In Her Eyes

Abby followed Sam, uncertainty blocking her from safety. Sam stuck her head into an exam room and seconds later, Susan walked out with a grateful expression. She chuckled and spoke, "Thank you. Wow...that was the worst. You saved me." Once she saw the serious looks from Sam and Abby her face turned to worry. Immediately, she stopped smiling and dread entered her tone. "What's going on?"

"We need to speak somewhere...else." Sam looked around her and searched for a private room. Her voice was stiff. Susan drew her brows together apprehensively and walked to a medical lockup room(which was more like a closet), holding the door open for Abby and Sam. She was extremely curious about what had pulled her into this cramped room that smelled of plastic and sterile gloves.

"So?" Susan waited impatiently. Sam cleared her throat and spoke, staring at a clear glass cabinet.

"It was Richard." She stopped, hoping Susan would get the clue so she wouldn't have to say it aloud. Sam gestured to Abby's face and nodded gravely.

"You mean...he did this to you?" Abby nodded curtly, still not knowing whether her decision was a good one or not.

"Richard...as in your ex?" Once again Abby nodded, tears unwillingly welling. Susan's eyes were wide and shock filled the air.

"I told her that she wasn't going to go home alone. She told me that she wouldn't stay with me because she would be putting Alex in danger." Sam paused, taking a steady breath. "I know someone who will take care of Alex. I was thinking that she could stay with me and you could if you want. I mean...we are all in danger now. Being together will guarantee more safety." Sam didn't even have to wait for an answer.

"Yes. Why didn't you tell us earlier, Abby? We can't help if you don't tell us anything." Susan's eyes were hard and completely serious. Abby swallowed and realized what she had to do. She saw how much her friends really cared about her and how far they would go to keep her safe if she needed it. Abby wouldn't let them get hurt because of her.

"I'm sorry guys...um...I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." Susan and Sam looked at Abby with concerned and suspicious looks in their eyes, but it disappeared and they nodded in agreement. They figured she just needed a little space.

Abby walked quickly from the small closet space and glanced behind her, making sure Sam and Susan weren't watching her. She walked as hurriedly and stealthily as possible through the waiting room and out into the ambulance bay. She sprinted as soon as she turned the corner and dodged people walking unsuccessfully, running into a man jogging with his dog. A piercing pain throbbed in her side and she ignored it until she stopped sprinting a block away. Her legs argued with her mind, running away from the safety of the hospital. Still walking away, she began to cry. Tears streamed down her face and she walked into an alleyway, sliding her back down the concrete wall behind her. She laid her head in her hands and soaked every crack with her sorrows.

Abby didn't even know how long she sat there, drowning in her overwhelming emotions. Everything in her said that she was making the right decision, but for some reason she couldn't stop crying. Leaving behind everything safe was one of the hardest things to do, but at least she knew that her friends would be out of harm's way. That and Luka were the only things driving her. It was the only thing that helped her get up, stop crying, and walk to her apartment. She was not fearless; far from it. The courage she had was disintegrating with every step she took, but still she walked on with all the fear hindering the clearing of her mind.

Walking into her room, she collapsed on the bed and sighed. "Hello Abby...It was good running into you at the hospital today." Richard's words were slurred and Abby didn't even seem surprised. Something inside her already knew he would be there waiting for her. All of the fear was gone now. The anticipation was over.

..........

After about six or seven minutes, Sam and Susan had grown afraid that Abby had run off. They walked out of the little medicine lockup, feeling foolish and played. They stood together in the middle of the hallway and sighed, closing their eyes, wondering if Abby was okay. Weaver's voice interrupted them, "Where have you two been? Where is Abby? I have been looking everywhere." Weaver had a glare that could only belong to her face and had a hand on her hip, waiting for an explanation.

"Sorry..." Sam's voice came first, just a whisper. Susan's eyes were anxious, but she pushed it aside for Weaver.

"It won't happen again. We will get right to work." Her voice was hard and there was no emotion in her tone. Susan walked briskly away, followed quickly by Sam. They left Dr. Weaver standing alone in the hallway, thoroughly confused.

"What are we going to do, Susan? We can't just sit here...right?" Sam had a thousand thoughts bouncing around in her head and none of them made any sense.

"I can't believe she did this." Anger flared in her voice and overwhelmed her. She could only imagine what Richard was doing to Abby, and Susan couldn't do anything about it. She felt extremely helpless. She knew if only they had kept an eye on her, this wouldn't be happening and they would have been able to stop the attack when it happened. Now...it was an impossibility. They couldn't help her. Just then, a voice spoke.

"She would be at her apartment right? That's the only place she can go." There was an urgency in Sam's voice that yanked Susan out of her thoughts and brightened her outlook.

"Yeah! She has to be there! Let's go."

Susan and Sam walked through the bay and into Susan's car, speeding off in the direction of Abby's apartment. They sped to hopefully get there in time to save Abby's life. Everything was on the line.

Thank you everyone for the reviews!! They are so amazing! Keep them coming! –soccergirlmich--