So the last chapter was very hard to write but with the abuse she's already faced I just went ahead and went with it. He won't bother her much longer. I kind of have a plan but I'm not entirely sure yet. I want to show how strong she is so there may be a trial but again, I'm not sure. I'm just writing whatever comes to mind at the time, kind of like with the last chapter. If an idea hits, I go with it. I'm writing much faster this way actually. For the purpose of this chapter, Carly does remember meeting Nelle when she was 3 or 4 as mentioned in the gh ep from 4-09-2020. Yall will understand why when we get to that part. Hope it doesn't throw everyone off. I may actually go back and change this part in earlier chapters. I have one more chapter prewritten.
The next day Carly sat next to Nelle's hospital bed, softly holding the girl's hand as she slept. It had been a long night. Nightmares had plagued her and it had taken Carly a bit to get her back to sleep. "How is she?" Nina asked worriedly as she entered the room.
"She's ok, now, physically. My mom cleaned her back and she had to have stitches from where they... Mentally she's a wreck." Carly whispered. "Why can't they lock him up and throw away the key?" She demanded in a low voice and Carly sighed. "I don't know. They need Nelle's statement but she panics and hyperventilates any time I mention it." "Dante just called. He found where they had her. He's there right now looking for evidence." Nina revealed. "Good. Maybe they'll find-"
Carly was pulled from her conversation with Nina by quiet whimpering that she new would soon turn to screaming if she didn't act quickly. "Hey, sweetie. You're just having a bad dream. You're in the hospital." Carly cooed, running her fingers softly through the girl's hair. "Nelle, it's your m- Nina." She said, softly taking Nelle's hand. "No, please. Don't. I don't want it." She screamed, beginning to thrash around.
"Carly." Nina said worriedly. "I know. I've got it." She responded as she climbed in to the bed and very gently took Nelle in her arms. "I promise you're safe. It's Carly. You aren't with them anymore." She said softly as Nelle, seeming to realize who was holding her grabbed on to Carly's shirt, finally settling down and falling back in to a peaceful sleep, her face finding its way into the crook of Carly's neck.
"It worries me when she thrashes around like that, especially with her back." Nina said and Carly nodded. "I know. That's why I've just been holding her." She responded quietly.
"You're doing such a good job. We are almost done." Bobbie praised as Nelle whimpered and attempted to shift towards Carly. "Hey. Baby. I'm right here. You're doing so good." She said, moving in to the girl's line of sight and talking softly as Bobbie continued checking the wounds on her back. "Hurts." "I know, but I'll give you some more pain meds very soon." She assured, looking at Carly. "You'll get the good stuff." She whispered as Nelle's eyes closed. "Tired." She slurred. "Hey, sweetie. I need you to stay awake." Carly urged, taking her hand and kneeling down next to the bed and making eye contact. "Hold me, please." "I will, as soon as my mom's done." She responded as Nelle squeezed her hand rather tightly when Bobbie touched a particularly painful wound on her back. "I know. I know it hurts, but she's almost done." She comforted as Bobbie finished redressing the girl's wounds. "I'll be back." She said as she left the room, Carly immediately sitting on the bed next to Nelle who cuddled against her and closed her eyes, whimpering when she was unable to get comfortable. "Shhh. It'll be ok. I know you're tired." Carly cooed, kissing the top of her head.
"She'll be right back to give you your medicine and then I'll lay down with you, but I don't want to do that just yet. Let's wait for the meds to take effect. It'll be easier on you to move around." She explained as her mom reentered the room. "Here you go. This should help with the pain." She said as she injected the medicine into the girl's arm. "When can I go home?" Nelle questioned softly and Bobbie looked at Carly. "Not for a few more days. With me still having to change the bandages it's best you stay here." She explained. "I don't want you to do it." She suddenly snapped, looking at Carly. "Hey. Take it easy, sweetie. She's doing what she feels is best." "Honestly, do you want Carly doing what I just did?" Bobbie asked kindly, frowning when Nelle began crying. "I shouldn't even be here anymore. Then he would stop hurting me." She screamed and Carly's eyes flicked to her mother. "Nelle. Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself?" Bobbie asked and the girl froze, lips trembling as she shook in Carly's arms as she tried to hold in her sobs. "N-no. I-I'd never do that." She stuttered out and both women sighed in relief. "I'm going to go and let her sleep, but I'll be back." Bobbie said as she quietly left the room.
