Hannah had her hands over her mouth as she looked at the doctor in shock. The idea that a twelve year old Ben had held himself responsible for those deaths was sickening. The idea that he still blamed himself and continued to relive it was horrifying.
“Wait! So he wasn’t responsible for his actions against Eli Sturn then! He was acting on the suppressed memories and post-traumatic stress.” Hannah gasped.
“Is that your clinical diagnosis Hannah?” Granger smirked.
“Sorry, but it’s true, right?” Hannah pushed.
“Yes, that would be my diagnosis as well.” she agreed.
“So the restraints-”
“-remain in place to protect him from himself. Ben needs to be treated for his suppressed memories first.” the doctor insisted. Hannah paused then nodded. She left the doctor’s office and walked back to her own. She had call to make for Ben.
Ashley carefully went up the stairs leaning heavily on Trish’s shoulder. For all Trish’s slimness she was solid muscle and Ashley took comfort in the firmness of her grasp around her waist. Two more steps and she was inside the door Tina held open for her. Madison and Savannah were inside with tears in their eyes. Guilt played over their faces as they looked at the woman they’d witness their father beat unconscious the day before.
Ashley reached out and the two girls were against her, crying and telling her how sorry they were. She shushed them, then kissed the top of their heads, telling them they weren’t to blame for her beating and she hadn’t expected them to fight off their father who was so much bigger than them. Their hugs were hurting her ribs and Tina caught her wincing so she stepped in and suggested the girls go turn down the sheets on Ashley’s bed and prop up the pillows so she’d be comfortable. The two immediately disappeared down the hallway. Ashley said a silent thank you to Tina who smiled and nodded.
Trish and Tina each took an arm and helped Ashley down the hall into the first guest bedroom. They set her on the edge and the girls helped her lean back comfortably. The pain left Ashley’s features as she relaxed. “Ahhh, that’s so much better!” she sighed and the girls beamed big smiles at her. “How is Joshua?” the mother asked.
“Daphne, Lisa, and Lori are taking excellent care of both Joshua and Christopher who have become inseparable friends.” Tina smiled.
The last crease on her brow relaxed and Ashley closed her eyes.
“We’ll let you get some sleep and we’ll look in on you in a couple of hours. If you need anything please call. We’re right outside and will come running.” Tina said gesturing for the teens to leave the room with her. They walked out into the living room and took seats.
Trish leaned forward to speak quietly. “Did you want to do another trial run for the panic room?”
Tina looked at the two young women and shook her head. “They are ready. Thank you so much Trish!”
The redhead looked uncomfortable. “It’s the least I can do. Well, if I’m not needed I’m gonna head home, get changed and go for a run. I have my cell so call me if you need me.”
Tina rose and walked Trish to the door. They hugged and Trish jogged home.
Tina locked up and went back to the living room. The girls were on the tablet chatting with Miriam and Jane Wilson, Beth’s daughter, who Miriam introduced the previous evening.
She smiled at the healing power of friends.
Dr. Granger left her office and made her way towards Ben’s room. Now that she knew what to look for she could begin the healing process with Ben. She intended to use hypnotherapy to regress him back to the date of the original event and identify the triggers which made the memories resurface. Once she had that she was going to take Ben back to the date and have him watch the events as an observer so he could describe what happened that day. She’d be able to show him how he wasn’t responsible for the actions of Walter.
When she got to the ward Hector wasn’t at his post. The orderly should have been at his station. Then she saw the streak of blood across the control panel of the desk. There was more blood on the floor and coming from under the closet door. She grabbed up the phone and dialed.
“Security.” a man answered.
“This is Dr. Granger in the Psych ward. We have an emergency situation. I need a security team and send a medical team as well.” She opened the closet door and stifled a scream. Hector’s dead eyes stared back at her from the crumpled body on the floor. “Call the police! Hector’s been murdered!” She looked away and looked across the screens at the patients. Her eyes locked on the screen showing Ben’s room. There was a man leaning over Ben’s body. He was beating on his chest. NO! HE WAS STABBING HIM!
The man with the knife suddenly began to scream and Dr. Granger heard him all the way down the hall. A high pitched squeal of agony. He was trying to get away from Ben’s hand which had a firm grip on his groin. Finally he managed to tug away and he fell to the floor retching his stomach contents out. He managed to stagger to his feet holding his groin. Dr. Granger thought he was going to start stabbing Ben again so she leaned out in the hall and yelled.
“Security and Police are on their way! Put your weapon down and lie on the floor!” she growled with her loudest most authoritative voice. On the screen the man’s head whipped towards the door then he went back to the bed and slashed Ben across the face. Dr. Granger screamed and the man ran out the door and up the hallway towards the security station. She locked herself in and stared into the maddened eyes of Eli Sturn as he ran past to get to the exit.