In Her Eyes
Susan advanced slowly toward the arrogant Richard as she followed him past cars and houses, anger the only thing in her mind. She was going to end this. As she gained ground on the man, she failed to register the police car that had turned the corner behind her and was now slowly stalking this evil, malevolent man. Then, another police car turned in front of them and caused Richard to stop dead in his tracks. Susan put on her brakes and her eyes widened as the large man turned around, looking for a way out. As soon as he saw her, a wide grin stretched across his face and he made a move to grab Susan for a hostage. Susan jumped backward and caught his jaw with a right hook that she didn't know she was even capable of. The violent action looked odd on her, but it was enough so that she could get away from his reach as several police officers approached him, guns out and ready to shoot him if he tried anything. A woman police officer put a warm hand on her shoulder, startling her, and Susan took a deep breath, realizing that she was in no danger.
"Ma'am, step behind me please." The woman held her gun out at the ready and Susan watched as Richard realized that he was cornered and there was no way he was getting out of this. Susan knew exactly how this was going to end and she made eye contact with the murderous man who had caused so much grief and pain. She saw the defeat in his eyes turn to determination and Susan felt her heart pounding in her chest, making so much noise that she couldn't hear anything else. She watched as he reached behind his back, ignoring the warning yells from the officers. He pulled out a gun and before he could get it out, he was on the ground. The bullet went straight to his heart and the gunshot left a ringing in Susan's ears. After the officers made sure that the suspect had no other weapons, they called for the paramedics.
Susan swallowed and stepped forward, explaining that she was a doctor. Every step she made toward the dying man made her insides squirm and she wanted to throw up at the thought of saving this man's life….but she wouldn't stoop to his level. She would do her job as a doctor and honor the oath she took. She would do everything in her power to save this devil of a man's life. Susan knelt next to the man and stared into his fading eyes. She put her fingers to his carotid and felt the slowing of his heart beat. Susan was breathing hard, but she felt numb – like none of this was real…it was all just some nightmare. She pressed her hands to his chest and tried to stop the bleeding. She knew that this man was doomed. Even if he lasted until they got to the hospital, which she seriously doubted, he would never survive another hour. The bullet probably shredded his heart and there was no coming back from that. When his heart stopped, there was no emotion in any move that Susan made. She started doing CPR, having the woman cop breathe for this worthless human being. As she methodically and rhythmically pounded on Richard's chest, she got flashes of what this man had done. She saw Abby and all of the blood and the pain and she saw Sam getting kicked over and over again and she saw the poor woman bleeding to death alone in an alley…and then she came back to the present, where Richard was dying underneath her hands. She stopped the compressions and checked the man's neck for a pulse. There was nothing. Susan looked around at all of the cops and shook her head, letting them know that the man was dead. She glanced at her watch and cleared her throat, her voice straight, clear, and void of the relief that was flooding her body.
"Time of death: 4:47pm." Susan stood up and stared down at the man briefly before turning and walking away toward her car. Richard was dead. It was over. It was all over.
….
Dr. Carter had a spring in his step as he half-ran to Sam's hospital room to give her the good news. He opened the door and was happily surprised to see the light on and Sam fully awake. That was a good sign. Alex was now excitedly explaining one of his heroic battles in his video games and Carter smiled brightly and it reached his eyes. Sam looked up and held up a finger as she turned back to her son, listening to his valiant duel to save the princess. Carter took a seat and listened to the detailed account and he chuckled, feeling revitalized by this boy's innocence and passion for this game. Once he was finished, Sam ruffled Alex's hair and turned her attention to him with a glad grin.
"How's everything going, Dr. Carter? How's Abby?" She squinted a little because of the brightness in the room, but her expression was happy.
"It's great. Abby's recovering very well. And I've got some good news. They cornered Richard. He pulled a gun and they shot him. He won't be hurting anyone anymore." Carter glanced at Alex's bright eyes and back at Sam. A relieved smile filled her eyes and she let out a breath that she felt like she'd been holding for days. Abby was safe. Sam didn't have to worry about this man ever again.
...
Once Susan could finally breathe normally again, she blinked back the tears that had been threatening to fall since she got into her car. Richard was dead. She was safe and he would never come after anyone anymore. Everything was going to be okay. She took a deep breath and let herself relax, a smile pulling at the ends of her lips. Letting out a stress-filled sigh, she chuckled at herself, feeling completely free now. Her heart slowed to a normal rate and she turned the key in the ignition, driving to the hospital. It was time she got on with her life. This scar of an experience would always be there to remind her what she overcame, but it wasn't hovering over her head, threatening to fall at any second anymore. She was free and she didn't have to feel chained to the violence she had endured. Susan smiled and parked her car, walking into the hospital with an air of confidence and positivity around her.
….
Abby took a deep breath and tried to hide the overwhelming pain she was feeling with a crooked smile. Luka took her hand and sighed, glad to see her awake and talking.
"How's Sam and Susan?" Abby shifted in the bed a little, but stopped when she felt the stabbing pain in every part of her body.
"Sam seems to be doing great. Weaver still has her here for observation, but she's gonna be fine. I haven't seen Susan in a while. I hope she went home and got some sleep…she looked awful." Luka's thick-accented voice was full of concern for their friends, but relief that everything was settling down. His anger was still held at bay by his need to be by Abby's side and he kept all of that silent as he gazed comfortably at Abby.
"Yeah…Susan didn't look very well when she came in here. I'm worried about her." Abby's weak voice filled with concern and she looked over to Luka with purpose.
"I'll call her and check on her if you want." Luka caught on to Abby's comment and he smiled, slowly standing up. Abby nodded and Luka bent down to kiss her on her forehead gently. "I'll be right back." Luka glanced back before he left the room and he closed the door, a light smile playing on his lips. When he left the room he saw a security guard standing close by the door.
"Dr. Kovac, I was just about to go in and get you. Richard Lockhart is dead. He pulled a gun and the police shot him. There weren't any bullets loaded in his gun, so it was suicide by cop, but it's over!" The guard held out his hand to shake and he patted Luka's back as he walked away from his post, no longer seeing his service as needed. Luka stood there, all of the news sinking in. The man that had hurt his love so badly was gone now. He had mixed feelings about this news. Now he couldn't go beat the crap out of him, which was both good and bad at the same time. The best news was that he was gone and he would never be a danger to Abby ever again. He would never be able to hurt another soul ever again! That was good…but Luka still had his anger that he couldn't play out anymore. He had to focus on the positive. Then, a genuine smile spread across his face and he leaned up against the wall, letting himself slide down until he hit the floor. A huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Abby was going to be okay. Richard was dead. They would be alright. Everything would be alright.
Okay! So this story took me FOREVER to finish and I'm so sorry about that. But, I am now FINISHED! I haven't ever finished a story before (which seems to be my problem) and I'm happy to have now done that. I just hope that it wasn't ended too fast, but I felt like this was a good place to stop it. Please let me know what you think and thank all of you who have read my story and reviewed! It means so much to me! Thank you to all of you who have stuck with this story and all newcomers! You guys are awesome! -mlw217-