Catherine looked around the office, taking in the low lighting and looking to the bed, comforted to realize the low lighting wasn't for somebody sleeping. In fact, she didn't see anyone in the office.

Logically, she knew she said no. She could turn around right now. She could leave Duck to his own fate. It wasn't her problem.

But she couldn't.

Duck wasn't just some random boy on the street and Clementine wasn't a random girl either.

They were her friends. She got just as close to Clementine as she had with Duck. And no matter what, you were supposed to stay together.

She was scared, she admits. No, more than scared. She was so afraid of what could happen to her, of what could happen to Caden, that she couldn't fathom even attempting something she's dreamed so long about.

There are many crimes that Carver has committed. Towards her, towards Caden, towards Brax and any other person she may care about. There's more than one time that she had let the ball of rage seethe but bit her tongue and closed her eyes.

Some may call her a coward but no. She was no coward and knew when she could speak up. Carver was the only person who could paralyze her with fear because she knows what he can do. Or make you do. He was not a person to take lightly and, honestly, she thinks Duck takes him too lightly.

Duck hasn't seen the atrocities. Hasn't seen anything really except for verbal threats and a dead body. They're fighting for different causes, she knows. He's fighting so that he can go with his family and escape. She's fighting to break free of the abuse and feel in control of herself once again. To finally feel like Catherine and not an empty shell that lets the man walk all over her and paralyze her with just a well placed stare or a deep tone that she knows is a warning.

Maybe that's why she said no. Their reasons for fighting didn't match up. But now that she's had time to think, she realizes it's a stupid reason to say no to the one opportunity you have to finally become the one that runs things.

She moved to the desk, smiling when she saw the new forms. Duck, Clementine AND Sarah all had medical forms.

She took a hold of Duck's form reading things like possible head trauma, concussion, possible abdominal bleeding, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts/actions

And then it went on to list symptoms of stuff the doctor noticed

Nightmares

Abandonment issues

Insomnia if without partner

Panic/anxiety attacks....

It was like that with everyone. Clementine had

Nightmares

Extreme guilt

Little to no emotion when faced with traumatic events...

And Sarah?

Panic/anxiety attacks

Nightmares

Overwhelmed with small events/tasks

Doesn't pick up on social ques

Possible abandonment issues...

It wasn't a surprise. Catherine knew the doctor kept these. She also knew she didn't like people snooping on other peoples files. Speaking of...

"What do you think you're doing?" It wasn't a shock to Catherine. She knew the doctor was going to be here any second. And yet, that knowledge didn't protect her from the slight gasp that escaped her lips and her eyes from widening. She let out an anxious breath then turned around.

"Sorry," She said as she looked over the doctor. She had more papers in her hands, a skeptical look on her face and.... actually she looked rather tired. Like she wasn't in a mood to deal with anything. Maybe she just got out of a Carver meeting? Catherine knows just how draining that can be. "I just need a minute of your time,"

"Very well," Dr. Martinson said, sitting in her chair and allowing Catherine to sit in one across from her before speaking. "What would you like to discuss?" She asked and Catherine suddenly felt nervous. Her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth but she swallowed her own spit and forced her mouth to move anyways.

"So.... one of my friends is planning to escape. They say that someone else needs to be the leader. Someone less abusive than Carver," At that, the doctor tensed. That didn't get by on Catherine but she continued anyways. "They seem to trust you and that's why I'm asking you to join,"

"Are you insane?" Dr. Martinson whispered, her voice shaky. "Do you realize what you've just done?" She asked and Catherine grew confused. "You can't just freely talk about things without watching your surroundings!" She hissed in Catherine's ear before nudging her face in the direction of what was keeping her on edge.

A camera.

Now Catherine's breathing grew shallow as anxiety rattled her. How much did the camera catch? What did it hear?

What will her punishment be?

This was a bad idea. God, she knew it was a bad idea! She should've kept her no answer to Duck! She should've—

Suddenly, she was ushered out of the doctors office.

"Be careful," Was all Heidi has to say before going back in her office alone.

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A/N: Alright you guys, long time no see. I have nothing to say for myself. But this story does, in fact, have my heart. There was just so much things I wrote and then realized I needed to change. Like the scene with Dr. Martinson. Originally, it was Duck that was talking to her, not Catherine. But you'll see why I made the executive decision soon enough!

Very short but it's close to 1,000 words. The next chapter will be more exciting don't worry!

Also a fan of this story contacted me and asked me to put up a picture of what I believe Duck looks like so I'll do just that!

This is a very accurate picture but I have no idea the person who drew it (I'll do more research later I swear). But yes this is how he looks except without the hat.

This is also how I imagine Catherine to look but with greyish eyes, a scarf/handkerchief around her neck and different clothes.