(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 6 - Part B
It was dark now, and Dr. Thornton thought that he and Duncan should get on to the monastery before it got too late and questions were asked. Before he turned the ignition back on, Duncan stopped him. "Wait... what about Alexis? If you're going to leave, I want to go too. And I want to take Alexis with us. I can't leave her here. I just can't! Couldn't we take her with us? She's been my friend since we were children. Her father worked at the Embassy where my father worked."
Dr. Thornton stopped and stared at Duncan, thinking, as if to say something. Finally, he answered, "There's someone I want you to meet at the monastery."
Duncan shook his head. "But what has that got to do with taking Alexis with us?"
"Please, Duncan, can my answer wait until you meet my friend? I know you don't have many reasons to, but could you just trust me on this?"
Duncan relented, but as they drove the rest of the way to the church, he sulked as if he had turned into a six year old child. Dr. Thornton watched him as he drove and almost burst out laughing at Duncan's attitude. But, he thought more seriously, Duncan has not learned everything yet.
When they reached the old church parking lot, Dr. Thornton turned to Duncan and whispered instructions to him. "When I'm done in the confessional, I want you to go into the same one without asking me anything, OK?"
Duncan nodded... a little bewildered, thinking they had come here to meet someone, not go to confession. But, he knew Dr. Thornton had his reasons, so he agreed with only a slight protest that was rebutted with, "I told you I wanted you to meet someone!"
So, after the doctor came out of the confessional booth looking slightly less haggard, Duncan figured his introduction had been made to... whomever. Inside, he waited a moment with silence between them, knowing the Father was there. Finally he began. "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned..."
He was interrupted by a young sounding voice. "Duncan..."
He had never had a priest identify him before by name and was taken aback by this unusual event. He clamped his mouth shut and waited for more...
"Don't lean on the wall..." was his instruction.
'Don't lean on the wall?' he thought wryly to himself. Suddenly the back wall to the confessional slid away and Duncan tumbled onto the floor of a large room. Standing there was the young priest and out behind him came Dr. Thornton. The young priest grinned and said, "I told you not to lean on the wall!"
With some amazement, he rubbed his shoulder and responded with, "Sliding walls... here?" He understood it at his high tech hospital and all it's fancy gadgets, but this was supposed to be an old monastery.
"Even old monasteries have their secrets," said the priest with a smile on his young face.
Dr. Thornton introduced the priest to Duncan. "This is Father Frances, Duncan. He works with the FBI."
"What... I mean, why..." Duncan stammered. He began again more strongly after a moment's thought, "How can a priest work for a government agency?"
The sandy haired priest wore jeans and sandals with his black shirt and white collar. Apparently their order was more relaxed here on the island, thought Duncan. Father Frances laughed and extended his hand to help Duncan up off the floor. He watched Duncan size him up and he said softly, "I am a real priest and I am working with the FBI. This tiny monastery has had many uses in it's history and right now, it's watching the hospital and has been since Dr. Thornton first came to visit us."
"So you know all about what's going on over there?"
"Oh yes. And right now it's very crucial that Dr. Kapinski remains unaware of us."
"Hey!" returned Duncan, "I'm not a spy!"
"We know that, Duncan," assured Father Frances.
They continued to talk and Father Frances questioned Duncan about his job and about Alexis, Sasha and even about Conner. Duncan admitted something very hard to Father Frances. "I can't trust Conner any more. I'm not sure why, but he's been acting pretty strange."
Father Frances rubbed his chin in thought for a moment and then asked, "Have you ever told Conner that your father works for the Embassy?"
Duncan paused and asked him, "How did you know that? I only told Dr. Thornton tonight."
Father Frances shook his head and laughed lightly. "I work with the FBI, remember? So... did you ever tell Conner?"
"I can't remember ever saying anything, but..."
Father Frances turned to Dr. Thornton and said, "We can't let Kapinski find out this piece of information." Then he turned back to Duncan and seriously urged him, "Whatever happens, don't let Conner find out about your father, OK? Can you remember that?"
Duncan shrugged. "It's common knowledge, though. It's a matter of record."
Father Frances nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, but it could potentially harm your position." He went on to explain that the reason Alexis was in the Complex was because of her father. Mr. Wu and his associates were putting pressure on him because he was influential in his government and they were trying to get him to leak information.
