Chapter 5 - The Sedative
The heavy mahogany door swung open with a slow, agonizing groan.
Julian stepped into the room, flanked by two tall men in white medical coats.
The older doctor held a silver tray with a pre-filled syringe lying on top.
Eleanor scrambled back against the far wall, pushing herself up to her feet.
"Get away from me, all of you!" Eleanor shrieked, backing into the corner.
Julian stepped forward with a slick, sympathetic smile plastered across his face.
"My poor Eleanor, you are having a severe nervous breakdown," Julian said gently.
"Dr. Vance is just going to give you a mild sedative to calm your nerves," Julian explained.
"You are lying to me, Julian!" Eleanor yelled, pointing a trembling finger at him.
"My mother is alive, and you burned down my house to take my family's money!" she screamed.
Dr. Vance exchanged a quick, meaningful glance with Julian.
"The delusion is worse than we anticipated, Julian," Dr. Vance said calmly, picking up the syringe.
"Hold her arms," Dr. Vance ordered the two assistants.
The two men in white coats stepped toward Eleanor with swift, practiced movements.
"Don't touch me! Help!" Eleanor screamed, grabbing a heavy brass desk lamp from the side table.
She swung the lamp with all her strength toward the first assistant.
The heavy base of the lamp struck the man squarely across the temple.
He groaned and stumbled backward, collapsing onto the carpet.
The second assistant lunged forward and grabbed Eleanor by both wrists, pinning her against the wall.
Dr. Vance uncapped the syringe, the sharp needle glistening under the chandelier lights.
"Hold her still!" Dr. Vance commanded, stepping closer to her exposed neck.
Eleanor kicked wildly, her satin shoe striking Dr. Vance directly in the knee.
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Dr. Vance stumbled, dropping the syringe onto the thick carpet.
At that exact moment, a loud CLANG rattled from the air vent in the corner of the room.
