Throughout the first week, Abigail missed Kevin terribly, but she was feeling stronger with each passing day. Kevin called several times a day to either say a quick hello or remind her how much he loved her. There were times they spoke in great detail about her therapy sessions and the other women that were there. Kevin also spoke to Dr. Steep on a daily basis and he was pleased with her progress. He was able to tell Kevin that it was much easier for her to speak about her thoughts and fears and she was becoming progressively more comfortable in the group sessions. Dr. Steep still had to remind Kevin every day that they had done the right thing. Once this was all said and done, Dr. Steep felt it would be helpful for Kevin to receive some counseling, but it wasn’t his place to make a suggestion like that. He felt certain that as soon as Abigail was well on the road to recovery, Kevin would settle down.

Abigail sat and listened to the other women recount their stories during that afternoon’s group therapy session. She was reluctant to talk about herself because many of the women knew who she was. Abigail didn’t want people to know more than they all ready knew about her and Kevin. She had spent a great deal of time discussing her reluctance with Dr. Steep and he agreed that due to her unusual circumstances, he would not force her to tell her story in the group sessions, but he felt that just listening to the other women tell their stories was having a positive effect on Abigail. She had finally started asking the other women questions about their ordeal and offering advice, but that was as comfortable as she felt. Abigail was listening to a new woman relive a horrific experience when the group therapy session was interrupted. One of the nurses had asked to speak with Dr. Steep for a minute. When he returned to the room, he apologized and announced that they would have to continue the group session after dinner. As everyone was leaving, Abigail could sense that something was wrong. Her feelings were confirmed when Dr. Steep asked her to come with him. When they reached his office, he asked her to wait in the hall for a few minutes.

Kevin nervously paced back and forth Dr. Steep’s office as he waited. He had insisted on coming alone much to the disapproval of the police. His thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Steep stepped into the room.

“Kevin, I understand you have some unsettling news.” Dr. Steep said as he observed the anxious and worried man that stood before him.

“Frank escaped late yesterday. I was informed this morning because they assumed Abi was still with me. Needless to say they were relieved to learn that she was here. I insisted on coming to tell Abigail myself because I know this will devastate her and I wanted to be here with her.” Kevin said.

“This will definitely have a negative effect on her progress. Can I go and bring her in? She knows something is wrong and I don’t want to keep her waiting alone for too long.” Dr. Steep said.

“Of course, I’m anxious to see her.” Kevin replied.

Abigail’s stomach was in knots as she stood in the hallway. Her gut was telling her that something was wrong, that something bad had happened. She jumped when Dr. Steep stepped back into the hall and said, “Come on in Abigail. There is someone here to see you.”

When Abigail stepped into the room, she froze when she saw Kevin smiling at her apprehensively. She was thrilled to see him, but she knew right away that the situation was serious enough to warrant his presence. She finally stepped forward into Kevin’s arms and let herself savor the feeling of being in his arms once again. She had missed feeling Kevin’s arms wrapped around her.

Kevin held Abigail tight for almost a minute. The week of separation had felt like forever. He was grateful to have her in his arms again, but he regretted the fact that he brought bad news with him. Finally Kevin said, “Why don’t we sit down Abi.”

Kevin didn’t need to say anything, because his eyes confirmed that something serious had happened. “What is it Kevin?” Abigail finally spoke.

“Can I go ahead and tell her?” Kevin asked as he looked over at Dr. Steep for the go ahead. He had all ready begun to make notes.

“Go ahead. It’s best that she hear it from you.” Dr. Steep replied.

Kevin took a deep breath and took both Abigail’s hands in his own before he started. “There is no easy way to say this Abi, so I’m just going to say it. I got a call from the police early this morning to inform me that Frank escaped from prison last night. They haven’t been able to locate him yet. They thought we were still together and were concerned for your safety. Needless to say they were relieved to hear you were somewhere safe.” Kevin watched Abigail’s face as she processed what he had just said. He became concerned when she went several minutes without responding.

It took Abigail a few seconds to process what Kevin had said. She wondered if the nightmare would ever end. She knew she didn’t stand a chance at recovering fully as long as Frank remained free. She wanted to cry and scream at the same time. All she wanted was to be with Kevin, but she was starting to doubt that would ever become reality.

“Abigail, please say something.” Kevin pleaded after several minutes of silence.

She looked up at Kevin and saw the love and concern in his eyes. She didn’t know what to say. When she finally did speak, she had convinced herself it was best for her and Kevin to go their own separate ways. “Maybe it’s best if we stop seeing each other Kevin. Obviously our involvement is making the situation worse.” Abigail said, not able to look Kevin in the eye as she said it.

Kevin felt like he had been punched in the stomach. The words that Abigail said had physically hurt him. “Abi, you can’t mean that. You know how much I love you. I refuse to let you go through this alone. We’re in this together now.” Kevin said.

“You’re love has done nothing but hurt me Kevin. Please go.” Abigail said as she closed herself off from the rest of the world. It was the only way she knew how to stop the pain.

Kevin swallowed hard to prevent himself from being sick. He knew this would be difficult for Abigail to accept, but he never imagined she would react like this. There was no way he could walk away now. He couldn’t let Frank win this time. Kevin finally said, “I’m sorry if you feel that way Abi.”

“Can you give us a moment alone Kevin?” Dr. Steep asked, picking up on the seriousness of Abigail’s reaction. He watched a heartbroken Kevin leave the room before he spoke. “Abigail, are you sure this is something you want to do? You need to keep your loved ones close at a time like this.”

“I can’t do this right now. I need to focus on getting myself better right now and Kevin just complicates the situation. Please ask him to leave.” Abigail said.

Dr. Steep quietly left the room. He was not looking forward to asking Kevin to leave. He felt his heart break for the young man as he noticed his tear filled eyes. “This isn’t easy for me Kevin, but it might be best if you went home for the night. Abigail obviously isn’t taking the news well. I suggest that you return tomorrow. I will keep a very close eye on her throughout the night and try to make her come around.” Dr. Steep said.

“The police are sending two officers out as a precaution. They should be here shortly.” Kevin said as he dried his eyes with the back of his hand.

“The additional security is a good idea.” Dr. Steep said.

“Please call if there is any change.” Kevin said as she tried to hold back another flood of tears.

As soon as Kevin said that, Dr. Steep thought of something. “Actually Kevin, go wait for me in the office across the hall. I’m going to check on Abigail and take her back to her room. I want to run something by you.” Dr. Steep said. He had a feeling that Abigail would come around and he wanted to keep Kevin close just in case.