Screaming (CSI:NY FanFic; A Noise in the Night Sequel)

Screaming

~ Liz POV ~

I'm running through the hospital, holding the child in my arms. Which way to turn? I go right and duck into a patient's bedroom. I'm panting as I watch through the window for any sign of movement, whether friend or foe. There's a noise behind me, and I turn quickly.

"No... please..."

"Did you think I wouldn't find you eventually?" he asks softly.

"N-n-n-no..."

"I will, I always will. I own you now." He's chuckling quietly, sinisterly. "You're mine, you'll always be mine."

He reaches for my baby, and I go for the door. I'm wiggling the handle, trying to open it, but it's stuck. That's when Dad walks by.

"Dad!" I yell, but he doesn't hear me. "Dad!"

All the time, every second, the other man gets closer.

I'm crying now. "Dad! DAD! DAD!!!" As a last, desperate plea I bang on the glass of the window, but I get no response. "Dad..."

"He can't hear you," says the man calmly. "He'll never hear you."

He grabs my baby, and I'm screaming, louder than I have yet, but no sound comes out. I reach for the child, but he pushes me away. I'm on my feet in an instant. There's no way I'm going down without a fight, no way I'll let him have my child.

"NO!"

"Let go." He's sickeningly calm, horribly... horrid. "You'll only make it worse for everyone if you don't."

"No!" He pushes me again, and I'm fighting to get up, but something is holding me down.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" That's Dad's voice!

"Dad...?"

"No," says the man. "He can't hear you. It's just a dream."

Just.... Just a dream?

Dad's voice is closer, calmer.... The man tells me again that it's just a dream, but no.... That's not his voice that says it, it's Dad's.

Just a dream... just a dream...

"Elizabeth.... It's just a dream.... It's okay, wake up..."

Just a dream.... just.... dream....

"I'll get you back," he says. "I promise." His grin is evil.

"Dad..."

"It's okay. Wake up, Elizabeth. It's just a dream."

I blink. Looking up, I see Dad, concern etched in every line in his face. To my right, there's Mac, brought here by Danny yesterday.

"Dad...?"

"Shh... It's okay. You were dreaming. You're fine now."

"Are you okay?" Mac asks. "Y-you were screaming..."

"I - I was?"

"Yes," says Dad quietly. I know he was expecting this.

"I'm sorry. Did - Did I wake you?"

"No," says Dad, and I know it's true.

"You okay?" Mac repeats, and I nod, wanting to avoid further explainations.

I catch Dad's eye. He wants to talk about this, but he doesn't push it.

Mac's asleep again shortly, and I know Dad is thinking about what just happened, but I'm restless, pretending to sleep for Dad's sake, but I'm thinking about the same thing Dad is.

I'm thinking of the dream, and the man in it that made me start screaming.