*Bonheur Trompé- Part 7*
by Kelly
Disclaimer: All characters in this story are the property of NBC, Warner Brothers, John Wells, and whoever else. I just borrow them and promise to return them. Don't worry, I won't hurt them. I make no money off these fics, I write them for fun.
The music in this story is "The Rape Of The World" by Tracy Chapman
Feedback is always appreciated- DougandCarol@hotmail.com
Writer's Notes: I need to warn you all before you read this, I went for VERY heavy angst with this part. Please don't hate me for it, but feedback of any kind is greatly appreciated.
Big thanks to Shannon who gave me the idea for this fic. If she hadn't, I probably never would have gotten a part 7 done. :)
++++++++++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
This the beginning of the end
This the most heinous of crimes
This the deadliest of sins
The greatest violation of all time
+++++++++++++++++++++++
It had been a painfully long day. 4 trauma's, 2 deaths, dozens of drunken party goers, sick children, children who wanted a day off from school "claiming" they had stomach aches, a horny old man who wanted to rub Abby's nose. The days got worse as the months passed.
After returning home, Abby had immediately gone for the shower, and spent over 40 minutes allowing the hot water to hit her aching body, warm her up from the frigid temperatures outside.
She'd pulled on a pair of fleeces maternity pants and a sweatshirt Luka had found and picked up for her the week before. Wandering in the kitchen, she got herself a glass of warm milk, and settled into the couch. As soon as she had found a comfortable position, the ringing of the phone began.
"Abby Kovac?" a voice on the other end of the phone said, as Abby lifted the phone to her ear.
"Yes?" she replied, pulling a blanket over her legs and changing the TV channel. She watched the screen as the channels went by. Cook shows, cartoons, late night talk shows. Finally stopping at the "Tonight Show", she threw the remote into her lap.
"This is Officer Lewis of the 18th District of the Chicago Police department." He introduced himself, as Abby closed her eyes, only imagining why he was calling her. "Do you know a Maggie Wyzinski?" he asked, as Abby felt a lump form in her throat.
"She's my mother." Abby replied, as she felt her throat tighten, as if she were choking to death. "Is she there?" she asked, her eyes closing, waiting for an answer.
"Your mother was found running, half naked, down Lake Shore Drive. A squad car brought her in. She keeps mumbling something about a Euro Doctor and a man named Eric. We found your number in the bag she was carrying." The cop told her. "No one can get any information out of her."
Abby sighed; the thought of her mother again was unbearable. "Can you just keep an eye on her? I'll be there in a little while." She replied, pulling the blanket off. "The 18th District right?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Ok. Thank you." Abby replied, pushing the button to hang up the phone. As she did, she got herself up off the couch, and found her sneakers that she had tossed near the armchair. Pulling them on, she let out a groan as she attempted to bend over. Only halfway through the pregnancy and her stomach was already in her way.
Shuffling toward the kitchen for her bag, Abby glanced up at the clock and grabbed the phone from the wall. Pressing in the familiar numbers, she put it to her ear.
"Cook County." She heard the voice on the other end say.
"Frank?" she asked groggily, pushing her hair from her face. "Frank it's Abby, can you get Luka for me?" she asked.
"Hold on." Frank replied, as she heard the phone go on hold. It only took a few moments before she heard a voice on the other end.
"Abby?" she heard Luka's voice as she felt her throat still tighten. It felt there were a handball lodged in it, keeping her from breathing.
"Luka, my mom." was all she said to him as she watched the hand on the clock move from the 8 to the 9. Time seemed to be at a standstill. The world had stopped, her mother was back… again.
"Where is she?" Luka asked, his voice growing full of concern. "Is she alright?"
"She's at a police station, apparently off her meds again." Abby spoke slowly, as if she herself were trying to comprehend again what was happening. "They found her running down a street… I have to go and get her."
Abby could hear Luka sigh on the other end of the phone. "Wait for me." He told her. "I'll find someone to cover for me."
"No, I have to go now." Abby replied stubbornly. "I need to go get her."
"Abby, just wait. You can't go get her alone. She's off of her medication, it's late, and it is dark. You aren't going out alone."
"I've lived in Chicago for over 12 years Luka, I can go out by myself. I'm not 10 years old." Abby replied. "Just stay there, I'll call you when I get home."
"Abby, I said I will be home in a few minutes!" Luka said again, catching the attention of Mark and Cleo who were standing nearby. "You cannot go get her alone, it's not safe!"
"Luka, I have to go. If you want, meet me at the 18th District, ok?"
Luka sighed, looking up to the TV that was up in the corner of the ER. "Fine, ok Abby. I will meet you there."
"Ok, thank you Luka." She said, hanging the phone up.
"Yeah, bye." He mumbled, placing the phone down, and looking up to meet the stares of Mark and Cleo.
"Everything ok?" Mark asked, sipping coffee from the large cup in his hands.
Luka just nodded. "Abby's mother is back, again." He sighed. "Abby needs to go get her, and I have to meet her at the police station."
Mark nodded as he sipped from his cup again. "Is she off her medication?" he asked.
"Yes." Was all Luka said. "But I need to go. I am going to try meet Abby before she leaves. I don't want her wandering around this late. "
"Go ahead." Mark assured him. "Things are slow, we should be ok."
"Thank you." Luka replied, as he pushed his way into the lounge, heading for his locker to grab his coat from his locker. As he did, a cold shiver made its way down his spine, a frightening shiver.
+++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
+++++++++++
"I'm.. dreaming of a white, Christmas."
