A/N: Yet another awesome chapter from HG! :)
"It's Serena…she killed Abbie."
Even as she said the words out loud Olivia had trouble believing that which she had witnessed with her own eyes. How could Serena be alive? Why did she hurt Abbie? Why had they separated? In less than two hours she had failed to save two people she loved, one of whom had been her first love the other her oldest friend.
Addison was the first to speak, breaking the tense silence that had settled over them, "Will someone, please say something logical! Where is Abbie?"
As if in response to Addison's words, the mist begins to clear and the group could make out Abbie's still form. The full moon, reflecting her eyes wide and glassy, her face splattered with blood and a silent scream lingering on her lips. There is no doubt, in any one's mind, she is dead. As they continue to try and make sense of the scene before them, Kim's screams once more filled the still night.
The scream that escapes Kim's lips is piercing and tears at everyone's heart. It's that earth shattering scream that only a person who has lost the other half of their soul, lost the person they love the most in the world can give. The kind of scream that makes your throat ache and makes you pray you never feel that pain yourself. It comes as no surprise when she collapses into Amanda's arms, hysterical. Amanda for her part drops to the damp ground holding the sobbing woman tight as she whispers anything she can think of to try and offer a small measure of comfort.
Sharing a look Addison and Teddy, move to examine the body, Olivia a step behind them, standing guard over them as they talk in whispers, it's not until she hears Teddy's gasp she forced herself to look closer at the brunette, her stomach rolling when she saw Abbie was missing her feet. "Oh God."
"That took some doing." Whispered Addison, not wanting to alarm or further distress the others.
"Was she…Was she dead when…" Started Liv, unable to finish her question.
"Judging by the blood on the ground, I'd say her heart had stopped when they were removed." Replied Teddy, deliberately avoiding using Abbie's name in an effort to keep her emotions in check.
"I'll give you a minute." Offered Liv as she headed back to Alex and Casey.
Feeling a soft hand on her arm, Teddy looked up into her girlfriends loving eyes, "Its okay if you need a minute, you don't always have to be strong." Whispered Addison, "They were your friends too."
"When we're all safe, then I'll grieve." Replied Teddy as she removed her jacket and laid it over Abbie, "Until then, I have to stay strong."
Stepping close to her stoic girlfriend, Addison understood the ability to be detached and in control was what would made Teddy the doctor she was and despite the horror's unfolding around them she was proud to be the person Teddy loved. "Okay, but when you need me, I'm here. I love you Doctor Altman."
"I love you too Doctor Montgomery." Replied Teddy with a weak smile. The spark of happiness she felt at Addison's words felt blasphemes as Kim's quiet sobs echoed around them, "We should check on Kim."
"Think we should give her something, I have some Xanax in my purse." Asked Addison.
"I don't think we can, we can't leave her and splitting up is out of the question." Sighed Teddy as they walked the small distance back to the others, hoping they could calm Kim. "What exactly happened?"
"Abbie thought she saw Serena and so, myself and Amanda went to check it out, whilst Kim and Abbie waited here…" Started Olivia only to be interrupted by Alex.
"You split up?" Asked Alex in a soft voice.
"Yes, to see if we could find Serena." Replied Liv.
"You were supposed to protect them! This is all your fault!" Replied Alex her voice cracking with emotion, "Serena was only alone because you were screwing your girl toy over there and then you left Kim and Abbie, and now Abbie is dead. What were you, incapable of keeping your hands off each other?" Yelled Alex, aware she was being unfair but not caring.
"It wasn't like that…" Started Amanda in a calm voice.
Ignoring the blonde, Alex focused on Olivia and demanded, "Why didn't you try and help her?"
"I was in shock, I couldn't move." Replied the still dazed brunette.
"You two went off to screw or play at being heroes and now Abbie is…" Cutting off Alex stumbled a few steps away from the group as her stomach twisted unpleasantly. Feeling someone pull her hair back she instantly knew it was Casey, not just from the lingering scent of the redheads mango body wash but from the sense of calm that instantly spread through her. Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand she whispered, "Sorry."
"Don't be." Whispered Casey as she pulled the shaking blonde into her embrace. "It's going to be okay, we're going to be okay."
Straightening up, Alex shoved Casey, causing her girlfriend to stumble. "Nothing is okay Casey! One of our friends is dead! The other has gone completely mad and killed her! How is any of this okay? Don't treat me like I'm a dumb blonde!"
With that Alex turns on her heel and storms off in the direction of the cars, sending Teddy a small nod Casey instantly follows her girlfriend, she knows her friends understand that Alex needs to collect herself and she was the best one to help her. Reaching the camp she taps gently on the passenger window of Alex's SUV, giving an apologetic smile when the blonde jumps. Hearing the locks release she climbs in and the two sit in silence for a few moments, the beauty of the stars mocking the sadness that settled over them. Finally Alex breaks the silence, "I'm sorry for running off, it's just too horrible."
Reaching for Alex's hand Casey was relieved when Alex took in and leaned her head on her shoulder, "Its okay, well it's not you could have gotten hurt. But, I understand the need to clear your head."
"I was out of line, this isn't Liv or Amanda's fault." Whispered Alex, "Or yours, I'm sorry for shoving you."
"I'm the one who's sorry, I shouldn't have tried to sugar coat things. You're right, nothing is okay and I doubt any of us will ever fully feel okay again. We've lost two of our closest friends in what can only be described as a fucked up situation, it's the middle of the night and our cars are trashed, it's okay to be afraid and angry. Liv and Amanda will understand."
