Chapter Six:
Just keep running, Robin told herself as she made her way down the street and urgently searched for cover. Looking back to see if she was still being followed, she almost lost her balance. She heard a noise behind her and turned around just in time to see a hand raised above her face. Everything went black.
Robin awoke with a start. She felt her heart beat fast and the sweat on her forehead. She took a few deep breaths and sat up. She looked and saw that Elizabeth was sitting on the chair sleeping. She felt relieved that Patrick wasn't there. She moved on the bed and knocked the call button to the floor. Elizabeth awoke at the sound.
"Hey, you're awake," Elizabeth said.
Robin nodded. "How long have you been here?" She moved the covers to hide her skin.
Elizabeth walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Not long, how are you feeling?" she smiled at her.
"I'm fine," she lied.
"Sure you are," Elizabeth smiled at her. "Rob, it's me. Talk to me, tell me what's happening."
"I am in a hospital bed and I want to go home, that's what's happening," Robin said and sighed. "I just want to go home."
Elizabeth thought for a minute before proceeding. "Can you remember what happened?"
"Elizabeth, you know I love you and you're my best friend, but I can't do this right now," She began to cry. "I am going to go home," she moved to the edge of the bed and reached for the bag of clothes Elizabeth had brought for her.
"I think you should stay here. You need to rest and heal," Elizabeth stood up to stop her.
Robin turned to look at her friend. "Please leave me alone. I can't do this right now. It doesn't matter what you or Patrick think I should do. I am going home with or without your help. That's all I am going to do."
Elizabeth could see this was what Robin needed so she backed off. "Let me go make sure you are set to be discharged."
Robin glanced gratefully at her friend. "Thank you."
Robin closed the door to her apartment after Elizabeth dropped her off and locked it. She practically had to beg Elizabeth to leave her, but finally her friend acquiesced. She turned around and looked at the scene in front of her. Everything looked the same, yet everything was profoundly different. She walked down the hall toward her bedroom, feeling the walls as she walked. She could feel the air and hear the sounds of her home, which had always brought her comfort. Now they made her feel nothing. She stopped outside of her room and sank to the floor. She stared at her hands and her broken fingernails. How did she break them? She heard a noise and felt her heart rate speed up until she realized it was Toots. Her cat came up to her from the slumber of the bed and sat down next to her. Robin turned and looked at her cat and reached a hand to touch her. "Hi Toots," she said. The cat purred and kneaded her paws on Robin's leg. She turned to stretch; oblivious of the turmoil she was going through. Robin curled up on the floor and finally let everything out. She cried and cried as if her heart were breaking. Toots curled up in a ball next to her and slept.
Patrick went through the motions at school Monday morning until he finally had a break in his schedule. His students could tell something was wrong, but they didn't know what it was. Word had gotten around that Robin had been in an accident, but the facts were not clear. He called her phone for the 5th time and felt his heart sink when it went directly to voicemail. He hung up without leaving a message and sighed. He heard his door open and looked up.
"Hi Elizabeth." Patrick said, standing up.
"Hey," she said and closed the door behind her. There was an awkward silence while they looked at each other. "I wanted to thank you," Elizabeth began.
Patrick looked at her, startled. "For what?" He had been kicking himself all day for how all of this was his fault.
Elizabeth met his gaze. "For saving her. For finding her and for believing in her," she wiped away her tears.
Patrick sat down on a student desk. "You give me too much credit. I have done nothing to deserve any thanks," he ran his hand through his hair. "How is she? She won't return any of my calls. I guess I will go by the hospital after work and see if she will talk to me."
"She is at home," Elizabeth said. "I brought her there last night."
"Who is staying with her?" He asked.
"No one right now," she began.
"What the hell do you mean? You left her alone?" he yelled at her.
"Patrick, you need to understand something about Robin. The more you push her, the more she shuts down. She is safe in her house. I called a police friend of mine and they are keeping watch outside her house. I am going to pick her up this afternoon and we are going to the police station to file a report," she sighed. "I know you feel badly, but you really need to understand who she is and what she needs."
Patrick looked at her. "I'm sorry. I just want to help her. I hate to think of her being alone and scared."
"I know, and she isn't alone. She has a huge support system with me and Maxie and I have a feeling you won't be far away," she smiled at him. "Call me if you want, but I will try to talk her into answering your calls."
"Thanks Elizabeth," he said as she left.
Patrick turned to go back to his desk; thankful to know Robin would be making a police report. He still felt sick to his stomach about everything. He looked up as his door opened and sighed as he saw who it was. "I'm sorry, Jody, but I am really busy."
"Oh really? Are you? You don't look busy to me. I wanted to talk to you about the other night, and maybe get a do over?" She walked over to his desk and her perfume made him nauseas.
"I am not interested and I am asking you to leave, please," he said, trying to stay calm.
