On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world
Hey, Caiden. How're you doing? Dr. Carter greeted her cheerfully the following morning.
I'm feeling better. Did Abby tell you about what happened? Caiden said, looking as though she had made more improvement from telling her story than the realignment of a compound fracture.
Yeah she did. Hey, Caiden if you need anything I'll help. Abby and I are going to make sure that your siblings are safe and your step father is prosecuted.When am I going to tell the police? I'm ready. Caiden was determined to finish off Kurt.
I can see what I can do. Maybe as soon as today. I'll try. Can I see your cheek though, I need to see how it's healing. Dr. Carter said.
Dr. Carter reached towards her cheek and removed the bandages.
Very good, seems to be healing, no infections after oh maybe ten days it will be nearly gone. Dr. Carter said pleased with the progress of the cut. Okay now that that's done do you need anything? No food yet, let me go out and get you something that tastes good.Dr. Carter, you don't have to do that. Honestly, just food would be fine. Right now all I need is the police. I want Kurt arrested as soon as possible, Chelsea can't deal with what I had to. Caiden pleaded.
Okay, I'll set up a meeting with the police for you. Are you sure you don'-
Caiden, I was on my way in and stopped for coffee, want any food? Abby announced her arrival.
Oh hi Carter.Hey Abby. Glad to see you stole my job of getting her food. Carter said showing mock anger.
Oh, sorry. Anyways, Caiden, I brought you a bagel and some juice and your sister and brother are coming to visit later this afternoon. Abby said starting to fuss over Caiden.
Dr. Carter just stood there amused at the way Abby took care of Caiden, so motherly, so as if this child was the most important thing on the Earth.
Abby, we need to talk outside quick. Carter said realizing the problem with either of them becoming too attached to Caiden.
Yeah okay, I'll be back in a minute. Abby followed Carter out of the room.
What? What's wrong? What's going on? Abby questioned Carter immediately.
You do know not to get too attached to her, right?Yeah, but look at her she's got no one her life sucks right now, she hasn't seen her family in a year, she needs us now. Abby defended her behavior, not wanting to admit that Carter was indeed right.
I know that, look I want to help her out too, but we just can't. It would be wrong for us to attach ourselves to her and then she to us and if it didn't work out, then what would you do? It wouldn't be fair. Carter reasoned.
You're right, but it wouldn't be fair not to help her out. I don't care about what you end up doing, but I can't break the promise I made to her.Really and what was that? Carter asked.
That her family wouldn't be separated again, that was the only way I could get her to go to the police, I CAN'T break that promise. She needs help and support and if you don't give it to her, I will. Abby said and turned to go back into the room.
Abby wait. She turned.
What, Carter?I'll help you out, -er- Caiden out, you're right she does need our help and support. I've got to go call the police, to see if they can come by, to talk to her. Carter left for the front desk and Abby went back to tending on Caiden.
Hello, this is Dr. John Carter over at County, I'd like to talk with the police.
Carter was immediately sent through to Police.
Chicago Police?Hello, Dr. Carter at County General. I have a patient here who has made a claim of attempted rape and abuse, she wants to speak with the police in order to prosecute this man. Dr. Carter explained the situation.
Yes, we have a detective here now, if you'd like us to dispatch him there now.That would be great. Could you tell me approximately how long until he will be here?Yeah, ten, fifteen minutes.Okay that's great, please send them over. Carter hung up and was pleased and excited to tell Caiden of the news.
Caiden! The police are sending someone over now. Hopefully, by tomorrow, everything will be set and your step dad in jail. Dr. Carter burst into the room, showing as much, if not more, enthusiasm than Caiden.
That's great, thank you Dr. Carter. Caiden said.
Call him Carter, everyone does. Abby whispered in her ear.
Okay thank you Carter.Well, I'll let you two be, I'm sure there is more work to be done. Abby, you might want to think of doing some of that work too. Carter said excusing himself.
Yeah, hold on.Abby, when he goes to jail, what's going to happen to Chelsea and Derrick? Caiden was nervous for her two younger siblings.
Well, I'm not sure. The police will probably bring them here, someone will need to give them a checkup and then well... I don't know all I can promise is that social services won't take them away.Okay. Then I'm cool with what happens.Good, I have to go get to work, so you can hang out here and I'll bring the police in when they get here.Thanks, Oh hey Abby, could you or Carter be here when the police are I'm not sure if I can do it alone.Yeah. I'll see what I can do. And with that she left.
Caiden lay upright in bed building her confidence for what she was about to do, she had received the threats from her step dad on if she told anyone. Silently she prayed that it wouldn't happen. Her thoughts and prayers were interrupted when Carter came in with the police.
Hey Caiden. The police are here.Oh thanks Carter.Hello, I'm Detective Carroll. I'm here on an alleged attempted rape accusation. Detective Carroll said. He was a tall muscular man with black beady eyes and a dark brown buzz cut.
Hi, I'm Caiden Adams. Caiden nervously told him.
True to her word, Carter had quietly stayed in the room sitting in a chair so that only Caiden really saw him. Seeing her nerves, he smiled and gave her a thumbs up. It was a small gesture that some might have overlooked, but it gave Caiden the confidence she needed. Caiden gave him a smile back and a little laugh as he made a goofy face.
Excuse me, sir. I'm afraid you're going to have to leave, we can't have any distractions or extras when we hear of an alleged rape. Carroll said to Carter.
Oh right, Caiden is it all right if I leave? Carter said not really listening to what Carroll had to say.
