Hello! Okay so in this story, Wes never dies and Connor tries to kill himself for different reasons. Asher never slept with Bonnie and they were all a typical attorney team. Warning, if you don't like blood or rape, don't read.
Connor was pacing the living room of Annalise Keating's house. Everyone had left to go talk to their next client, but Annalise told Connor to stay and organize their files. That only took 7 minutes to finish. But Connor knew why she told him to. The previous week, he had let a witness out of his grasp when the witness used the oldest trick in the book. The witness said he had to use the bathroom, so Conor let him go. After 30 minutes, Connor checked and couldn't find the witness so he told Annalise and Frank. Annalise yelled at Connor for about 2 hours and so did Laurel. Apparently, the person Annalise was defending happened to be a friend of Laurel's. Their client lost, but her sentence was reduced because of Annalise's quick thinking. Connor hung his head in shame when he remembered the look on their client's face. He remembered crystal clear, the look she gave Laurel. A look of disappointment. Laurel was still giving Connor the cold shoulder. Connor couldn't blame her; Hell, he blamed himself. Footsteps echoing through the hall snapped him out of his thoughts. In walked Annalise, Bonnie, Wes, Asher, Michaela, and Laurel. Connor as if on routine, looked down as if not to interrupt everyone, and listened to them mutter among themselves. After Wes realized no one was going to fill Conor in, he told Connor what the case was about. Connor nodded, and got up to go make himself coffee before starting to work. Once Connor left the room, Laurel muttered," We better make sure he doesn't stay alone with any of our witnesses again." No one responded, used to Laurel muttering things like that.
Connor came back into the room and saw the tense faces of everyone else. Knowing Laurel must have said something about him, he looked forward, ignored everyone,and hid his face behind a folder starting to read on their client. Wes said Annalise wanted different scenarios to help their client in 2 hours. What Connor was not expecting, was those two hours to go by really quick. By the time Annalise had asked them for scenarios Connor had nothing.
"Mr. Walsh. What is your idea," Annalise asked.
Connor said quietly," I don't have one."
In a dangerous voice Annalise said," Excuse me."
In a louder, bolder voice Connor repeated himself, "I don't have an idea."
"Well, what good are you then?" Annalise snapped.
Laurel stood up and said," Professor? What about my idea?"
While Laurel was presenting her idea, Connor thought to himself,' She's right. What good am I?'
Annalise actually smiled when Laurel was done.
"Excellent Mrs. Castillo."
Throughout the whole rest of the day, snide insults from Laurel were being thrown at Connor.
Every single time she said something insulting to him, Connor felt worse and worse about himself. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of negativity. No one was helping him, and he couldn't tell Oliver because he would think Connor was weak.
At 8:00 pm, Annalise finally let everyone go home, saying they would continue tomorrow. Driving over to Oliver's, Connor was deep and thought then suddenly turned the car around to an empty parking lot. A few months ago, they were working on a case where a young woman was attacked by drug dealers in the same parking lot Connor was headed to. While working on the case, Connor heard there was some suspicion of drug dealers that operated out of that abandoned parking lot. He pulled into the parking lot, pulled his hood over his head, and stepped out of the car. After waiting a few minutes, what looked like a young man, started walking towards Connor. His hood was pulled over his head, and he was wearing all black, save for the clean white Nike shoes. The young man approached Connor and said in a juvenile, clearly fake, accent," You hear for drugs?"
Connor nodded and said," Anything addicting?"
The drug dealer laughed and said," How much money do you have?"
Connor reached into his pocket and pulled out $400. The dealer took a small glance, shrugged, and said," Hang on I'll be right back." While the drug dealer walked away, Connor kept on looking around as if police were about to raid the parking lot. About 4 minutes later, the drug dealer came back with a bag. Dropping it onto the ground, he got onto his knees and pulled a few pills and powder out. Connor once he saw the powder said," Sorry, I can't take powder."
The drug dealer stared at him for a minute, nodded, then grabbed a few more bottles of pills out of the bag. When the drug dealer held them up to Connor, Connor asked," How do I take them?"
The drug dealer explained. Connor said his thanks and handed the dealer the money.
