Chapter 14: Choosing Sides

Quentin was getting dressed, happy to be finally going home from the general hospital. He stood there shirtless in blue baggy jeans. He shook his head and ran his fingers across the 4 scars that were left from a few days ago. He then put on a dark navy blue button up shirt and ran his hands through his hair. He grabbed his Hypnocil, placed it in his back pocket and started out the door. His father Alan handed him his jacket and began leading him to the front desk. He stopped and stared at Gwendolyn's room. He sighed, nodding his head to it. He then began walking after his father to the front. It felt great to be leaving this place. He'd always felt like he was going to be told he was dying whenever he came here. It was always a relief when he'd leave this place in one piece. He knew that he'd been here to long.

They rounded the corner and saw Gwendolyn's father, mother and little brother Tony there. "Whoa, we don't want any problems, Harvey," Alan told the father. "Neither do we," Harvey told him then glared at Quentin. "Then why are you trying to stare me down?" Quentin asked him, getting a little more defensive. "Because we wanted to see you, son," the brunette mother said. "I'll be waiting in the car, Christine," Harvey told her, walking away. "We just wanted to ask you a few things," Christine told him, her blue eyes swollen from crying. "Look, I didn't have anything to do with that" Quentin told her. "Can I borrow him for a second, Alan?" Christine asked his father. "Alright, I'll just go sign you out Quentin," Alan told him, nodding his head and walking away. She took Quentin's hand and began walking with him to an empty hospital room. He saw little Tony trying to keep up with them both. He then shut the door behind them.

"Look Quentin, I'm not blaming you for anything," Christine told him, "Dr. Coleman said it was probably an allergic reaction or something." "What can I help you with?" he asked her. "We both know it wasn't anything like that," Christine said, getting choked up, "She was murdered in her sleep." "That's impossible," Quentin told her, "Hypnocil prevents nightmares from taking place. It's a dream suppressant. Anyway, why do you think she was murdered?" "Tony's been having nightmares," Christine said, "He's been getting them worse after Gwendolyn died. I watched him one night while I was trying to wake him up. It was like something had a hold of him. These…cuts just appeared on his arms in front of my very eyes. He didn't have them before." Tony showed Quentin his bandaged up arm. "He wanted to take me too," Tony told him in a small voice. "You know exactly what we're talking about," Christine told him. "You're going to have to talk to Dr. Coleman," he told her, "She can give him some Hypnocil and stop these dreams." "Quentin?" he heard his father call. "I'm sorry Mrs. Cochran, but I have to go," he said, turning to the door. Christine glared at him and quickly took his Hypnocil from his back pocket. She quickly shoved it into her purse as he left the room.

"Why can't you come with me and Nancy?" Bobby asked Marlena, "You're just watching out for yourself." "Because I have a family that loves me," Marlena, "And I want to see them again." He made a painful expression, and she stopped in her thoughts. She knew she'd hit a sore spot for him, knowing that his family had so willingly left him here. "You know that was out of my hands," he told her, walking away. "Look, I'm sorry Bobby," Marlena told him, walking after him. "It's already been said and done," Bobby told her, "I didn't want to tell you about that either." "But you told Nancy about your situation," Marlena told him. She grabbed him and hugged him. "Bobby, we can't go with her," she told him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Some of us like to look after other people," he told her. She moved him away and glared at him. "That's not fair, Bobby," she hissed at him, "You knew me a lot longer than you knew her." "Yeah, well she's trying to do this for all of us," he shot back, "You know who he is and what he can do. We have to try this for everyone. Remember what happened to that kid in the hospital?" "That was allergic reaction to the pill," Marlena told him. "Marlena!" he called to her, grabbing her shoulders, "Listen to yourself! You're sounding like them! We both knew who did it. He killed her with it."

"Hey, what are you guys up to?" Darcy asked, coming in. Bobby released Marlena and threw his arms behind himself. "Ow that hurt, Bobby," Marlena growled, rubbing her arms. "Didn't Kate tell you children to play nice?" Darcy said, looking over at Nancy's room. She went out and they followed her. "Leave her be, she's trying to sleep," Marlena told her. "Yeah, well Kate told me to check on her anyways," Darcy said, going in the room, "Because she's starting her insomnia again." They all stood at Nancy's bed and stared down at her. "She's really starting to scare me," Marlena told them both, "Just to see how far she'll go to prove a point." "What do you mean?" Darcy asked her. Bobby shot Marlena a look and she held her hands up to him. "She's planning on going down to the closed off maximum security wing," she told Darcy. "Oh really?" Darcy asked them both. "God damn you," Bobby grumbled at Marlena. Darcy tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and smiled. She knelt down beside Nancy and began to stroke her hair gently. Nancy sighed in her sleep. Darcy smiled and tilted her head. Bobby and Marlena gave each other a wide eyed look. Darcy looked back up at them and smiled.

"She's very pretty isn't she?" Darcy asked them both. "She is," Bobby told her. Darcy smiled down at Nancy and leaned over her. She kissed Nancy's cheek and brushed her hair back. "I'll just tell Kate everything's fine here," she said, leaving and smiling mischievously. "Darcy, wait!" Bobby called after her. They were both walking in the hallway. "Look, you can't tell Kate about Nancy's plans, alright?" he asked her. "Why would I do that?" Darcy asked him, "You're calling me a snitch?" "No, that's something Gary would've done," he said, "Look, I'm sorry about arguing with you at breakfast. It just feels like it's happening again. We're the only few left." Darcy kissed his cheek and went into Kate's office. Bobby sighed in relief and turned back to Nancy's room.

"Ms. Holbrook?" Max asked her, leaning in. Nancy's eyes opened and she blinked a few time. "It's your boyfriend Quentin," he told her. "Quentin," she breathed, rushing out of the room. She grabbed the phone and smiled. "Quentin!" she shrieked. "Hey Nancy, how are you?" he asked. "I'm a little groggy but I can manage," she told him. "Are you still sleeping alright?" he asked her. "No, not really," she told him, "But I'm still taking my Hypnocil if that's what you mean." "That's good, I'm still taking mine," he told her. She hesitated for a moment. "Quentin, I'm going to try something tonight," she told him. "What is it?" he asked her, "You're not in danger, are you?" "No, it's not that," she said, "I'm going into the basement of this place. I saw something today. A little blonde girl. Kate didn't see her, but I did. She wanted me to follow her into the boarded up wing. I couldn't follow her into there. She's trying to tell me something." "I have to go with you Nancy," he told her. "I'll be with someone," Nancy told him, "I'll be fine." "I'm coming with you," he demanded. "They close early tonight," Nancy told him, "Max will never let you in at that time." "Let me deal with Max," he told her, "I have to go with you."

"Alright then," Nancy told him, "I just don't want you to get caught and arrested." "I'm a big boy," he told her, "I have to see you again. I miss you, Nancy." "I miss you too Quentin," she sighed. "I'll be there," he told her, "When are you going through with this?" "We'll be going tonight," Nancy said, "How will you get in?" "I'll figure something out," he joked, "I'll see you then." She smiled, feeling a bit better. "Alright," she told him, "I love you." "I love you too," he told her. She smiled and hung up after they were done. She felt better, knowing Quentin was finally out of the hospital and that he cared for her so much. She could feel their trust and understanding growing.

She just wished it was under better circumstances.