The Breaking Wheel

Chapter 70: Unbreak the Broken

John had intended to find Dr. Collingwood, quietly pull her aside, and start trying to talk to her, but that plan was quickly thrown off the rails when he sensed that she wasn't heading towards the staff lunch room. So he'd gathered together his friends and Lawrence and followed her.

They found Dr. Collingwood curled up in the corner of an empty, dark room, alone. She wasn't crying or making any noise at all. John glanced over at Lawrence, then gestured to her.

He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. What if this didn't work?

What if she chose to-

Stop it, he told himself. With this plan there's at least a chance she'd not spiral down further. If you did nothing then she would most certainly get worse, maybe even try to kill herself again. Besides, you can't just give up now.

Lawrence slowly walked over her and knelt down, gently setting a hand on her shoulder. "Molly?"

She didn't answer, just flinched away from him. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. She struggled for a minute, before relaxing. John and Billy each placed a hand on her shoulders. Eddie nuzzled her arm.

"Please," John said gently, "just tell us what's wrong. We want to help."

"No," she whispered. "There's nothing you or anyone can do. I have to face this myself."

Simon shook his head. "There's nothing a close group of friends can't accomplish."

"No, no, no, you don't understand!" She clutched her head, clawing at her own face. "Some of the things done to me can't even be described! And this is all my fault! He knows everything I know now! It was how he was able to get to my father! And who knows, you guys or my other friends might be next! If only I'd fought harder-"

"Stop," Simon said firmly. "Playing the blame game doesn't solve anything. My fault, your fault, his fault- it never ends."

Charlie winced a little. He knew that Simon meant well and that it was something that she needed to hear, but the way he said it made it sound harsh. But then again, Simon was always about tough love and blunt honesty.

"St-still-"

"No." Lawrence grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. "You didn't choose to get bitten, did you?"

"N-no."

"So that's that. It's not your fault." He gently caressed her cheek.

She jerked away, covering her ears. "Stop! Stop telling me that! It's my fault, and I have to face the consequences!"

"It isn't!"

"You can't help me!"

Eddie piped up. "Yes we can! You just aren't letting us! Let people help you!"

"I can't!"

"Why?" Billy demanded.

"Because it's all my fault! I have to take care of this!"

"No, it isn't, and no, you don't!" Lawrence exclaimed.

"Stop... telling... me... that! I'm stupid and I'm weak and-"

"Molly Sarah Collingwood!"

Everyone turned to Charlie, who hadn't yet spoken a single word through all this. His voice was gentle, yet firm and commanded authority, like a parent scolding their child.

"Molly, look at me."

She did. Her eyes were red and puffy but not wet, as if she'd wanted to cry, but was holding it all in.

Charlie set the back of his hand under her chin and tilted her head to make sure she was still looking at him. "This is not your fault. None of this is your fault. The only one who deserves any blame in this situation is the snake. If he wasn't a sadistic torturing bastard, then none of this would have ever happened. He chose to bite you. He chose to torture you. And judging from the weird behavior you've had, he was the one who tried to manipulate you."

She was silent for a long while, then a choked sob escaped her throat and she pulled away from him.

"I-it's just... all the memories... it's too much. The nightmares are getting worse. The snake keeps whispering in my ear. I see and hear things that aren't there. You know how Atlas was forced to hold up the sky? That's how I feel, except I'm not lifting all that as an immortal titan, but as my normal human self. The burden's getting too heavy to carry."

"Then we'll carry it together," said John.

Eddie nuzzled her arm again. "Bottling things up just lets them simmer and get worse. Just let it all out."

She looked up at all of them, then burst into convulsive sobs, venting every bit of pent-up anger, every frustration, every fear. Lawrence wrapped her up in a tight hug and the rest followed.

After what seemed like hours, she was finally done. Lawrence pulled back so she could see his face.

"You shouldn't punish yourself for something that you didn't do," he said softly. He pressed his forehead against hers. "We all want to help you."

"We're your friends," Eddie reminded her. "Do you still believe that?"

She looked at him, then nodded. "Yes."

"No matter what that stupid snake tries to tell you, you are not alone," John said.

"If he ever tries to mess with your head again, remember that he needs a response from you, now that he's locked up more securely than ever. Don't give him one, no matter how tempting it may be. That just shows him that it's working. If you don't, he loses all his power." Charlie said, his voice solemn, yet encouraging.

She looked up at all of them, then to Lawrence, then wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

"Thank you guys," she whispered. "I... I really needed that."

John smiled. "Just remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, we're always here."