"Oh really? Why is that? Is there someone else? When you ran off did you meet up with Robin and start something?" Jody teased.
He felt his anger boil. "I have tried to be polite because you are a colleague and it is not my style to be rude, but I am asking you one more time to get out of my room."
Jody could tell his tone had changed. "Fine, but it's your loss," she said and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Patrick had enough. He picked up the stapler off his desk and threw it. He watched as it broke onto the floor. He once again ran his hand through his hair and sighed. He didn't know what to do. He simply didn't know.
Robin sat in the small interview room with Elizabeth at the Police Station. She had answered as many questions as she could, but the detective was trying to tell them that it would be very hard to catch the person who did this. The information Robin gave them was sparse at best and she really didn't remember much of the attack. Elizabeth looked at the detective. "Are we done here? I would really like to take Robin back home to rest."
"It's okay, Elizabeth. I want to help as much as I can; it's just that I don't remember anything else." Robin said.
"You did great, Ms. Scorpio. We will be in touch, and please call us if you remember anything. Even the smallest detail can be important." The detective said.
"Okay, thank you," she said and they got up to leave.
Elizabeth pulled up into Robin's driveway. "I brought a bag and can stay overnight," she said.
Robin looked at her best friend. "I am so grateful for you, Elizabeth and you know how much I love you, but I really need to be alone for a bit. I am okay, I promise, I just want to be alone."
Elizabeth nodded. "Okay, but I'll call later and if you don't answer, I'm coming over."
Robin leaned over and hugged her. "I would expect nothing less," she smiled and walked into her house.
Robin put her purse down on the table and looked at the detective's card in her hand. She sighed and put the card down. She knew she needed to remember more, but she just didn't want to face it. She walked into the kitchen and saw the mess in the sink. She remembered making the cupcakes for Patrick. How simple everything was then. How could everything change so drastically in just a few days? Her cell phone rang and she looked at it. She sighed and sat down at the table. "Hello?"
"Robin! I am so glad you answered." Patrick said. He didn't think she would pick up. "How are you feeling?" He didn't know what to say now that she answered.
"I'm okay; thanks for calling. I am going to take a nap, but I'll talk to you soon," she wanted to end the call.
"Wait," he said, not wanting to lose her. "Did you eat anything today? I can bring some food over for you; I won't stay if you don't want me to."
She sighed. "I haven't had much of an appetite, but I appreciate the offer," she said.
"Great, see you soon," he hung up, not allowing her to say no.
Robin looked at the phone. Great, she really didn't want to see anyone. She went to feed Toots and clean up a little.
She had just finished when the doorbell rang. Her heart jumped and she went to look out the peephole. She relaxed when she saw it was Patrick. She opened the door, wrapping her sweater tightly around her.
"Hi," Patrick said as he walked in carrying two big bags. He looked at her and his heart broke. She looked like she hadn't slept in a week. Her face was drawn and she appeared to be covering every inch of herself, like she was hiding from the world. The main thing he noticed was the look in her eyes. Gone was the sparkle, and instead there appeared to be emptiness.
"I brought some things I thought you might like," he put the bags on the table. "There is pasta and salad and soup and chicken," he looked at her. "I wasn't sure what you might want."
She wrapped her arms around her and smiled a small smile. "Thank you; that will be a big help."
"So, is there anything else I can do for you?" he put his hands in his pockets.
She shook her head. "No, thank you. You have done so much for me already."
"No I haven't, Robin. I should have done so much more," he said more to himself than to her.
She looked down. "Well, thanks again, but I think I am just going to rest for a bit," she walked to put the food in the fridge.
"How about we eat something after you rest. If I can be presumptuous, I would bet you haven't slept much recently," he said.
She looked at him. "How did you know?"
"Just a hunch. You look exhausted. I know you want to be alone and I don't want to intrude, but I brought some things to grade, so I can sit here while you sleep if it will make you feel better," he said.
"A babysitter?" she smiled at him.
"A friend," he said and smiled warmly at her.
"Okay I guess," she said and walked to her bedroom while Patrick sat down on her couch and took out his papers to grade. He was really grateful she had agreed to let him stay. It was a small victory, but he was willing to take any opening she would give him. If it made her feel better that he was there, then he would be there. He looked at the papers in front of him and sighed. May as well get some of these done.
Robin walked into her bathroom and let her tears fall. She was just a mess. How much did Patrick know about what happened to her? What did he see? How did he find her? She was so embarrassed and ashamed about everything and the fact that he was here was so confusing to her. She wanted him here, she knew that, but everything was such a mess in her head. She changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and got into her bed. Toots jumped up next to her and curled up, purring. Robin scratched the cat's head and closed her eyes, exhausted again.
"Over here," he yelled as they came closer. The police followed and immediately began surveying the scene. "The paramedics are going to help you, baby, I'll be right here," Patrick said as he moved to allow the medics to help her. She didn't respond as she had lost consciousness again.