That was what was softly playing on the radio as Abby drove through the streets on the upper east side of Chicago. Christmas lights were lit brightly in the windows of stores, softly accenting the lines in the roads along with the streetlights that lined them. The headlights from the car behind her shone brightly into the car, seemingly blinding her as she drove along. Turning the car down a darker street, a new song began, as she watched the dark figures of a group of men standing on a corner.
"I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus. Underneath the mistle-toe last night."
Pulling to a stop at a red light, Abby shivered in the cold, frigid air and leaned down to turn the heat up higher. It was happening again, her mother was back. Off her medication, probably depressed, running around like a maniac. The dance was starting again. Abby always hated to dance.
"Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus. Underneath his beard so snowy white."
As she sat staring at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green, Abby closed her eyes for a moment. She just wished that for once it would be a dream. That she's open her eyes and she'd be in bed. Her mom would be in Florida, on her meds, not bothering anyone. But it wasn't a dream, she was back, things were the same as always.
The sound of pounding caused Abby to open her eyes. As she did, she found a large man, pounding fiercely on the window of the driver side door. Harder he pounded, causing Abby to gasp and reach for the automatic lock. But her sudden movement caught the attention of the man and he reached for the door handle, pulling it open before she had the chance to lock it.
"Get out!" he ordered, yelling loudly as she sat screaming. "Shut the fuck up!" he yelled, yanking her by the arm into the street and covering her mouth with his hand.
She mumbled something into his hand and flared her arms attempting to loosen his grip. "Taaathmar." She mumbled, her heart pounding inside her chest.
"This is all you have?" he asked angrily, as his free hand searched through her purse, pulling out a twenty-dollar bill.
Abby nodded, his hand still over her mouth. He looked at her face; she could see the anger in his eyes. Her mind was flashing back now, to over two years earlier. She and Luka, their first date. A man with the pipe.
"Luka, stop!" she called, choking back tears as Luka smashed the man's head into the pavement, harder with each thrash. "Luka, stop!!"
The man who had hold of her now was bigger, he was muscular. Tossing her bag back into the car, he wrapped his free arm around her waste and lifted her into his arms. Removing the hand from her mouth, he growled.
"You make any noise, I'll cut your fucking head off, you hear me?"
Abby just nodded, as she stared up at the night sky, the cold air along with utter fear causing her to shake uncontrollably. The man was moving fast, being careful to move in-between buildings.
"Don't hurt my baby." She whispered as he carried her down a dark alley. "Don't hurt the baby."
The man just snarled, and dropped her from his arms into the alley. Right onto the concrete he dropped her with a thud, as she let out a cry. Pulling her to her feet, he grabbed both of her arms and tugged her through a door into a dark hallway. Pulling keys from his pocket, he unlocked a door and pushed her into the room, locking the door behind her.
"Take my money, the car… I don't care." Abby sobbed, as she fell to the floor in a heap. "Please.." she begged as he moved toward her.
"I thought I told you to keep that fucking mouth shut!?" he screamed, smacking her across the face with his large hand. She let out a yell as he did, and he did it again, and again, and again. "Maybe now you'll listen." He mumbled, as she tried to push him away, shielding her face with her hands. "Don't worry baby, we're going to have fun tonight." The man snarled, pulling his shirt over his head. "Aren't we?"
Abby lifted her head to look at him. He was so tall and big, at least 6 and ½ feet. He had this hatred look on his face, as he moved closer to her. She moved her hand from her face, only to see the blood covering it. Her eye hurt like a son of a bitch, she could feel the swelling begin.
Yanking her again by the arm, he pulled her coat off as she cried out. Tossing it aside, he whacked her across the face again, gripping to her arm tightly. Tight enough to cut off all circulation. His nails dug deep into her skin, causing blood to rise to the surface.
"Please, stop.." Abby sobbed, as he grabbed at her shirt, ripping it down the front and tugging it off. She moved her arms up and down him, punching him all over. But she was so small and weak compared to him, it was hopeless.
"You're quite a piece of work. You think you can hurt me?" he asked, almost laughing. "Maybe you're boyfriend, husband, whoever the fuck he is that knocked you up likes your rough ways, but I don't like it very much." He told her, as he began beating at her again, this time on her chest. Sending punches and slaps at her, she screamed louder as he pushed her back onto a mattress and hit her more.
"Feels good doesn't it?" he asked angrily, giving her one good last whack across the face.
"Please." Abby pleaded more, turning her head, wrapping her arms around her stomach, in an attempt to protect it. "Not the baby."
"Oh, you mean, you don't want me to do this?" he asked, sending one good hard punch to her abdomen, causing her to cry out in pain, and her body to jump. "Oh well, I don't wanna hurt your fucking baby anyway." He said. "You're who I want."
With that phrase, his hands moved down and he pulled her pants off, throwing them against a nearby wall, and moving down to remove his own…..
+++++++
You've seen her stripped mined
You've heard of bombs exploded underground
You know the sun shines
Hotter than ever before
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
+++++++
"Can I help you?" a receptionist at the 18th District asked the tall man who had just appeared before her.
"My wife, her mother was here. She was going to come and pick her up." Luka said, looking up to the clock. "Maggie Wyzinski."
The receptionist turned her head and called for a cop who was standing nearby. "Officer Lewis?" she asked. "This guy said his wife was here to pick up that woman they found wandering, Maggie Wyzinski?"
"I talked to your wife on the phone over an hour and a half ago, Abby Kovac right?" Officer Lewis asked. "She still hasn't arrived."
"Wait, Abby isn't here yet?" Luka asked, his voice suddenly sounding concerned. "She called me and told me she would be coming here right away."
