Marc, it's Melanie—Is Catherine with you?
No, why? I thought she was with you.
Yeah, we saw each other, but she must have left. She was supposed to call me when she got home, but nothing—and I can't reach her.
You sound worried, and I don't like that. You're not telling me everything. Where would she have gone?
Listen, I'm probably worrying for nothing, but…
But what, damn it? Talk!
We were talking at my place and she got a text from Stephane.
Stephane? What did he want from her again?
He asked to see her in the park. And she went to meet him…
Oh shit… why did she do that…
Marc, I told her not to go, and to talk to you first. But she didn't listen. I specifically asked her to call me when she got back, and I'm still waiting. She left my place more than three hours ago. Maybe they're in a café and her phone's on silent, but I'd really like to be sure.
You have no idea where they could have gone?
No, of course not. They could be anywhere on campus, in a restaurant, at her place—I don't know.
Okay, I'm coming. We'll check every place she could be.
***********
Thirty minutes later.
Marc…
Did you get hold of her?
No… but I know where she is…
Oh great! Tell me where, I'll come meet you.
Marc…
What? Where is she? Melanie, what's going on?
She's at Saint-Antoine Hospital.
The hospital… What are you talking about? Why? What happened? Who did you talk to?
I called her over and over and someone finally picked up… it was a cop. He told me she'd just been taken there by ambulance.
An ambulance… a cop…
Marc, please meet me at the hospital. I don't know anything else—he didn't tell me anything more.
**************
Marc! I'm here!
Melanie, did you see her? Where is she? Did she have an accident? A fainting spell? How is she?
I don't know much… No, it's not an accident. She was assaulted on campus…
Assaulted??? What do you mean? I don't understand. She was with Steph… oh no… no… no… It was him, right? It's him, isn't it? He did it again… I'm going to kill him…
Marc, calm down. I don't know. They just said she was assaulted, I don't know what kind. I'm not family, they won't tell me more. We have to wait for her parents.
But me, I can. They'll tell me, me.
No Marc, you're not officially family either.
But she's my girlfriend, Melanie, it's the same thing!
Marc, sit down please. We need to calm down and wait. Getting worked up won't help.
Calm down? How do you expect me to stay calm? Cathy's been assaulted, I don't know how she is, or where she is, and you want me to stay calm?
I know. I feel the same way.
And all of this is your fault again!
What? Marc, you're losing it!
No, I'm not! She was supposed to spend the afternoon with you! Why did you let her go with that guy? You knew he could be dangerous! She told you he'd already tried to assault her at her place! I thought she was safe with you and look what happens! You can never be trusted!
Marc, that's unfair, and we don't even know if it was him!
Excuse me… are you Catherine Levair's boyfriend?
Yes, that's me. Can I see her? How is she? What happened? Is it serious? Please, I want to see her.
I can't take you to see her right now. We're waiting for her parents. But I can reassure you: her condition is stable, the tests are good. Nothing is broken. She's in shock though, so we had to sedate her.
Oh thank you… but what exactly happened?
She was assaulted by an individual on campus. He hit her quite violently.
My God… I'm going to kill him. He… did he…?
He was arrested by the police, fortunately in time. Stay here, I'll come get you when you're allowed to see her. It may take a while.
Thank you very much, ma'am… We'll stay here. I'll stay with him, it's going to be okay. Thank you.
************
Hello, I'm Dr. Bertrand. I was the one who took care of your daughter earlier.
Hello, Doctor. How is she?
All the tests are fine. Her body is covered in bruises and her face is badly swollen, but there's nothing serious.
But Doctor… can you tell us what happened? No one is telling us anything. Her boyfriend is devastated. Who assaulted her? And why?
I don't have all the details. An individual attacked her in an isolated area of the campus. So there were no witnesses. What I can tell you is that she fought like a lioness. Campus security received an alert through the cameras. They intervened quickly; otherwise it could have been much worse.
Did he… touch her?
Are you asking about a sexual assault?
Yes.
No. It appears that was his intention, but he didn't have time, thanks to the rapid intervention of the agents.
Has he been arrested?
Yes. The police will then come to question your daughter as soon as she wakes up.
Thank you, Doctor. Can we go see her?
Yes… but I want to warn you. She is still under sedation, so don't be surprised if she doesn't recognize you. And above all… her face is marked. Don't be frightened: the swelling will go down, there will be no lasting marks.
*********
Marc!
Eli! You're here. I don't know what happened, I wasn't allowed to see her, but apparently there's nothing serious.
Yes, I know. We've seen her.
You've seen her? Then I can see her too, right? You'll let me, won't you?
Yes, of course, Marc… but before we go, I need to talk to you.
What?
Because she was in shock, they gave her a sedative.
Yes, I know, the nurse explained. But… there's nothing serious, right? She told us there was nothing serious, that's right, Eli? He didn't touch her, did he?
No, no, he didn't touch her… not like that. There's nothing serious, you're right. But her face is very badly bruised, and I wouldn't want it to upset you. She looks like such a tiny thing in that big bed. It really shook me.
It's okay. I'll be fine. She needs to know I'm here. I want to stay with her.
Alright. I just wanted to warn you. It's hard to see, that's all.
Take me to see her… now.