(Play: Duchess Battle soundtrack)

Your hand reaches into the pocket of your robe, and to your immense relief, you fill the pill bottle inside. You quickly pop off the lid, almost throw a pill into your mouth and then swallow it. In a matter of moments the pain is gone and you can stand up straight again. Unfortunately, Ann has recovered too and is coming towards you with a needle in hand. She is obviously angry.

"You just don't know what's good for you! You, my nosy child, should have minded your own business."

You shake your head, still bent over yourself like you are having a hard time breathing. With your right hand you discreetly pick up the small cutting knife that the doctor had dropped. "You heartless, fool of a woman. Have not you heard the saying, 'As you sow, so shall you reap'?" When Ann is close enough, you throw your knife and it impales the woman. She howls in pain but you bring up the medical trey you dropped earlier and slam it into her head, cutting her howl short. She falls to the ground, unconscious like the doctor.

You drop the now mangled, bent-out-of-shape trey and back away from the bodies. You hear a moaning noise and look up to see the boy that they were going to do an operation on open his eyes. He is startled to find the scene before him.

"Did you do this?" He asks warily.

"Yes."

He smiles in gratitude. "Thank you. I thought I was goner for sure. Mind if ye unstrapped me?"

"Of course." You say as you realize that he had been strapped down to the bed. After he is freed, he rubs his wrists and bends down next to the doctor.

"Sure did a number on 'em didn't ye?"

You don't regret what you did and shrug in response. "As I said before, 'As you sow, so shall you reap'."

He nods his head, dirty brown hair bouncing. What color is you're your hair and eyes, you wonder absently. "I'm 'a not complaining, but I suggest that you take one of them medical robes. You seem old enough ta play the part." He bends down and takes something from the doctor's pocket. The boy holds it up so you can see. It is a golden key. "And here is our ticket outa here."

"What is it for?" You inquire as you take the medical robe off of Ann and put it on.

"The stairs. It's 'a locked."

You nod your head. "You go ahead and go. I have stuff to do here, just make sure you leave it unlocked."

He nods his head, than grins. "All of this, and I don't even know your name."

You smile back and hold out your right hand. "It is Ash. What of yours?"

"Johnny is the name." He shacks your hand but then his eyes widen. "My, that is some piece of fine jewelry you have there. To be honest, if ye didn't just save my life, I woulda taken it."

You swiftly pull your hand away and clutch the ring. "It is a fine thing that you did not, for than I would be quite upset." You wave your left hand absently towards the bodies and when you see the doctor starting to wake up, you kick him in the head. He falls unconscious once again. "And I promise you, that you will not like me when I am upset."

Johnny holds his hands up in defeat. "There, there my good friend. I think that we already established the fact that I mean no harm." He puts his hands down. "Now we bett'a leave, or in your case do whatever your about to do fast, before they wake up again."

You give a curt nod. "Agreed. Good day Johnny."

He laughs at your formality. "Good day Ash."

(When you are ready, go to the door leading to the stairs, but for now, go back to the hallway and turn to Page 8.)