"Well, she hasn't gotten here yet. But if you want, do you want to come see Maggie? Maybe you'll be able to calm her down a bit." The officer suggested.
Luka shook his head. "No, I'm going to go outside. Abby may have gotten held up or maybe something like that." He said, knowing the words weren't coming out correctly.
The receptionist nodded. "Ok, but you can see her whenever."
++++++++
Some claim to have crowned her
A queen
With cities of concrete and steel
But there is no glory no honor
In what results
From the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
++++++++
Abby had given up on the begging now, each time she did, he beat on her harder. He had pulled all of her clothing off now and had his arms were wrapped tightly around her arms, holding them down on the bed. He was on top of her, biting on her neck.
She was choking back sobs, as he painfully bit her, smacked her punched her, raped her. Each time he entered her, she would scream and start crying harder. He smacked her stomach, her face, her back. Everywhere he touched he hurt her.
"You're a real bitch you know that?" he said, as he pulled his clothes back on. "But a good ride."
She turned her head away from him as she felt the blood trickle from her nose, her forehead, the cuts in her skin. She could feel the cold air running across her nude body, lying there on the bed, she felt unable to move.
"Oh, so now you're not going to talk, huh?" he asked angrily, pulling her by her arms and tugging her to her feet. Grabbing a t-shirt from a table, he pulled it over her head and lifted her into his arms. "Come on you whore." He mumbled.
Pulling her outside into the cold December air, he carried her down the alleyway and onto a main road. As cars passed them by, he walked carefully in the darkness, making sure to avoid any light what so ever.
"Remember, you scream you die." He told her, as he crossed the roadway and walked past a few stores. "You little fucking whore."
Walking a few more blocks, the sound of police sirens started in the distance. "Shit!" she could hear the man grumble, as he began to walk faster. As the sirens approached, he set her down. "You say anything to anyone before I'm gone, I'll get you, you hear me?" he threatened, smacking her one more time, and pushing her to the ground.
Abby didn't reply, she just watched as the man took one last look at her and began running down the street, before disappearing around a corner. Once she was sure he was gone, she broke down into hysterical sobs as the blood continued to pore from all over her body. She could feel her left eye swelling shut. Her thoughts were not on her though, they were on her baby. She had felt it kick, she knew the baby was still alive, but he had hit her stomach, hard.
"Somebody." She called out, sobbing. "Please, somebody!"
++++++++++++++
She has been clear-cut
She has been dumped on
She has been poisoned and beaten up
And we have been witness
To the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
++++++++++++++
Snow had begun to lightly fall by the time Luka had begun to search. He had waited about 15 minutes at the Police Station before starting his own search. Making sure Maggie was in custody and not able to go anywhere, he set out, along with two squad cars. Driving along, he'd called their neighbor Sarah, asking her to check their house, Abby wasn't there. He had beeped her 3 times, and called her on her cell phone, no answer. Now, he was driving up and down the dimly lighted Chicago streets, turning his head to watch all around him.
Luka could feel his heart pounding in his chest and the sweat beads pouring from his forehead. He could feel the fear building inside of him; it felt as if there were sharp knives digging into his stomach. He was scared to death. This was not like Abby at all. She wouldn't just disappear, not calling him, not arriving at the Police Station. He knew something was wrong.
Driving along, he looked at the small groups of people gathered on various corners; smoke pouring from their mouths, beer bottles being smashed. He squinted trying to see their faces, trying to see Abby. His window was rolled down, allowing the cold air to seep into the car as he called her name over and over. He found nothing.
++++++++++++
There were voices; she could hear them calling things out. But, they sounded so distant, as if millions of miles away. She couldn't see anything; she felt she wasn't there, like she were floating.
"Crank up the O2." One of the voices called, as a siren blared. "Her BP's low."
"How much longer?" another voice called, as she could feel something being pulled over her face.
As the two people talked back and forth, she listened. But she still felt she wasn't there. She hurt all over. Her head, neck, arms, chest, legs, everything felt as if it had been torn open.
"Pulling up now!" a voice called, as the vehicle lurched to a stop. She could hear the sirens suddenly shut off, and a click sounded, as a blast of cold air hit her skin.
"What do we got?" a now very familiar voice called, as she could feel her body being moved. She still couldn't wake up; it was like having an out of body experience.
"Approximately 32 year old female, found beaten and possibly raped up by the lake. She had to have been out there awhile, she was wearing only this torn t-shirt. She's hypothermic and unconscious. BP's 90/70, pulse is weak. She looks to be about 22 or so weeks pregnant." One of the many voices rambles off as she felt the gurney being moved through the swooshing doors.
"Jesus Christ." She heard the familiar voice say as she felt a pair of hands wrap something around her arm.
"What is it?" another familiar, now female voice called, as she felt her run up beside them.
"It's Abby." The male voice said. Then it hit her who was talking. Mark.
"Someone page Kovac now!" the female voice called again. "Get her into trauma 1!"
As they rolled her down the hallway, she could feel the distance feeling begin to lessen, as she managed to open one eye. Looking up, everything was one big blur. She could see a green spot hovering over her.
"Abby." Mark said, shining a bright light into her eye. "Abby, can you hear me?" he asked.
Trying to turn her head, Abby let out a moan as the taste of her own blood entered her mouth, the neck brace preventing her from turning her head. She could feel the tears start again, the warmth falling down her face.
"The baby." She whispered through the tears, her throat feeling as if it were being squeezed. "Mark.."
