Hi, it's been a while! This week has made me love corrie again after the massive decline recently so that gave me motivation to write what could've happened between Peter, Carla and Stephen. I wrote it before tonight's aired and it is my own take after the spoiler photos (from carters flat instead of Elaine's though lol). I haven't written anything in a while though so sorry if it's not good, and I'm very nervous and embarrassed about doing things like this now even though it's always been a passion hahaha. But anyway, hope you enjoy x
"What the hell do you want?" Peter huffed, opening the front door to the flat he shared with his wife.
"I just needed a word, Peter." The Canadian voice replied.
Peter sighed; he knew what Carla told him. And this wasn't just a disagreement with his wife over the action plan of their discovery. This was a police investigation now. And one that couldn't be jepodised, he needed that man behind closed doors. And without teeth would be a bonus.
"Carla isn't here." Peter said through gritted teeth.
"I needed it with you actually."
"What would you have to say that is for me, Stephen?" He frowned.
"I think you know why," Stephen raised his eyebrows. "It's about Carla."
Peter shrugged, waiting for him to continue. He could feel the anger bubbling from within and he willed for it to stay calm.
"I think we both know that she's unwell again. You know, having another breakdown. What is it? Psychosis?" Stephen began his plan.
"What?" Peter but his lip in disdain.
"You must've noticed, Peter? Hasn't she mentioned the allegations against me?"
"I've heard of no allegations Stephen, why don't you enlighten me?" Peter bluntly replied, void of any emotion.
"She's saying I've been spiking her. My whole workforce has heard, are you aware of what that can do to a man's career? His reputation? Keep this between us but I'm supposed to be moving away to Thailand with Jenny soon, do you really think she'll want to leave the country with a man who could've done such a thing? I think you need to look into facilities again. I hate to think of what this is doing to you, Peter. It must be exhausting-…"
"Maybe you shouldn't have drugged her then." Peter cut him off, the anger spilling over.
"Pardon?" Stephen stood back, feeling the tension, now wary.
"Don't play dumb with me. Actually, scrap that. Don't you dare use Carlas mental health to your advantage. How dare you?" Peter shouted.
"You can't possibly believe this, Peter? Come on." Stephen raised his voice, his hands going up in disbelief.
"We know it was you, Stephen. Carla might've had her mental health battles in the past, but she sure isn't stupid. Rookie mistake, don't take her for a fool."
"I wonder if they do joint rooms for couples with mental health conditions?" Stephen said.
"What?"
"You know, if you're believing this rubbish. I'm questionable of your sanity too. Don't go touching the booze again will you, Peter? Not with that new liver."
"I can see exactly what man you are…"
"A successful- money making family man is what I am. And I've found a woman and I'm off to look at the world." Stephen taunted.
"I don't think so," Peter growled. "The only place you'll be going serves your dinner on a tray."
"Peter, you have no proof. Do your worst." He shrugged.
"I wanna rip your eyeballs out. I want to absolutely destroy you." Peter yelled.
"And what are the police going to take seriously? The deranged woman claiming she's been spiked. Or the family man that's been attacked by her husband? I know who I'd pick." Stephen laughed.
Peter lunged forward, grabbing the older man by his tie and pinning him against the wall. As Stephen began to splutter, and internally panic, Peter continued…
"Playing on someone's mental illness to get what you want, how could you do that? The fear and dread we had, Stephan. You could've killed her."
"She's mad, Peter." A red-faced Stephan muttered.
"No, she's smart. Because she's figured out your plan. I mean, how pathetic must you be to go to that extreme for a business. Is that how much of a sad lonely man you are?"
"I'm leaving town, Peter. Why would I care so much about the factory if I was leaving, Hmm?" Stephen fought back.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't smash your face in."
"Let the authorities proceed with their investigation. You'll see that she's unwell-…"
"Oh, change the record! Just admit it." Peter lost his temper, holding his tie even tighter.
"Let go of me." Stephen cried out.
"Not so brave now, are you?" Peter laughed. "Just admit it and I'll let you go."
"What? And have you videoing it all? I don't think so. Do you think I was born yesterday?" Stephen spluttered.
"Who's the one sounding crazy now?" Peter smirked.
"If the tests prove she was spiked then it must've been Rufus. Everyone knows he liked LSD. Please, let go."
They were soon interrupted by the key entering the door, and an exhausted Carla walking in.
"Peter?" Carla called out until she'd fully opened the door.
"Peter! Peter! Let go of him." She yelled, pulling on his shoulders, trying to free Stephen.
"He's gloating, Carla. He needs to pay." Peter gritted his teeth together as Stephan choked.
"Please, Peter! This isn't the way!" Carla screamed, before sighing in relief when Peter loosened his grip and Stephan fell into the desk, before sprawling out onto the floor.
"What the hell are you playing at!" Carla cried out, placing her head in her hands.
"The police won't do anything without evidence, Carla! We can't let him carry on. And then he walked in here trying to tell me you were unwell. I lost it!" Peter explained, his composure quickly turning into panic.
