Bruises! Lots of them!!!

Melody tries in vain to cover herself up. When she realizes that it won’t work, she curls up into the fetal position, rolls away from you and faces the back of the couch. In the split second you stared at her body, your eyes saw immediately what she did not want them to see. Bruises! Her torso was covered in them. You drop the blanket and go over to her. You slowly creep up to her and crouch down next to her.

“OH MY GOD!!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?” You ask in horror. You already know the answer, but you ask anyway.

“Keith, he…he hits me!!!” She says as she starts to cry. You rub her shoulder to assure her that everything will be okay. She winces in pain.

“I'm sorry!!! What can I do?” You ask. You don’t want to make her hysterical, so you avoid going into details. “Do you want me to get some ice? Take you to the hospital? Call the cops?”

“Can you…get Alicia?” She sniffles. “She’ll know what to do.”

“Are you sure Melody” You ask hesitantly.

“Yeah.” Is all she says in reply. You cover her up in the blanket and then head out into the hallway.

Alicia, your neighbor from down the hall is a pre-med student, so she will be able to treat Melody’s bruises better than you can. However, you do have to tread lightly when you inform her of the situation. Not only is she pre-med, but she is also a staunch feminist. Her first reaction will probably be to blame the first man she sees for Melody’s condition and that would be you, so you decide to get some back-up before you head to her place. You bang on the door across the hall from your room.

“SCOTT…DIRK!!! Open up guys!!!” You shout through the door. Their door is always unlocked but being that it is a Friday night, you know they are probably stoned, so you don’t want to barge in on them.

You can hear the sounds of people scampering and throwing certain items that the owners don’t want discovered into hiding places. After a few seconds the door creeps open and you are met by Dirk and the scent of about eight different fragrances of air fresheners.

“Jack, my braugh from another ma!!! What brings you out into the hallway on this very untranquil evening?” He asks.

“I need your help Dirk!!! Melody just came in from her date with Keith, and she has bruises all over her body. The son-of-a-bitch has been beating her.” You inform him.

“Totally bogus man!!! I knew that hombre was bad news when I met him. He had bad vibes about him!!! Should I get the 5-0 on the phone?” He replies as the stoned look on his face quickly disappears.

“Not yet! I need you to handle another situation for me. I need you to get Alicia for me.” You tell him.

“Dude, my Lady Guinevere is at her domicile tonight. Her time of the month and all. You can go knock on her door!” He tells you.

“I can’t man! She’ll think I did it. She thinks Keith is Prince Charming and I’m a douche!!!” You say. He nods in agreement

“Scott man, I need you to keep an eye on Jack’s lady!!!” Dirk says as he takes you down the hall. He knocks on the door to Alicia’s room. She opens the door and embraces Dirk, and then she spies you.

“What do you want?” She asks in a snotty voice.

“He needs your help milady!!!” Dirk informs her.

“What does he need? Castration? I can help him with that!!!” She clenches her fist. Despite what everyone tells her, Alicia has got it into her head that you are only friends with Melody because you want to get into her pants.

“No, it’s Melody. Keith has been beating her. She’s got bruises all over her body. She’s asking for you!” Dirk tells her.

“Are you sure it’s not THIS ONE that’s beating her?” She asks him as she points to you.

“My love, I am certain that it is not this man who has done Melody wrong. I swear on my honor that it is more likely for me to beat you than it is for Jack to beat on Melody!” Dirk stands up for you. Alicia gives you a scowl, grabs her medical bag and then heads to your room.