"We've got you on a monitor." Mark assured her, as two nurses began to remove the t-shirt. "So far, everything looks ok. The baby's fine." He assured her. "Haleh, I want a CBC, Chem 7, CT, facial series." He ordered. "No, wait." He stopped her, as he took hold of Abby's arm and she let out a sob. "Get a complete set of x-rays, whoever did this got her good."
"My mom." Abby cried, her voice sounded as if it were gone, she was struggling for her air. "Where's Luka?' she moaned.
"We're paging Luka honey." Connie assured her. "Dr. Weaver sent Carter to go get your mom." She informed her. Abby watched as she turned to Mark, and grabbed the chart. "Do you want a rape kit?" she asked quietly as Abby watched Mark nod.
"Abby, does this hurt?" Cleo asked, as she held her hands behind Abby's neck, removing the collar.
"No." Abby whispered, choking back another sob.
"Ok." Cleo said, removing the collar. "Chuny, get an ultrasound in here." She ordered. "Abby, we're just going to take a look at the baby ok?"
"He hit me.." Abby said, as the tears fell. "My stomach… he hit it." She sobbed.
Cleo nodded and pushed her hair from her face. "Ok, we'll take a look." She said assuringly. "It'll be ok."
++++++++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
++++++++++++++++
He barely managed to turn the car off before he had jumped out of it and ran into the ER. Not stopping to ask where she was, he ran straight to the trauma rooms, and pushed through the door. He found the gurney turned, a sheet draped over Abby, Dr. Weaver doing a pelvic with Haleh's assistance.
"Abby." He cried, running over to her. He looked at her, and felt his knees start to buckle. Her face was swollen and bruised, her left eye completely swollen shut. There were cuts bleeding, bruises turning purple. There were marks all over her neck, looking as if someone had tried to choke her. He couldn't begin to imagine what it looked like under the gown. Her face was turned to the side, as Dr. Weaver worked below.
"There's semen." Kerry said softly, taking a swab and handing it to Haleh.
"Abby, oh god Abby." Luka said, a lump forming in his throat. He took hold of her hand, seeing that her other was already set in a cast. There looked like there were cigarette welts up her arm, along with deep lacerations and bruises.
"Luka." She sobbed, turning to face him. "Luka, I'm so sorry." She cried, as he brushed the tears from her face. Pressing too hard, she let out a small yelp, and sobbed again.
"Oh Abby." He whispered. "You don't have to be sorry."
She tried to catch her breath as Kerry stood up, handing the last of the swabs to Haleh. "I told him no Luka, but he grabbed me. The baby… he hit my stomach.." she sobbed. "I told him no…. he pulled my clothes off." She cried as the events of the past hours came rushing back, sending her into a hysterical fit of sobs.
Luka felt his heart rip in two as she cried. He carefully wrapped his arms around her, making sure to keep from hurting her even farther. "It isn't your fault." He said soothingly. "It's ok, you didn't do anything."
As he comforted her, he watched the baby monitor that was set next to the bed. The monitor was reading all normal signals; the attack hadn't hurt the baby. But it had hurt Abby. It had hurt her in so many ways, in so many places.
"He raped me." She cried, her head pressed against Luka's body, as she began to shake uncontrollably. "I told him to stop, I tried." She cried. "I tried…"
Kerry stood near the trauma room doors watching as Luka attempted to calm her down. A police detective stood outside, talking with Cleo about what they had found. He was writing notes on a pad of paper, and kept looking up through the glass, and back down.
As Kerry pushed her way out into the hallway, she was immediately stopped by the detective.
"Dr. Weaver?" he asked, looking at her, as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Yes?"
"I really need to talk with the victim. The sooner we speak with her, the better of a chance we have of catching the man who did this."
Kerry just stood staring at him, nodding. "I know, just give them a few minutes ok? Her husband's here now. He's trying to calm her down."
+++++++++++++
Later that night, the snow continued to fall lightly outside of the hospital, dusting the street with a white blanket. Upstairs in the ICU, Abby lay fast asleep in her bed, hooked up to many monitors, IV's poking out from each hand. Luka sat next to her, his hand wrapped around hers, watching her as she slept.
The room was silent, aside from the constant dull beep coming from the fetal monitor hooked up to her stomach. Her lacerations had been cleaned and dressed, broken arm cast, and a badly sprained knee splinted. As he watched her, he was reminded of so many injured people he had seen over the years. She looked like she'd been to war, and been defeated.
"How is she?" a voice whispered in the darkness, as Luka looked up to see a tall figure standing in the doorway.
"They sedated her." Luka whispered, rubbing his fingers on her hand. "She's doing as well as she can be."
"Is the baby ok?" the man asked, moving into the room, closer to the bed. He held two cups of coffee in his hands, and handed one cup to Luka.
Luka nodded slowly, never removing his eyes from Abby. "The baby is ok. But Abby has a broken arm, a badly sprained knee, and lots of lacerations and bruises."
"He raped her?" the man asked, fiddling with the lid of his coffee cup.
"Yes." Luka whispered, himself fighting to keep the tears back. He felt as if he were choking, gasping for air. "I want to kill the bastard that did this to her." He said, his voice turning to one of anger. "She didn't deserve this. He hurt her….. he hurt her more than anyone should ever be hurt."
"They'll find him." Carter assured him, sipping the coffee. "They'll find him, and they'll put him away."
"Why Abby?" Luka mumbled, staring at her beaten, bruised face. "Why?"
++++++++
If you look you'll see it with your own eyes
If you listen you will hear her cries
If you care you will stand and testify
And stop the rape of the world
Stop the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
05/01/01
by Kelly
Disclaimer: All characters in this story are the property of NBC, Warner Brothers, John Wells, and whoever else. I just borrow them and promise to return them. Don't worry, I won't hurt them. I make no money off these fics, I write them for fun.
