Stay with Me (Photo Story)

The following episode contains violence which may be disturbing to some readers. 
Reader discretion is advised.

After a tense unexpected encounter with Walter at the record company, Deirdre decides to wait another day before returning home. She comes home and finds her home answering machine full. She listens to the messages while fixing herself some herbal tea. When she hears the very last message, left earlier that same day, she drops her tea cup and it smashes on the floor.

“I can’t go on like this. I’m in too much pain. The pills aren’t helping like they’re supposed to…maybe if I take all of them. I’ve been thinking about how my life was like the sweetest dream when you were in it. Then you left, and my dream turned into a nightmare. And since I can’t seem to wake up from this nightmare, I’ve decided to just go to sleep for good. I know folks will struggle to understand the pain I’m in, so I'm leaving a note to explain.  I want you to know that I love you, even though it hurts to have you not love me back.” (Walter, on the answering machine)

Deirdre panics at the thought of Walter killing himself over their breakup. She phones him several times in a row, thinking maybe she can dissuade him, but one line is busy and his mobile number goes straight to voice mail. Not sure what else to do, she jumps in the car and rushes over to his place hoping she’s not too late. The guard in the lobby knows her and allows her to go right on up. She finds the door unlocked, so she lets herself in.

Walter? Walter? (Deirdre)

She finds him in the bedroom. He appears to be unconscious.

Walter! Please wake up. (Deirdre, shaking him)

Walter comes around, but his vision is blurry and his mind is cloudy from the alcohol and pills he’s consumed.

Walter, talk to me. What did you take? Where are the pills? (Deirdre)

He answers, but his response is incoherent.

Walter, look at me. I need you to tell me where the pills are. (Deirdre)

Gone…took them all. (Walter, in a whisper)

You took them all? How many? What did you take? (Deirdre)

I knew I’d get through to you. I knew you’d come back to me. (Walter)

Listen, me being here doesn’t change anything. We’re not back together. (Deirdre)

Can’t you see? You came because you care. (Walter)

Of course I care whether you live or die. I came to help you. (Deirdre)

You want to help me? You can put an end to my pain right now. Stay with me, and promise you’ll never leave me like this again. (Walter)

That’s not the kind of help you need. You need to get to a hospital. (Deirdre)

Either let me die or give me a reason to live. (Walter, shaking his head angrily)

Let me get you some help. Who can I call? (Deirdre)

Would you at least let me hold you? It’s been so long since I held you. I miss you so much. (Walter)

Walter grabs Deirdre firmly and kisses her. His breath reeks of whiskey.

Walter, stop! (Deirdre, backing away)

Don’t you miss me? (Walter, gripping her even more tightly and kissing her roughly)

Stop ir! You’re drunk, and you’re hurting me. (Deirdre, struggling)

I know you want this as much as I do. (Walter, forcing Deirdre down and tugging off her panties)

Deirdre tries to push him off and scratches him in the process. Walter grabs her by the throat.

Don’t fight me. Don’t make me hurt you when all I want to do is love you. (Walter)

Deirdre is terrified of what Walter might do under the influence, so she resigns herself to weeping silently during the assault.

When Walter finally passes out asleep, she manages to slip out of the embrace he’s locked her in. She gathers her things and exits in a hurry.

The next morning, Walter awakens with a pounding headache. At first he’s confused. He can smell Deirdre’s perfume on his shirt, but he doesn’t remember her being there. He calls her name, and there’s no answer. 

Then he notices the scratches on his hand and chest and begins to recall the events of the night before. He panics. 

He turns on his phone and sends a text to Sean, his head of security. The text reads: "Need to see you in my office ASAP…we may have a situation."

 Thanks for reading!