Right before Connor left, the dealer turned around and said," My name is Nathan. If next time you need a fix and somebody else comes out here, give them my name."
Connor smiled and thanked him before pulling out and leaving to go to Oliver's. The only difference was, four bottles of drugs were in Connor's pockets. Right as Connor entered Oliver's apartment, Oliver was asking him where he had been.
Smiling slightly Connor said that he was just taking a drive to clear his head. Oliver nodded seeming to accept that answer. After they both had dinner together while watching a show, Connor locked himself in Oliver's bathroom and opened his first bottle of pills. Taking a deep breath, he took it just like the dealer told him to. Deciding that he liked it, Connor cleverly put a empty moisturizer bottle in the back of Oliver's cabinet. The only hitch was, the bottle was filled with pills. Smiling slightly to himself, he left the bathroom and joined Oliver on the bed.
The next morning, Connor again took another pill, liking what it did to him. He went to Annalise's house, starting the day. No one noticed anything different about him, but West pointed out he was smiling a little bit more than he had in the past week. Connor was a little bit surprised he actually managed to have a few good ideas throughout the day. Of course, Annalise didn't take any of them, and Laurel still shot him dirty looks throughout the day; reminding him why he started taking the pills in the first place.
2 days later Connor started taking four pills a day, and four pills became five pills, and five pills became six pills. Annalise had sent him home twice, while Laurel sped up with her rude comments.Connor was so high that everything she said to him just rushed right off his shoulders.
2 weeks later
Everything to Connor, was perfect. Oliver did not know about his newfound addiction nor did anyone else at the law school. Apparently, they all just thought Connor was getting over Laurel's insults by being happy all the time. Connor reached into his pocket and his hand came out empty. Rolling his eyes, he finished up his report for Annalise, and went back to the parking lot. Instead of Nathan meeting him, a huge guy with gloves met him. Right as Connor opened his mouth to speak, a blunt force hit him in the head, and he was knocked out.
Connor woke up 3 days later. He tried to sit up, but he was heavily restrained. Huge iron chains on his arms and legs, and something strapping his stomach down. Moving his head around, he saw it looked as if he was in a basement or an abandoned building. He tried to scream but he felt something in his mouth that felt a lot like a cloth gag. Tears started rolling down his cheeks, and he started gasping for air desperate that someone would find him.
Michaela Pratt was pacing Annalise's living room while Asher, Wes, Laurel, Annalise, Frank, Bonnie, and Oliver were sitting down thinking. Connor had been missing for 3 days. Annalise thought he was pulling a selfish stunt missing class, so she called Oliver who said he hadn't seen Connor either. They started brainstorming where Connor could possibly be. Michaela slowly said," Hasn't he been rather... cheerful lately?"
Oliver and everyone else nodded, wondering where she was going with this.
Asher slowly looked up saying," You don't think he's on something do you?"
Michaela looked down for a minute before saying," Well, we've all been really hard on him lately. No offense to you Laurel, but you've also been kind of rude to him. It wasn't his fault that your friend went to jail. Do you really think if he knew that our witness was going to leave, Connor would let him? Maybe him getting high was the only way to him to get away from us."
Oliver shook his head saying," No. I would have seen him take something."
Frank quietly said," Unless he's been taking it here." Everyone was now watching him, so he continued," Well, think about it. Oliver and Connor are dating, so Oliver would notice right away that something was wrong. You guys barely even talk to him anymore. Laurel, didn't you tell him to go kill himself?"
Laurel flushed before replying," I was just mad. My friend shouldn't have to go to jail for something she didn't do. I didn't want Connor to actually kill himself."
Wes stood up saying," If he has been taking something, we need to find out where he has been getting it." The others made noises of agreement, and started searching through files, old cases, and Annalise's' bathroom.
Connor whimpered when he heard the door open. For the last 3 hours, he has been beaten and raped. After a few minutes, he looked up at the figure standing there. It was that dealer, Nathan, who had helped him out. Nathan stared at Connor for a few minutes, then laughed coldly. Without saying a word, Nathan grabbed a knife, which seemed to be in his back pocket, and stabbed Connor in the stomach. Connor screamed in agony, starting to cry and beg.
"I'll do anything. Please!! Let me go!"
