Page 3 of Halo

“Leah,” Dr. Ramsdale speaks up, “I’d like to give you some pain medication, but we need to do a few things first. For one, we need to do a pregnancy test.”

“No.” I adamantly shake my head. “I’m not pregnant—I-I can’t be.”

They exchange a look, concern slowly etching on their faces.

“Okay, I believe you. But in the slightest chance that you are really early, I need to know. Also, the pain medicine can make you a little drowsy, so I want to make sure we answer any sensitive questions right now.”

Wanda’s hand rests on mine again. “If there is anything you need to tell us—anything at all—this is a safe space. What you say in here will not be repeated.”

“I-I understand.”

Dr. Ramsdale pushes up his glasses, his expression empathic. “Okay, Leah … I’d like to take a look first. I’ll have to touch you, but if at any point you need me to stop, you tell me to stop.”

I anxiously wipe my hands on my gown. Swallowing thickly, I nod.

Wanda patiently helps me reposition on the stretcher, keeping me covered with a warm blanket. The pain is excruciating, like a thousand hot pokers searing into my most intimate area. Tears sting my eyes as she places my legs into stirrups.

The ER doctor pulls on a pair of gloves before taking a seat on the rolling stool at the foot of my bed.

Humiliation settles in my chest as Wanda pulls up my blanket and exposes the bottom half of my body. “Take some deep breaths, baby, and let your knees relax.”

Following her instructions, my eyes flutter closed as my hands begin to tremble.

Please, God … please help me …

An inaudible gasp rolls through the small exam room as dread hangs heavy in the air. Mrs. Wanda and Dr. Ramsdale remain perfectly composed and professional, but there is a subtle shift in the silence as they stare at me.

“Leah, you’re going to feel the back of my hand—just on the outside. Is that okay?”

“Th-that’s fine,” I choke out as he gently touches my inner thigh.

Then he stops.

He pulls off his gloves before carefully covering my legs with the blanket. His jaw ticks, but he refuses to make eye contact with me. Motioning for the nurse, he lowers his voice. “This … this needs to be repaired. Let’s give her 50 of Demerol, 12.5 of Phenergan. And then I’m gonna need some lidocaine and Vycril on a small needle. Oh, and Mrs. Wanda?”

“Sir?” The nurse listens intently.

“Do not let that man back in this room while I’m in here.”

My stomach drops as my body begins to tremble.

What’s happening? What’s going on?

Wanda adjusts her scrub top before taking a seat next to me. She takes a deep, thoughtful breath before cradling my hand. She smiles, but the sorrow in her eyes says it all.

“Baby … what did he do to you?”

Prologue

This section of your novel is considered outside the main plot story, but will always be closely related to it.

You might use a prologue to introduce a character or setting, or provide relevant background information for the main event to come.

Similar to an introduction, a prologue is typically placed in the main body content of a book, before the first chapter, and is therefore not technically front matter.

Chapter 1

Nick