The days after the case followed with fun outings, Carrie going back for another successful therapy session, and relaxing evenings watching shows on the TV. By now, it was back to Monday and Carrie had found herself eager to return to school.
"Hey, Carrie," Bianca called out in the hallway after Carrie. "Are you planning on joining us at the coffee shop this afternoon?"
"Um, maybe," Carrie replied. "I have to ask Emily."
"Usually, she is fine with it or encourages it," Bianca replied slowing her pace next to Carrie.
"They just had this case though," Carrie replied. "The girls our age in this area were stalked and taken from coffee shops."
"But they caught the perp, didn't they?" Bianca asked.
"Yeah," Carrie replied.
"Well then," Bianca smirked, "We are safe then."
"I know," Carrie replied, "Emily was just really shaken up by the case. It really got to her. She was actually crying out of fear of what could happen to me."
"Oh," Bianca said, "Emily loves and cares for you so of course that would happen."
"Yeah," Carrie sighed. "She's just now scared of letting me out of her sight."
"I get it," Bianca replied, "Well I'd love for you to join me. It sucked working alone this past week."
"I bet," Carrie replied, "It was boring sitting at the FBI all day last week, too."
"At least you had Derek to look at," Bianca smirked.
"Eww," Carrie grimaced. "He only harassed me all last week."
"Well anyway," Bianca said turning to her next class, "I'm glad you're back."
"Me too," Carrie replied.
Passing time came and Carrie found her way to find Bianca in the hall.
"Bianca," Carrie said running up to her friend as the bell rang, "Emily said I could go."
"Yay," Bianca chirped.
"The catch is," Carrie replied, "Garcia is tracking my phone location, I have to text Emily when I get there, and if anyone dares to look or say anything creepy Morgan demanded that we take a photo so Garcia can run it and Morgan will beat them up."
"Wow," Bianca laughed, "Abuse of power."
"A little," Carrie smiled. "Emily has conferences with the teachers tonight anyway, so JJ is picking me up and I'm doing dinner with her."
"Okay," Bianca smiled, "My parents stopped going to all those conferences a few years ago."
"Yeah, my parents never went," Carrie stopped realizing she never had spoken about her birth family to Bianca before. "Emily just wanted to explain everything going on with me to make sure all the teachers understand."
"That makes sense," Bianca replied. "You've never said anything to me about your family."
Carrie shrugged as they walked past the trees turning color, "I haven't talked much about them to anyone since everything happened. Emily and I started talking about them last week a little."
"I'm sorry," Bianca said hesitantly, "I didn't mean to pry or anything."
"It's fine," Carrie shrugged, "It's just weird trying to talk about things with Emily or JJ because it's not like they never saw them or met them. They just saw them dead. There's just something odd about that to me."
"Well, if you ever want to talk," Bianca smiled, "You know you got me, right?"
"Yeah, I know," Carrie smiled. "Thanks, and the same goes for you."
The two made it to the coffee shop and ordered before grabbing a seat by the window and fireplace. They pulled out their homework as their lattes arrived and Carrie pulled out her phone.
"Got to let Emily know I made it," Carrie mutter sarcastically.
"She's just being protective," Bianca reminded Carrie. "I would probably be too with my kids if I saw the things they had to see."
"I'm not her kid really," Carrie replied. "At least not yet."
Bianca looked up from her work, "Do you want to be?"
"Like officially?" Carrie asked.
"Yeah," Bianca shook her head.
"I guess, maybe," Carrie replied with a shrug, "I've only been her for like five or six weeks. It's really soon for anything. The CPS worker hasn't even come yet for an inspection, so anything could happen still. I don't know what Emily wants."
"Carrie," Bianca replied, "She helped you get a room together, is paying for a private education, and from what you've told me, I don't think she plans on you leaving."
"I know," Carrie shrugged, "I'm still technically a foster kid though, so anything could happen. I have family technically out in California. CPS could just change something. And I only have a few years until I'm eighteen and it's a lot of paperwork. I don't know Emily's intentions with this."
"Well, I'm sure she doesn't want you leaving," Bianca replied trying to reassure her friend.
"I know," Carrie nodded. "If she offered I would say yes. I think of her as a parent and she knows that now, and she is honored by it. I just don't want to get my hopes up and then have something happen."
"Well," Bianca replied. "She loves you. That's clear."