Nathan replied in a soft dangerous tone," You worthless piece of filth. Shut the hell up. Repeat after me, you are a slut, dirty, and worthless."
Connor did. Because to himself, he was dirty and worthless.
Annalise finally got fed up, and called the police to report Connor missing. The police started asking questions about how Connor has been acting lately, and everyone said the same thing; their drug theory. The police said it was very possible that the dealers could have attacked Connor and requested everyone continue looking for clues.
(Michaela Pratt's p.o.v)
Pacing Annalise's living room I thought of the police's words. The dealers could have attacked Connor. Oliver got over his shock, and started trying to locate Connor's phone. It seemed pretty hopeless though. I think Oliver is angry Connor didn't tell him. The dealers could have attacked Connor. 'But why would they attack someone buying their drugs? Unless... they knew him from somewhere...'
A light bulb went over Michaela's head. She threw aside current cases, and grabbed the file box with previous cases. She quickly rifled through them, not realizing everyone was watching her. Making a noise of triumph she yanked a folder out and read. She noticed everyone staring so she said," I think I found where Connor was getting his drugs."
(Normal p.o.v)
The police quickly raided the parking lot and building. They came out with no Connor, but lots of drugs and addresses. Annalise started going through the addresses, trying to see if one was familiar, while Frank looked through the building. After a few minutes and Annalise had confirmed she didn't recognize any of the addresses, there was a loud commotion and police came out dragging a young man behind them.
(Interrogation room)
Annalise sat down across from the young man, who said his name was Nathan. The police didn't ask about Connor, they were going to let her do that first. The rest of the Keating crew was behind the glass watching.
"My student, Connor Walsh, went missing 6 days ago. Does the name ring bell?"
The dealer sighed before asking," Brown hair? Tan skin?"
Annalise nodded.
"Yeah the name rings a bell. I hooked him up with drugs."
"Do you know where he is," Annalise asked.
The dealer looked around the room for a minute before saying," I can't. They'll kill me."
After pressuring Nathan he finally blurted out,
" 4645 Icewills road. It's an abandoned building."
The police, Frank, Oliver and Annalise arrived at the house. The police went in first, arresting drug dealers left and right. After they reported it was clear, Frank followed them and paramedics to the basement where Connor was. Frank came back up to face Oliver and Annalise a few minutes later with a stricken look on his face. Frank looked like he wanted to talk but couldn't. Oliver and Annalise rushed by him to see Connor.
Annalise looked sad and Oliver gagged when they saw him. Stab wounds, a concussion, bruises and scrapes. Not to mention the peeling of skin under his neck from what looked like a collar. When the paramedics touched Connor, even in his unconscious state he flinched, screamed and thrashed. Once the paramedics heavily sedated Connor, they started talking about how to get him out of there. Frank who had came down said,
"Here, let me carry him up."
The paramedics nodded and set a stretcher up at the top of the stairs. Frank carefully gathered Connor up, and brought him up the stairs, on the stretcher. Connor was wheeled out to an ambulance where Oliver was notified which hospital they would take Connor to.
Annalise, Frank and Oliver were immediately attacked with questions as soon as they walked through the door. Frank held his hand up for silence and said," It's pretty bad."
Dr. Marcus walked into room 315. He looked sadly at the young man on the bed, Connor Walsh. Carefully looking over Connor, Dr. Marcus noted that his arms were gently restrained and reminded himself to ask the nurses about that.
Sitting down he opened Connor's file before putting it away and physically examining him. Connor, even in his unconscious state, still whimpered when the doctor touched him. While making soft soothing noises, the doctor pulled off the bed sheets on his stomach and examined the damage. Stab wounds and bruises. It also looked like someone had tried to burn him, but stopped at the last second. shaking his head sadly Dr Marcus wrote down a list of antibiotics for the stab wounds, then replaced the bed sheets over Connors chest. The doctor walked down to the nurses station, and asked about the restraints. One of them responded," He's suicidal. Woke up when we were putting the sheets around him, grabbed scissors, and tried to kill himself."
The doctor nodded, then asked why he in proximity to scissors. The same nurse replied, "Well, he wasn't supposed to wake up for another three hours."
