Chapter Four
"Abs, everyone's worried about you," Carter said as he walked into the room again. He walked over and sat down next to her. Abby jumped a little, but allowed Carter to stay seated and wrap his arm around her shoulders. "They deserve to at least know something."
Abby shook her head before taking another sip of hot chocolate. "No, they don't. It's not their business. I don't want them to know."
"Abby, we're just concerned, that's all," Carter explained gently.
"Well, you don't need to be. I'm fine," Abby pointed out a bit too quickly.
Carter raised an eyebrow. "You're fine?" he questioned. "You're hiding out in the furthest curtain room from the entrance alone, and you call that fine?"
"I-It's not hiding," Abby argued. "I'm just drinking hot cocoa."
"For an hour?" Carter asked dubiously. "I'm surprised it's still hot," he commented. He rose from the bed and extended a hand to Abby. "Come on," he encouraged. "I'll take you home."
Abby shook her head. "You don't need to do that," she assured him. "I mean, I don't want you to get the wrong idea about us," she added. "We don't need to be doing that again. You have Wendall."
Carter shrugged. "She's not so great," he pointed out. "Come on," he offered. He looked over at Abby again. She was looking down into her empty cup of hot chocolate. Her body was shaking slightly. "Abby, they can't get you now," Carter assured her. "You're safe now," he added as he wrapped an arm around her again. "I promise."
Abby looked up at him. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"Positive," he said confirmed as he pulled her to her feet. "Ready?"
Abby nodded slightly. "Ok," she said slowly, "but only if you promise to take me to my doorstep."
"I promise," Carter said as the two of them began walking out of the curtain room.