(Jasmine's POV)

I feel exhausted. I don't want to wake up, yet the sound of voices above me is tearing me from my unconscious state.

Reluctantly, my eyes start to flutter open and I instantly find myself in a room I don't recognize.

"Jas?"

My eyes snap to meet with the concerned blue eyes of my best friend, Ruby. I turn to find her seated beside me.

"W-" I clear my throat. "What happened?"

"You had a panic attack," she says, her voice wary as though worried of how I'll react to this piece of news.

She's right; this does upset me. Instantly, my heart rate spikes and the sound is reflected in the monitor I'm attached to.

I shouldn't have come here. I should have left the country. He'll find me! Panicked thoughts instantly begin to fill my mind. He'll take me back!

"Hey, it's okay," Ruby says in a soothing tone as she places both hands on either side of my face. "Look at me. You're safe."

Tears swim in my eyes and thoughts of Greg finding me swirl in my brain. He's going to kill me!

"Jasmine," Ruby calls and, once again, my eyes snap to hers. "You're safe. He's not here."

"He's not here," I repeat, albeit numbly.

"No. He's not here. You're safe."

She removes her hands from my face and I look down in my lap in shame. I see Ruby's hand tentatively reach forward and slowly wrap around mine.

I peer up at her with my now tear-filled eyes and give her a weak smile. "Thanks, Rubs."

Ruby smiles back at me reassuringly,

A movement from out of the corner of my eye grabs my attention. I turn my head slowly only to be met with the the warm, yet worried, eyes of Ruby's older brother. I gasp, shocked to find Matt, Ryan by his side, standing approximately three feet from my bed.

My eyes stay locked with Matt's as my heart race increases. The rapid beeping of the heart monitor fills the room once more and instantly Matt lunges towards me, his face full of panic. I flinch, throwing my arms up in front of my face to protect me and I let out a cry of fear.

"No!" Ryan grunts, just as Ruby's terror filled voice gasps "Matt, stop!"

I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping I'll just disappear. Hoping that I'll wake up and I'll be back in my apartment waiting for my abusive boyfriend to return.

I hear a door opening, lots of scuffling footsteps before the door slams shut again. I jump, letting out a whimper of pain as I jostle my frail body.

"They're gone, Jasmine," Ruby tells me gently. "It's just us here now. You can open your eyes."

It takes a minute or two before the words register in my brain.

"You're safe."

"Safe," I mumble. "He's not here. He's not here."

Slowly, I lower my arms and tentatively let my eyes scan my surroundings.

"He's not here," I repeat once more.

I hear Ruby gasp but I don't look make eye contact with her. Instead, I continue to inspect every aspect of the ridiculously clean hospital room.

"How are you feeling?" Ruby finally asks, as my eyes settle on the door handle. I need to know the second Greg walks through that door. I need to be ready.

"Fine," I mumble automatically. That response has been drilled into me for months, so much so, that I sound almost robotic saying it.

"I know you're not fine, Jas. Tell me the truth."

I turn to look at Ruby in confusion. This is new. I never got that response off Greg before. How do I respond to that?

I decide to just shrug my shoulders, an action that sends a shooting pain through me like a bullet.

I must not have hidden my reaction well as Ruby eyes soften. "I'll get the Doctor."

She stands from the chair and my hand instantly reaches out and grabs her wrist. "Don't," I whimper weakly. "Don't leave me."

Ruby crouches down beside me, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "I'll be right back, I promise."

My arm falls back onto to the bed limply as she leaves the room, closing the door softly behind her.

One.

Two.

Three.

...

One Hundred and Fifty-Six.

One Hundred and Fifty-Sev-

I jump as the door begins to open. My heart races once more before Ruby's blonde head pops around the door. I let out a sigh of relief and give her a small smile.

"Sorry," she says as she crosses the room towards me, leaving the door ajar. "I didn't think I'd be that long. Matt's a bit upset. He was worried about you."

I peer down at my hands, not knowing how to respond to that statement. It's been a while since anyone has worried about me.

"I-is the Doctor coming?" I ask instead.

"He's on his way now."

"He?" I ask in horror, my wide eyes now staring pleadingly at my best friend. "No, I ca-"

"Jasmine, it's great to see you're finally awake."

My head whips round at the sound of his voice. I take in his appearance, slowly assessing him as he stands in the doorway.

The Doctor looks to be in his mid forties. His short brown hair is brushed back, leaving it perfectly styled. His eyes, also brown, are kind. Nothing like Greg's. No, this man has crow's feet on both eyes, clear indicators of just how much he smiles.

He takes a slow step towards me, making no sudden movements. "I'm Dr. Carter. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." My reply is, once again, automatic.

'Jas," Ruby pleads.

"It's okay, Ruby," Dr. Carter says, a warm smile on his kind face.

He's standing at the end of the bed now, close enough that he could touch me. Instantly I move my feet, curling them up beneath me before I shimmy further up on the bed. I ignore the screaming pain in my body. Dr. Carter seems to know exactly what I'm doing.

I hear Ruby let out a sigh beside me but I don't look at her. Instead my eyes stay fixed on the threat in the room; Dr. Carter.

"You'll be pleased to hear that your operation went well," he informs me.

I scrunch my face in confusion, an action I specifically remember Matt describing as 'adorable'. I never agreed with his opinion on this matter.

"Operation?" I ask.

"Yes, you were bleeding internally when you were brought into us. It was quite serious, but we got it under control. I just need you to take it easy for the next few days." He gives me a warm smile. "You're very lucky your friends brought you in when they did."

I peek a glance at Ruby and our eyes meet. She gives me a smile and takes my hand in hers once more. "We got you."

A lone tear trickles down my cheek. "Thanks, Rubs." I turn back to face the Doctor. "Can I leave?"

"Not just yet. I need to monitor you for the next few days just to make sure you're recovering well." He pauses for a second and I instantly know I won't like the next words to leave his mouth. "I've arranged for someone to come and talk to you tomorrow mor-"

"N-no!"

"Jasmine, I know what you're going thro..."

"No you don't!" I cry out loudly, a sob finding its way up my throat. I hear the door open but I don't pay any attention to the people who just walked in. "You don't know how terrified I am!"

I grab the blanket that's draped over me and pull it up to my eyes, covering my face as I cry. Pain shoots through my body at every heave.

"Jasmine, look at me."

I shake my head, my breathing now short and laboured.

"Jasmine," the Doctor repeats once more but I just cry harder, rocking myself as I try to calm down. The heart monitor beeps rapidly, mirroring my rapid breaths.

I feel hands on me, unfamiliar hands. They're warm. I let out a scream.

"No! Please no! Not again!"

"Jas!"

This time I still.

Matt.