" Ah."
The doctor walk back to Connor's room, and took all the sheets off him. He examined Connors genitals, which were probably in the worst state.
Bruises, very long nail scratches, and inflammation. The whole time while the doctor examined Connor, Connor whimpered but didn't wake up. After the examination, the doctor sat back, replaced the bed sheets, and stared at Connor sadly.
Annalise, Oliver, Frank and Michaela walked into the hospital nervous. The doctors said
Dr. Marcus wanted to meet Annalise and discuss a few things. After telling the receptionist who they were there for, they sat down in the waiting room, legs feeling like jelly. A dark, tall man approached them after about 5 minutes and held his hand out. "Hello," he said. "I'm Dr. Marcus, I am taking care of Connor Walsh."
Annalise and Oliver immediately stood, shaking his hand. "How is he," they asked.
Dr. Marcus sighed and said," That's what we need to talk about." He lead them to a private conference room before saying," His neck and arms will heal fine. I'm not as concerned with the physical damage as I am the mental. Even in a deeply unconscious state, when I touched him he still flinched. The nurses also said he tried to kill himself."
Everyone gasped at that last part.
Dr. Marcus nodded sadly arms said, "He hasn't woken up yet. We can have him talk to a hospital therapist, but when he's released we need someone to stay with him. 24/7."
All heads turned to Oliver. Oliver gave a frustrated sigh and said," I can't! I have to work."
Annalise leaned forward saying," What if I were to watch him?"
Michaela's eyebrows went up in surprise, Frank looked interested, and Oliver nodded. Dr. Marcus just looked completely stoic. After a few seconds the Doctor said," Are you both constantly together?"
Annalise's nodded and said," He takes my law class and works for me. After class is over, he and the rest of my team go to my house and work on a case. After they are done, they go home."
Dr. Marcus thought for a minute before saying,
"He would be living with you until I clear him and the therapist clears him. You would have to take responsibility for his actions. If he gets scared, you have to help him. If he has flashbacks, you have to help him."
Annalise said," Understood."
While Annalise signed forms, Oliver and Michaela went to Connor's room with a nurse.
Michaela gasped when she saw him, but Oliver was expecting his boyfriend to look awful.
They both watched while the nurse wrote down his vitals. She pointed to a red button and said,
"If he wakes up, press that please."
Annalise walked in, sitting on a chair next to Connor's bed. Frank was right behind her, but preferred to stand next to the doorway. They were all talking among themselves when Connor started to stir. They all froze in shock when his eyes slowly opened. Frank slowly walked over to the red button and pushed it. Connor looked extremely confused as he looked at Annalise then seemed to notice restraints on his arms. He yanked on them, squirming and whimpering just as nurses and Dr. Marcus arrived. The doctor calmly requested Michaela and Frank leave the room but that Oliver and Annalise remain.
Dr. Marcus explained to Connor where he was and why they couldn't take the restraints off.
Connor finally stopped struggling and looked over at Annalise and Oliver. The Doctor started asking Connor questions about how he felt; Connor nodded or shook his head but the whole time he kept his eyes on Annalise and Oliver. The doctor said," I will take the restraints off you, but only while Annalise and Oliver are in the room."
Connor whispered to him," When can I leave?"
"As soon as your injuries are healed. After you are released, you will be staying with Annalise."
Connor just sighed and watched at Dr. Marcus left the room.
When Oliver stepped forward towards Connor, Connor shrunk back saying," Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry."
Oliver looked stunned for a minute before asking, "Why would I hurt you?"
"Because I didn't tell you."
"Con, look at me."
Connor did turn his head towards Oliver, but firmly kept his eyes on Oliver's neck.
"Con, I'm not mad at you. I just want to know where the rest of the pills are."
Connor looked deep and thought for a minute before saying, "I remember a bathroom. Yours I think. In a bottle."
Oliver nodded his approval and watched as Connor closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep. Gently putting the restraints back on, he and Annalise walked back to Frank and Michaela and told them of their conversation.