The music in this story is "The Rape Of The World" by Tracy Chapman
Feedback is always appreciated- DougandCarol@hotmail.com
Writer's Notes: I need to warn you all before you read this, I went for VERY heavy angst with this part. Please don't hate me for it, but feedback of any kind is greatly appreciated.
Big thanks to Shannon who gave me the idea for this fic. If she hadn't, I probably never would have gotten a part 7 done. :)
++++++++++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
This the beginning of the end
This the most heinous of crimes
This the deadliest of sins
The greatest violation of all time
+++++++++++++++++++++++
It had been a painfully long day. 4 trauma's, 2 deaths, dozens of drunken party goers, sick children, children who wanted a day off from school "claiming" they had stomach aches, a horny old man who wanted to rub Abby's nose. The days got worse as the months passed.
After returning home, Abby had immediately gone for the shower, and spent over 40 minutes allowing the hot water to hit her aching body, warm her up from the frigid temperatures outside.
She'd pulled on a pair of fleeces maternity pants and a sweatshirt Luka had found and picked up for her the week before. Wandering in the kitchen, she got herself a glass of warm milk, and settled into the couch. As soon as she had found a comfortable position, the ringing of the phone began.
"Abby Kovac?" a voice on the other end of the phone said, as Abby lifted the phone to her ear.
"Yes?" she replied, pulling a blanket over her legs and changing the TV channel. She watched the screen as the channels went by. Cook shows, cartoons, late night talk shows. Finally stopping at the "Tonight Show", she threw the remote into her lap.
"This is Officer Lewis of the 18th District of the Chicago Police department." He introduced himself, as Abby closed her eyes, only imagining why he was calling her. "Do you know a Maggie Wyzinski?" he asked, as Abby felt a lump form in her throat.
"She's my mother." Abby replied, as she felt her throat tighten, as if she were choking to death. "Is she there?" she asked, her eyes closing, waiting for an answer.
"Your mother was found running, half naked, down Lake Shore Drive. A squad car brought her in. She keeps mumbling something about a Euro Doctor and a man named Eric. We found your number in the bag she was carrying." The cop told her. "No one can get any information out of her."
Abby sighed; the thought of her mother again was unbearable. "Can you just keep an eye on her? I'll be there in a little while." She replied, pulling the blanket off. "The 18th District right?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Ok. Thank you." Abby replied, pushing the button to hang up the phone. As she did, she got herself up off the couch, and found her sneakers that she had tossed near the armchair. Pulling them on, she let out a groan as she attempted to bend over. Only halfway through the pregnancy and her stomach was already in her way.
Shuffling toward the kitchen for her bag, Abby glanced up at the clock and grabbed the phone from the wall. Pressing in the familiar numbers, she put it to her ear.
"Cook County." She heard the voice on the other end say.
"Frank?" she asked groggily, pushing her hair from her face. "Frank it's Abby, can you get Luka for me?" she asked.
"Hold on." Frank replied, as she heard the phone go on hold. It only took a few moments before she heard a voice on the other end.
"Abby?" she heard Luka's voice as she felt her throat still tighten. It felt there were a handball lodged in it, keeping her from breathing.
"Luka, my mom." was all she said to him as she watched the hand on the clock move from the 8 to the 9. Time seemed to be at a standstill. The world had stopped, her mother was back… again.
"Where is she?" Luka asked, his voice growing full of concern. "Is she alright?"
"She's at a police station, apparently off her meds again." Abby spoke slowly, as if she herself were trying to comprehend again what was happening. "They found her running down a street… I have to go and get her."
Abby could hear Luka sigh on the other end of the phone. "Wait for me." He told her. "I'll find someone to cover for me."
"No, I have to go now." Abby replied stubbornly. "I need to go get her."
"Abby, just wait. You can't go get her alone. She's off of her medication, it's late, and it is dark. You aren't going out alone."
"I've lived in Chicago for over 12 years Luka, I can go out by myself. I'm not 10 years old." Abby replied. "Just stay there, I'll call you when I get home."
"Abby, I said I will be home in a few minutes!" Luka said again, catching the attention of Mark and Cleo who were standing nearby. "You cannot go get her alone, it's not safe!"
"Luka, I have to go. If you want, meet me at the 18th District, ok?"
Luka sighed, looking up to the TV that was up in the corner of the ER. "Fine, ok Abby. I will meet you there."
"Ok, thank you Luka." She said, hanging the phone up.
"Yeah, bye." He mumbled, placing the phone down, and looking up to meet the stares of Mark and Cleo.
"Everything ok?" Mark asked, sipping coffee from the large cup in his hands.
Luka just nodded. "Abby's mother is back, again." He sighed. "Abby needs to go get her, and I have to meet her at the police station."
Mark nodded as he sipped from his cup again. "Is she off her medication?" he asked.
"Yes." Was all Luka said. "But I need to go. I am going to try meet Abby before she leaves. I don't want her wandering around this late. "
"Go ahead." Mark assured him. "Things are slow, we should be ok."
"Thank you." Luka replied, as he pushed his way into the lounge, heading for his locker to grab his coat from his locker. As he did, a cold shiver made its way down his spine, a frightening shiver.
+++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
+++++++++++
"I'm.. dreaming of a white, Christmas."
