed in the clothes Corrine had brought yesterday when the officer herself entered the room. The nurse adjusted her sling, and Corrine gently hugged her. “Well, look at you. All ready to go?” Kyla nodded. “I don’t know why, but I feel so weak and like I haven’t slept in years.” “I’m not surprised,” said the nurse. “You’ve been through a really scary ordeal.” Smiling happily, Corrine took hold of Kyla’s right arm that wasn’t in a sling and helped walk her down to the desk where she could sign the discharge papers. “Your prescription pain medicine has been called in to the pharmacist downstairs already, and it should be ready for you by now.” “Ok,” Corrine assured her, “we’ll pick it up on our way out.” Kyla was then seated in a wheelchair and guided into the elevator. After they got her medication, she was wheeled outside with the uniformed officer who had sat outside her door throughout the night. He waited at the door with her and the nurse while Corrine pulled her car around so Kyla wouldn’t have so far to walk. Once she was placed in Corrine’s car, the fellow officers exchanged a few words, and then they were off. “How do we know we’re not being followed?” Kyla asked Corrine. “We’ll know it. We’re going out in the boonies. Long stretches of roads for miles and miles on end. No way anyone could tail us without me knowing it, sweet stuff.” Kyla found comfort in Corrine’s words of reassurance. “Can you get your seatbelt ok?” Kyla tugged it across her, and Corrine secured it. “All set?” Kyla nodded. “Ok. Sit back and enjoy the scenery.” “How long will it take to get there?” “About half an hour.” Corrine was right. It was a lovely drive. They were driving through the city and the seemingly endless maze of buildings, which then became houses. After fifteen minutes or so, the houses became sparser and sparser as civilization fell further and further behind. Even the air seemed cleaner and easier to breathe in. “This is really nice,” Kyla admitted with a smile. “It’s a fine little refuge from the crazy world in which we live.” Kyla turned to Corrine and gazed at her appreciatively. “Well, I thank you for helping to remove me from that crazy world, if only for a while.” Although Corrine didn’t like that last part about it being only for a while, it was certainly her pleasure to escape to the country with this attractive young woman at the present moment. “How long have you lived out here?” “About ten years now,” Corrine said as she eventually pulled the car onto a graveled driveway that was perhaps sixty feet long. “This is it?” Kyla asked. Corrine nodded proudly. “Home sweet home.” It was beautiful, but so open. The land was flat and free of trees in front, and you could see a large stretch of road that passed by the house. “It’s beautiful, but not as secluded as I pictured it to be. Anyone can see the house from the road.” “Makes it much harder for anyone to sneak up on us.” Kyla’s eyes scanned the grounds. There seemed to be more trees at the sides of the house and an even thicker patch in back. “Again, it’s beautiful, Corrine, but it looks like anyone could hide easily enough in the back.” “Relax,” said Corrine, as she cut the engine. “I know you’ve been through a horrible ordeal, but you’re in good hands. As long as we keep you inside and make sure the area looks clear when we do go out—something that’s much easier to do here than on a crowded campus—you’ll be fine. Besides, the odds of anyone guessing you’re at an officer’s home aren’t likely.” “I suppose you’re right,” Kyla said as she glanced at the small ranch-style house before them. The house was about thirty years old and very well maintained. Its simple yet cheery décor was pleasing to the eye. Carpet the color of beach sand ran throughout the two-bedroom home, and each room had different colored walls: white in the living room, yellow in the kitchen, lavender in the master bedroom, and mint green in the other. Both bathrooms were painted a powdery blue. “Wow, this is nice,” said Kyla. “I love all the different colors.” “Me too. Unlike a lot of folks out there who prefer neutral colors, I’m more of a colorful kind of person.” Kyla yawned. “Just make yourself comfortable on the couch, babe, and I’ll get us something to drink.” “Ok,” Kyla said, and slowly lowered herself onto the plush cobalt-blue couch. “Would you like something to eat?” Corrine called from the kitchen, which was right off the living room. “I know that breakfast you had in the hospital couldn’t have been very appetizing.” “No, it wasn’t, but I’m fine for now. Just thirsty and tired.” Kyla drank the orange juice she was offered, and then Corrine guided her down the hall and into the first bedroom on the right, which faced the street. The master bedroom ran along the entire right side of the house and had its own bathroom in the back. “All your stuff has been brought over here, including your computer.” “Oh, my stuff! I haven’t even thought of that. Thanks for getting it for me.” She helped Kyla change into a sleep shirt. Then she pulled the bed covers down, and Kyla got into bed. “Comfy?” asked Corrine. Kyla nodded. “Way more comfy than the hospital bed.” Corrine smiled. “Sorry I’m not more fun. I’m just so drained.” “You should be, with all you’ve been through, along with the medication they gave you,” Corrine said as she sat on the edge of the bed. Kyla smiled. “Want a hug, Princess Kyla?” Kyla smiled even wider and spread her arms. The two hugged for a few minutes. “Aw, you’re so sweet,” said Corrine. Then she pulled back and said, “I’ll leave you to get some rest now, ok?” Kyla thanked the officer, and then she was out cold.