"Yeah," Carrie smiled. "Are you excited for the lecture series on colleges to go to?"
"Yes," Bianca smiled, "We had only a few we could go to before this for the middle school and so on, so this is gonna be exciting."
"I had nothing like it at my last school," Carrie replied. "So, anything sounds good."
"It's a little stressful I have to admit," Bianca replied as the two began homework.
"What do you mean?" Carrie asked.
"Thinking about the future," Bianca shrugged, "Knowing exactly what you need to get into the colleges of your dreams."
"I haven't even thought about that yet," Carrie said wide eyed.
"My parents are pressuring me to go to Harvard," Bianca sighed. "They all went there, but that's a high standard."
"Yeah, that is," Carrie replied. "My parents didn't go to college. I'd be the first."
"That's cool," Bianca smiled, "They'd be proud."
Carrie shrugged, "Yeah they would. They pressured me a lot to perform well. I just feel like I have to get into a good school for them and Emily is now paying for a nice education so I feel like I can't let her down."
"I don't think you'd let her down," Bianca replied, "She is proud of you for already just trying to get back on your feet."
"Yeah," Carrie sighed, "Emily went to Yale. JJ went to Pittsburg and then Georgetown. I don't even know where Reid got all of his, but I know some are from MIT."
"Geez," Bianca chuckled, "High standards."
"Yeah," Carrie replied. "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know," Bianca shrugged. "I like some of the smaller liberal arts schools. We'll see though once AP classes get intense."
"Come on Bianca," Carrie rolled her eyes, "You are one of the smartest people in the grade."'
"I don't know about that," Bianca replied.
"I do," Carrie replied. "Okay JJ just texted me saying she is getting here in an hour so we should actually get some work done."
The hour passed as the two worked through their science and math homework since it was the same. Carrie packed up her bag and reminded Bianca to text her once she was home. Bianca chucked through that telling Carrie she sounded like Emily before saying goodbye. Carrie ran out to the Subaru waiting at the curb and climbed in.
"Hi JJ," Carrie smiled sitting down.
"Hey sweetie," JJ smiled at the teen. "How do you feel?"
"Fine," Carrie smiled.
"Being back at school went okay?" JJ asked, knowing the teen had been a bit anxious to return.
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "It was nice seeing my friends."
"Well, that's good," JJ smiled. "What about the coursework."
"I should be fine," Carrie shrugged, "I did everything I needed to do last week."
"Good," JJ nodded, "Any material you don't get?"
"Science," Carrie shrugged, "The textbook bores me, but Bianca explained it all so everything now makes sense."
"Science never makes too much sense," JJ agreed. "That was always my worst subject."
"What was your favorite?" Carrie asked.
"Anything writing related," JJ replied, "I enjoy writing."
"Makes sense with what you do," Carrie replied.
"Yeah, it does," JJ sighed, "Speaking of the job, how is Emily doing? She seemed fine today, but I know she is a master at hiding feelings."
"I don't know," Carrie replied, "She definitely isn't as shaken up now, but she still seems scared. She was hesitant to let me go out with Bianca today. She actually made sure Garcia was tracking my phone from when I left until I got there to make sure nobody took me."
"She did?" JJ asked laughing.
"Yes, she did," Carrie smirked.
"Oh my god," JJ replied.
"I'm starting to think I'm never going to have a normal going out time again" Carrie sighed jokingly.
"I mean," JJ nodded, "I understand where she is coming from, but she can't do that forever."
"Bianca said it was abuse of power," Carrie replied with a wide grin.
"She's right," JJ chuckled, "Just tell Emily to get a tracking app on her phone and share locations with you. Having Garcia do it is a little over the top. I'll talk to Em, you need to just be a teen."
"And Emily said you were the overly protective one," Carrie grinned.
"She did?" JJ asked.
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "She said you have been a bit overly protective of me since we've met, and she says you tend to be like that with the rest of the team."
"Well, I don't want anyone to get hurt," JJ replied defensively. "The job has a scary dangerous side."
"I know," Carrie replied.
"So anyways," JJ started, "What do you want to do? Go out, carry out, or I can cook something. I have enough to make some grilled chicken and veggies if you'd like."
"Home cooked sounds good," Carrie shrugged.
"I forgot," JJ laughed, "You live with Emily who can't cook at all."
