Peter was still asleep when Annie entered his room. Caine had gone off with one of the doctors on the pretense of a consultation. Annie knew, however, that he really just wanted to give mother and son some time alone. Peter needed her now, needed the reaffirmation of a mother's love. She laid her head on his chest and allowed the steady thump thump of his heart to sooth her worries.
The soft "click" of the door would have been missed by most people, but to Annie it was crystal clear.
"Caine? Is that you?" she called out quietly so as not to wake their son.
Suddenly, a mocking voice intruded on her sense of peace.
"No lady. It's not Caine. And I will thank you to take your hands off of my child."
Annie stood and moved protectively between Peter and the anger radiating from the presence at the door.
"You must be Laura," she whispered. Peter stirred restlessly and Annie instinctively laid her hand on his dark curls. He immediately quieted.
"You bitch," Laura rasped, her voice dripping venom, "Don't touch him!"
Before Annie could react, Laura launched herself forward and tackled her to the ground. Annie felt the edge of a small blade rest against her throat and ceased her struggles.
"How dare you touch my son. He is mine! You stole my little boy from me and now you're going to pay."
Annie felt the woman pull her arm back for a final blow that never came.
"Mother, NO!"
Peter's frantic voice rang out from just above her and she felt the weight of the other woman lift from her chest. She struggled to sit up, still listening to the exchange between Peter and Laura.
"Peter! Let go of me this instant, young man."
"No, mother. Not until you drop the scalpel."
Annie heard a tinny clang that announced the instruments arrival on the ground.
"There," Laura said sarcastically. "Happy? Now let me go!"
Annie heard more people enter the room. Caine's quiet voice, as always, reassured her.
"It is okay, my son. You may release her. Dr. Morgan will sedate her, more heavily this time, and will return her to her room."
"NO! No, baby, don't let them take you away from me. Not again. Baby, please. I love you," Laura pleaded.
Peter had reached down to help Annie stand. She wrapped her arm around his waist and let him lead her to the bed. He sat down next to her, still wrapped in the comfort of her embrace, and she sensed his uncertainty and confusion at his mother's words. She also felt his shock as the woman spoke again, more harshly.
"They have turned you against me, haven't they? Your father and this..this...bitch," she fairly spat the word, "have made you betray me, abandon me. Me! Your own mother! Well fine then, have it your way. But don't come whining to me when little miss perfect "Mommy", there, realizes that you are as worthless as I knew you were from the beginning."
Peter started as her hateful words registered. Once again he felt like he'd been hit in the stomach. The air rushed out of his lungs and he began to tremble violently. Annie unwrapped her arm from her son and stood as she sensed the room's occupants retreating. Anger raged beneath the calm exterior she presented, but she merely uttered one word,
"Wait."
END Part 2