Duncan paced the floor, angry and upset at this news. He loudly asked, "Well, why don't you just go in there and close the whole damn place down?"
Father Frances shook his head. "That's not possible. Not until we can get to the head of the organization. Otherwise, we've wasted our efforts."
Duncan disagreed. "But what about all the people that are still in there? When we leave, Kapinski will probably just use them until they are not worth anything and then... who knows what?"
Father Frances nodded and said, "But Kapinski isn't the head of the organization. He won't do anything without approval."
Ducan stared in amazement at the growing enigma. "I can' believe it! Who is the head? Is it Mr. Wu?"
There was silence between the men and Duncan felt fear creeping up in his gut. He thought about Sarah--or Alexis--and said, "By the way... I want Alexis to come with Dr. Thornton and me."
"I don't think she should." Dr. Thornton shook his head and watched Father Frances who asked, "Is that from medical point of view? Or just opinion? Because Duncan told me a few moments ago that she is resisting the implant quite well. I think she's in more danger of slipping up and revealing something and having Kapinski give her another implant... or worse."
Duncan interrupted their discussion. "What's... or worse?" he asked both of them. He raised up his hands, wanting more information from them.
They both looked at him silently and he finally realized the one thing he could not tolerate. "NO!" We have to get her out! Now! If Kapinski is going to try to damage or even kill her, I'll kill him!" Duncan started pacing in circles trying to think of ways to protect Alexis.
Dr. Thornton spoke up. "Duncan... please don't panic. Alexis is doing fine." Then he turned to Father Frances, "Alright then, she comes with us. But I'm not sure how to get her out of the Complex with Debra there all the time. I mean... how do we get her out right under their noses?"
Duncan stopped pacing and turned to both of them. "I have an idea."
They began to plan... and got ready for the day they would leave the Complex.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 6 - Part A
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 6 - Part A
Dr. Thornton and Duncan sped along the road to the monastery in silence. When they hit the dirt road with it's ruts and pot holes, Dr. Thornton finally turned to Duncan and spoke. "OK. Now you can say whatever you choose. There were listening devices all along the paved part of this road, but they ended when we hit the church's property."
Duncan had been brooding over what he had read in the charts and the more he thought about it, putting together all the facts, the angrier he got. "How could you do that to both of them?" He was not waiting for an answer, he wanted to have his say. "What purpose was there to destroy two beautiful women's lives for the sake of experimentation of whatever the reason was! In fact, what about all the other people in the Complex? Why are they there and what did you do to them? How many of them are just mistakes that you threw out to pasture and now they will have to live the rest of their lives lost to their real selves? And in Alexis's case, you know... she's the one being called Sarah? Why did you give her a false name? And why create memories and then pretend to us that you didn't even know about them? What's going on here, Dr. Thornton? Why the charade? Did you enjoy turning Sasha into a child who can't even remember her way home half the time? And if you didn't do it, why didn't you stop Kapinski from doing it to her? Don't you have any power over that... excuse for a doctor!" Duncan was at a loss for a decent description of a man who was so ruthless that he would destroy a woman's mind out of anger and pride. He had so many questions that he did not know where to begin or stop to listen for answers. He only stopped briefly after Dr. Thornton stopped the rig before they had reached the monastery.
Dr. Thornton gave a long sigh and started talking very quietly. "How did you know her name was Alexis?"
"That was easy, as soon as I saw her and heard her speak. I've known her since childhood."
"Ha... what a quirky world we live in." Dr. Thornton threw back his head and shook it incredulously. "And how the two of you from such different places would end up here on a island in the Pacific Ocean is absolutely exhilarating!"
"Forget quirky and exhilarating... what about the rest of this?" Duncan demanded.
Dr. Thornton sighed and began his tale. "When I first perfected my technique of micro-neurosurgery on the spinal cord, I tried to obtain funding to build a medical center specifically for traumatic spinal cord injuries." He paused and Duncan interjected, "But you did build your center..." Dr. Thornton held up a finger and stopped him.