"What's going to happen?" Asked Alex.
"I don't know." Admitted Casey, "But, we have to have faith and work together to get home safe."
"I wish I had your faith." Admitted Alex, silent tears on her cheeks as images of Abbie's broken body and Kim's screams filled her mind.
Reaching a hand up to her neck, Casey removed her ever present Saint Jude medallion and slipped it over Alex's head so it rested against her chest, "How about I lend it to you? I know you put your faith, in the things you can see and touch. But, I want you to have faith in me, in our friends and the love we share for one another." Seeing Alex open her mouth, she held a hand up to stop her, "Before you argue with me, let me point out that, love is a lot like faith, you can't see it, touch it, taste it or hear it, yet you feel it in your soul and it gives you comfort."
"Thank you." Whispered Alex, fingering the silver pendant around her neck, "Why Saint Jude?"
"Because, he is the Patron Saint of Lost Causes, and I felt that way for a long time. It's a bit tarnished but, its given me more comfort and helped me through more than I can say. I hope, it'll do the same for you."
"Thank you, but what if you need comforting?" Asked Alex.
"Then, I have you, you're my solace." Replied Casey pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Alex's mouth.
Tangling her fingers in Casey's hair Alex pulled her close, deepening the kiss. She gave an involuntary moan as Casey pulled her into her lap and slid her hands under her shirt, her fingertips leaving goose bumps as they skimmed her ribs and the side of her braless breasts. As the need for air grew pressing, Alex broke their kiss and rested her forehead against Casey's the only sound in the car was their heavy breathing. "I love you."
"I love you too." Mumbled Casey pulling Alex tighter against her. "Promise me, that no matter what happens we won't split up. I couldn't stand it if something happened to you. No more running off alone."
"I promise." Replied Alex without hesitation, "Providing you promise the same."
"I promise." Assured Casey.
"Good, I'd hate to see Teddy kick your arse." Chuckled Alex, quickly sobering as the rest of the group appeared in the clearing, Abbie's lifeless form in Olivia and Teddy's arms as Amanda and Addison supported Kim.
Kim felt as if she was in a daze as Teddy and Addison fussed over her, asking her questions and wrapping a blanket around her shoulders, all she could think about was Abbie, dear sweet Abbie who was gone forever. She couldn't believe she would never hear her laugh, feel her kiss, wake up to a sweet message or hear Abbie use y'all just because she had once confessed it made her heart skip a beat. She knew Abbie had sacrificed herself to protector her felt a roar of anger in her chest at the brunette's action's, how could she do that? Throw her life away, she was supposed to become a Federal prosecutor, marry her, have children and a lifetime of memories to look back on as they grew old and grey and she just threw it all away. Feeling a warm hand on her forehead her anger peaked, throwing Casey's backpack across the clearing she roared. "I'm fine, stop treating me like I'm fucking fragile!"
"Kim, you need to calm down, we're just trying to help." Started Casey as she picked up her back pack and began rifling through it, unsure why she needed to make sure the book her uncle gave her was safe.
"Don't you dare fucking tell me to calm down." Snapped Kim, "Serena has become some kind of deranged killer and Abbie is…Abbie is…Oh God, Abbie." Cried Kim as she dropped to her knee's sobbing into the jumper she was wearing, the one that held the lingering scent of Abbie's perfume.
Stepping forward, Amanda rested her hand on Kim's shoulder, "You're in shock, why don't you try and rest in my car, whilst we see if we can fix one of the others up? I can sit with you if you don't want to be alone."
"Oh yeah, that's a good plan." Snorted Casey.
"Excuse me?" Asked Amanda.
"Oh come on, it's obvious this is your doing! You turn up and Serena gets killed and then she kills Abbie. More likely you killed Serena so you could have Olivia all to yourself and then killed Abbie for kicks. Which one of us is next?" Asked Casey.
"I was with Olivia when both Serena and Abbie were attacked!" Retorted the blonde.
"Whatever, there's something odd about you!" Replied Casey.
Before Amanda could reply Teddy stepped between them, "Stop it! Both of you, we all need to work together if we're going to get out of here."
"This is all their fault!" Argued Casey, "You said it yourself, there was no way Serena survived losing that amount of blood, so either you're wrong or there is another blonde haired serial killer running around these woods!"
Taking a breath, Teddy considered Casey's statement, there was no way Serena could have survived losing that amount of blood, let alone had the strength to walk at least two miles, take Abbie down and then remove her feet, it just wasn't possible. "What exactly did you see when Abbie was attacked?"
"Not much, the mist was too thick by the time I arrived." Replied Amanda, "Plus, I was more concerned with keeping Kim back. Liv, arrived before me."
"Where is Olivia?" Asked Addison as she looked around the clearing.
"Oh come on, seriously?" Growled Casey.
Looking around the clearing Teddy sighed, "Olivia Serena Benson, get your arse back here, right this minute!"
"We need to find her, we can't leave her out there alone." Alex wasn't sure when the mist surrounding them became so thick, but it suddenly felt as if they were being herded.
"She ran off, it's on her." Shrugged Casey.
"Casey!" Scolded Alex, frowning at her girlfriend and her uncharacteristic outburst.
"What? I'm not going to risk being sliced and diced because Olivia is a fucking idiot." Snapped Casey.
"Alex is right, we need to find her." Replied Teddy.
"Should we split up?" Asked Amanda.
It was Kim who replied, "No! No, we stay together."
"Agreed." Nodded Teddy. Shivering she said a silent prayer that the sun would soon be up and they would all make it home alive.