"She kind of can," Carrie replied defensively. "Enough to not give me food poisoning."
"That's what I was waiting to here," JJ replied. "How much homework do you have left?"
"Not much," Carrie shrugged. "I can do it while you make dinner."
"Okay," JJ smiled, "Because there is a little French bakery down the street with amazing deserts and I was hoping you would want to go and then maybe continue the walk."
"Yeah," Carrie smiled. "Did Emily say when she was getting me."
"She wasn't positive," JJ replied, "But she thought it would be closer to nine."
"Okay," Carrie said. "I'm just kind of tired from today."
"That's understandable," JJ nodded as she parked the car and got out with Carrie.
The two headed up into the apartment and Carrie took a seat and set up her homework at the kitchen island. Carrie raised her shoulders as she looked at the work in front of her. JJ learned on the counter.
"You okay?" JJ asked seeing the dull look in Carrie's eyes.
"Yeah," Carrie nodded, "Just have a little bit of a headache starting.
"How much water have you had today?" JJ asked.
"None," Carrie whispered.
"Well, that might be part of the problem," JJ chuckled in return. "I'll grab you some water and Tylenol."
"Thanks," Carrie replied as JJ handed her a glass of water and pills. "I just need some sleep."
"Have you been sleeping okay the past few nights?" JJ asked concerned.
"I had," Carrie shrugged, "But last night I didn't really sleep well."
"Nightmares?" JJ asked while preparing the food.
"That and nerves of school," Carrie replied.
"Did you talk to Emily about it?" JJ asked.
"Not yet," Carrie shook her head. "We were running late. I'll tell her, don't worry."
"I know," JJ replied, "Or I will tell her."
"Fine," Carrie smiled. "I just have some history and Latin to finish."
"That's good," JJ replied. "I picked up some cider, would you like some?"
"Yeah," Carrie nodded, "I love cider."
"Me too," JJ replied. "I used to get so excited during fall with corn mazes, cider, and doughnuts."
"We didn't have as much of that," Carrie shrugged.
"It's definitely more of a Midwest east coast thing," JJ replied.
"Okay," JJ started, "Food should be ready in thirty."
Meanwhile, Emily drove and parked before heading into Carrie's school. Emily pulled out the map that Carrie had drew for her to navigate from class to class. First was Latin. Emily made her way and waited outside as the parents of another child left.
"Hello," a man with gray hair who Emily assumed was Mr. Vogel greeted her, "Are you Carrie's person."
"Yes," Emily nodded following the man inside and took a seat. "Emily Prentiss."
"Carrie is a marvelous student and takes my jokes well," Mr. Vogel chuckled. "Especially for moving here after school starting. Where did you guys move from?"
Emily hesitated to figure out how to best phrase it, "Carrie moved here from Colorado after some things happened."
"Oh, are you her extended family?" Mr. Vogel asked.
"No," Emily continued, "Carrie's family passed away unexpectedly, and I was on the case so I decided it would be best if she came and lived with me."
"What do you do?" Mr. Vogel asked.
"I work for the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI," Emily replied.
"Oh," Mr. Vogel said piecing things together, "Well she is adjusting well from what I see."
"That's good to here," Emily replied, "I know it's been hard in some areas but she is doing really well for everything she went through."
"Just curious," Mr. Vogel asked, "Was it in any relation to the murders that took place in Denver the other month."
"Yes," Emily nodded.
"Well, if she ever needs any extra time or other accommodations," Mr. Vogel started, "I'm always welcome to give them to her. She seems to already be ahead quite a bit. Or she picks things up quickly."
"Yeah," Emily laughed, "She enjoys languages for sure. She's pretty quick at learning things from what I've seen."
"She has an A and I don't expect that to change," Mr. Vogel replied. "The National Latin Exam is coming up and I expect she will place well in it."
"That good to here," Emily replied. "I know I also enjoyed Latin."
"Catholic school?" Mr. Vogel asked. "That was where I got into it."
"At times yes," Emily started, "English schools required it."
"Ah got it," Mr. Vogel replied, "Well, Carrie is going well. Just make sure she is getting her homework done. She has a good time and had a few friends now in the class. She definitely as far as school goes, is not the student I worry about."
"I'm glad," Emily smiled. "Then I will check this off the list of things to worry about."
"Great," Mr. Vogel smiled. "I'm glad. If Carrie needs anything, we can figure out a plan."