That was what was softly playing on the radio as Abby drove through the streets on the upper east side of Chicago. Christmas lights were lit brightly in the windows of stores, softly accenting the lines in the roads along with the streetlights that lined them. The headlights from the car behind her shone brightly into the car, seemingly blinding her as she drove along. Turning the car down a darker street, a new song began, as she watched the dark figures of a group of men standing on a corner.
"I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus. Underneath the mistle-toe last night."
Pulling to a stop at a red light, Abby shivered in the cold, frigid air and leaned down to turn the heat up higher. It was happening again, her mother was back. Off her medication, probably depressed, running around like a maniac. The dance was starting again. Abby always hated to dance.
"Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus. Underneath his beard so snowy white."
As she sat staring at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green, Abby closed her eyes for a moment. She just wished that for once it would be a dream. That she's open her eyes and she'd be in bed. Her mom would be in Florida, on her meds, not bothering anyone. But it wasn't a dream, she was back, things were the same as always.
The sound of pounding caused Abby to open her eyes. As she did, she found a large man, pounding fiercely on the window of the driver side door. Harder he pounded, causing Abby to gasp and reach for the automatic lock. But her sudden movement caught the attention of the man and he reached for the door handle, pulling it open before she had the chance to lock it.
"Get out!" he ordered, yelling loudly as she sat screaming. "Shut the fuck up!" he yelled, yanking her by the arm into the street and covering her mouth with his hand.
She mumbled something into his hand and flared her arms attempting to loosen his grip. "Taaathmar." She mumbled, her heart pounding inside her chest.
"This is all you have?" he asked angrily, as his free hand searched through her purse, pulling out a twenty-dollar bill.
Abby nodded, his hand still over her mouth. He looked at her face; she could see the anger in his eyes. Her mind was flashing back now, to over two years earlier. She and Luka, their first date. A man with the pipe.
"Luka, stop!" she called, choking back tears as Luka smashed the man's head into the pavement, harder with each thrash. "Luka, stop!!"
The man who had hold of her now was bigger, he was muscular. Tossing her bag back into the car, he wrapped his free arm around her waste and lifted her into his arms. Removing the hand from her mouth, he growled.
"You make any noise, I'll cut your fucking head off, you hear me?"
Abby just nodded, as she stared up at the night sky, the cold air along with utter fear causing her to shake uncontrollably. The man was moving fast, being careful to move in-between buildings.
"Don't hurt my baby." She whispered as he carried her down a dark alley. "Don't hurt the baby."
The man just snarled, and dropped her from his arms into the alley. Right onto the concrete he dropped her with a thud, as she let out a cry. Pulling her to her feet, he grabbed both of her arms and tugged her through a door into a dark hallway. Pulling keys from his pocket, he unlocked a door and pushed her into the room, locking the door behind her.
"Take my money, the car… I don't care." Abby sobbed, as she fell to the floor in a heap. "Please.." she begged as he moved toward her.
"I thought I told you to keep that fucking mouth shut!?" he screamed, smacking her across the face with his large hand. She let out a yell as he did, and he did it again, and again, and again. "Maybe now you'll listen." He mumbled, as she tried to push him away, shielding her face with her hands. "Don't worry baby, we're going to have fun tonight." The man snarled, pulling his shirt over his head. "Aren't we?"
Abby lifted her head to look at him. He was so tall and big, at least 6 and ½ feet. He had this hatred look on his face, as he moved closer to her. She moved her hand from her face, only to see the blood covering it. Her eye hurt like a son of a bitch, she could feel the swelling begin.
Yanking her again by the arm, he pulled her coat off as she cried out. Tossing it aside, he whacked her across the face again, gripping to her arm tightly. Tight enough to cut off all circulation. His nails dug deep into her skin, causing blood to rise to the surface.
"Please, stop.." Abby sobbed, as he grabbed at her shirt, ripping it down the front and tugging it off. She moved her arms up and down him, punching him all over. But she was so small and weak compared to him, it was hopeless.
"You're quite a piece of work. You think you can hurt me?" he asked, almost laughing. "Maybe you're boyfriend, husband, whoever the fuck he is that knocked you up likes your rough ways, but I don't like it very much." He told her, as he began beating at her again, this time on her chest. Sending punches and slaps at her, she screamed louder as he pushed her back onto a mattress and hit her more.
"Feels good doesn't it?" he asked angrily, giving her one good last whack across the face.
"Please." Abby pleaded more, turning her head, wrapping her arms around her stomach, in an attempt to protect it. "Not the baby."
"Oh, you mean, you don't want me to do this?" he asked, sending one good hard punch to her abdomen, causing her to cry out in pain, and her body to jump. "Oh well, I don't wanna hurt your fucking baby anyway." He said. "You're who I want."
With that phrase, his hands moved down and he pulled her pants off, throwing them against a nearby wall, and moving down to remove his own…..
+++++++
You've seen her stripped mined
You've heard of bombs exploded underground
You know the sun shines
Hotter than ever before
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
+++++++
"Can I help you?" a receptionist at the 18th District asked the tall man who had just appeared before her.
"My wife, her mother was here. She was going to come and pick her up." Luka said, looking up to the clock. "Maggie Wyzinski."
The receptionist turned her head and called for a cop who was standing nearby. "Officer Lewis?" she asked. "This guy said his wife was here to pick up that woman they found wandering, Maggie Wyzinski?"
"I talked to your wife on the phone over an hour and a half ago, Abby Kovac right?" Officer Lewis asked. "She still hasn't arrived."
"Wait, Abby isn't here yet?" Luka asked, his voice suddenly sounding concerned. "She called me and told me she would be coming here right away."
"Well, she hasn't gotten here yet. But if you want, do you want to come see Maggie? Maybe you'll be able to calm her down a bit." The officer suggested.