Um... yeah, Carter that's fine. Caiden said not wanting any trouble to happen.
When Carter left he bumped into Abby.
What's going on? Why did you leave? Abby asked thinking he messed something up.
The detective made me leave.Oh, do you think she'll be all right? Abby said turning her motherly concern on.
You know what, I do. She can do it, I'm sure of it. Caiden has dealt with it in reality, she wants it to end. I know she'll do it and she'll be fine. Carter said reassuring Abby.
Even though Abby knew Carter was right, she couldn't help peeking in the room every time she went by. When she look in, it was always the same scene, Caiden solemnly telling the detective what happened, while he scribbled notes on a pad of paper.
When the two were finished, Abby was attending to some horribly drunk guy who had decided he was Superman and he could fly. Fortunately for the man, the Laundromat was a one story building. All that was really wrong with him was a minor concussion and he needed stitches.
Abby, some detective is up at admit wanting to speak with you and Carter about Caiden. Frank came in.
Thanks Frank, listen, could you tell him that I'll be there in a minute I have to finish stitching this guy up. Abby responded and began working faster.
Okay, Mr. Webber, I've signed your discharge papers you're free to go. Abby said signing the papers. She left quickly and went straight to the front.
Hello, you must be Dr. Lockhart, I'm Detective Carroll, as I was saying to Dr. Carter, I need to question the two of you about Caiden. As this report is case sensitive, I was hoping we could meet now. Carroll filled Dr. Lockhart in on the events of the discussion.
Yeah, I think I could spare a few minutes, what do you say Abby? Carter decided.
Sure, how bout we go to the lounge? Abby offered.
Dr. Lockhart led the two men into the lounge.
Well, as you know Caiden Adams is accusing her step father, Kurt Ralston, of raping her sister, attempting to rape her and abuse. Carroll explained.
Yes, we're fully aware of that. Dr. Lockhart reminded him, not wanting to be bothered by him if he was just going to tell her what she already knew.
Of course, I'd just like to know how Caiden got here and what sort of injuries were noted and her psychology upon her arrival. Carroll said quickly noting the annoyance in Dr. Lockhart's voice.
Right, well I was taking my break outside when a Caiden came running into the area, I suggested that she come in with me and I could treat her, but she didn't. Then Dr. Lockhart found her in the waiting area and brought her to me. Dr. Carter said thinking he should answer the questions noting Abby's mood.
Yeah, her injuries included a broken right wrist, three broken ribs on the right side, a broken nose, a compound fracture on the right ankle, several bruises and cuts, and a gunshot wound on her cheek. Dr. Lockhart said in as calm of a voice as possible.
When she first arrived she was silent and gave one or two word answers to most questions. Dr. Carter had been tending to her at the time and when he asked what had happened to her, she didn't respond. Dr. Carter had left for the day, but Caiden still needed tending to, so I went to help her, and she started to open up a little bit more. She told me a few things about her family, but was very sensitive to the question about her step father, she didn't want to talk about it, but after asking the right questions she told me about what had happened to her she told me. I felt awful knowing that she had been through all of that. Detective Carroll, Caiden has two younger siblings at her house right now, and a twin brother at school, when you arrest Kurt Ralston, could you please bring them here so she can see them? Dr. Lockhart explained her condition then begged for Caiden to get her wish.
Technically, I need to have governmental custody of the minors, when involved with a case such as this, but seeing as they would be in a hospital, I think that I could bring them here before they go to social services. Carroll said.
No, the Adams children aren't going to go to social services, Caiden wouldn't be able to handle that. Could they be placed in temporary care so that the children are still together and in a safe home? Dr. Lockhart was pleading for Caiden's case.
I'm not sure, I'll see what I can do. Do you have any suggestions as to where the children could be placed? Carroll said showing no sympathy towards these four children that were so dear to Dr. Lockhart.
I could take them. Dr. Carter piped in. He was remembering what he had promised Abby, he would help her, this is where help was needed. He had the space, he could easily take care of them with some help. Carroll was giving him a look as if to say oh really?'
I mean it. It would be the perfect solution. I have space, Derrick could sleep in the crib and I'm sure I could get some beds for Chelsea and Braedin, or they could just have my bed. I could sleep on the couch. Dr. Carter explained and was now pleading for Caiden's wish as much as Dr. Lockhart was.
I'll think about it. I have to go. I'll have my boss look over this accusation and if he sees it fitting, I'll have search warrant for Kurt Ralston and he will be arrested shortly after. Carroll explained while standing up.
Yes of course. Any idea as to how long it will be before Ralston's arrest? Dr. Carter said politely.
Um... well depending on how busy my boss is, I could have a search warrant by tomorrow, and the arrest should happened within 48 hours of that. So my guess is, between today and three days from now. I don't know how busy it is. Carroll said.
Okay great, thank you so much. Dr. Carter said, showing him the exit.
After Detective Carroll was seen out of the doors to the ER, Abby went on a rant at Carter.
Who does he think he is? Telling us what happened to Caiden, you'd think that scheduling him to come over we would know what happened to her. Abby said shouting. Apparently this is what she had contained within herself until Carroll was gone.
Look, Abby I know, but what is important is that he now knows what happened and within three days Kurt will be arrested. Carter said, being more optimistic.
C'mon, let's go see Caiden.
The two walked down to Caiden's room, so Carter and Abby could know what had happened with Carroll. Upon arriving in Caiden's hospital room, they discovered her fast asleep and decided that they could wait until later.