Chapter 15
After their father's visit, Zoey and Ellie laid down in the room that the hospital had provided the family. Liz wanted to stay with her mother, so she curled up on the sofa in the suite and quickly fell asleep herself. It was such a deep sleep that it prevented her from knowing much of what was happening around her.
As her sedation began to wear off, Abbey gradually opened her eyes. She realized that her arms were restrained and the tube was still in. The tube was uncomfortable, but Abbey couldn't do a thing about it. It was dark in the room, with the exception of a night light. And she couldn't reach the call bell. She would have to wait until the nurse checked on her.
Although sleepy, she thought she saw someone by the bed. 'Yes, wasn't this the doctor that gave me the first sedative, shortly after I arrived in the room? What was he doing back here?'
"Oh, you're awake. Good. Then you can see how you're going to die. Do you remember me, DR. BARLET?" whispering this with a sneer in his voice.
Abbey thought he looked somewhat familiar, but couldn't place him.
"You thought you were so cute in medical school, didn't you? Well, you messed up my medical career by complaining to my supervisor."
Finally Abbey's brain screamed out his name. 'Dr. Ben Franks!' He had given Abbey a hard time and had made a number of sexual advances toward her. But she refused. He even attempted to hold her grade hostage unless she slept with him. Instead, she filed a sexual harassment charge against him. She had never told Jed, because she knew Jed would have killed him.
"I missed out on Chief Resident due to your complaints. I've been waiting thirty years for this. Thanks to a malfunctioning furnace, you've given me the perfect opportunity to repay the favor."
'Oh no, this can't be happening' she thought. Her eyes grew big with terror. Her heart began to pound against her chest.
He smiled. "I see the fear in your eyes. Too bad I didn't see it so many years ago. You were so sure of yourself. So cocky. And ever since then, you have climbed the ladder of success, haven't you? Now, a big shot. First Lady of the United States. Big deal. But you screwed up. You had to give up your medical license. Serves you right. Your holier than thou attitude was just too much. And now, you have reached the end of an illustrious career. And as you ended my career, I shall take pleasure in ending your life. Right here. Right now. For once, I want you to feel fear. To feel you can't control everyone. How does it feel, Abbey? Are you scared? Well, this will take away all of that fear. Forever."
She saw him pull out a syringe and inject a fluid into her IV. Her mind was full of screams. But no sound was heard. She tried to struggle, but with her arms restrained, there was nothing she could do but watch helplessly while he injected this substance, whatever it was.
Almost immediately, the same feeling of floating, of disconnectedness, came over her and then nothing…
TBC