"Okay, great," Emily smiled. "Thanks. Have a good night."
Emily headed out and headed to the next few classes. Emily could only roll her eyes after leaving the science classroom, understanding why Carrie was annoyed by the woman. Emily made her way through, the French teacher gaining more admiration for Carrie through Emily speaking in French the whole time. Emily sighed and checked the time knowing it was getting past eight. She headed down the last hall to Carries psych classroom.
"Carrie?" Ms. Varabell asked.
"That would be me," Emily replied taking a step into the classroom and following the teacher over to the desk after catching onto the routine.
"It's Emily, right?" Ms. Varabell asked.
"Yes," Emily smiled.
"We emailed last week after Carrie ran out," Ms. Varabell continued, "How is she doing?"
"Okay," Emily relied.
"I was glad to have her back in class today," Ms. Varabell replied, "She is definitely one of the students with the most potential in this class. She seems ahead or has a better grasp at the subjects we have been discussing in abnormal psychology."
"It's because she is just surrounded by experts in its daily," Emily chuckled. "I work for the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI and Carrie spends a good amount a time with the team. David Rossi is also on it. I know Carrie got a kick out of the class reading one of his books."
"Oh really?" Ms. Varabell asked intrigued. "She hasn't really mentioned it."
"A lot of it is new to her so she is still processing how to bring it up with people," Emily started knowing Carrie seemed to avoid bringing up her situation with anyone. "She is still getting to know the team."
"Did you just join?" Varabell asked.
"No," Emily replied.
"Well, she must learn a lot from you all," Ms. Varabell replied. "She seems to understand most but at times I can tell she becomes a bit more uncomfortable about subjects."
"Yeah she has a reason for that," Emily replied with a nod. "Mostly absurd criminology, right? Yeah, Carrie had an experience with that."
"Is that why she ran out the other week?" Ms. Varabell asked.
"Yes," Emily replied pausing for a moment figuring out how to continue, "Carrie witnessed her family being murdered in front of her a little over a month ago. The two perpetrators had entirely different MO and personalities. She survived, but she had been really pushing down everything. I had worked the case and took her in after finding out she had no one else. She is starting to process everything and ask more questions. The test had a question that caused her to freak out."
"I see," Ms. Varabell replied. "I can talk to her and make sure she knows she can leave anytime she needs. We can also find alternative test questions or such if they are needed."
"Thank you," Emily replied. "I'll also talk to her about it tonight. She is still learning that she can ask for help and what happened was abnormal and she has the right to take off time whenever she needs."
"I agree with that being important," Ms. Varabell started, "I was actually a social worker first for women and children who faced abuse. I could recognize she had some level of trauma by her response but also wanted to assume the best."
"Yes," Emily nodded. "Thank you for emailing me about that. She tried to hide what happened, but we worked it out. She is realizing she has a strong support system, and she has a therapist now, too. She desperately just wants to get back on her feet."
"I can tell," Ms. Varabell responded. "She is resilient. Brilliant student."
"That she is," Emily smiled.
"By any chance," Ms. Varabell started, "and if Carrie is okay with it, does your team ever do class visits and talk?"
"Yeah," Emily replied with a smile. "We usually talk to college classes because we haven't had any high schools reach out, but I know my team would love to. I can talk to Carrie and then the team."
"That would be amazing," Ms. Varabell grinned. "The students would love it."
"I can find out and try and email you," Emily replied.
"That sounds great," Ms. Varabell replied.
"Great!" Emily smiled, "I should be able to get back to you on it tomorrow or the next day."
"Well Carrie is not one to worry about for the material," Ms. Varabell replied, "She seems to also be in great hands."
"I hope," Emily replied.
"Well, I'll let you get going," Ms. Varabell replied.
Emily shook her hand and placed her business card on the teacher's desk before heading out.
Carrie and JJ had eaten dinner with Carrie grinning over the meal. JJ was always glad to be able to provide anything to make the teen smiled. JJ had led the teen down the street laughing and joking; JJ glad to see the Carrie laughing again after the prior week. The two had ended up splitting two deserts after not being able to decide upon one each. They headed back to where JJ had found Carrie half asleep with her head in JJ's lap on the couch. JJ stroked the teens hair as they watched a movie, JJ knowing Carrie still felt bad about the week prior when she had stayed with her and JJ feeling the need to make sure Carrie knew she was loved. Emily soon arrived knocking on the door to retrieve the tired teenager and thank JJ. Carrie climbed into the car with Emily and Emily began the drive home.
