*AUTHOR'S NOTE* Okay guys, time for me to get all soppy and cheesy. I have major problems with confidence; self esteem etc and all of you guys help me feel better about myself every day. Knowing people are following my story and favouriting me as an author means a hell of a lot to me. And I read each and every review which ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. There are a few of you I want to especially thank (you know who you are because I'm always replying to you by PM :D) those who are reviewing every day with such nice things. You guys make things that bit easier for me. Anyway, less of my soppiness and more Toby/Katie soppiness. ^_^

Chapter 26.

*TOBY'S POINT OF VIEW*

Katie's last two days in hospital were saddening for me but not as saddening as it was for Katie. Katie hated hospital; she didn't like being the centre of everyone's worries. She spent the majority of her time stuck in bed following doctor's orders and she was extremely fed up by it. On my behalf it was saddening for me having to see her in that state and go home at night sleeping in a lonely bed without her. The police had already had all the evidence they needed and were allowing me to go home.

The first night I begged for Katie to let me stay with her but she refused and insisted I needed a proper nights rest in my own bed. I used this as an excuse to go home and tidy up the place because I didn't want her to come back and see the mess Terry left behind. On entering the house it didn't feel quite like my home anymore. It just felt like a horrific crime scene.

The hardest bit was scrubbing the blood away. At the worst part of it I was on hands and knees scrubbing vigorously at the blood. And what made it worse was knowing that blood belonged to Katie. When I eventually got rid of every trace of blood it felt like a huge relief. I managed to clean away any evidence of the event- it was a shame I couldn't also erase Katie's memories of it.

Or my memory of finding her limp body for that matter.

But after two days Katie was fit to come home. I had bought a big thank you card in which both me and Katie signed for Doctor Basovey and the nurses that were always on hand and they smiled gratefully and wished us a safe journey home and good health. Katie was still slightly weak and held on to my arm as we walked to my car but she carried on all the same and gave me reassuring smiles each time I frowned or looked the slightest bit concerned at her.

Honestly, I was nervous about bringing her home. Part of me wanted her home so bad and to have her by my side again but I was afraid how she would react to walking in to see where all the disgusting things happened to her. By each road and each traffic light we closed the distance between the hospital (safety) and our home (bad memories) and I was growing more and more anxious.

Before I had any more time to prepare for the homecoming we had pulled up on to the driveway. I switched the engine off and turned to look at Katie. She was sat there staring blankly at the house; not moving and not speaking. Just gazing aimlessly.

I spoke up. "Are you ready?"

Katie turned her head slowly towards me. I could evidently view the fear in her eyes but she did her best to hide it well. "I'm ready" she replied.

I got out the car and ventured to the boot to retrieve Katie's hospital bag. By the time I had done that Katie was still sat in the car in her own little world.

I opened the passenger door and held out my hand to her.

"I'll be with you every step of the way"

In response Katie nodded slowly and took her seatbelt off with great care. She held out her hand and placed it in my own as she clambered out. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Okay" she told me "let's do this".

Taking our time we walked to the front door and I got out my house key not taking my grip off of Katie's hand. Without rushing I unlocked the door and opened it cautiously.

I led Katie in to the hallway. She stopped and looked around her...I guessed she was suffering flashbacks. To me she seemed blank but I knew inside her head was a cinema screen of events she did not want to remember.

She began to walk gradually to the living room and I kept hold of her. She stopped by the sofa and stared at the carpet beside it. Nervously I scratched the back of my neck and dreaded to think what she was going through inside her head.

"Can you go with me to the kitchen please?" she suddenly said in a small voice and I nodded.

We walked towards the kitchen and I bit my lip remembering what she said had happened there. And this time as she looked down towards the ground beside the table I could also relate with what she was going through inside her head because I was the one who found her bleeding body there.

Breaking the trance we both seemed to be in Gryphon came bounding in to the kitchen lurching himself at Katie with his tongue lulling out happily. He was so glad to see Katie!

For the first time in a while I saw her smile a real smile. She bent down on the floor and Gryphon climbed on to her lap energetically.

"Hey buddy" she said and kissed his head. She wrapped her arms around Gryphon and nestled her head in to his fur. She held him close and he didn't argue with that.

Wanting to be part of the moment I sat down beside Katie and stroked Gryphon's back therapeutically.

Katie then pulled back from Gryphon yet still holding him in her arms and looked up at me. She proceeded to then rest her head gently on my shoulder.

We sat in silence for a while: me, Katie and Gryphon.

"Are we going to be alright?" she eventually asked.

I sighed.

"We're going to be alright" I replied.

"I promise"