Chapter 10: Rescue Me
EPOV
After Rasul ran off towards the burning house, everything started happening in rapid succession. First, the sirens I heard off in the distance became louder and louder and soon the entire highway was closed. Soon enough, we were surrounded by the sheriff's department, Highway patrol, firemen and a couple of ambulances who began assembling a staging area.
An officer began asking me questions, but I wasn't especially listening. I clutched Pam closely, some of the blood on her shirt seeped into mine, but I couldn't be bothered to care. The officer continued to speak, though I don't know what he said.
The scene was chaotic, and I slowly began to process everything, the officer's words became a little more coherent.
"Sir, is the child Ok? The paramedics want to examine her?" A patrolman asked urgently. I must have still been experiencing a state of shock because I couldn't formulate a response.
"I'm okay." Pam replied in her small voice. "My mommy's gonna come for me, she promised." Pam told the officer.
"Sir, the paramedics want to examine her." The officer urged again. Logically, I knew he was right, but I just didn't want her to leave my arms. Add my overprotection to the fact that my eyes were glued on the commotion going on in the woods, I just wasn't even listening to the officer.
The officer reached for Pam and said something to her, but I tightened my grip. "Sir, there's blood all over her, surely you'll agree that it's better to be safe and get the littleun' checked out." He admonished trying to make me see sense. He was right, of course. I had done a tertiary check of her when I found her, but her clothes were bloodied.
"Fine." I growled. But there was no way I was letting him take her out of my arms. I was about to walk over to the ambulance with Pam when a slew of activity started happening around me. An onslaught of communication on the Police radios began and first responders were all yelling various commands. It was all very confusing and hard to keep up with, but what I heard made my whole body relax. "We've got her."
The paramedics took off into the woods carrying a gurney and some of their supplies. From what I was able to piece together, they had found Sookie, but that she was unconscious. From all accounts, it didn't appear as though she was in very good shape. But she was alive.
A large gust of wind blew furiously which caused the smoke to billow in our direction. The thick smoke made it difficult to breathe and the ash began to burn both of our eyes. Still holding Pam, another paramedic was looking her over. She seemed fine, the blood wasn't hers, but since the smoke impeded a proper medical check, the paramedic urged me to take her to the hospital.
Pam told the paramedic repeatedly that she was okay and seemed insistent that she understand that the blood belonged to "her mommy", but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. "It's mommy's blood, she got hurt." Pam said over and over. Hearing Pam's furious insistence caused me to worry because she was so attached to the Stackhouse woman, and if Sookie didn't make it, well, it would break her heart.
Once I had gained my footing back, I was able to see reason and I was glad that the officer insisted on having Pam checked out. Though I was worried for the state of Pam's mental health. Her repeated claims that Sookie was her "mommy" started to worry me. I realized that it was a traumatic experience for the both of them, and that it would cause them to bond, but at what expense to my daughter?
The paramedic suggested that we take her to the hospital anyway, just to have a doctor look over her and check her head. There weren't any obvious signs of trauma, but you never know with head injuries. She also gently suggested that we meet with a counselor. I agreed with her on all points.
The first person I saw emerge from the woods was Rasul. He was quickly followed by two paramedics who were carrying a motionless Sookie, or at least I assumed it was Sookie. It was really difficult to tell because for one thing, I had only seen her in a few pictures. But also because the woman had an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. She was covered in soot and blood and her hair was matted and clothes tattered. Honestly, if I hadn't heard someone shout that she was alive, I wouldn't have believed it.
If that truly was Sookie Stackhouse lying lifeless on that gurney, then I owed her more than I could ever repay.
I held Pam's hand as she was given a thorough examination. She didn't care at all about what was happening to her as her entire focus was on Sookie.
"Where is mommy?" Pam asked over and over. Honestly, it was really starting to piss me off that she kept calling her mommy, but I had to remind myself that she had been through hell and Sookie was her only lifeline. Still, I didn't like the fact that my daughter was so attached to her. I didn't understand it at all.
"Baby, Sookie, is here at the hospital too. The doctors have to look her over just like they had to look you over." I said gently. The doctor gave me an understanding look. Dr. Robidoux must have heard Pam ask about Sookie over a dozen times and I knew he had an opinion on the matter.
"But daddy, she promised me." Pam began to cry. I felt helpless. There were a great many things I could and would do for Pam, but this wasn't something I could control. She was clearly having some separation issues, but I'm no psychologist and I didn't know what to do or say to make any of it better.
"I'm here Pamela. Shh. Don't cry." I begged her, and I admit, I cried too. I just felt so helpless.
"Mr. Northman." The doctor said in his thick Cajun accent, "I'm prescribing a mild sedative. I assure you it will not harm her, simply give her some much needed rest." He said. I gave him an approving nod. Pam did in fact look exhausted.
"And if I may, I'd like to speak with you privately." He said.