"Someone is sleepy," Emily remarked.
"School and homework is tiring," Carrie replied, "So is socializing."
Emily smirked, "Okay. Just that?"
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "Besides that, it really was a good day."
"I'm glad to hear," Emily smiled. "Did you have fun with Bianca?"
"Did you have fun stalking my location?" Carrie shot back.
Emily grimaced, "That's for your safety. I'm just a bit…paranoid."
Carrie feeling bad replied, "I'm sorry. I know you just want me safe."
"Thanks for understanding," Emily replied, "It's probably the only overbearing thing I will do."
"So, you won't care if I smoke or drink?" Carrie questioned amused.
"I might suggest you don't do it," Emily started, "But when I was your age, I lived in Europe. The drinking age there is 16 and everyone smokes so I will admit I did a fair share of it when I was your age."
"So, I can drink?" Carrie asked again amused.
"Well, you aren't sixteen yet," Emily replied, "And I will let you have some maybe, but if you go to a party and are irresponsible and get trashed, then we will have a conversation. Until you do that, I don't want to force you one way or the other."
"So, you're the cool one," Carrie replied with a grin.
"What do you mean?" Emily asked.
"Like out my friends' par-," Carrie paused catching herself, "guardians, you'll be the one who we call."
"Carrie," Emily paused trying to figure out how to respond also noting Carrie catching herself, "You can always call me. For you or your friends, and I will always come get you. I promise to in the moment try my best to not freak out, but that also means ill be full FBI mode. That might scare your friends shitless, but I will always make sure you get somewhere safe. In fact, I would rather you call me shitfaced than try to hide it from me; because I am a profiler and will know, and I was once a teen. I will honestly tell any friends parents as long as they are under the drinking age, but I will keep them safe."
"Okay so the protective fun one," Carrie nodded.
"Aren't I always?" Emily said with a smirk as she pulled the car into the lot and the two headed upstairs.
Emily was quick to take her coat off and go sit on the couch as Carrie hesitated before walking over and taking a seat opposite of Emily.
"Emily?" Carrie asked in a timid tone.
"Yes?" Emily responded looking up from her phone.
"How did the conferences go?" Carrie asked.
"Really well," Emily replied.
"Oh," Carrie nodded, "that's good. What did they say?"
"That you are doing well and seem to enjoy the classes," Emily replied.
Carrie glared at Emily.
"Do you need the full rundown?" Emily asked Carrie seeing the teen full of anxiety and needing to know every detail.
"Yeah," Carrie nodded, "My teachers aren't always honest with me."
"Adults sugarcoat everything," Emily smirked. "Used to annoy me. Your Latin teacher thinks you are one of the brightest. He is glad you keep up with all his jokes and he says you have a lot of fun with Bianca."
"It's an eight am," Carrie rolled her eyes, "I have to stay awake somehow."
"He thought it was a good thing," Emily continued, "Your math teacher is one of the dullest people who cannot talk. I think I ended up interrogating him. English teacher seems nice and just also only said you write strong papers. Your science teacher, well she is a bitch."
"Right!" Carrie said sitting up to the edge of the seat, "She hates me. Since day one she has been out to get me. Bianca says it's because her older brother caused a mess during a lab and always caused trouble so now anyone associated with their family she hates."
"Well, that would make sense, Emily rolled her eyes. "You have a fine grade in the class, so I don't understand otherwise why she might not like you. Just don't spill a lab. Anyways, your history teacher actually seems like he wouldn't put you to sleep."
"Most the girls have a crush on him," Carrie added in.
"Well, he is like thirty and that highly illegal," Emily replied, "So they should go back to crushing on boys their age. Your French teacher definitely will like you more now knowing I speak French."
"What did you do?" Carrie asked.
"I may have only spoken French," Emily frowned.
"Emily," Carrie groaned, "Now she is going to expect more from me."
"Well, I can write her a note," Emily started, "but we can also practice around the house."
"Fine," Carrie replied.
"Your psych teacher says you have the most potential in the class," Emily grinned. "Probably helps you are surrounded by profilers."
"Yeah," Carrie shrugged. "You kind of teach me a lot. Did she ask about last week?"