4 days later on Friday, right as classes got out, Annalise and Frank drove to the hospital to get Connor out. The doctors said he still flinched when suddenly touched, but was now fine around loud noises. Oliver found the bottle at the back of his bathroom cabinet. He got rid of it and confirmed that was the only one. Annalise was a bit nervous. Dr. Marcus already went through with her what she had to do. Connor couldn't have alcohol, take showers without her there, or change his own bandages. He also had to drive with her, to and from places. If she was going somewhere Connor couldn't go, Frank or Bonnie would watch him. Finally making it to Connor's room, Frank waited out the door while Annalise went in. She smiled just a tiny bit when she saw Connor sitting up. She held out a drawstring backpack. When he saw her hold it out to him, he looked confused.
"Oliver figured you might want to get out of those hospital scrubs," Annalise said.
Connor nodded, gently taking the bag from her.
He blushed when he realized Annalise was not leaving the room. Instead she helped take this clothes off, and put a button up shirt and jeans on. After slipping on shoes, he followed Annalise out of the room, giving a small smile to Frank. Frank returned the smile, walking protectively behind Connor. Connor waited while Annalise signed forms for his release. Dr. Marcus shook her hand then they left. Frank brought Connor to the backseat of Annalise's' car. On the way to Annalise's' house, Annalise softly asked," How are you feeling Connor?"
Connor shrugged, muttering," Fine.Tired."
Annalise replied," When we get home, you can sleep. You go back to class on Monday. I'm not taking any cases for the next 2 days. Oliver will be sending clothes to you."
Connor nodded, resting his head against the cool glass of the car window.
15 minutes later, Annalise arrived at her house and pulled up while Frank shook Connor awake. Connor flinched and immediately woke up. He slowly got out of the car, feeling drowsy. Frank slowly put his hand on Connor's arm, to steady him, and helped him up the stairs, into the guest bedroom. Right as Connor hit the pillow, he was out asleep. Frank chuckled lightly, and went back down stairs to where Bonnie and Annalise were talking. "Is he sleeping," Annalise asked.
"What do you think," Frank lightly said.
(Next day)
Connor groaned when the bright sun hit him in the face. He yanked the sheets over his head, still for a few minutes, before realizing they were definitely not the hospital sheets. He groaned even louder when he remembered Annalise getting him out of that wretched hellhole they called a hospital. Connor yanked soft sheets off his head, looking at the alarm clock.
8:15 am Saturday
Connor laid back and closed his eyes again, but opened them when he heard someone enter the room. Looking up he saw Annalise.
"Good morning Connor."
Connor muttered something that sounded an awful lot like, it's Saturday I'm not getting up, to Annalise. She smiled a little and said,
"Unfortunately for you, you do have to get up. I need to check your bruises."
" Do I get a say in anything that happens to me anymore," Connor asked.
Annalise shook her head and helped Connor out of the tangle of sheets. She helped him take his shirt and jeans off, then laid him on his back on the bed. She checked his neck, which was healing nicely, then went down to his arms and stomach. Every now and then she asked him if it hurt. He tensed when she started checking his legs and was obviously relieved when she was done. She put his shirt back on but then explained that she needed to take his underwear off. Connor looked frozen and scared. Annalise waited until he hesitantly nodded and laid back down. She smiled encouragingly then slowly slid his boxers off, checking his hips and bottom. She also checked the scratch marks and saw 2 were still inflamed. Telling Connor to stay there, she grabbed anti-infection ointment and gently rubbed it into his skin. Right as she touched Connor with the ointment, he started squirming.
Annalise made soft noises and in a few minutes Connor stopped squirming and let her finish. When she was done, she pulled his boxers and pants back up and told him that they were done. Connor followed Annalise downstairs to eat. He was only allowed 1cup of coffee and had to drink water with his pills. After eating, Connor went upstairs and grabbed his bag with his clothes and work. He brought the work down to the living room and started on it. 4 hours later Annalise told Connor to stop working and eat. Connor ate in silence for a bit before turning around and saying to Annalise," Professor Keating? When can I see Oliver?"
Annalise looked up and said," When the therapist says you can talk to other people." Connor bit his lip, and continued eating. When Connor was done working, he was headed upstairs when he heard Annalise on the phone. It sounded like she was arguing with someone. Edging towards her office door, he could hear a little bit of the conversation.
