Coming out of the shadows

Chapter 9

Trust comes before help

Kim tried hard not to flinch as he inserted the sewing needle just under the skin to try and probe out the second piece of glass.

He quickly glanced at Matilda, who now had her head back against the pillows, her eyes closed tightly. After a few intense minutes, Kim gently removed the needle and turned to face a bewildered Matilda

"Did you get it"? She asked hopefully.

Kim shook his head and bit his lip "I think I may have caused it to go in deeper"

Matilda frowned "But you got the first piece out" she replied, starting to feel anxious.

"I know that was just lucky, you're going to have to go to the hospital Maddy"

"No" she answered stubbornly.

"Matilda even if I did get it out you should still go anyway, I could have missed some of it, or it could end up infected".

Matilda sat up "It's fine, I'm ok"

Kim's eyes widened as he watched her stand up.

Her face grimaced in pain as she started to walk around.

He stood up and grabbed Matilda's arm

Her eyes filled with tears

"I won't go"

Kim sighed, he couldn't force her to go, but he couldn't leave her like this either, he guided her over to the couch, there was only one other thing he could do.

He picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Before Kim let Rachel into see Matilda he explained the situation to her.

Rachel nodded her head in understanding. "The way Matilda is re acting to what's happened isn't uncommon, I can only imagine how hard and frustrating it must be for those around her, but all we can do is be patient and reassuring"

Kim Scratched his head, he indeed did feel helpless, imagine how Tony and Beth must be feeling?

"It might be good if you spoke to Tony and Beth"

Rachel smiled " Of course, come on lead me to the patient"

When Rachel entered the house a look of relief washed over Matilda's face.

"Hello Matilda" Rachel gently sat down on he couch beside her. She quickly examined Matilda's foot, after a few moments she looked up and gave Matilda a reassuring smile.

" It's not to bad, I can fix this for you in a minute" She reached into her kit and pulled out a long skinny instrument as well as gloves. "Now all I need you to do is keep still and relax for me, ok"?

Matilda nodded.

Kim turned his head the other way as Rachel went about the task, he grimaced each and every time Matilda let out a sharp gasp, and couldn't help but feel glad that it wasn't him.

After what seemed like a few long minutes Rachel announced she was finished. She then cleaned and bandaged Matilda's foot.

"It's such a nice day outside, would you like to join me for a walk along the beach"? Rachel asked kindly.

Matilda felt herself tense at the thought, but before she could answer Rachel's beeper went off.

She smiled and let out a sigh " Hold that thought" she stood up, grabbing her mobile. "I won't be a sec"

Kim walked back over to the couch " you know it might be nice to take a walk" he encouraged.

Matilda sighed, with both Rachel and Kim trying to help her, she didn't have much of a chance of winning the battle.

Kim Sat beside her.

"I know you're scared" he whispered gently.

"But your ok, your safe now and none of us will let anything harm you again"

Matilda stared into his hazel eyes and let out a shaky breath.

Her heart was beating hard against her chest and she could feel her eyes beginning to water.

She wanted to get out, the whole time she was gone she wanted out, and the time she was back, she had wanted to get out, but she couldn't Daniel was always there, gripping onto her and controlling her every move, and somehow he still managed to have a hold on her, even though he was gone it felt like he had never left.

"I want to" she whispered "It's just I can't"

Kim wasn't sure how to respond to this. If it with any other person in any other circumstance he may of felt frustrated, but all he had to do was look into Matilda's haunted eyes and he knew there was much more that had happened than she had let on.

She needed to talk to someone, learn to trust them before she could accept any help.

And if he could he'd be that person, all he knew was that he wanted to try.

A/n: Well there's another chapter, not to sure if I'm happy with this one, let me know what you think.

Thanks to those who reviewed, Lozzy and Catwoman. Your reviews were both so nice and encouraging :D thanks

TBC