A/N Oh my gosh…so sorry that this has taken so long to update. Time really got away from me. This chapter's just a look at how everybody important in Abby's life is coping with what has happened.
Carter walked slowly along the hospital corridor, heading to the room where he'd spent most of his nights for over a week now. A nurse smiled brightly at him…he recognized her, but couldn't put a name to her face. Instead, he smiled weakly back, and continued walking. As he got to her room, he saw his teacher Miss Walker sitting outside.
"Hi John" she said softly.
"Hey" he said back, his voice croaky.
"How are you?"
"What are you doing here?' he asked sitting next to her, completely ignoring her question.
"I just came for a visit. Miss Watts in there now."
"Oh. How's she taking all this?"
Miss Walker stared at John for a while, realizing the mature-ness of his words. He had been through so much, and yet was only concerned about everyone else. He was mature way beyond his years.
"Not so good actually." She said, looking into the room. "She's quite upset about the whole ordeal."
Carter nodded, understanding how the counselor was feeling completely.
It had been a week since Abby's attempted suicide, and since that day neither Carter nor Miss Watts had left her side. Abby was still unconscious, and the doctors were still skeptical on whether or not she would come out of it. She was breathing on her own now, which was a good sign. It didn't rule out brain damage completely…but it was a start.
Susan had been in most days too. She'd come in for a few hours and let Abby know exactly what was happening, so that she didn't miss any of the latest gossip. Carter knew that it was hard for her though. Emotionally, he didn't think she'd ever fully recover. Actually…he didn't think any of them would.
The hospital had had a great deal of trouble locating Maggie. When Abby was brought in, they spent days trying to get in contact with her. When they finally did, she came down to visit, and totally flipped out. She was already off her meds, and as soon as she's spoken to Abby, she left again. No one had heard form her since.
Eric had been in to visit a few times as well. He was still quite confused about what was happening, and why his sister was in a coma, but Miss Watts had done her best trying to explain it to him. She was pretty sure that he understood, but he was still in a state of shock. First his sister, and then his mother disappearing. He'd been staying at Susan's house until they could work out what was going to happen with him.
Miss Walker had come to see how Abby was doing today. She had been talking to Miss Watts for updates, but hadn't really had the courage to go and see Abby. She had been thinking about her constantly though, and she was praying for her all the time. Abby was a strong girl, and she'd pull through…she just knew it.
Miss Watts came out of Abby's room, smiling faintly at Carter as she did so. Miss Watts had been at the hospital everyday since she was first contacted. When the hospital rang and informed her about Abby's condition, she felt like dying herself. She felt so helpless like this. There was nothing she could do, or say that was going to help her…and she hated knowing that. There was so much more she could have done for Abby. She had respected her wishes by not getting anybody else involved, but now she saw what a mistake she had made. She should have trusted her own judgment, rather than trying to gain Abby's trust. She could have saved her…
Carter got up from his seat, walking towards the counselor.
"How is she?" he asked softly.
"No change" she replied, looking directly at him.
She saw his eyes fall, and the pain come flooding back to his eyes. She knew he had taken it hard. She could see that pain inside him, but he was too busy being strong for everybody else. The way he had handled both Susan and Eric was amazing. He had been at the hospital everyday, sitting beside Abby, holding her hand, stroking her hair. It was easy to see how much he cared for her. How much he loved her.
All they needed now was for Abby to wake up and see how much she means to everybody.
