Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 61

***TRIGGER WARNING- Drugging and violence mentions***

Damien rolled over to his back in his cell bed. He knew he took it too far this time. But only barely. If only she hadn't shown up... I could have finished with Cat and gotten away with it.

He sat up. He was lucky to have a cell to himself. He looked out the cell bars, thinking. He reminisced meeting Cat. He also thought about what all she had been through with him. He enjoyed pushing her, seeing how far she would let him go. She had practically let him do anything he wanted to her, until recently. She had been a fun experiment.

Then there was Sara. He'd known her for quite a few years. She was quite enjoyable. He could get away with a lot with her too. She never challenged him like Cat started to. He knew she wouldn't squeal like Cat did. He could trust her. He made sure to take care of her enough to know she wouldn't tell anyone what was going on.

He thought back to his meeting with Cat earlier. He knew he scared her. She wouldn't do anything. She never had. Not even when he almost killed her because of the zinc poisoning. He thought back to that day.

~Three Months Ago~

Damien paced around the ER waiting room. She has to be okay. This is just a test. The real thing won't kill Gwen.

"Damien Grant?" Dr. Ratchet walked up to him as he paced in the lobby.

"Yes? Is Cat okay?" He asked, nervously.

"Come with me," she responded, taking him to an office. "I wanted to tell you somewhere more quiet. Cat had extreme levels of zinc in her system and we had to revive her on the way here," she said.

"What...?" He gasped. I did this... This wasn't supposed to happen. What am I doing? Cat isn't my target... Why do I want to hurt her so badly... No. She's my test. This was for the end goal. I know how much is too much now. He looked down. Dr. Ratchet spoke again, bringing him back to reality.

"This is a very difficult question to ask, but is there any chance Cat could have been trying to kill herself?" She asked.

He looked up at her in disbelief. "What?! No! She would tell me if something's wrong," he said.

"I know this is hard, but I need to know," she replied firmly.

"She's been stressed at work... I don't know if that would've pushed her over the edge, though," he mentioned.

She sighed. "Unfortunately, it appears she's allergic to something in the zinc. Her airway swelled shut and we had to put her on a ventilator."

"You— she what?" Damien was playing the part well. "Thank you for reviving her. I don't know what I'd do without her."

"It's what we do. Now," she stated, rising, "if you'll follow me, you can go see her."

They walked down the hallway to the ICU. Damien saw Cat laying on the bed looking pale, machines hooked up to every available spot.

"Right now, she is on 98% oxygen, so the machines are doing most of the breathing for her. We are hoping to be able to bring that down soon and quickly when her airway opens up more."

Damien walked over to her and grabbed her hand. "How is she doing now?"

"She's stable currently. We are having to closely monitor her though. A reaction like that could have very well taken her life. She is extremely lucky you were there to call for help."

Damien only looked to Cat. "She is my whole world. I can't lose her."

Dr. Ratchet nodded. "I understand that. If you don't have any other questions, I'll leave you two alone."