Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“It’s likely she just needs to sleep it off.
Depending on how long ago she ingested it, getting her to throw up might help get it out of her system faster, but the research on that is mixed.
I usually induce vomiting because it’s certainly not going to hurt, and if it can help at all, it’s worth it. ”
“Okay. And she doesn’t need a hospital?” I asked, taking another deep breath.
He sighed and I imagined he was running his hand over his jaw.
“She needs someone to stay with her and monitor her breathing. Keep her from vomiting and aspirating. But no, she doesn’t need a hospital.
She needs a lot of fluids—all the water you can get her to drink.
That’ll help flush her system. If her pulse drops or her breathing becomes weak, take her to the ER to be safe.
It’s possible he gave her more than one dose but it’s unlikely, given most idiots who get their hands on this shit just drop one pill in the drink and call it a day. ”
“How do I monitor her pulse?”
“Does she have a smart watch?”
I looked at her wrists. I’d seen her wear one plenty of times, but she wasn’t wearing it now. “Not on her. But she can wear mine.” I started pulling at the strap.
“Okay, check her pulse a few times every hour. If it drops below 60, take her to the hospital.”
I took mine off and strapped it to her wrist. She groaned at the contact.
“Okay, I gotta go,” I said.
“Call me back if you need me to come over there,” Dad said.
“I will.” I pulled the phone away from my ear.
“Wait, Leo?”
I sighed and put the phone to my ear again. “Yeah?”
“If she wants to press charges, you need to take her in to have her urine tested within seventy-two hours. If it’s even something she’s thinking about, she should go tomorrow to be safe. She could also ask for a rape kit if that’s of concern.”
My stomach rolled and I pushed that possibility from my mind. One problem at a time.
“Okay. Thanks, Dad.” I hung up the phone.
“Alright, Hawaii. This is not going to be fun, but I need you to trust me.” I pulled her against me and maneuvered us until I had her slouched against the toilet. “Are you with me, baby?”
She groaned, sounding pained. I took that as her approval because I was going to do this whether she liked it or not. Anything that could potentially get her through this faster was worth it.
Alyssa stood in the doorway with a bottle of water. “What are you going to do?”
“Go in the other room, Lys,” I said. “I’m going to make her throw up.”
Alyssa set down the water just inside the door and disappeared.
I pulled a hair tie off Sophia’s wrist and tied her hair back at the nape of her neck before opening her mouth.
I made sure she was aimed at the toilet and gently pressed two of my fingers to the back of her throat until I felt her contracting around me, gagging.
I pressed a little further and felt her stomach contract against my body as she heaved.
I pulled my fingers out of her mouth and wrapped her hair around my fist, holding her head over the toilet as she retched.
When she was done she dropped her head onto the toilet seat. I slid a hand between her cheek and the porcelain as I flushed the toilet.
“Is she okay?” Alyssa called.
“Yes, can you bring the water closer?” I asked, not wanting to let go of Sophia out of fear that she might slump to the floor.
“Yep,” Alyssa yelled back. I heard her feet running back toward me and she picked up the bottle and tossed it to me. I caught it and opened it quickly.
“You need some water, baby,” I said, pouring it into Sophia’s mouth. She choked and sputtered as it hit her throat. “I know it’s hard, but you’ve got to drink something, Soph,” I said, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Come on, just a few swallows.”
Her throat contracted as I poured more into her mouth and she drank it down.
Alyssa looked from Sophia to me. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Yes. My dad said to get her to vomit and then flush her system with water.”
“Do you want me to help you get her into bed? I can sleep in there with her tonight.”
“Please don’t ask me to leave her,” I said, my eyes filling with the fearful tears I’d been fighting back as the panic at the thought of being kicked out of their suite took over.
Alyssa nodded. “Okay. I’ll make up the couch. We can take shifts if you want.”
She turned to leave. I didn’t argue with her but I wouldn’t be doing any shifts if that meant leaving Sophia in the hands of someone else, even her closest friend.
I eased Sophia off the toilet and leaned her sideways against my chest so I could try to get her to drink some more.
I held the bottle to her lips but she sputtered on more of the water than she swallowed, so I thought it best to give her a break from my fluid onslaught.