Rough Path

Chapter 6: No News … Is Good News

As Abby walked into the hospital, she wasn't sure if that was the best idea. But it was either that or sitting at home, waiting for Luka to call.

"Hi," a voice called her from behind.

Abby turned around. "Hi, Jing Mei," Abby greeted her as they walked into the lounge.

"So, have you heard any news?" Jing Mei asked.

Abby shook her head. "I don't know if no news is good news."

Suddenly she realized that she couldn't talk about this – it hurt too much to think about the what ifs. "I'm sorry, but I should get back to work," Abby sighed as she walked out of the room.

How was she going to do this … how could she get on with her life like nothing happened?

But she knew she had to … it would be what Carter would want her to do. But how could she get on with her regular day when Carter was a part of it?

***

Later that day

"Your doctor will be here to see you in a few minutes," Abby told a patient, as she walked out of the exam room.

"Here's your next patient," Abby said as she handed Susan the chart as she was coming up to her.

Susan nodded. "Oh thanks, just what I want."

Abby was about to walk away when Susan called her.

Abby turned around. "Yeah?"

"Why don't we go out for dinner later?" Susan asked.

"Sure, sounds good to me."

"Okay, meet me in the lounge at the end of your shift."

"Okay. And Susan, thanks for not asking me how I am, for just treating me normal"

Susan smiled. "So I'll see you later then."

"Yeah," Abby answered, as she walked away from Susan.

Whatever it took to get everything off her mind, she would do it.

***

Meanwhile in Kisangani

"Luka, there isn't anything else we can do to find John."

"Gillian, we have to find him, he can't just have disappeared," Luka said.

He knew how much Carter meant to Abby, and he was going to do whatever it took to find him. He had to.

***

Meanwhile back in Chicago

"So, how are you doing? I know you are worried about Carter, too. He is one of your best friends, "Abby asked as her and Susan were at the restaurant.

"Of course I am worried about him, but I have faith that everything is going to be okay."

"I wish you were right, but I just don't know anymore," Abby said quietly.

Susan hugged Abby.

Abby smiled. "Thank you for being there for me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Susan smiled back at her. "That is what friends are for, Abby," she reassured her as the waitress came with their bill.

"So, are you working tomorrow?" Susan asked Abby.

"No, and it is going to be really hard. I like to work so many shifts, it gets my mind off my problems. But Kerry won't let me work any shifts for a few days. I don't know what I am going to do in those few days."

"I have tomorrow off. We could spend the day shopping to get your mind off your problems," Susan suggested.

Abby smiled. "Thank you, but I will be fine. I am going to have to deal with a life without Carter ... ," Abby said quietly as tears started to fall down her cheeks. "If I get the bad news from Luka ... "

Susan patted Abby's shoulder gently. "Don't think about the worst."

"How can I not? John has been missing for days now. Do you really think they are going to find him alive? I have to face reality and realize that there is a good chance that I'll never see him again."

"Abby, that is not true," Susan said, trying to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, but I can't talk about this anymore. Thank for dinner, but I really have to go now Susan."

"No Abby, wait. I will come with you," Susan said, as she paid the bill, and followed Abby outside.

Abby turned around. "Susan … thank you for trying to help me, but I really have to be on my own right now."

"I don't think that is a good idea," Susan said, not sure what Abby would do if she let her go home alone now.

"Please Susan, if you are my friend, just leave me alone."

Susan hesitated for a moment but then she decided that it was better to give Abby some time alone. "Give me a call if you need to talk, okay?"

"I will," Abby said, as she started to walk away.

Susan watched as Abby walked away. She knew that Abby was in pain, and there was nothing she could do for her. She just hoped that Abby wouldn't do something stupid to get over the pain of thinking that she might never see Carter again.

***

An hour later

Abby walked into her apartment with a bag in her hand. She took the bottle she bought on her way home out of the bag. She wanted to do something that would get her mind off Carter, and the best idea seemed a bottle of vodka.

She opened the bottle, and started pour some of the vodka in a glass when she started thinking about Carter, and what he said to her when they were locked in together at the hospital last year.

"Tell me we're gonna be okay. "

"We're gonna be okay."

She couldn't do it, she wanted to forget about everything desperately, but she couldn't drink the vodka – at least not right now.

Suddenly the glass fell on the floor. She didn't notice that she cut her hand on the glass as she wanted to pick it up as the phone rang

She ran to pick it up. "Luka?"

"No, Abby, it's me, Susan. I just wanted to make sure that you're okay, I was worried about you."

"I'm fine, Susan," she lied. But then she decided to tell her the truth. "Actually, I was just going to do something really stupid to make everything go away, but I couldn't do it … I couldn't drink the vodka because of Carter. He isn't even here, but he is telling me what to do," Abby laughed.

"I can come over, and we can watch a movie," Susan suggested, worried about her friend.

"Susan, you aren't my mother, I will be fine. I am not going to get drunk. And if I do, it has nothing to do with you, "Abby snapped.

"I know that, Abby. But I am worried about you."

Abby then started to cry. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. But I am just so scared that John is dead. How I am going to live without him, Susan? Please tell me that. John said that he was only going to be gone for a few days and that he would return home safely, but he didn't, did he? He got himself killed while helping others. But what about me?"

"Abby, we don't know if he is ... " Susan couldn't say it.

"Dead, Susan. You can say it."

"Abby, I am coming over right now," Susan said.

"No, you are not," Abby said, as she hung up the phone. But as she stood up she felt dizzy, and collapsed on the floor.

***

Meanwhile in Kisangani

Luka and Gillian were still searching for Carter. Luka knew that there was a chance that Carter was dead, but he had to find him for Abby's sake. He knew that she would need to know what happened to him.

"Luka, I think I found something," Gillian said. Luka went up to Gillian and looked at what she found.

"It's him!"



To be continued!!!

Author's Note: Did you really think I would tell you if Carter was alive or dead in this chapter? I don't think so. But you'll find out in the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait, please review!!!