Wait For Me: Carter

Chapter 7

"I don't understand. Is that really it?" Carla questioned. Dean nodded, a smug smile stretched across his face. "All I have to do is walk behind him, and he's just not allowed to turn round?"

"It's a long walk, darling." Dean grinned.

"And if he turns-"

"You'll come straight back here." Dean stated.

Carla swallowed, tentatively, nodding her head in understanding. She felt Peter's hand grasp hers and squeeze tightly. All they had to do was walk back to Weatherfield, one in front of the other, without Peter turning to check she was still following. How hard could it be?

"We can do it." Peter responded, refusing to give Dean the satisfaction of his insecurity. Dean chuckled.

"If you say so." He shrugged.

Peter could feel something niggling away at him. It wasn't that he didn't trust Carla. No, he knew that she'd follow him wherever he went. It was Dean he was worried about. What if he sent him off, and kept Carla back in the Underworld? What if there was no way out, and he sent them in a big circle only to arrive back here in several hours time? He was almost certain that it was some kind of trap.

But he had to try.

"When can we leave?" Carla asked.

"Does ten minutes sound okay?" Dean asked. The pair nodded. "You'll want to say your goodbyes to everyone, and probably each other too." He smirked. Peter simply glared at him. Carla shifted nervously from one foot to the other.

Tina was the first to approach Peter. She offered a small smile.

"Good luck." She stated. "I'm glad it all worked out for you both." Peter smiled, and nodded his gratitude.

Next came Aidan, emotional from having just said his goodbyes to Carla. "Look after her, Peter." He said, offering out a hand for him to shake.

"I will." Peter confirmed. He'd never been more certain of anything.

He felt a gentle hand on his back, and turned to find Hayley looking at him through watery eyes.

"You take care of her, Peter." She said. "And yourself of course."

As Carla finished her own goodbyes, she too turned to face Hayley.

"Now I know this isn't goodbye, because one day we will see each other again. Although I don't want it to be too soon!" She giggled. Carla took her hand, as tears began to fall. "Good luck Carla. I'll be seeing you..."

"Not if I see you first." Carla whispered, pulling her into a tight hug. As they pulled away, Carla turned her back, clearly not wanting to be seen so upset. Hayley took this as her cue to say a final goodbye to Peter. She pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you for everything, Hayley."

"No, thank you. Good luck Peter."

"I suppose it's just up to me to show you the way then..." Michelle stated, taking Carla's hand. Peter nodded, following them out of the room.

The trio approached the edge of the wall, where a large gate loomed over them. Ahead of it was a long, winding path, that looked to slope very gradually upwards.

"We don't need to say goodbye, because whatever happens, I'll still get to see you. Although I really hope it's not here." Michelle pulled Carla into a tight hug and whispered into her ear, too quietly for Peter to hear. He watched as Carla nodded in response, before pulling away and sniffling.

Michelle turned to Peter.

"Who'd have thought it, hey? You actually picking up on all those hints I dropped you in our lessons." She shook her head as she laughed. "I'm proud of you."