Reviewers:

Kath – Thanks for the comments.  I really didn't think anyone was looking at the American Gothic section, so I was pleasantly surprised by your review.  More chapters are coming and feedback is always welcome.  Thanks again!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

      "Get your hands off me!"  Ronilyn shouted, as the man shoved her against the wall.

      "No visitors allowed," he said, squinting at the visitor's badge pinned to her shirt.  "No one's supposed to be up here."

      "Then what are you doing up here?"  Ronilyn demanded, her eyes searching for the man's identification badge on his white hospital uniform.

      "I'll ask the questions."  The orderly squeezed her arm and shook her.  "What are you doin' up here?  You better start talkin', missy." 

      "What's going on?"  asked a weak voice from inside Dr. Crower's room.

      Ronilyn glanced sideways at the door and the orderly smacked it with his free hand.  "Aw, shut up.  Get away from there."

      "Leave him alone," Ronilyn said, bringing her knee up into the orderly's groin as she wrenched herself free. 

      "Ow!"  The man lunged for her and she swung her purse, striking him in the shoulder. 

      As the man cried out again, Ronilyn turned and ran down the corridor.  Where in the hell was anybody on this floor?  She turned down the other corridor and sprinted for the elevator, her purse banging against her hip.  She glanced back and saw the orderly was still far behind her.  She just hoped the elevator doors would open fast since she didn't know where the fire exits were located on this floor.

      Ronilyn turned back and collided with a man getting off the elevator. 

      As she attempted to untangle herself from yet another man wearing white, Ronilyn glimpsed the person's face.  "Oh, hello, Dr. Mitchell.  How are you?"

      "Uh, fine," the doctor said, brushing off the sleeves of his lab coat and patting his pockets.  "No harm done.  What's going on?  Why are you here?  No visitors are allowed on this floor."

      "So I hear."

      "What are you doing up here?"  he repeated.

      "I got lost."

      The doctor studied her as he stood up.  "You've been to Juniper House enough times over the years to know where you're going."

      "I was confused."

      The orderly reached them.  "Doc Mitchell, you know this woman?  She was tryin' to talk to one of the patients, Crower.  She ran away when I tried to stop her."

      "Hey," Ronilyn protested, as the orderly hauled her to her feet.

      "Ms. Huntley, there are extremely unstable patients on this floor, all having exhibited violent outbursts."

      "Yeah?  Well, I'll be exhibiting a violent outburst like you've never seen if this jerk doesn't get his hands off me - now!"

      "Let her go," Dr. Mitchell ordered the other man.

      "That's better," Ronilyn said, straightening her clothes and smoothing back her auburn hair.  "I think you're locking up the wrong people."

      "You're going to have to leave," the doctor said.  "It's dangerous for you to be on this floor, especially by yourself."

      "You're telling me," Ronilyn said, glancing deliberately in the orderly's direction. "Doctor, if I find out that my mother is being treated like these patients, you'll know what dangerous really is."  She looked again at the orderly, who continued to glare at her.  "Ah, hell, *you* can find out right now."  Ronilyn stomped on his foot and swung her purse up into his face.

      The man cried out as he hopped up and down, clutching at his nose with both hands.  He stumbled against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor.  The orderly took his bloodstained hands away from his face.  "I think she broke it," he moaned, scowling at her.

      "Well, maybe you shouldn't go 'round mistreatin' women like that."  Lucas Buck leaned against the counter of the empty nurses' station, an amused look on his face.  "Knowin' Ronilyn like I do, I'd say you got off pretty easy."