Luka shook his head. "No, I'm going to go outside. Abby may have gotten held up or maybe something like that." He said, knowing the words weren't coming out correctly.
The receptionist nodded. "Ok, but you can see her whenever."
++++++++
Some claim to have crowned her
A queen
With cities of concrete and steel
But there is no glory no honor
In what results
From the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
We all are witness
To the rape of the world
++++++++
Abby had given up on the begging now, each time she did, he beat on her harder. He had pulled all of her clothing off now and had his arms were wrapped tightly around her arms, holding them down on the bed. He was on top of her, biting on her neck.
She was choking back sobs, as he painfully bit her, smacked her punched her, raped her. Each time he entered her, she would scream and start crying harder. He smacked her stomach, her face, her back. Everywhere he touched he hurt her.
"You're a real bitch you know that?" he said, as he pulled his clothes back on. "But a good ride."
She turned her head away from him as she felt the blood trickle from her nose, her forehead, the cuts in her skin. She could feel the cold air running across her nude body, lying there on the bed, she felt unable to move.
"Oh, so now you're not going to talk, huh?" he asked angrily, pulling her by her arms and tugging her to her feet. Grabbing a t-shirt from a table, he pulled it over her head and lifted her into his arms. "Come on you whore." He mumbled.
Pulling her outside into the cold December air, he carried her down the alleyway and onto a main road. As cars passed them by, he walked carefully in the darkness, making sure to avoid any light what so ever.
"Remember, you scream you die." He told her, as he crossed the roadway and walked past a few stores. "You little fucking whore."
Walking a few more blocks, the sound of police sirens started in the distance. "Shit!" she could hear the man grumble, as he began to walk faster. As the sirens approached, he set her down. "You say anything to anyone before I'm gone, I'll get you, you hear me?" he threatened, smacking her one more time, and pushing her to the ground.
Abby didn't reply, she just watched as the man took one last look at her and began running down the street, before disappearing around a corner. Once she was sure he was gone, she broke down into hysterical sobs as the blood continued to pore from all over her body. She could feel her left eye swelling shut. Her thoughts were not on her though, they were on her baby. She had felt it kick, she knew the baby was still alive, but he had hit her stomach, hard.
"Somebody." She called out, sobbing. "Please, somebody!"
++++++++++++++
She has been clear-cut
She has been dumped on
She has been poisoned and beaten up
And we have been witness
To the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
++++++++++++++
Snow had begun to lightly fall by the time Luka had begun to search. He had waited about 15 minutes at the Police Station before starting his own search. Making sure Maggie was in custody and not able to go anywhere, he set out, along with two squad cars. Driving along, he'd called their neighbor Sarah, asking her to check their house, Abby wasn't there. He had beeped her 3 times, and called her on her cell phone, no answer. Now, he was driving up and down the dimly lighted Chicago streets, turning his head to watch all around him.
Luka could feel his heart pounding in his chest and the sweat beads pouring from his forehead. He could feel the fear building inside of him; it felt as if there were sharp knives digging into his stomach. He was scared to death. This was not like Abby at all. She wouldn't just disappear, not calling him, not arriving at the Police Station. He knew something was wrong.
Driving along, he looked at the small groups of people gathered on various corners; smoke pouring from their mouths, beer bottles being smashed. He squinted trying to see their faces, trying to see Abby. His window was rolled down, allowing the cold air to seep into the car as he called her name over and over. He found nothing.
++++++++++++
There were voices; she could hear them calling things out. But, they sounded so distant, as if millions of miles away. She couldn't see anything; she felt she wasn't there, like she were floating.
"Crank up the O2." One of the voices called, as a siren blared. "Her BP's low."
"How much longer?" another voice called, as she could feel something being pulled over her face.
As the two people talked back and forth, she listened. But she still felt she wasn't there. She hurt all over. Her head, neck, arms, chest, legs, everything felt as if it had been torn open.
"Pulling up now!" a voice called, as the vehicle lurched to a stop. She could hear the sirens suddenly shut off, and a click sounded, as a blast of cold air hit her skin.
"What do we got?" a now very familiar voice called, as she could feel her body being moved. She still couldn't wake up; it was like having an out of body experience.
"Approximately 32 year old female, found beaten and possibly raped up by the lake. She had to have been out there awhile, she was wearing only this torn t-shirt. She's hypothermic and unconscious. BP's 90/70, pulse is weak. She looks to be about 22 or so weeks pregnant." One of the many voices rambles off as she felt the gurney being moved through the swooshing doors.
"Jesus Christ." She heard the familiar voice say as she felt a pair of hands wrap something around her arm.
"What is it?" another familiar, now female voice called, as she felt her run up beside them.
"It's Abby." The male voice said. Then it hit her who was talking. Mark.
"Someone page Kovac now!" the female voice called again. "Get her into trauma 1!"
As they rolled her down the hallway, she could feel the distance feeling begin to lessen, as she managed to open one eye. Looking up, everything was one big blur. She could see a green spot hovering over her.
"Abby." Mark said, shining a bright light into her eye. "Abby, can you hear me?" he asked.
Trying to turn her head, Abby let out a moan as the taste of her own blood entered her mouth, the neck brace preventing her from turning her head. She could feel the tears start again, the warmth falling down her face.
"The baby." She whispered through the tears, her throat feeling as if it were being squeezed. "Mark.."
