MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: FALLING BY GERT TABERNER.
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In the dim light of the emergency room, a woman lay broken and battered beyond recognition, her body contorted in ways that made even the doctor hesitate. Harlow's face was swollen, her features obscured by dark bruises and cuts. Whoever had done this hadn't simply intended to hurt her, they had meant to kill her.
If she ever survive this, she may be paralyzed for life.
"This woman is as good as gone," the doctor muttered, barely able to mask his horror. "She won't survive. We'll have to inform her family about this."
"But can't we try?" one of the nurses pleaded. She recognized Harlow, she'd been one of the nurses caring for her during her last hospital visit after her previous accident. She couldn't shake the pity she felt for this woman, who seemed to be caught in an endless spiral of suffering.
The doctor flipped through her file, his eyes widening as he saw her name. Harlow Blackwood, back again, and in even worse shape. The last time, she'd barely clung to life. This time, the severity of her injuries seemed insurmountable. The doctor shook his head, yet felt a small sense of obligation to try. "I'll do what I can," he murmured, setting up his tools.
The door burst open suddenly, and a figure strode in. "Who are you? You shouldn't be here!" the doctor snapped, startled.
The intruder's eyes glinted with cold intent. "You may not know me, but I know you. And I know you're about to operate on my daughter-in-law. Don't bother. Let her die," Garth sneered, her voice chillingly calm.
"What are you talking about?" Dr. Collin asked, his brow furrowing.
Garth smirked, pulling out a check and holding it out. "I'll pay you any amount, just don't save her. Give her something quick to end her misery. Look at her," she gestured to Harlow's broken form. "She's beyond saving. Even if she did survive, she'd never be the same." She spoke like she cared about the girl.
The check she handed over read twenty million, the numbers glaring in dark ink. She then turned to the nurses. "And for you four, five million each to stay silent," she offered, holding out additional checks.
For a moment, an uncomfortable silence filled the room. Temptation gleamed in the doctor's eyes, and the nurses too. They have never seen such amount before. Garth's offer was almost too good to refuse. Besides, they knew nothing of Harlow or why this woman wanted her dead. After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Very well."
"Then do it. Now," Garth commanded.
The doctor left the room, returning moments later with a syringe. Harlow, hovering in and out of consciousness, could hear muffled voices. She sensed the cold finality in their words. Tears welled up in her eyes, realizing who was orchestrating her end. Even now, Garth wouldn't let her live, or die, in peace. Her only regret was not being able to fight back against the ones who had caused her so much suffering. If only she'd had another chance.
But maybe, just maybe, she would see Alex again soon, her precious boy. She would finally hold him close, free from the pain of this world.
The doctor approached her, the syringe gleaming under the harsh hospital lights. He injected the contents into her arm, stepping back to watch. Her body seized, a jolt of agony ripping through her as she gasped for breath. Her limbs convulsed, her muscles straining in a final, desperate struggle.
"Why is she still alive?" Garth hissed, growing impatient as Harlow's body twisted with pain. She had been the one to hit Harlow this time for fear of her spilling anything about her family to the public. She would not let anyone dustry what they have.
She had come here to make sure Harlow doesn't survive this accident either. She's better off dead. At least they wouldn't be reminded everyday that everything they have and are is because of her.
"The drug isn't working as intended," one of the nurses said in a hushed voice, her eyes wide with horror.
Garth's face darkened. "What does that mean?"
The doctor's voice was grim. "It means she's going to suffer intense pain before she dies."
"That's even better." Gath said as she watched her daughter in law suffer.
They watched in silence as Harlow writhed, her face contorted in agony, tears streaming from her eyes as her life slipped away. She felt every excruciating moment, each beat of her heart slowing as darkness encroached. After what felt like an eternity of suffering, her body finally fell still, her pale face peaceful at last.
The doctor checked her pulse, nodding with a grave expression. "Her heart has stopped."
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Conventional lethal injection protocol. Typically, three drugs are used in lethal injection. Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) is used to cause muscle paralysis and respiratory arrest, potassium chloride to stop the heart, and midazolam for sedation.