I'm here for you

19

Beep, beep. Caitlin stirred. What was that noise? She tried to get up, but realised that she had all sorts of tubes and wires in her. She looked around, where was she? Where was Barry? She had a tube, covering her face, and desperately tried to take it off

"No, don't do that" her mum cried, entering the room, "it's to help you breathe, due to your panic attacks"

Caitlin ignored her and took it off

"Where am I? What happened? Where is Barry?"

"Relax. We're in the hospital. You need to calm down and put the mask back on. It's helping you breathe"

"Caitlin quietly put the mask back on. She grabbed a pen and paper, and scribbled down something. She showed her mum

"Barry? He's in the room, down the hall, being treated for his injuries"

Caitlin gasped and scribbled some more 

"Is he alright? I think so. I don't know how severe his injuries are, but I hope so"

Caitlin scribbled some more 

"How? What do you mean? How did you end up here? I think that's another story for another time"

Caitlin scribbled some more 

"Can you see him? I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure they'll let you if your quick"

Caitlin waited whilst her mum went and asked 

"They said okay, but we have to be quick. He needs his rest, just like you"

Caitlin sat in a wheelchair, whilst her mum wheeled her down, into Barry's room. Caitlin gasped as she saw him. He looked so broken. She took his hand

"Hi. It's me. Thank you for everything"

Caitlin was about to go, when a girl stepped in

"Can I help you?"

"I just wanted to see how Barry was"

"Do you know him?"

"I was held captive with him"

"Oh. So your Caitlin right?"

"You know me?"

"No, he's just been asking about you"

"And you are?"

"I'm his girlfriend"

Caitlin felt something in her stomach drop

"Nice to meet you. I just wanted to see if he was alright. I need to get back"

Caitlin was wheeled back, and lay on her bed, trying to fight back tears. Of course he had a girlfriend, but what the hell was he doing telling her that he loved her, or flirting with her? She had been so stupid, she had taken a chance on him, and had given love a second chance by giving him a piece of her heart. She was going to tell him, but after this how could she? He wasn't hers, and she didn't want to break up a relationship 

Caitlin shut her eyes. She slept peacefully, knowing that she was safe, and out of Ronnies clutches. She woke up once or twice, wondering how Barry was, but she stopped herself from going to him. He was nothing to her, she remembered. But they had been held captive together, they had bonded. Was that a lie? Had he been lying when he said those things? She hadn't felt that he was lying, but what was the truth? Everything was such a mess

Over the next few days, Caitlin made good progress. The doctors were very happy with her, and agreed that she could go home. Caitlin stepped outside the hospital and froze. This was going to be much harder then she thought. Her mum came up to her and squeezed her hand

"It's alright. We're here. We're going home. You'll be safe their. Now, come on, breathe for me. We'll get through this together"

Caitlin let her mum drive her home. She stepped inside and breathed in deeply. How nice it was to be somewhere familiar and somewhere she felt safe. She sat down and curled into her mum's arms

"Will I ever be free mum?" she sobbed 

"Caitlin honey, don't let this set you back. I know it must be hard, but you can't let him win. That's what he wants"

"Mum, he's succeeded. I'm broken. He's broken me twice. I give up mum. I'm tired of fighting"

"No. I won't let you talk like this. Me and your dad are here. We will do everything possible to help you. Just don't give up"

"What if I already have?"

"No. Don't talk like this. I understand that it hurts, but don't say that. We'll take each day as it comes. Just please don't give up"

"I don't know if I can"

"Yes you can. Did you ever think that what would happen to your parents without you?"

"I'm tired mum. I need to rest"

Caitlin went upstairs and flopped on her bed. She felt broken, but she would find a way through this, no matter how hard or difficult it was. She wouldn't let  Ronnie win. He had taken too much from her already. Plus, their was Barry? What was she going to do about him? Their lives were intertwined but everything was such a mess

Duff duff duff. Poor Caitlin. I'm really putting her through it. As always, feedback appreciated