Author's Note: Hello my faithful readers! Thanks so much for your reviews on the last chapter, I'm happy with your responses. Thank you for giving me a reason to write. I hope you're all doing well! Here's the ninth installment, read and enjoy!
Story Title: Far From Gone
Written By: ButterflyCryx
Chapter Nine: "I Couldn't Save Her"
Amy and Helen rushed down the basement stairs and into Teddy's room. They stopped at the entrance, suddenly unable to move. Both their mouths were slightly parted as the rush of panic settled in. Helen put a single hand to her chest as her sister slowly started to approach her unconscious daughter. The blonde felt like her heart was being squeezed and the ounce of life that she had left was now gone. Her daughter was lying on the floor, one hand in P.J's who was crying softly to her and the other one loosely holding the bottle of pills she forced herself to swallow. Amy quickly bent down to check her pulse and felt a slow but steady one.
"Oh thank god, Helen, call 911!" The surprisingly calm mother ordered as her sister obliged and dialed the number on her cell. Amy, who went to college to become a nurse, knew all about the profession. She learned all of the precautions to take during an emergency and luckily remembered them for this very moment. Amy grabbed her daughter and gently laid her on her lap. P.J's eyes were red and puffy and the mother could tell he was afraid. As Helen spoke to the operator on the phone, Gabe ran up the stairs to stay with Charlie. Everything seemed to be happening so fast and the blonde could barely keep up.
"Mom, is she going to be okay?" P.J asked, hoping for a positive answer. Amy wanted to hold her baby boy in her arms and promise him that everything was going to be alright, but she knew her baby girl needed her the most.
"She will be, okay? We just need to be there for her." She assured the eighteen year old. He simply nodded in return.
"They're on their way. They said to keep her-"
"Head elevated to avoid seizures, I know." Amy quickly replied. She looked down at her daughter and caressed her face gently.
"Everything's going to be okay baby, I promise. Just hang on for mommy."
Helen watched with tear-filled eyes as her sister spoke to her niece. The undying love Amy had for Teddy did something to her heart. Something she was unable to describe. Within seconds, the EMT's were at Amy's front door and Gabe rushed to open it. He directed them to where the rest of his family was while successfully keeping an oblivious Charlie in the kitchen, eating a snack.
Two EMT's, named Steven and Josie, rushed to the sixteen year old and placed her on a stretcher immediately. Josie checked her pulse and noted that it was weakening while Steven placed a breathing mask on her face. Amy helped Josie insert a needle that was connected to a tube into her daughters wrist. The tube was connected to a bag of fluids that would be pumped into Teddy's body. She let them wheel her out and followed close behind as they carried her up the basement stairs.
"Hey Violet, prepare a room for Teddy Duncan please. Looks like we've got an overdose. Her vitals are down but were taking care of it. Thanks, be there in five." Josie said into her walkie-talkie as she pushed the stretcher into the ambulance truck. Amy gave Helen a look and the woman immediately caught on.
"I'll drive there. You go ahead, she needs you."
Amy gave her a grateful smile then got into the ambulance that Helen sadly watched drive away.
"Please tell me she's going to live." P.J said in a panicked tone as Helen embraced him and kissed his forehead.
"She is kiddo, I promise you."
"You sure know a lot about Medical assistance. Are you a doctor?" Josie asked as they raced to the hospital. Amy held onto Teddy's hand.
"I studied to be one." She admitted, not taking her eyes off of Teddy as if she would suddenly disappear.
"What happened?"
"I... I never got the chance. With four kids, I didn't have the time." Amy partially lied. The real reason behind it was none other then her deceased husband.
The woman nodded in understanding and checked the heartbeat monitor.
"She's doing great, we just need to pump her stomach before the drugs effect her badly and she'll soon be on her way to recovery." The woman compromised as Amy gently squeezed her daughters hand.
"You hear that sunshine? You're going to be okay." She whispered as Josie gave Steven a brief look. As they got to the hospital, Amy was told to stay in the waiting area and fill out a couple of forms for Teddy. She reluctantly obliged and sat in one of the chairs. She wasn't paying attention to the clipboard that contained numerous papers in front of her; she was too busy thinking about her daughter.
'An overdose? Why would she do that? Was she trying to kill herself?'