"Ah... but that's not exactly all that happened. I also wanted to continue research into repairing nerve systems and perfect my technique in an atmosphere away from mountains of paperwork every month, just to get this funding. I guess I wanted a shortcut. Also, the medical society of what is supposed to be the most modern and richest country in the world rejected my request based on the fact that my surgery was outside the norms of conventional surgical boundaries, or some such nonsense like that. It had mostly to do with the fact that while I was stimulating nerve function in the brain, I accidentally altered the memory of some of my patients. I just couldn't seem to get that part to work right. Anyway, I was forced to go to the private sector and was introduced to a man who was supposed to have been a patient of Kapinski's. His name was Mr. Dan Wu. He was supposed to have been a very rich man with an adopted daughter who'd been in a traumatic automoble accident. He offered to fund my entire venture in exchange for two things..."
Duncan added, "The daughter and Kapinski?"
"Correct. They were both part of the bargain. I was to take on his daughter's case and teach Kapinski my techniques and I would get my dream hospital. But, as all fairy tales are, the fairy godfather wasn't exactly who he said he was..." Dr. Thornton paused, paling and looking very much older suddenly. "Mr. Wu, it turns out, had an entire government backing him. I didn't find this out for some time, however. Not until I was immersed in the hospital and our "Complex", that was supposed to be a special rehab center, did I find out tht I was supplying a foreign government with information on how they could alter memories. That made me an accessory in their eyes to what was basically brought to me as a form of "medical espionage", or some such thing. And, if I were to go to our government, my entire work was forfeit and so was my family, according to Kapinsk's direct threats to me. The worst part is, I don't even know where my family is to try to protect them!"
Duncan stopped him, suddenly realizing the true horror of the situation. "So, you're not in charge then...?"
"No. My only saving grace is that Kapinski is as dumb as a stump when it comes to micro-neurosurgery and I have been able to lead him along until now, but he's figured out most of the surgical techniques. He also knows that I know he's been experimenting with memories. Their biggest mistake was to bring Alexis, or Sarah, here in an attempt to strong-arm her father. I don't even know the whole story. I was told to do this... or that... and the patients in the Complex would survive. If I didn't, they would get Kapinski's hack job and if they didn't survive, oh well and too bad! And then, the best part is that you recognized Alexis."
"OK," Duncan agreed, "but why this business with Sasha?"
"Eric was seeing Sasha in private and they began sleeping together. The story goes, according to Sasha, that Kapinski talks in his sleep and Sasha got the whole nine yards from him. She got so upset that she came to me and accused me of all kinds of things... just like you. And as you can see, most of which were Kapinski... but he got wind of it somehow. He's got spies, so be very careful. Anyway, he did a memory implant on her and I guess you know the rest."
"Sasha? And ... that little twit?! He exploded as if suddenly understanding 2 plus 2. "What did she see in that brown nosing, second rate loser!" he demanded to no one.
"Actually, I don't think she saw anything in him. She was unhappy about what she saw going on--just like you--and was willing to get up close and personal to find out, I suppose." Dr. Thornton shrugged his shoulders, clasped his hands together and looked at Duncan. "I'm close to being out of ways to mislead Kapinski. Soon I'll be useless to him and it'll be my turn to retire... or whatever excuse they use for what happens to me. The most important thing now is to get out of here before it's too late."
Duncan stared in disbelief. "So you're just leaving? What about the rest of the patients in the Complex? You can't just leave them like this!"
"No, I can't. But I can't do anything for them inside this place, either. I have a plan, but that's for a different time. Right now, we need to concentrate on getting Sasha out of here."
"Like she is? Are you sure she's OK to travel like she is?" Duncan shook his head and sighed with frustration.
"Let me worry about that. I'd say it would be safer if she were to leave like she is and then let me operate on her later when she's safe."
"OK. But she would never make it to the airstrip without being caught by who knows who. I mean... who are Kapinski's goons? Who all is involved?"
"I'm not sure except for Dominique. She used to be an assistant for me a long time ago. But then, her name was Leah. Be careful of her. She's sly and crafty and she would sell her own mother out." Dr. Thornton gave a wry, short laugh at being betrayed by a long ago lab assistant. "Kapinski has been able to keep me pretty much in the dark with his secret meetings, so don't say anything to anybody just to be safe. That's the best way to keep a secret around here... and believe me... I'm discovering more and more of his little spies.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 6 - Part A
Dr. Thornton and Duncan sped along the road to the monastery in silence. When they hit the dirt road with it's ruts and pot holes, Dr. Thornton finally turned to Duncan and spoke. "OK. Now you can say whatever you choose. There were listening devices all along the paved part of this road, but they ended when we hit the church's property."