"Look, I hate him as well. But this has blown any chance we had to get him inside! What have you done, Peter!"
"He's fine-…"
"He isn't moving, Peter!" Carla shouted, her eyes filling with tears. "What if you've killed him?"
"I haven't killed him." Peter scoffed, staring down at him and gently kicking his leg. "Stephen, get up."
"He was in a bad way when I walked in, Peter. You strangled him to death." Carla whispered.
As the situation truly dawned upon Peter, he looked on the floor at an unconscious Stephen, dark marks already appearing on his neck. And then looking up at Carla, the disappointment and fear etched into her face.
"I need to think." Peter raked a hand through his hair, doing a series of deep breaths.
"You need to think fast. We need to get him help." Carla stuttered.
"Help? And what are the paramedics going to say, Hmm? When they walk in and see bruises all over his neck."
"I don't know. I don't know anything, Peter! But we can't just leave him there." Carla panicked.
"I was protecting you, Carla…"
"Don't even start with that, Peter! You see, this is always your problem. And silly me, I almost thought you actually would hold off with it this time considering you've killed a man. But no, you can never take responsibility for your actions, can you?" Carla ranted, her voice getting louder as she carried on.
"Don't speak to me like it is all my fault, Carla! I understand that I shouldn't of done this but he was asking for it! He was gloating, making comments that he knew would make me snap. There was no way I could let him leave here, perfectly fine after all of that!"
"Then at least just hit the man, for god sake! Don't kill him!"
"P-Peter! PETER!" Carla suddenly screamed, as a furiously aggressive Stephen swiftly takes a stand and grabs whatever was closed to him, an ornament that supposed to be on the desk, and whacks Carla and then Peter over the head with it. Peter was too slow to react, considering his back was turned. Carla being the first victim, didn't have enough time to defend herself as she was hit directly on the right side of her head. Peter being hit on the back of his head.
Carla fell to the floor, without a single scream or moan. Completely lifeless.
Peter fell forwards, falling onto his knees as a hand quickly made its way onto the back of his head. Feeling the sticky red substance beneath it.
"Come on then, Peter! If you wanted to fight, let's do it. But we have to be even. I've got rid of the rubbish," He motioned down at Carla. "So let's fight."
As Peter groaned, not all the way there, Stephen continued…
"I must say, I have had quite a bit of practise recently so I think I know how this will end up. But I'll definitely humour you." Stephen cackled, referencing his past murders.
"Carla," Peter mumbled. "Carla?"
Peter crawled across the carpet, undignified as he completely ignored Stephens existence for the time being.
He gently shook her, moving her head and gasping at the blood caked down the ride side of her face.
"Carla, wake up. Come on, baby." He whispered, tears falling frantically.
"How touching," Stephen sniggered. "But you're running out of time, Peter."
"You're sick! How could you." Peter looked up, stroking Carla's hair.
"You know how this ends, Peter."
"What?"
"I have to kill both of you." He said, pouncing forward and trying to pin down Peter.
They were a ball of limbs, fighting and punching each other at any given opportunity. Peter was weaker than before, he had a head wound that seriously needed checking over and his only thoughts were on Carla. It was distinctly clear what sort of man Stephen was, Tim had been right all along. But even this side to him was a shock to the system, and way worse than he could've ever imagined. He gasped and fought as he realised Stephen's passion in killing the two of them.
Peter tried grabbing the ornament to give Stephen a taste of his own medicine but it was no use, it was too far. Stephen was pinning him on the ground, throwing punches wherever he could.
A rage came over Peter, he couldn't let this man achieve his plan and after injuring Carla, enough was enough. He started retaliating better with the punches, winding Stephan as he began staggering back a bit at the force.
Peter now had the control, he leaped over him and continued to punch the man in his face. His attention was side tracked all of a sudden though…
As he heard Carla moan, he ran over to her and kept his eyes on Stephan who was wiping the blood from his face and sitting up. Luckily the ornament was in front of Peter's line of sight.
"Carla, sweetheart? Are you okay?" Peter asked, completely out of breath.
"I-I'm fine," Carla muttered. "What happened?"
"Afternoon, Carla." Stephen muttered, undoing the top buttons on his shirt and removing his tie.
Her last memories before her unconscious state quickly dawned upon her, as her eyes widened. She quickly put her hand on her face, grimacing at the pain and being shocked when her fingers were covered in blood.
"You're okay, I'm going to get you help." He reassured her.
"We need to get out of here." Carla cried out.
Without warning, Stephen struck again as he tried to use his tie to strangle Peter. The bewildered man's hands flew to his neck where he desperately scrambled to clear his airway.
Without thinking, Carla grabbed the ornament and whacked Stephen over the head with it.
Again. Again. Again. And again.
Screaming, sobbing as she did it with extreme force.
Peter released the tie from his throat, gasping. He didn't know whether it was from the lack of oxygen or the fact Carla had just killed a man.
Might have to add one more chapter to this.