Patrick heard moaning and sat up, realizing he had fallen asleep on the couch. He collected himself and listened again, realizing it was coming from the bedroom. Patrick went to the room and knocked gently on the door, but got no response. "Robin? Are you okay?" He asked. He didn't hear anything but more crying. He slowly opened the door to her room and saw her in bed, clearly having a bad dream. He walked over to her and reached to touch her, to wake her.
"HISSSS." Toots suddenly turned into a devil cat. Patrick smiled and looked at the cat. "It's okay; I am not going to hurt her," he said. Toots relaxed, but stood at attention, ready to pounce if necessary. "Robin, it's Patrick, please wake up, it's just a dream," he said and gently shook her shoulder. He almost fell backwards when she shot up and screamed. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Shhh, it's okay, it's okay, you're safe. You are in your own bed and nothing is going to happen to you," he said and she finally turned to focus on him sitting there. She reached out and touched his face with her shaking hand.
"Patrick?" she asked with tears streaming down her face.
"Yes, it's me," he said softly and she buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing as if she finally realized what had happened.
Patrick wrapped her in his arms and held her tightly as the sobs wracked her body. He blinked back his own tears as he tried to sooth her. He just let her cry and he rubbed her back and spoke softly to her. "You're safe now. I am so sorry, Robin. I am so sorry," he repeated the phrase over and over.
After a few minutes she pulled back and looked at his shirt. "Oh, I think I remembered something" She said and reached over to grab a kleenex from the nightstand. She wiped her face and dabbed at his shirt where her tears had left a big mark.
He touched her hand and smiled. "I think it will be fine," he said. He looked at her. "What did you remember?"
"I heard you and I heard the ambulance. I don't know what happened before that, but I knew you were there," she looked at him. "Thank you."
"This never would have happened if I had been who you thought I was. I don't know how you can ever forgive me," he said sincerely, hoping somehow she could.
"None of this is your fault," she shrugged. "I think you are exactly who I thought you were," she tried to smile.
"How about you? How are you, really?"
She sighed. "I am just not sure," she looked down at her hands and he took one of them in his own.
"I am," he said.
"You are what?" she looked at him, not knowing how she felt about her hand in his own.
"I am sure you will be okay. You may not be the same as before, but you will be okay. In fact, I predict great things," he smiled at her.
"Great things, huh?" She asked.
"Oh yes, the greatest," he smiled. "How about we go into the living room and have something to eat?"
She exhaled. "Okay, just let me change."
"Okay," he said and stood up with Toots following behind him.
Robin watched him leave and for the first time in forever, she felt a tiny bit better. She got up to change.
Patrick put the pasta salad in a dish and warmed up the soup in the microwave while he waited. He heard her coming and turned to see her walking in with baggy sweats and a long sleeve t-shirt on. She had left her hair down and it was flowing over her shoulders. She smiled at him. "Made yourself at home I see?"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be obnoxious or anything," he blushed.
She laughed. "No, I was kidding, it's great, thank you," she walked over to the couch and sat down while he brought the food in and set it on the table.
"I didn't know what you might feel like eating. I realized I don't know what you like to eat, so I got an assortment," he rambled. She looked at the food.
"Looks great to me. I haven't eaten in a while, and the hospital food was not very appetizing, so I am thrilled to have anything normal to eat," she looked at him. "Patrick, thank you again."
He beamed at her. "My pleasure, now let's eat."
They ate and talked about work and Patrick was filling her in on the latest gossip. They both avoided anything about the attack and Robin was grateful for the distraction. She felt at ease and it was really nice. She sat back on the couch and smiled. "That was really good, thank you."
He poured them each some water. "I'm glad you liked it," he handed her a glass. She took a sip and put the glass down. Her cell phone rang and she looked at the number. "Excuse me," She said and answered the phone. She walked to the other room and Patrick began to clear the dishes. It was only a few minutes before she came back. "Patrick, thanks for everything, but I think you should leave now," she said, back to being tense.
"What's wrong? Who was that on the phone? I really want to help you, Robin, please don't shut me out," he said.
"It was the police. They think there were similarities between what happened to me and another victim a few months ago. They want me to come back down and talk to them," she said, looking down.
"Okay, then that's what you'll do," he said matter- of- factly.
"Oh really? You think you know everything about me and what I need?" She yelled at him.
He was taken aback. "Of course not, but if they have a lead on who may have done this, it's only right to help."
She looked at him. "Do you think this is easy for me? I can just go down there and explain all of the details again to someone who doesn't really understand anything about me," she yelled at him. "You don't know the first thing about what happened to me. You weren't there. You didn't see what he did to me. You weren't there," she said and sank to the floor.
Patrick felt like he wanted to vomit. She was right. He wasn't there. He sat down next to her on the floor. "You're right. I failed you in the worst way possible. But I can tell you right now, I won't fail you again," he said through his own tears.