Once Bobbie had exited, Carly carefully shifted Nelle into a laying position on her side before lying down next to her and so very gently cradling her in her arms. "I'm so sorry for what you went through." She whispered as Nelle cried into her chest. "Why. Why does he constantly hurt me?" She wailed and Carly sighed, not knowing what to do.
"Shhh. I need you to relax. I don't know why he hurts you, baby, but I promise I'm not going anywhere." She assured her as Nelle finally began to relax as the medicine began doing its job. "Carly." She whispered, fingers gripping her shirt.
"I'm here. Get some sleep." She encouraged, kissing the top of her head and beginning to hum softly.
1 week later
Carly sighed. Nelle was currently in the middle of a flashback, and didn't seem to be coming out of it. "Baby. Can you here me? It's Carly." She whispered, kneeling down in front of the terrified girl and beginning to talk softly. "I remember when I first met you. Do you remember that?" She questioned, mind flashing back to 24 years ago when she first met the blonde girl.
Carly stood waiting for Frank to return when she saw a little blonde girl slowly approaching her. She immediately took notice of the dirty clothes and the clear signs of abuse. Kneeling down, she spoke softly. "Hi there, sweetheart. What's your name?" "Nelle."The girl responded, feeling an immediate bond with Carly and resisting the urge she had to be held. "I'm Carly." "Hi, Ly Ly." She whispered, glancing around the room and spying Franks burger and fries on a plate. Taking a chance she reached for the plate and began to eat. She just hoped Carly wouldn't be here to see what he did in return.
"Is that good, Nelle?" Carly questioned, mind racing with discomfort. This girl was clearly abused. "Uh-huh." She responded before gulping down water.
"You protected me." Nelle whispered as her eyes opened and she looked around. "Yeah, baby. I did." Carly said gently as Nelle crawled in to her lap. "You told dad you ate his food." She said, cuddling closer to her protector, still not believing after
all these years that a complete stranger would take such a risk for her, but loving when Carly tells the story of them first meeting none the less and Carly kissed the top of her head. "And I'd do it again." She said, just glad she could bring the girl back to her. "So Sonny is coming over later." "Cool. I'm fine with that." She responded as she rose from the floor.
"No. Please don't. Don't make me." Nelle screamed as 2 detectives attempted to lead her out of Carly's office. "What the hell is going on here?" Carly bellowed as she stepped through the door. "Mam we are here from Florida. We have been investigating a man named Frank Benson for years, and we have reason to believe his daughter has information." One of them explained and Carly sighed. "Look, she is more than happy to cooperate but I'm staying with her." Carly explained softly as Nelle gripped fistfuls of her shirt. "Mam, with all do respect-"
"Carly. It's Carly and I can tell you she's not going to talk to you without me there." She once again explained. "I'm detective Parker. The nicer one said as he extended his hand and Carly shook it. "Carly Corinthos." She responded kindly. "I'm sorry if we scared her." He said and his partner let out a sound of annoyance. "That's all very sweet, but we have some questions." He said as he touched Nelle's arm. "No. Don't." She shrieked and Detective Parker glared at his partner before looking at Carly. "Sorry. He's not exactly sympathetic." He whispered.
"Just get him out of here. She will most likely talk to you, but not to him." Carly explained. "I'm not going anywhere. That girl has valuable information."
"Which I will get. You want to help? Take a copy of her medical records from Florida to the PCPD but get the hell out of here." Detective Parker bellowed, Nelle looking somewhat scared, but ironically enough, not at detective Parker. "She's still such a pretty little thing." He said, a sickening smirk coming to his face before he left the room.
"Oh, my God." Detective Parker whispered. "You don't think-" Carly started but stopped when she saw Nelle's terrified face.
"Baby. Do you know him?" Carly questioned and Nelle nodded immediately. "He hurt me. You were never bad though." She said immediately and Detective John Parker nodded. "I remember you, but I had no idea they were doing... that." He whispered. "We were asked to go check things out, but he always offered to go in. I'd come too, but he and Frank would never let me see you. I told this to my boss but he didn't believe what I was saying. I am so sorry for what you went through." He said softly as he carefully gave Nelle a hug, Carly staring as she hugged him back. "What information do you need?" She questioned after a few minutes, ready to do what was necessary to put the people who had hurt her away for good.