"No no. Well, your going to have to talk to his therapist about it. He's not ready. Who's their attorney? They cannot make Connor re-live it!"
Connor backed away from the door hearing enough to know what she was talking about. He ran upstairs and slammed the door shut behind him. He curled himself on his bed, rocking himself back and forth. Tears started running down his cheeks, and his breathing was coming out in short, painful gasps. He didn't even notice when Annalise entered the room. Nor did he notice when she sat on his bed, and pulled him up on her lap. He did, however, notice when she started rubbing and patting his back. Instead of flinching away, he found himself to be rather soothed. Still rubbing his back Annalise asked,
"Did you hear my conversation?"
Connor nodded, hiding his face in her shoulder.
"No," Annalise said. "Don't look away from me."
She gently grabbed his chin and moved his face so he was looking at her. She wiped his tears away, still rubbing him. "Did you finish your work?" Connor nodded before whispering," I left it downstairs."
Annalise told him she would get it and then watched as Connor fell asleep in her arms.
(Later)
This time when Connor woke up, he actually remembered where he was. He also remembered Annalise's soothing touch that brought him to sleep. Connor looked at the alarm clock that said,
2:09 pm Saturday.
Well, at least he didn't sleep the whole day. Sitting up, he grabbed his laptop which Annalise must have brought up for him, and watched shows until dinner. Eating slowly, he averted Annalise's gaze finding the table to be more interesting. When he was almost done, Annalise asked," Are you embarrassed?"
Connor stared more intently at the table, then shook his head.
"Don't lie to me."
Connor finally looked up saying," I'm not lying. I'm fine."
"Mr. Walsh."
Connor flushed before saying," I don't want to tell the court about it."
Annalise immediately replied," And I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you don't have to."
Connor smiled a little, but his appetite diminished. Without excusing himself, he left the table. A few minutes later, Annalise walked in saying," You need to take a bath Connor."
"Can I take a shower," Connor asked.
"No. You need to bathe in medication for 3 days."
"What is the medication for?"
Annalise didn't answer, instead finding him pajamas to wear. Her and Connor entered the bathroom. While Annalise started the water, Connor immediately noticed there was nothing in the bathroom that was sharp or harmful. He started to undress while Annalise poured the medication into the tub. Once he was down to his boxers Annalise told him to stand up against the wall explaining she had to remove his bandages. He slowly did do, automatically tensing when Annalise stood in front of him. He flinched when she touched his stomach and moved away.
Annalise waited until Connor came back to her. Once he did, she gently peeled the bandages of 3 stab wounds off his stomach and 1 off the back of his neck. She let Connor take off his boxers, then watched him sink into the water. She stood by the sink and said," One of them might make your genitals sting a little."
Connor blushed and nodded.
"Can you leave the room," he asked Annalise.
She replied," No I have to stay here."
"I'm not going to try to kill myself again."
"So you remember that?"
Connor ignored her, starting to clean himself. After about 3 minutes, Connor started squirming, probably trying to get rid of the sting. He finally finished after 8 minutes. Annalise handed him a towel, and turned around so he could dry off without embarrassment. When he was in boxers, Annalise redressed his wounds and helped him change. He went downstairs after his bath, making a move towards the alcohol before Annalise stopped him. "No alcohol. Only water," she said. Connor huffed, but got water instead. Settling down on her couch, he stared at nothingness while drinking his water.
(2:00 am)
(Annalise's p.o.v)
I woke up to the sound of screaming and pleading. Running down the hall to Connor's room, I saw him thrashing and scratching himself in his sleep. I quickly grabbed his arms, holding them above his head with one hand while the other shook him awake. He woke up with a scream, unable to control his breathing. I put my hand on his chest, waiting for his breathing to calm down. Once he calmed down, he seemed to just have realized what had happened. He started crying while I quickly checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding. Once I determined he wasn't, I half carried, half dragged him into my room on my bed. Tucking him in, I sat next to him, running a hand through damp curls on his head. After about 3 minutes, Connor fell back asleep, curling into my side. I laid down and put a protective arm over him and I too, fell asleep.