"I don't want to leave her side." I replied immediately. I didn't trust anyone, after all, there were still people out there actively searching for Sookie.
"I'll come by once she's asleep." I again nodded and he took his leave.
A half hour later, Pam had fallen asleep, looking as innocent and at peace as a five year old should. Though I worried about the internal scars she would bear.
As promised, Dr. Robidoux checked back in. And just as I suspected, he noticed Pam's attachment to Sookie.
"I'm not an expert in child psychology, Mr. Northman, but I noticed a few troubling signs. I encourage you to take her to a professional, as I suspect there may be some PTSD issues. It's also quite apparent that she's attached to the young woman she was kidnapped with." He said. I agreed with him, though it killed me to know that my child was suffering. I looked down at her as she slept and I noticed that she had her thumb in her mouth which was odd because she really hadn't sucked her thumb since she was 18 months.
"You live in Shreveport, yes?" The doctor asked and I affirmed.
"My colleague gave me a referral for Amy Ludwig, though her office is in Minden, not Shreveport. Please give her a call." He handed me a business card which I quickly filed away in my wallet.
"I will doctor." I didn't care how far I had to drive; I would take here wherever she needed. I thanked him and he assured me again that Pam was perfectly fine, physically speaking. Pam was given the all clear and was going to be released the next day.
I rested, as best I could in the chaise lounge next to Pam's bed. given my height, nothing short of my California king is even remotely comfortable to me, but I didn't care.
An hour later I heard loud whispers and a lot of commotion outside Pam's room. I went to the door and found Rasul having an argument of sorts with Sookie's brother Jason. Not wanting to leave the room, I stood in the doorway and listened as the two of the continued on, seemingly unaware of my presence.
"She's askin' bout her! She said somethin' bout a promise and she's acting all crazy like." Jason said animatedly as he flailed his arms about.
"I understand, but Pam is sleeping and Eric needs to be with her." Rasul said, trying to calm him down.
"What am I supposed to do? She's damn near having a panic attack, the doctors are threatening to sedate her. She's gonna keep acting nuts 'til she sees for herself that that little girl is alright."
"Look man, I get it." Rasul said. I'd had enough though and cleared my throat to get their attention. They both turned their heads, finally acknowledging me.
"What's going on? My daughter finally fell asleep and here you two are making all kinds of racket out here." I said sternly. I wasn't really mad, just curious.
"Sorry man. I tried to tell Jason the same thing." Rasul explained. Jason gave him a sideways glance.
I looked at Jason and asked again, "So what is it?"
"It's Sook. She finally regained consciousness and they got her on oxygen and an IV. She's all in a panic though. Keeps sayin' "I promised her. Promised to come get her" I assume she's talking about your little girl." Jason said. He looked weary. I could see the bags under his eyes and his clothes looked disheveled. He probably looked and felt like I did.
"Look, I ain't tryin' to bother y'all, but she keeps pulling out her tubes and trying to get up out the bed." He said as he ran his hand through his hair. Seems like Sookie and Pam were both experiencing the separation issues.
"Pam's asleep, and even if she wasn't, I'm not sure I like the idea of Pam seeing Sookie right now." I said. It sounded harsh, but my number one priority has and always will be protecting Pam. And if seeing Sookie hooked up to machines caused Pam anymore emotional trauma, well, it was my duty to protect her from that.
"You ain't gotta be a dick about it!" Jason fumed.
I sighed, "Look, I'm not trying to be a dick. Pam's just a little too attached to Sookie for my liking and if my daughter is experiencing PTSD, then I need to find out more about it. What if Sookie is a trigger? I just can't risk it." I explained and it seemed to calm him a bit.
"And Sook is my priority." He began to pace, and eventually came to a stop in front of me. "Look I ain't been the best brother to Sook, and I gotta change that. From all accounts, she protected your girl at her own expense. You know she got 4 broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung and more cuts and bruises than I can even count. And for God's sake, they had to do some kind of rape kit on her even though she's adamant she wasn't harmed like that. But you know what? She hasn't complained not a once, because right now, all she wants in the whole world is to know that your little girl is okay and to see her with her own eyes." Jason finished and I instantly felt like shit. He was right, Sookie had sacrificed so much for Pam.
"I'll go talk to her." I finally conceded, though I hated the idea of leaving Pam.
"Rasul, will you stay with Pam?" I asked and he agreed. "Guard her with your life." I said before leaving.
A/N: Sorry about the wait, I blame the shittastic DEA. I admit i'm still trying to get over it. And if you're looking for a review, I suggest checking out the Sookieverse Blog. It pretty much sums up my thoughts on DEA.
Thank you all for sticking with me and leaving me such great comments. And thanks to everyone who voted for my Sookie HEA contest entry "Euphoria, Take My Hand" which won the contest! I'm stoked! I've never won a writing contest before. Thanks again to the anonymous contest organizers. I don't know who you are, but you rock!