Bandages

With Thomas and Brian in the other room, a flashlight in one hand and Ana's wrist in the other, I examined her wound.

Although she no longer needed to explain what had happened, she began as if already in the midst of a conversation. As she spoke I could see nothing outside of the harsh circle of light shinning down upon the three bloody grooves etched into her forearm.

"Orhan lie in bed for two days. I dare not leave his side. Sometimes he barely moved, other times, he had horrible fits of shaking. He wouldn't eat or drink, no matter how I tried to persuade. He would shake his head and say he wanted to save what was left for Thomas." Holding the flashlight for me in a less than steady hand, she exhaled gently as I began to clean her wound. It was as if her arm were as disconnected to her as it appeared under the stark beam of light.

"I sat with him often, I couldn't do much else. I must have fallen asleep during one of his quiet spells because when I woke, Orhan was grabbing my arm. I started to ask what was wrong, but something in his eyes stopped me. He was not the same man. I pulled from him but he bore down, clutching with fingers like claws. He was gripping so hard that, that one of his nails snapped free of his finger. I cried out for him to stop, please, and he opened his mouth as if to answer, but he made no sound. Suddenly, I couldn't move. If Thomas had not come to the door, I would be there now."

"Was it your son's idea to climb out the window?" I asked, wrapping her arm as best I could. Ana nodded. "We ran to Thomas' room, but Orhan followed. We were trapped."

Smart kid, I thought. Only now what do we do with you?

As if reading my mind, "I'm sorry to burden you," she said. "Thomas is all I have left. I have to keep him safe."

Taking the flashlight from her, I clicked it off.