CRAIG
I’m holding Laura as she fights for air. The fear in her eyes has me rooted to the spot. She’s looking at me, trying to speak, her wide brown eyes just orbs of dread. And I do nothing. I don’t soothe her. I don’t scream for help. I hold her as I fall into her despair. When she slumps in my arms her eyes closing it’s like the world snaps back and two nurses are there taking her out of my arms as a trolley awaits for her limp body.
“Craig. Are you okay?” It’s Rose. I feel stunned. What the fuck just happened. I stand while taking in all the faces, I’m not one to shy away from people but right now it’s too much.
“A word in private.” Rose speaks, I don’t want to, but I don’t want to stand here either. The blanket is pulled up to Laura’s shoulders as she sleeps; I wait until she disappears through the double doors that has more people waiting on the other side. I turn around and enter Rose’s office. Rose closes the door once I enter.
“You want to tell me what just happened?” I ask while running my hands through my hair.
“Laura needs to accept that Violet isn’t real.” I shrug because what the fuck can I say.
“But that’s not why I wanted to speak to you.” I give a dry laugh.
“Really? Like that shit there doesn’t need explaining.”
“Please sit.” Rose sits, and I don’t want to but as she waits patiently I finally do.
“I didn’t expect it to go like that.”
I cut Rose off, feeling pissed with how this was dealt with. “What did you think she’d say? Sure, Violet’s not real?”
“You’re angry.” Rose nods and I open my arms.
“Of course I fucking am. She’s just found out her sister isn’t real in front of a crowd.”
“The crowd is staff or patients and we can’t contain every situation to a private area.” I know she’s right. I’ve seen people lose their shit all the time here. I’ve lost my shit. But it felt so personal with Laura. Like we shouldn’t be witnessing it.
“What do you want then?” I’m still angry.
“Emmett Harrington is a very large contributor to this facility.” To hear someone speak the name that haunts me has me frozen.
“If you leave he will be notified and his interest in you worries me to be frank.”
“Will you notify him?” I ask and a part of me hopes not. The betrayal would hurt.
“No Craig. I don’t want to see you hurt, but I know why you have never left here. He checks in regularly. Other staff members will tell him.” I’m nodding.
I knew he would wait for me. I knew I would have to pay the price for hurting Amber. I just always thought I would stay here, but after meeting Laura, I want more. I want to give Laura a life outside of here. I want a life for myself outside of here. One that didn’t have me looking over my shoulder and wondering when Emmett Harrington would kill me.
“Thanks.” I say while getting up. Rose just nods solemnly as I leave her office.
I don’t look up as I walk down the hall. I’m trying to think about what the fuck I do now. This is all shades of fucked up.
“What happened with Laura?” I look up at Michael and he’s trying to fight a grin as he waits for me to answer. I do by slamming him against a wall, my arm goes across his throat.
“Don’t talk about her.” I tell him and when he nods I release him and go outside.
I feel like a failure when I take out my cigarettes and lighter. I hold the cigarette but Laura’s terror filled eyes have me throwing it across the garden, the lighter follows shortly after and I start to jog to try and shake of the excess energy that has my skin buzzing.
I have no idea what to do. Nothing comes to me, so I keep jogging until the night consumes the day.
“Craig.” Ava hangs onto the door as she calls me. I ignore her first five calls, but then she steps away from the door and into the garden.
“I’m sorry about Laura.” I want to tell her to shut her mouth, but I don’t.
“Is there anything I can do?” I slow down and look at Ava, she seems genuine.
“No. But thanks.”
“If you need to talk.” She shrugs with a half-smile.
I’ll be fucking sure to avoid you.
“Got you on speed dial.” I tell her, and she gives me the bird.
“Asshole.” Her departing word has me grinning and I stop running. I need to go see Laura and tomorrow I need to try and sort out my mess. It’s now or never.