Haunting Me

AUTHOR: Piper Fox
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(Sept): A few weeks later . . .

The scream echoed throughout the apartment. Carter struggled to rouse himself from the enclosure of sleep, as the inhumane cry wailed again.

"No . . . get away," the voice pleaded. Carter was instantly awake with one thought on his mind. Lucy. He jumped out of bed and made his way quickly to her room. In the dim light he could see her figure. Drenched in sweat, tangled in sheets, she was very distressed.

"Not again," he muttered, as he moved to her side. "Lucy – wake up!"

She continued to twist wildly, trying in vain to escape the visions that were in her mind.

"C'mon Luce . . . wake up, please" he urged and suddenly she was immediately conscious. Her eyes were wild and had a look of complete fear. This made Carter shudder; he had seen this look in her blue eyes before, on the floor in curtain three.

Carter tried his most soothing voice. "It's just a dream Lucy . . . you're fine, you're safe". "Who am I trying to convince?" he questioned himself. Lucy's recent nightmares were frightening him as much as they were terrifying her. They had begun only a week before and appeared to be worsening. Lucy, suddenly aware of what had happened, burst into tears.

"Lucy . . . it's okay," he said, pulling her into his arms. She continued to sob and was shaking uncontrollably.

"I . . . I'm sorry," she whimpered into his chest.

Carter held her face in his hands, and gently wiped her tears away. "Don't worry Luce, I'm here for you . . . you know that". She looked so innocent, it pulled at Carter's heart. He rocked her gently, instinct taking over. Before he could stop himself, his lips found hers. Tenderly he kissed her, forcing every inch of pain from her mind and body. She forgot all else in that special moment of passion. His lips were soft and warm, much like she remembered them. Carter pulled away, and Lucy's eyes flew open. The spell was broken. 'What were you thinking?' He was amazed at himself for giving into temptation so easily.

"Carter . . ." Lucy began.

"Never mind Lucy, I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that."

"I know, we are just friends. I understand that," she said softly. Silence followed before Lucy began to explain her dreams. "Until now I've only recalled being on the floor covered in blood and in so much pain. Now I see flashes of it, you know when he attacked me, the part I didn't remember. . . damn I thought I was over this. What am I going to do?"

"I wish I had a solution I really do," he said, hugging her again. "Do you want me to stay?"

Lucy nodded, closed her eyes and settled back down onto the bed. Carter did the same but found he just couldn't sleep. "What am I going to do with you?" he wondered as he watched over Lucy.

Later the same day . . .

"Hey Carter." Peter Benton greeted his old student as he walked into the lounge. "Have you seen Mark?"

"Not lately. He was stitching up a kid last time I saw him."

"Thanks." He turned to go, but stopped. "How are you?"

"Not too bad," Carter responded rather unenthusiastically.

"I have to say you look awful, man," Benton said, concern evident in his voice.

Carter wondered what to say for a moment. "It's um . . . it's Lucy. She's having these terrible nightmares."

"Hmm," Benton said, nodding his head. "Is she seeing someone about it?"

"She was, but I don't know what to do. She doesn't want to go back to therapy. Her mother moved to LA a week ago and I think that's having an effect on her. You would expect that her mom has been very supportive, but without anyone else, Lucy has really relied on her. She's hurt by it, but won't admit it."

"That's tough. Maybe you should talk to her about it."

Carter sighed. "It worries me."

"She'll get through it . . . you are really close to her now aren't you?" Benton recognised the look in Carter's eyes.

"I guess we are," Carter confessed. "I've never really thought about it, but I . . ."

"You what? Carter?" Benton interjected, as Carter paused.

"I feel so much to blame for her injuries, physical or emotional. It's hard to live with sometimes. Especially now, when I see her like this."

"That's difficult," Benton replied slowly. "But I'm sure she appreciates you being there for her."

"I hope so," Carter said optimistically.

"I'd better find Mark. Good to see you again."

"Yeah." Carter grimaced as he watched him disappear. 'Why are we suffering through all of this?' he asked silently. 'I can't take it!'

"Carter, we need you." Lydia's voice pierced his thoughts. "There's a trauma coming in."

"Alright!" he snapped. "I'm coming." "Damn this, damn everything". He stormed out abruptly, past a startled Lydia, who was left to wonder exactly what she had said wrong.