As she pondered about the languishing thought, Helen and P.J rushed through the doors and approached the mother.
"Where is she? Is she okay?" Helen asked in an instance as Amy realized her two youngest kids were missing.
"Where's Gabe and Charlie?" She asked, avoiding her sisters previous questions.
"I left them with Mrs. Wentz and Ivy. They begged to come but this environment is too much for them."
"Yeah, I know. At least their safe." Amy quickly said as she put a single hand over her head. Helen noticed that despite the situation, her sister didn't cry. Not when she first found Teddy, not when they loaded her into the ambulance.
Not once did a tear fall from her eyes. The brunette didn't know if she should be concerned or relieved.
"Was she trying to commit suicide?" P.J asked in a low tone, looking down at the white-tiled floor. No one said a word. If a pin were to drop, you'd be able to hear it. Amy masked her face with her hands and tried to grab a hold of reality. The realization of the situation hit her and she suddenly felt numb... and dizzy.
Very dizzy.
"Amy? Ames, are you okay?" Helen asked as the blonde tried to stand.
"I'm just fine..." she trailed off once she felt the weight of the world give up on her. She fainted but was luckily caught by her sister. P.J helped steady a weary Amy as Helen called out for some help.
"C'mon squish, don't do this to us. We need you to be okay." Helen said, calling her sister by her childhood nickname. A male doctor rushed to the scene and got a wheelchair for the blonde.
P.J, as overwhelmed as he was, managed to wheel his mother away as Helen waited for any news on his sister.
Today was clearly not a good day for the Duncan family.
It had been eight hours since the incident. The digital clock that rested on the wooden table read 11:45 pm. As the drugs wore off, Amy's eyes fluttered open. She felt so relaxed that she didn't want to move. Once she realized where she was and why she was there, she frantically sat up and tried to get out of bed. Paul, who was standing by the door for the past twenty minutes, quickly approached her and made her stop.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." he commented, giving her a firm look. Still a bit dazed, Amy gave him a funny look.
"Who are you to tell me what to do? I need to get to my daughter." she snapped, still trying to stand. Paul held her hands, which sent her a soothing vibe, then looked into her emerald green eyes again. This time, Amy paused and stared back.
"I'm your therapist now, Amy. I advise you to stay in bed and wait for the doctors to come and check up on you."
"Did Helen call you? How long have you been here?" she asked.
"Yes, she did. Only because it's relevant for me to be here. When a patient has a traumatic experience, it's my duty to guide them through it."
Amy huffed but settled back into her hospital bed.
"I don't need guidance-"
"Teddy is my main concern, but I thought I should check-up on you as well. You fainted earlier, do you remember that?"
As Amy searched her empty head, Paul smiled at her appealing facial expressions.
"It's okay if you don't, it's the drugs. They sedated you so you could rest, your body was too exhausted. Were you panicking when you found your daughter?" he questioned, taking a seat beside her. Amy's mind got back to Teddy and she felt the sudden urge to just run out. She looked at Paul and felt the urge slowly fade. She cleared her throat then answered his question.
"No... I was... calm. On the outside, I guess." Paul nodded in agreement.
"Situations like your own are common. You appear to be fine but your insides are battling for stimulation and control." he quickly informed her.
"You didn't answer my second question. How long have you been here?"
"For five hours." he said. Amy's eyes widened as she checked the time. Realizing that she had been asleep for most of the day, she mentally cursed at herself and attempted to get up again.
"Amy, please calm down. It won't help if you leave and demand to see her. They'll never let you in this condition."
"My daughter, is she okay? Is my baby girl okay?"
"She's just fine Ms. Duncan, we pumped her stomach earlier today. We gave her something to help her get some rest. She won't be awake for another hour." a female doctor said, walking into the room. She was tall but very petite and had short black hair. She smiled at them then checked Amy's vitals.
"You're going to be okay Amy, Your heartbeat has slowed since your incident and you look great. Are you tired, hungry? Is there anything you need?"
"My son and sister, are they still here? Can I see them?"
"They left to go wash up at your home. They'll be back soon. Anything else?"
Amy sunk into her bed and wished that it would swallow her whole. She wanted her family, she didn't want anything else. She quietly nodded a 'no' then looked down at the white sheets that covered her and her hideous hospital gown.