"We've got you on a monitor." Mark assured her, as two nurses began to remove the t-shirt. "So far, everything looks ok. The baby's fine." He assured her. "Haleh, I want a CBC, Chem 7, CT, facial series." He ordered. "No, wait." He stopped her, as he took hold of Abby's arm and she let out a sob. "Get a complete set of x-rays, whoever did this got her good."
"My mom." Abby cried, her voice sounded as if it were gone, she was struggling for her air. "Where's Luka?' she moaned.
"We're paging Luka honey." Connie assured her. "Dr. Weaver sent Carter to go get your mom." She informed her. Abby watched as she turned to Mark, and grabbed the chart. "Do you want a rape kit?" she asked quietly as Abby watched Mark nod.
"Abby, does this hurt?" Cleo asked, as she held her hands behind Abby's neck, removing the collar.
"No." Abby whispered, choking back another sob.
"Ok." Cleo said, removing the collar. "Chuny, get an ultrasound in here." She ordered. "Abby, we're just going to take a look at the baby ok?"
"He hit me.." Abby said, as the tears fell. "My stomach… he hit it." She sobbed.
Cleo nodded and pushed her hair from her face. "Ok, we'll take a look." She said assuringly. "It'll be ok."
++++++++++++++++
Mother of us all
Place of our birth
How can we stand aside
And watch the rape of the world
++++++++++++++++
He barely managed to turn the car off before he had jumped out of it and ran into the ER. Not stopping to ask where she was, he ran straight to the trauma rooms, and pushed through the door. He found the gurney turned, a sheet draped over Abby, Dr. Weaver doing a pelvic with Haleh's assistance.
"Abby." He cried, running over to her. He looked at her, and felt his knees start to buckle. Her face was swollen and bruised, her left eye completely swollen shut. There were cuts bleeding, bruises turning purple. There were marks all over her neck, looking as if someone had tried to choke her. He couldn't begin to imagine what it looked like under the gown. Her face was turned to the side, as Dr. Weaver worked below.
"There's semen." Kerry said softly, taking a swab and handing it to Haleh.
"Abby, oh god Abby." Luka said, a lump forming in his throat. He took hold of her hand, seeing that her other was already set in a cast. There looked like there were cigarette welts up her arm, along with deep lacerations and bruises.
"Luka." She sobbed, turning to face him. "Luka, I'm so sorry." She cried, as he brushed the tears from her face. Pressing too hard, she let out a small yelp, and sobbed again.
"Oh Abby." He whispered. "You don't have to be sorry."
She tried to catch her breath as Kerry stood up, handing the last of the swabs to Haleh. "I told him no Luka, but he grabbed me. The baby… he hit my stomach.." she sobbed. "I told him no…. he pulled my clothes off." She cried as the events of the past hours came rushing back, sending her into a hysterical fit of sobs.
Luka felt his heart rip in two as she cried. He carefully wrapped his arms around her, making sure to keep from hurting her even farther. "It isn't your fault." He said soothingly. "It's ok, you didn't do anything."
As he comforted her, he watched the baby monitor that was set next to the bed. The monitor was reading all normal signals; the attack hadn't hurt the baby. But it had hurt Abby. It had hurt her in so many ways, in so many places.
"He raped me." She cried, her head pressed against Luka's body, as she began to shake uncontrollably. "I told him to stop, I tried." She cried. "I tried…"
Kerry stood near the trauma room doors watching as Luka attempted to calm her down. A police detective stood outside, talking with Cleo about what they had found. He was writing notes on a pad of paper, and kept looking up through the glass, and back down.
As Kerry pushed her way out into the hallway, she was immediately stopped by the detective.
"Dr. Weaver?" he asked, looking at her, as she brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Yes?"
"I really need to talk with the victim. The sooner we speak with her, the better of a chance we have of catching the man who did this."
Kerry just stood staring at him, nodding. "I know, just give them a few minutes ok? Her husband's here now. He's trying to calm her down."
+++++++++++++
Later that night, the snow continued to fall lightly outside of the hospital, dusting the street with a white blanket. Upstairs in the ICU, Abby lay fast asleep in her bed, hooked up to many monitors, IV's poking out from each hand. Luka sat next to her, his hand wrapped around hers, watching her as she slept.
The room was silent, aside from the constant dull beep coming from the fetal monitor hooked up to her stomach. Her lacerations had been cleaned and dressed, broken arm cast, and a badly sprained knee splinted. As he watched her, he was reminded of so many injured people he had seen over the years. She looked like she'd been to war, and been defeated.
"How is she?" a voice whispered in the darkness, as Luka looked up to see a tall figure standing in the doorway.
"They sedated her." Luka whispered, rubbing his fingers on her hand. "She's doing as well as she can be."
"Is the baby ok?" the man asked, moving into the room, closer to the bed. He held two cups of coffee in his hands, and handed one cup to Luka.
Luka nodded slowly, never removing his eyes from Abby. "The baby is ok. But Abby has a broken arm, a badly sprained knee, and lots of lacerations and bruises."
"He raped her?" the man asked, fiddling with the lid of his coffee cup.
"Yes." Luka whispered, himself fighting to keep the tears back. He felt as if he were choking, gasping for air. "I want to kill the bastard that did this to her." He said, his voice turning to one of anger. "She didn't deserve this. He hurt her….. he hurt her more than anyone should ever be hurt."
"They'll find him." Carter assured him, sipping the coffee. "They'll find him, and they'll put him away."
"Why Abby?" Luka mumbled, staring at her beaten, bruised face. "Why?"
++++++++
If you look you'll see it with your own eyes
If you listen you will hear her cries
If you care you will stand and testify
And stop the rape of the world
Stop the rape of the world
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
Mother of us all
05/01/01