(Next morning)
(Normal p.o.v)
Connor stirred in a cozy, empty, warm bed. Cracking his eyes open, he saw it was different from the room he had been staying in. Sitting up, he realized it was Annalise's room; and Connor also remembered the nightmare. Throwing the sheets over his head, he curled into a ball, completely embarrassed of himself. He grimaced when he thought of what a baby he's been lately. Just as he was about to fall asleep, Annalise took the sheets off his head. Connor immediately looked away. Just great. She was dressed for the day which meant either she was going somewhere with him, or Frank and Bonnie were on baby sitting duty. Connor flinched when Annalise touched his shoulder. She softly whispered," You need to get up and get dressed. Therapist appointment."
Connor groaned, hating to talk to therapists and said," No."
Annalise sighed and left the room. Right as Connor thought she was going to leave him alone, Dr. Marcus walked in.
"Hello Connor," the doctor said with a kind smile.
"Not you again," Connor groaned. The doctor just laughed and said," May I ask what's wrong with me?"
"You ask to many questions."
"Well, today I need to ask you some."
"Joy!"
The doctor had Connor take all his clothes off, and started to check the healing process. He nodded and let Connor put a shirt on but not pants. Sliding Connor's boxers down, the Doctor had to lift Connor's legs in order to examine his damage. Just before the Doctor started, Connor asked," Can Annalise be in here?"
The doctor was shocked for a minute, but quickly got over it and called Annalise in. She came in a bit hesitant, but still sat at Connor's head and held his hand. It took 5 minutes, but the doctor finally finished the examination. Helping Connor put his pants and boxers back on, the doctor leaned back before saying," Connor. Annalise tells me you don't want to talk to the therapist."
Connor shook his head.
"How about you talk to me, and I will tell the therapist what you said."
Connor stared at him for a minute before nodding.
"Annalise said you had a nightmare last night," the doctor confronted.
Connor squirmed, looking down at the bed for a few minutes before looking up and said," It was when I was with.. them"
The doctor made a motion for Connor to continue.
"And they were kicking me and-"
"It's ok Connor. You don't have to continue."
Connor nodded, looking relieved.
"I'm just going to ask you one more thing before I go. Did you ever try to kill yourself while with them?"
Connor looked down at the bed before whispering," Yes. 3 times."
The doctor nodded making a mental note of everything he would have to tell the therapist. Annalise sighed and pulled Connor close. The doctor stood thanked them, and showed himself out. Connor and Annalise went downstairs after the doctor had left. Connor laid down on the couch, watching Annalise work, somehow feeling safe when she was in the room. After 10 minutes of silence, Annalise said," You know your going back to class tommorow right?"
Connor nodded, the feeling of nervousness hitting him.
"Laurel..."
"She's sorry. She was just upset."
Connor didn't say anything, thinking to himself,
'Are they going to treat me differently? The only thing I want to change is the insults. I don't want them to walk around me like I'm some wounded animal.'
When Annalise shook him out of his thoughts, he flinched and looked up at her. "Are you okay," she asked. Connor nodded and fell asleep after she continued working.
The smell of food was what woke him up. Connor sat up to find Frank on the armchair across from him, reading something on his phone. Frank looked up when he sensed Connor staring at him. "Annalise asked me to stay," Frank said as a way of explanation. Connor sat up, pulling a blanket around his shoulders. "What time is it?" Connor asked Frank. Frank without looking up said,
"2:40 pm."
Connor nodded and hungrily grabbed the Chinese in front of him. He wolfed it down, ignoring Frank's surprised look. After finishing his food he grabbed his phone and started browsing until 4:00 pm. When Annalise walked through the door, she immediately headed towards him. "I've got good news Mr. Walsh. The court agreed, you don't have to tell them about it. But I do have to ask you a few questions tonight." Connor sighed in relief and leaned into the couch.
That night while Connor was sitting on his bed, Annalise walked in with a packet and pen. She sat at the edge of the bed and said," These questions are not really about what happened to you; it's about what you saw." Connor bit his lip, and pulled a pillow on to his lap, pulling at the strings.
Annalise started," Did you ever see them record anything?"
Connor thought for a minute before shaking his head, not trusting his voice.
"Did you ever hear them speak in any different languages?"
Connor, again, shook his head.