"Well, just push that red button on the side of your bed if you do need anything. Feel better." the doctor said, later known as Dr. Violet Vitalli. She smiled at them one last time before heading out.
"I want to see my daughter." Amy said, twiddling her thumbs.
"You will as soon as she wakes up. In the meantime, do you care for a chat?"
Amy smiled at Paul's cheesy gesture, then accepted his offer.
"Great. So, how are you feeling?"
Amy frowned at his question then sighed.
"How are you feeling?" she retorted. Paul couldn't hold back his chuckle as the mother reminded him of her son.
"Just fine, thank you. Better since I now know you and Teddy will be okay, physically."
"You were that worried?" she questioned. He nodded.
"Very much."
Amy thought for a moment then spoke.
"Why?"
"Because, you...uh... you both..."
Amy smirked then looked at him.
"For an extremely talkative therapist, you seem at a lost for words."
Paul nervously looked down and laughed.
"Only when I'm around you." Noticing the error in his response, his eyes widened and he faked a cough to cover it. Amy couldn't help but shyly smile and look away. She didn't know why, but something about this man made her feel comfortable.
Something about this man made her feel safe.
"Mom fainted?!" Gabe shouted, as a million thoughts raced into his mind. P.J bent down to calm his little brother as Mary Lou and Ivy, whom was holding Charlie, watched from aside.
"She's fine, they just called Aunt Helen to let her know that she's awake. We're going back to see her now."
Gabe raced past his brother and waited at the door.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go!" the young boy exclaimed. P.J took Charlie from Ivy's hands and mumbled a sincere 'thank you' before exiting the house.
Ivy watched as they walked away and turned to her mother with tears in her eyes. Mary Lou hugged her daughter and promised her that Teddy would be fine.
"What if she's not okay emotionally?" she feared, laying on her mothers shoulder. Mary Lou sighed then responded.
"Then we'll pray Ivy, we'll pray for Teddy and her family." she said. The young girl nodded then continued to cry.
She just wanted her best friend to depend on her. For once, she just wanted to be there and help her. Ever since they were in middle school, Teddy never spoke to Ivy about the problems that she was facing at home. She never told her any of her biggest and darkest secrets. Ivy always shared her own, but never had the opportunity to hear some of Teddy's. She knew the blonde for such a long time yet she felt like she was a complete stranger. When she found out that her best friend since seventh grade had tried to kill herself, she was honestly at a loss for words.
And right now, as she was standing in the living room and embracing her mother, she found herself at a loss for words once again.
After checking up on a sleeping Teddy, Gabe rushed down the hall and peaked into his mothers room. She was sitting on the bed, talking to Paul. He was confused as to why the older man was there but didn't complain once he saw the small smile on his mothers face. Helen, P.J and Charlie came behind him and waited for him to open the door. Gabe finally knocked and watched as the two adults turned their gazes to the door. Paul stood up with a smile and let them in. Amy's small smile turned into a big one as she reached out for youngest son and daughter.
"Momma!" the excited four year old exclaimed, climbing onto Amy's bed. Gabe walked to the other side and embraced his mother in relief.
"Hey kids! I'm so glad my two babies are here!" Amy said happily, now embracing them both. Helen smiled then shot Paul a thankful look. He simply smiled in return.
"We saw Teddy on our way here. She's sleeping and she looks peaceful." Helen informed her. P.J, who was less than happy to see Paul in the room, folded his arms across his chest and stared at his mother. Amy looked at him and noticed.
"Are you okay P.J?" she asked, her voice soft and welcoming.
"Yeah, are you?"
"Yeah, I am." she replied as everyone remained silent.
"Momma, why are you wearing this?" Charlie asked with a funny face as everyone laughed.
"The doctors put it on me. It's ugly, right?"
The toddler nodded in agreement which made everyone, even P.J, laugh some more.
"When are you and Teddy going to leave?" P.J asked, avoiding Paul's observant eyes.
"I can leave now, but Teddy..."
"Is on suicide watch. I need to evaluate her before she's allowed to go home." Paul explained. Amy grimaced at his use of words but couldn't deny the truth of his statement. P.J snapped.
"I'm sorry, was I talking to you? What are you doing here anyway? You're not family."
