Halley
Part Four
By Claire
cartersgirl@handbag.com

 Notes- Ok, this part is not as disturbing as the other parts, so most people should be able to read this. Read other parts before this one so you understand the story. Spoilers for Be Still My Heart, All In The Family and May Day. Some bad language

It was two months later, and Halley had been released from hospital a month ago, but she had been given a month off work. Carter had been to see her many times, and they had grown even closer as friends. Halley had started working at the hospital after Carter’s stabbing and drug rehab ordeal, and although they were good friends, he was reluctant to tell anyone.

It was the night before Halley was going back to work, and Carter decided to go around to her house to see if she was ok. He knocked on the door, and Halley opened it slightly peering through the gap with a cautious look on her face, but she smiled when she realised it was Carter.

Halley opened the door properly and let Carter in. He said ‘Hi, how are you feeling?’ Halley smiled a half smile and said ‘Ok, nervous about tomorrow though.’ They both sat down and Carter said ‘You’re bound to be nervous, just remember that everyone there is there help you and don’t push yourself tomorrow.’

Carter looked at Halley’s eyes, and instead of seeing the bright, sparkling blue colour that used to be there a few months ago, it had been replaced by weary fearful look. ‘Have you talked to anyone about what happened?’ Halley shook her head and said ‘I don’t see any point. Its not going to change what’s happened’

Carter was silent for a moment. ‘About a year before you started working at the hospital, my med student Lucy Knight and I were both stabbed by a psychotic patient, and she died. All the way through the day she had been asking for my help, she even told me that she thought that he might be schizophrenic, and I repeatedly brushed her off.’ Halley came and sat next to Carter as he continued his story. ‘I rejected every offer of help that was offered to me. I was in a lot of pain from the stab wounds in my back and I was tormented in my mind of the image of Lucy dying on the floor. I started stealing drugs from the hospital. I was caught though, and I had to go to a rehab centre in Atlanta. I was made to go to therapy, and I had the same feelings about it as you did, but it helped after a while. You’re a good friend of mine Halley, and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I did. Please promise that you will go to therapy, even if its only to see what its like.’

Halley looked very shocked, and she enveloped him in a hug. Carter wrapped his arms around her, and she tensed at first when he touched her, but then she relaxed in his arms. Halley whispered ‘I’m so sorry; I had no idea what you have been through. I promise I’ll try some therapy.’ Carter hesitated before kissing her lightly on the top of her head. They both pulled away from the hug and Carter said ‘I should let you get some rest for tomorrow. Our shifts start at the same time, so do you want me to meet you outside the hospital? Halley nodded and said ‘That would be great, thanks. I’m glad you told me what happened to you. It must have been hard.’ ‘Its ok, we’re friends right, we can tell each other anything.’ They both stood up and Halley let Carter out.

Halley thought about Carter and how much closer they had grown in the last few months. Before she had been attacked, she had been very attracted to Carter, and she knew that deep down she still was, but she couldn’t let herself think about a relationship at the moment.

With a sigh, Halley went upstairs, changed into her nightclothes and climbed into bed. But sleep did not come easily for Halley; every time she shut her eyes she would see Kennedy standing over her grinning like a mad man, and her eyes would fly open. Halley eventually fell into a restless sleep, dreaming of Kennedy and all the things he had done to her.

The next morning Halley walked to work. She saw Carter waiting for her and he said ‘You ready?’ Halley smiled and nodded. They walked into together and Halley froze when she saw the spot where Kennedy had first pushed her against the wall and threatened her.

Carter saw her hesitate and said ‘Halley’ She seemed to be in a trance and it appeared that she hadn’t heard him. He wondered if she was having a flashback. He taped her on her shoulder and said ‘Halley, are you ok?’ Halley felt as if she couldn’t breathe, she kept on seeing Kennedy push her against the wall, hearing him calling her a bitch, him telling her that she was going to pay. She heard Carter call her name, it sounded like it was coming from a far away place; she felt him touch her shoulder and he said her name again, this time it sounded closer, and she jumped, realising that Carter was standing in front of her. He had concern etched into the features of his face and he said ‘Are you ok?’

Carter watched as Halley jumped and came out of the flashback. Her eyes darted about, then they finally came to rest on him, and she looked like a very confused and scared little girl. Carter repeated himself and said ‘Are you ok?’ This time Halley answered and she said ‘Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking about something.’ ‘Did you have a flashback?’ Halley nodded slowly and Carter said ‘Do you wanna sit down or something for a bit?’ Halley shook her head as Mark and Kerry came over to greet her.

Mark said ‘Welcome back Halley, how are you feeling?’ Carter wondered if she was going to mention the flashback. But she didn’t, she just replied ‘I’m fine thanks. I’m gonna put my stuff away in my locker ok.’ Halley walked into the lounge and Kerry said to Carter ‘How is she really doing?’

Carter said ‘She has good days and bad days. She just had a flashback a minute ago. I’m gonna make sure that she is ok though, I’ll keep an eye on her.’ Kerry smiled and said ‘You really like her don’t you?’ Carter smiled and said ‘She’s a good friend’ Carter watched her through the lounge window and knew that although he liked her as a friend, for quite some time he had wished that there was something else between them. But he knew that she needed a friend right now, not someone who wanted a relationship.

TO BE CONTINUED