"Yeah," Emily nodded, "I explained to all your teachers what's up, so they know. They all, but that science teacher, understand. They might want to meet with you, especially psych, but they all said we can work on coming up with options in because you need them, and they all said you can ask for extended time."
"Okay," Carrie nodded. "You think they will actually follow through with that or treat me differently now?"
"I don't know about how they will act," Emily nodded, "In my experience people tend to be cautious about what they say.
Carrie nodded in response.
"Ready for bed?" Emily asked looking at the tired teens eyes.
"Very," Carrie replied. "I think school was a bit exhausting."
"Okay then," Emily replied. "Go get ready and I'll be in to say goodnight in a minute."
Carrie yawned with a nod and headed down the hall to her room and changed into the room. She changed and got under the covers feeling herself rest down into the mattress. Within minutes there was a knock and Emily appeared.
"You look cozy," Emily remarked.
"That I am," Carrie replied.
"So tomorrow," Emily started, "You have therapy again and so I'll pick you up after school. If I can't, JJ will. I should be able to though."
"Okay, good," Carrie said. "I know my therapist might want to just meet with both of us."
"I will be sure to be there then," Emily replied. "Are you getting coffee after school again? I know I might get you closer to four or four-thirty."
"Yeah," Carrie replied.
"Okay," Emily replied with a look of fear.
"I'll be fine," Carrie said seeing expression on Emily's face.
"I know you will," Emily said. "Well you better get going to bed. I have some papers to look at and then I will also retreat myself."
"Okay," Carrie nodded. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight and sleep well," Emily nodded.
The next day came and Carrie carefully made it through school and to the coffee shop. Bianca and Carrie worked on their history paper together and laughed. It was a little after four when Carrie looked outside seeing that Emily had pulled up in her Audi.
"Okay, I gotta go," Carrie said to Bianca.
"See you tomorrow," Bianca nodded.
"Will do," Carrie said throwing her backpack on and heading outside. "Hi, Emily."
"Hey sweety," Emily greeted. "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Carrie sighed.
"It's not too bad," Emily said.
"I know," Carrie replied.
They drove down to the office and parked. Emily could tell the teen was adjusting to therapy, for she got out and comforbly walked up to the office without complaining. Carrie took a seat and as Emily took one next to her as they waited for therapist to arrive.
The session went well with Carrie being quiet afterwards. Emily understood, knowing therapy brought up hard topics and people usually needed a moment to decompress and process. Emily gave her that on the ride home. Carrie walked into the apartment ahead of Emily and crashed on the couch in the living room.
"Do you want Chinese food?" Emily asked. "You get to decide since you had therapy."
"Yeah," Carrie nodded, "that sounds good."
"Okay," Emily smiled patting Carries shoulder, "I'll place it, but then I'm gonna hop in the shower so I'll be out when it gets here."
"Sounds good," Carrie nodded with an exhausted smile.
Minutes passed and Carrie sighed, taking out her textbook to get back to work on her history paper. She knew it was worth a lot of her grade and she wanted to keep her A she had in the class. Carrie put an earbud in as she read through the textbook and a few PDF printouts. Carrie dove in not hearing the doorbell to the apartment ring.
"Carrie food is here," Emily called out from her room, "I'm getting dressed can you grab it. The guy is on his way up."
"Yeah," Carrie called out placing her textbook.
Hearing the knock, a minute later, Carrie got up and walked towards the door. Looking through the eyehole she saw the man and opened the door.
"Emily Prentiss?" the guy said, "Is this yours?'
Carrie felt her body freeze at those words the door opening and her mind flashing to that night. Carrie stood there while the deliver guy called out again trying to figure out why the teen was frozen. Emily in her room heard the man calling out and quickly moved from her room towards the entrance.
"Carrie," Emily called out.
Carrie snapped out, "Yeah, sorry."
"I'm Emily," Emily smiled quickly taking the bag from the confused man, "Thanks, have a good night."
Emily closed the door as Carrie looked down and around at her surroundings. Emily reached out to the teen, but she flinched and started walking back to where her textbook was on the kitchen counter. Emily hesitated before following Carrie, knowing the last time she saw her before showering the teen seemed fine.
"Carrie," Emily said softly approaching Carrie.
"What?" Carrie replied softly with a hint of anger.