Helen quickly scolded the boy for his harsh speaking then gave Paul an apologetic look.
"No, P.J's right. The only reason why I'm here is to make sure Amy is okay then wait up for Teddy. I need to speak to her as soon as possible. I'll leave you all alone now. I'll be right outside if you need me." Paul politely said as he got up from his seat beside Amy and left the room. The blonde sadly watched him go but immediately shook the feeling off. Feeling guilty, P.J looked down at his shoes and wished he could take his current actions back.
If only life had a rewind button.
*Teddy's vivid flashback*
"Mom? Where are you?!" eight year old Teddy called, searching her empty and now silent house. P.J was following close behind, calling for his mother as well. Their father was nowhere to be found and their Aunt Helen had stopped by earlier to take Gabe home for the night. The two siblings asked to go with them but their father refused. They were perplexed about the situation but knew better than to argue. A short while after, they got locked into Amy and Bob's closet again as he violently beat her. P.J took one of the closet hangers and picked the lock after the beating was over. Teddy remembered hearing him calling her a 'dirty bitch' and a 'useless slut'. He then dragged her out of the room by her hair and left. As Teddy looked for her mother, his horrible choice of words ran through her mind.
"Let's check the basement." P.J suggested as the two of them raced down the stairs. Teddy's face fell as she spotted her mother on the ground. She looked lifeless and it scared her. They rushed to her and quickly bent down to aid her.
"Mom? Mommy? Mom! Wake up!" Teddy begged, shaking the older woman slightly. P.J began to cry as he noticed the bruises on her face and the strangle marks on her neck. There was also fresh blood on her pink night gown. Teddy removed some of her mother's hair out of her face and didn't care that she got blood all over her hand. This was the first time that they ever saw Amy in such a way; they both mentally hoped that they would never have to see her like this again. Just then, a pair of heavy footsteps descended the stairs and both their heads shot up.
"We have to hide." P.J whispered, grabbing his sister and guiding her into the back room. He slid the door open and revealed loads of boxes and junk that sat in there for years. He got in and pulled her along, sliding the door after them. He gestured for her to be quiet but it was no use. The young girl continued to sob and Bob immediately heard it. He swung the door open and spotted his two children with looks of fear on their faces.
"Get out." he ordered as they quickly obliged. He told them to go back upstairs and to not return for the rest of the night.
*Present day, Teddy Duncan's hospital room, 1:45 am*
Teddy's head shot up from her pillow and she immediately scanned the room. Fresh tears began to form at the corners of her eyes and her heartbeat began to dangerously accelerate. The machine that monitored her heart began to beep loudly, causing her to wince at the sound. Dr. Vitalli and a male nurse rushed in and aided her, gently laying her back down. She was too weak to fight but did so anyway.
"It's okay sweetie, just relax. Do you need anything to help calm you down?" Dr. Vitalli asked, eyeing the young girl closely. Teddy, still heavily drugged, tried hard to focus on the woman's words. She didn't know where she was or why, but she did know what she needed.
"My mommy, please. I want my mommy." she muttered helplessly, staring off into space.
"Okay Teddy, we'll get your mommy. Just lay back and relax." the doctor ordered as the male nurse proceeded to check the machine and searched for the problem.
"Her heartbeat was steady until two minutes ago. Something must of triggered the sudden acceleration." he quickly informed her. Dr. Vitalli nodded then looked at Teddy before leaving.
"I couldn't save her... I... I was, I was too scared. I couldn't save her." Teddy whined. The doctor gave her a sympathetic look then spoke.
"I'll go get your mom, okay? Keep an eye on her and make sure she stays put." the woman ordered as the male nurse nodded.
Teddy, still dazed and confused, failed to understand anything at the moment. Her head was spinning and her only concern was her mother.
"Is she okay? Is my mommy okay? Did daddy hurt her again?" she questioned to no one in particular. The male nurse froze at her words and felt a pang in his heart. He, of course, had no idea what she was talking about but that didn't matter.
"She's fine, she'll be here in just a minute." he promised as Teddy nodded in relief then laid back down, falling into another deep slumber.
A/N: PLEASE REVIEW. I need your words of encouragement! BTW, the next chapter will consist of some Amy and Teddy time, so stay tuned to see how that turns out! Thanks for reading!
