Chapter 32: O'Dandridge Strikes Again

Meredith sat on the long wooden bench of the locker room to catch her breath. She found it amusing that the mere task of changing her clothes could leave her winded so easily. She rested a hand softly on her protruding stomach and smiled. It was worth it. She rubbed her belly and felt a light kick in response.

"So, Callie's going to just pick up Carwyn when she get's the baby and take them both to our house if that's okay Mer?"

Meredith looked up into George's face and nodded smiling. "Thanks for watching her tonight. She's been dying to go help Callie all week… she'll be thrilled. We shouldn't be too late… just a quick dinner."

George shook his head. "No problem… have fun."

He squeezed her shoulder in a friendly gesture and followed a few other residents out of the locker room. Meredith sat for a moment. Enjoying the quiet. Enjoying the solitude.

The sound of the heavy door opening, and closing didn't bring Meredith's head up. Instead, her eyes closed, gathering the strength to stand and find Derek before a search party was sent.

Meredith slowly stood, an undertaking that now required a great deal of momentum to get her awkward body up. She looked around and was surprised to find herself alone, sure that someone just entered but shook it off to pregnancy jitters and reached in her locker for her purse and large bag.

She gathered her belongings and pushed the medal door shut with a loud clank. She stole a quick look over her shoulder, an unsettling feeling crawling under her skin as she headed for the door.

The hair on the back of her neck stood and a soft coat of sweat quickly formed on her upper lip. She tried to shake the disturbing feeling as she quickened her pace to the door only a few yards away.

Her hand settled on the medal doorknob, and she let out a breath of relief, scolding herself for letting her imagination get carried away. She shook her head and laughed, gripping the doorknob to yank it open as a large cold hand sealed over her mouth.

Meredith's scream of terror was silenced as she was pulled backward into the room. She fought with every ounce of her being against the unseen man. She didn't have to guess. She didn't need to speculate. She knew with cold frightening certainty whose large restraining arms were overpowering her.

"Hello Meri."

Horror raced through her veins as his hot breath breathed heavy in her ear. Her arms swung madly, and she desperately tried to dig her rubber soles into the smooth tile ground. Her purse and bag were dropped in the shuffle and the man kicked them roughly out of the way.

But he was too strong. He continued dragging her back, one hand still clasped securely over her mouth, the other tightly wrapped around her, just above her baby bump. He stopped when he reached the back of the room, hidden from view of the door by a row of worn lockers.

He breathed into her ear again. "You didn't think I'd forget you, did you?"

Meredith didn't answer. Tears streamed down her cheek as she squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn't be happening. Not again.

Without warning, the enraged man forcefully turned Meredith around and pushed her back hard against the wall. He kept his hand firmly over her mouth as he pressed his face close to hers, enabling her to smell his sour breath.

"You know I could have lost my leg? That knife in my thigh could have been the end. But luckily for me I've been around hospitals long enough I was able to stitch it up before I bled to death. Do you know why I'm back Meri?" His voice was low and raspy.

Meredith avoided his face and refused to answer. This only angered him more and he grabbed her face roughly a heavy thumb and forefinger on each side of her face, forcing her to look at him.

"I asked you a question damnit!"

Meredith shook her head, her green eyes terrified and her face now pale.

"I came back Meri…. Because I never leave a victim alive."

His hand moved to her throat as some loud voices in the hallway caught her attacker's attention. Meredith's heart leaped in her chest as she recognized one of them.

Derek.

He was outside the locker room door. So close. She had to scream. She needed to do something. Get his attention.

O'Dandridge was too quick. In one swift movement his hand was over her mouth again and he was shoving her into the small bathroom in the back. He pushed the door shut and locked the door with a loud click, as the main locker room door was being shoved open.

"Meredith?"

They heard Derek's voice, and Meredith felt his grip tighten on her mouth and around her body. He leaned in close and hissed his warning.

"Don't do anything stupid Meredith… the life of that baby you're carrying depends on it."

She swallowed hard as the tears feel free. She nodded, feeling him pull her closer against his body.

They stayed still, waiting, listening. Soon Derek's voice was closer, and he knocked gently on the door.

"Mer? Are you alright?"

She stayed quiet, her heart drumming wildly in her ears.

Derek knocked again, a little harder this time.

"Mer? Are you in there?"

The arm around her body moved and a hand was placed firmly around her neck. The man moved his lips again to her ear, letting out a harsh whisper.

"Tell him you're fine." He slowly moved the hand that was over her mouth away.

Meredith hesitated.

His grip tightened and she felt her esophagus crushing.

"Tell him you're fine." He hissed again.

"I'm fine." Her voice came out as a weak gasp.

"Say it like you mean it!" He rasped threateningly.

She cleared her throat and repeated. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure Mer?" The doorknob shook as Derek tried to enter the small bathroom. "Why don't you let me in? What's going on?"

Again the angered man tensed and he whispered his orders. "Tell him you don't feel good. Tell him to go to dinner without you and you'll meet him at home…. NOW."

"Um... I'm just feeling a little nauseous. Why don't you go on to dinner without me? I'll meet you at home later." Meredith squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped her arms protectively around the child in her stomach.

Derek was the only one who could help her. He was her knight in shining armor, and she was sending him away.

"Come on Mer. Just open the door. Let me help you." The doorknob shook harder.

She could feel O'Dandridge grow angrier behind her.

"Damnit! Tell him to get out of here. Say whatever it takes... just make him leave or I'll go after him next."

A chill ran through Meredith's body, and she fought to control her sob. She needed to think. She needed to do something.

"Please." Her voice was now steady and firm. "Just go. I'm fine. Have fun at dinner with your friends." She took a breath and added.

"I love you D."

Sorry guys, recently some tragic events have happened in my family. This is why I have taken a small hiatus in writing I hope you guys understand. I will do my best to post more consistently. However I can't promise anything as of yet.