Emily walked to where she could see Carrie's face ant noticed the teen digging her fingers into one another to stop herself from shaking. Emily reached out, managing to get her hand in between the crawling fingers and knelt to make eye contact with Carrie.
"Hey, let's not do that," Emily said calmingly, "you're going to hurt yourself. Here, holds my hand."
"Okay," Carrie whimpered.
Emily looked at the teen for a moment and rubbed Carrie's hand with her thumb, "What's going on?"
"It's nothing," Carrie frowned.
"I can tell it isn't nothing, sweetheart," Emily replied softly trying to make eye contact. "Please talk to me whenever you are ready."
Carrie sat there silent as her eyes glossed over and Emily continued to hold her hand.
"The door," Carrie said quietly. "That night."
Emily looked at Carrie seeing her struggling to continue, "Take your time."
"I was the one who got the door," Carrie continued, "I…I…I could have just not opened it."
"You didn't know," Emily reassured the teen.
"I was just trying to be a good daughter because I had been terrible at dinner," Carrie started, "I know they barely heard the door and they usually yelled at me for not getting it. I…I let them in. I could have just not gotten it."
"Carrie," Emily started softly, "They would have found one way or another. Or your parents would have gotten it. There was no way to prevent them."
"How do you know?" Carrie asked as her tears finally fell.
"Because Gary was ruthless," Emily started knowing being honest with Carrie had proven to always be the best option. "He wouldn't have stopped. Someone like him, once they are fixated on a victim, they won't stop until they complete whatever they want to."
"But maybe," Carrie started, "If I hadn't opened the door, Ervin would have convinced Gary to stop. Ervin didn't want to hurt us."
"He didn't want to hurt you," Emily correct Carrie. "Ervin was submissive and would've done whatever Gary said to do."
"He," Carrie stopped, "Pushed my mom and called her a bitch when she tried to intervene. I…I remember that. That's when I realized I was going to die, but I didn't. I should have just run and called for help. Done something useful, but I froze. I was just trying to be a good daughter."
"You are," Emily reminded the teen. "Your response was normal."
"You wouldn't have frozen," Carrie cried to Emily.
"My response now is to fight," Emily started, "That is true. There are very few situations where I freeze, but it wasn't always that way. I used to freeze, but I was trained and forced to never freeze."
"How?" Carrie asked.
"I think my job," Emily started, "My team. I don't think I have the choice anymore."
"I…I shouldn't have opened that door," Carrie cried. "It's my fault."
"No, it isn't sweety," Emily reassured the teen. "Never. You were doing what you had always been told to do. You aren't taught to think of the worst in the world. You weren't, which is so beautiful to see. You can find the good, but this time the bad found you. That isn't your fault. You didn't know or expect what was going to happen."
"It just all happened so fast," Carrie began, "there was just that dead cat and I thought that was the worst thing I had ever seen. I had never seen anything dead like that. I was too taken back to notice anything else off. Then all a sudden I was just sitting there in fear and my parents were tied up. I did know what to do."
"You are always told to wait by your parents because they protect you," Emily said.
"Yeah," Carrie nodded. "I wasn't even tied up. I was just there in fear. I just freaked out by the words the delivery guy said. It was the same words Gary said. I went from here to there."
"That part of the PTSD," Emily replied, "It's not fun. I've been there where you are having a perfectly normal day then suddenly something happens, and it brings you to that worst moment."
"Yeah," Carrie cried. "I was having a good day. I just want a good day."
"We can try to make the rest of this night good," Emily suggested. "Do you think you can eat?"
"Yeah," Carrie nodded wiping her tears away. "Talking helped. I should be fine. Thanks."
"That you for opening up and talking to me," Emily said making sure to give Carrie positive affirmation for things like this. "Can I hug you now?"
"Please?" Carrie said quietly.
"Yes," Emily smiled getting up.
Emily wrapped her arms tightly around the teen. Carrie leaned in close knowing Emily's embraces always somehow settled her down.
"How about you take a break from homework after dinner," Emily suggested, "We can play a boardgame or do a puzzle. Spend some time hanging out."
"I have that big history paper," Carrie frowned, "but I guess I can take a break. That would be fun."
"Okay," Emily smiled, "Scrabble?"
"Yes," Carrie agreed.
"Get ready to lose," Emily replied.
"Hahaha," Carrie nodded, "In your dreams."