Page 78 of Shadows of Recovery

"NO! NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" she screamed, her voice raw and piercing, echoing down the hallway.

Tristan leaned over the bedrails, trying to calm her, but she recoiled, her fear and anguish too great. Her cries brought the medical staff running, and within moments, her mother and Dr. Skylar rushed into the room. Other staff followed.

"Sophie, it's okay. You're safe," Chris said, trying to soothe her. "We’re here to help you."

She shook her head and continued to scream, “GET AWAY FROM ME. DON’T TOUCH ME!”

Charlotte approached, her face a mask of worry and determination. "Sophie, sweetheart, it’s Momma, please. I’m here.”

Her hazel eyes were blank and unseeing. Their words only seemed to agitate her further. She thrashed and screamed, eyes wild and unfocused. Blood soaked her bandages. The room filled with the sounds of her distress, a harshness of pain and fear.

* * *

Seeing that nothing was working,Tristan felt desperate. He had to do something to reach her, or they would have to sedate her again to pull her back from the edge. He remembered a poem he wrote for her after a patient’s father punched her, a small bit of peace he hoped might penetrate her torment. They both laughed at his rhyme scheme.

"Sophie," he began, his voice firm and louder than her screams. "Listen to me. Just listen.” He took a deep breath and recited the poem.

“Your petals soft, a beauty that never fades,

Through storm and sun, you bloom so bright,

A beacon of hope in the darkest night.

Your strength, your grace, a wondrous sight,

A guiding star in my endless flight.

With every heartbeat, a life so true,

In this world so sweet, I'll always cherish you."

As the words flowed from him, Sophie’s cries began to soften. Her thrashing slowed, and she turned her tear-streaked face toward him, her eyes searching.

"Sophie," Tristan continued, his voice strong, “you are so much more than what happened to you. You are loved, deeply and endlessly."

Her tears still flowed, but her screams subsided into soft sobs. She rocked back and forth on the bed, clutching at the sheets. "No one will want an ugly doctor," she repeated over and over, her voice a broken whisper. “No one will hurt an ugly doctor.”

Tristan's heart shattered at her words. He moved closer, gently taking her hand. She seemed unaware he was touching her. "Sophie, you are not ugly. You are beautiful, inside and out. You are loved, Sophie. Deeply, truly loved."

“No, unlovable. Need to be unlovable. He won’t want me. I can’t be his. He won’t want to own me. I won’t belong to him.” Her eyes, still dark and empty, held his gaze for a tiny moment. The room was silent, the air filled with unspoken fears and shattered dreams.

Charlotte and Chris watched, both pale.

There was still a chance, however small, she could find her way back.

As the minutes passed, Sophie’s sobs gradually quieted. She continued to rock back and forth, her eyes still distant, but her grip on his hand remained strong. For now, all he could do was hold on to her and hope that, with time and love, the light would return to her eyes.

Chris took a deep breath. “Tristan, I’m going to start her on a short course of Ativan. Stay here with her," he said softly. "She needs time to calm down, and your presence seems to comfort her. I’ll be right back. Once she’s calm, we can address the fresh bleeding.”

Tristan nodded, his gaze never leaving Sophie as he gently whispered soothing words to her.

* * *

Chris motionedfor Charlotte to follow him. Reluctantly, she did, her steps heavy with worry and anger. He led her down the hall and into a small conference room, closing the door behind them.

Charlotte immediately crossed her arms, her eyes blazing. "What is this about? I can't handle any more of this. Sophie needs proper care, not more lunacy."

Chris took a deep breath, his expression earnest. "Charlotte, I understand your frustration and fear. What happened to Sophie was beyond anyone's control. No one could have foreseen it, and I'm so sorry she had to go through that." He went on to explain what happened with Kay.

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