"Did they ever speak of any other houses or places?"
Connor nodded saying in a shaky voice," They kept on threatening to bring me to 'The Mill' whatever that meant."
"Why did they threaten you," Annalise asked.
Connor paled and quickly said," I don't want to talk about that."
"Did they threaten you with that while they were sexually abusing you?"
Connor squeezed his eyes shut and whispered,
"Yes."
Annalise comfortingly squeezed his hand, having a good idea of why they threatened him, before confirming with him that all the questions were done. Connor fell asleep, nervous for the next day.
Connor bolted upright, right as his alarm went off. Dressing in his normal suit, he ran downstairs where his laptop and notebook were, waiting for Annalise. She finally came down and Connor followed her to the car. While she drove, Connor started thinking about class. "Did I catch up on all of my work," he asked Annalise. She nodded and said," Today we also have a case." Connor was about to ask what it was when Annalise cut in,
"No I'm not telling you."
Connor chuckled a little and stared out the car door until they got to class.
He walked through Annalise's doors, realizing he was the first one there. Sitting in his assigned seats he waited until the room started filling up. Students started talking among themselves while Connor sat in silence, waiting for Annalise to walk through the door and yell at them all. Connor heard a gasp, and looked up. Across the room was Wes, Asher, Laurel and Michaela staring at him. Not knowing what to do, he looked down just as Annalise walked into the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw them rush to their seats. After class, he went to Annalise's car without talking to anyone. He then remembered that he always drove them, so this time Annalise was going to drive them to her house. Sitting in the front, he watched them approach the car and sit in the back. The entire ride was silent, as if no one knew what to say. When they got to Annalise's house, she explained the case to them. It was a typical case which Connor guessed would be finished in about 4 days. When everyone sat down in the living room, Asher was the first one to speak. "So Connor, are you ok?"
Connor looked up at Asher and said," Yeah. Why?"
Everyone turned to Michaela when she laughed.
"What do you mean "'why do we ask?"' I saw you in the hospital hooked up to God knows how many machines. The doctor said you tried to kill yourself; so excuse us for wondering how you were."
Connor smiled a little and said," I'm fine." For the next 2 hours, no one spoke to Connor abut what happened, only about the case. Laurel slammed her papers down (Connor flinched when she did) and stared at Connor. Asher and Wes went to get coffee, and Michaela went to go ask a question. That left just Connor and Laurel. Laurel sat next to Connor, then hugged him. He tensed, but then melted into it, hugging her back. They talked for a few minutes before Laurel went back to her chair and everyone else walked back into the room.
Wes asked," So you guys are good?"
Laurel and Connor nodded, and everyone sighed in relief. After 4 hours Annalise told them all they could go home. After they left, Annalise turned to Connor and asked," How do you feel?"
Connor smiled a little and said,"Relieved."
2 days later they completed their case and their client won. Laurel and Connor were friends again. One thing that annoyed Connor was Michaela was awfully protective of him. Annalise walked into the room and told Connor some good news. He was finally allowed to see Oliver. When he walked into Oliver's apartment (without Annalise) Oliver embraced him into a hug. They stood for a few minutes before Oliver led Connor to the couch.
"How are you?" Oliver asked.
"I'm a bit nervous. If you want to ask me about the drugs, can you just do it now?" Connor said.
Oliver nodded and said," Why did you start?"
" I just... there wasn't any other way out for me."
"You could have told me."
"I didn't want you to be mad. I honestly didn't know if you would even care."
"Of course I would care Con!"
"I'm sorry."
"Can you tell me when you started?"
"You remember that day I came here late, and you were asking where I was? I think I told you I went for a drive."
Oliver thought for a minute then nodded.
"That night I started."
Oliver nodded and let Connor curl up into his side. The two stayed like that until Annalise came to collect Connor. That night Connor had a nightmare, but this time, Frank was the one who woke him up from it. Frank stayed with him for a few minutes, and Connor fell asleep again. When Annalise returned from a friend's, Frank told her about Connor's nightmare.
"Do you know what it was about," she asked.
Frank shook his head and moved do Annalise could go to Connor. Annalise watched Connor sleep for about 5 minutes before whispering
"You'll get through it Connor."