Duncan had been brooding over what he had read in the charts and the more he thought about it, putting together all the facts, the angrier he got. "How could you do that to both of them?" He was not waiting for an answer, he wanted to have his say. "What purpose was there to destroy two beautiful women's lives for the sake of experimentation of whatever the reason was! In fact, what about all the other people in the Complex? Why are they there and what did you do to them? How many of them are just mistakes that you threw out to pasture and now they will have to live the rest of their lives lost to their real selves? And in Alexis's case, you know... she's the one being called Sarah? Why did you give her a false name? And why create memories and then pretend to us that you didn't even know about them? What's going on here, Dr. Thornton? Why the charade? Did you enjoy turning Sasha into a child who can't even remember her way home half the time? And if you didn't do it, why didn't you stop Kapinski from doing it to her? Don't you have any power over that... excuse for a doctor!" Duncan was at a loss for a decent description of a man who was so ruthless that he would destroy a woman's mind out of anger and pride. He had so many questions that he did not know where to begin or stop to listen for answers. He only stopped briefly after Dr. Thornton stopped the rig before they had reached the monastery.
Dr. Thornton gave a long sigh and started talking very quietly. "How did you know her name was Alexis?"
"That was easy, as soon as I saw her and heard her speak. I've known her since childhood."
"Ha... what a quirky world we live in." Dr. Thornton threw back his head and shook it incredulously. "And how the two of you from such different places would end up here on a island in the Pacific Ocean is absolutely exhilarating!"
"Forget quirky and exhilarating... what about the rest of this?" Duncan demanded.
Dr. Thornton sighed and began his tale. "When I first perfected my technique of micro-neurosurgery on the spinal cord, I tried to obtain funding to build a medical center specifically for traumatic spinal cord injuries." He paused and Duncan interjected, "But you did build your center..." Dr. Thornton held up a finger and stopped him.
"Ah... but that's not exactly all that happened. I also wanted to continue research into repairing nerve systems and perfect my technique in an atmosphere away from mountains of paperwork every month, just to get this funding. I guess I wanted a shortcut. Also, the medical society of what is supposed to be the most modern and richest country in the world rejected my request based on the fact that my surgery was outside the norms of conventional surgical boundaries, or some such nonsense like that. It had mostly to do with the fact that while I was stimulating nerve function in the brain, I accidentally altered the memory of some of my patients. I just couldn't seem to get that part to work right. Anyway, I was forced to go to the private sector and was introduced to a man who was supposed to have been a patient of Kapinski's. His name was Mr. Dan Wu. He was supposed to have been a very rich man with an adopted daughter who'd been in a traumatic automoble accident. He offered to fund my entire venture in exchange for two things..."
Duncan added, "The daughter and Kapinski?"
"Correct. They were both part of the bargain. I was to take on his daughter's case and teach Kapinski my techniques and I would get my dream hospital. But, as all fairy tales are, the fairy godfather wasn't exactly who he said he was..." Dr. Thornton paused, paling and looking very much older suddenly. "Mr. Wu, it turns out, had an entire government backing him. I didn't find this out for some time, however. Not until I was immersed in the hospital and our "Complex", that was supposed to be a special rehab center, did I find out tht I was supplying a foreign government with information on how they could alter memories. That made me an accessory in their eyes to what was basically brought to me as a form of "medical espionage", or some such thing. And, if I were to go to our government, my entire work was forfeit and so was my family, according to Kapinsk's direct threats to me. The worst part is, I don't even know where my family is to try to protect them!"
Duncan stopped him, suddenly realizing the true horror of the situation. "So, you're not in charge then...?"
"No. My only saving grace is that Kapinski is as dumb as a stump when it comes to micro-neurosurgery and I have been able to lead him along until now, but he's figured out most of the surgical techniques. He also knows that I know he's been experimenting with memories. Their biggest mistake was to bring Alexis, or Sarah, here in an attempt to strong-arm her father. I don't even know the whole story. I was told to do this... or that... and the patients in the Complex would survive. If I didn't, they would get Kapinski's hack job and if they didn't survive, oh well and too bad! And then, the best part is that you recognized Alexis."
