Chapter Five
Verena felt her heart beat speed up as the medical hospital came into view.
She feared what was going to happen to her.
She was thinking that Praxis was going to leave her here.
He assured her she was just getting a checkup, but she didn't want that either.
She didn't want to be touched or poked and prodded. She just wanted to disappear.
Praxis swiftly pulled into a parking spot and turned off the car. He exited the driver's seat and moved towards the back door and opened it for Verena. She hesitated before stepping out of the car. She was tempted to yank the door shut and lock the door, but she knew it was pointless.
She trudged behind her brother as they walked to the front entrance. When the front doors slid open, she was met with the smell of the traditional disinfectant scent. It always made her nauseous.
Praxis went to the front desk causing the receptionist to look up at him. "I'm bringing my sister in for a checkup. I have reasons to assume she was mistreated at the mental hospital she was admitted to." He said flatly.
"Do you have an appointment?" the nurse asked in a bored tone as she loudly chewed her gum.
"No but I do now." He told her with an unimpressed expression on his face from the unprofessional behavior.
"You need an appointment sir. Call and come back later." The young woman dismissed.
Praxis slammed his hand with a force on the desk. "My sister Verena Velton will see a doctor now." He demanded.
The woman paled at the name and tone of Praxis's voice. Everyone knew better than to anger the Velten's.
"I'll page a doctor right now." The receptionist announced nervously.
Praxis backed away from the desk with an irritated look on his face as he turned back to Verena. His face softened at the anxious look on her face. She was picking at the skin around her fingernails making them bleed.
"Hey." He said gently as he reached out to stop her.
Verena violently flinched back with her eyes wide with fear. Praxis's face fell with hurt at the thought that she had the idea that he would hurt her.
"I would never hurt you, Verena. Please don't be afraid of me." He told her dejectedly.
She just looked at him with an expression of suspicion. She couldn't afford to believe him. She always had to be on guard.
Praxis was about to say more when a doctor stepped into the lobby. "Verena Velton?" he called.
Verena felt dread settle in her stomach at the sound of her name. She slowly stood up as Praxis walked beside her towards the door where the man in the white coat stood.
They walked through the door and the doctor led them to an examination room. He had an iPad in his hands with the pen for the touch screen. Verena watched the man with sharp eyes as she was ready to bolt if something went wrong. She didn't trust doctors in the slightest.
"What brings you guys in today?" the doctor asked.
"I have reason to believe my little sister was abused in the psychiatric hospital she was in. I want to make sure she doesn't have any serious injuries." Praxis explained with a monotone voice.
The doctor frowned. "That's horrible. Were you looking to find a better one as well?"
Verena immediately tensed at the question shot her eyes towards her brother who just shook his head. "No. I just want to have her injuries checked."
The doctor nodded and turned to Verena "Alright. May I take a look?" he asked.
Verena leaned away when the man got near her. She didn't want to be touched. She didn't want to be here.
"I won't hurt you honey. I just want to make sure you are okay." The doctor assured as he approached cautiously.
Verena felt nothing but dread and the feeling of her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She felt the hair stand on the back of her neck as the man got closer. Verena suddenly jumped up and darted towards the door. Praxis immediately caught her before she could get out.
Verena began to cry and scream startling both Praxis and the doctor. Nurses in the hall also jumped from the loud screams from Verena.
"Verena calm down. It's okay." Praxis tried to soothe her to no avail.
She just kept screaming and thrashed in her brother's arms desperately trying to escape. "Get off me! Get the fuck off me!" she screamed.
"Verena!" Praxis called but it was no use. She couldn't hear him. She could only hear the laughter of the voice that would never leave her alone. She felt a prick in her arm and immediately started to feel dizzy. Her vision blurred and then went dark.