"OK," Duncan agreed, "but why this business with Sasha?"
"Eric was seeing Sasha in private and they began sleeping together. The story goes, according to Sasha, that Kapinski talks in his sleep and Sasha got the whole nine yards from him. She got so upset that she came to me and accused me of all kinds of things... just like you. And as you can see, most of which were Kapinski... but he got wind of it somehow. He's got spies, so be very careful. Anyway, he did a memory implant on her and I guess you know the rest."
"Sasha? And ... that little twit?! He exploded as if suddenly understanding 2 plus 2. "What did she see in that brown nosing, second rate loser!" he demanded to no one.
"Actually, I don't think she saw anything in him. She was unhappy about what she saw going on--just like you--and was willing to get up close and personal to find out, I suppose." Dr. Thornton shrugged his shoulders, clasped his hands together and looked at Duncan. "I'm close to being out of ways to mislead Kapinski. Soon I'll be useless to him and it'll be my turn to retire... or whatever excuse they use for what happens to me. The most important thing now is to get out of here before it's too late."
Duncan stared in disbelief. "So you're just leaving? What about the rest of the patients in the Complex? You can't just leave them like this!"
"No, I can't. But I can't do anything for them inside this place, either. I have a plan, but that's for a different time. Right now, we need to concentrate on getting Sasha out of here."
"Like she is? Are you sure she's OK to travel like she is?" Duncan shook his head and sighed with frustration.
"Let me worry about that. I'd say it would be safer if she were to leave like she is and then let me operate on her later when she's safe."
"OK. But she would never make it to the airstrip without being caught by who knows who. I mean... who are Kapinski's goons? Who all is involved?"
"I'm not sure except for Dominique. She used to be an assistant for me a long time ago. But then, her name was Leah. Be careful of her. She's sly and crafty and she would sell her own mother out." Dr. Thornton gave a wry, short laugh at being betrayed by a long ago lab assistant. "Kapinski has been able to keep me pretty much in the dark with his secret meetings, so don't say anything to anybody just to be safe. That's the best way to keep a secret around here... and believe me... I'm discovering more and more of his little spies.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 5 - Part C
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 5 - Part C
It was early in the evening and Sasha was in the garden with old Mrs. Frick. She was a curious little lady who always wore an expensive looking dress that had a matching belt, black pumps with roll up hosiery and a matching bag in which seemed to contain anything you could possibly imagine. Today she had pulled out two new pairs of pink flowered gardening gloves and handed one pair to Sasha.
"That's so you won't muss up those pretty little hands of yours!" she insisted in a creaky voice, after Sasha had protested. Sasha liked to get her hands in the dirt and feel the richness of the soil. But, today she acquiesced to Mrs. Frick, because in the short time she had known her, she had never won any kind of argument with the proper, but opinionated little lady.
This evening they were weeding the tomato patch and making sure all the flowers were getting fed. Mrs. Frick suddenly whispered to Sasha while they were bent down. "Did you see young Dr. Kapinski in here today?"
Sasha's eyes grew wide. "No... why was he here? Who is he? He's never been in here since I got here."
"I arrived... or I've been here," Mrs. Frick corrected.
"OK. I've been here. But what was he doing here?" Sasha implored impatiently.
"Well..." Mrs. Frick began slowly, just driving Sasha crazy, "I believe he was here to meet someone."
"Who? Do you know who it was?"
"It isn't proper to gossip on people or tell tales when you aren't sure of the facts!" she sniffed.
"Oh, come on, Mrs. Frick! Who was it? I know you know!" Sasha stood up impatiently with her hands on her hips.
"Well..." Mrs. Frick put her trowel in the dirt and began digging. "I suppose just this one time..." She paused and eyed Sasha. Finally, she got very close and whispered, "Fanny was in the CuppAJoe and young Dr. Kapinski was there with a younger man named Conner. They were speaking in a corner with our Miss Dominique we all see so much of. You know Miss Dominique... right?"
"Of course. But what did they talk about?"
"Hard to tell. Seems like they some kind of three way pow wow that nobody else could hear. As if there was whistling all around them."
"You mean to tell me nobody in that little tiny place could hear anything?"
"Well, I am sorry, sweetie, that's all I can tell you right now. Maybe later..." Mrs. Frick put her hands up in the air as if sorry for her news.
Sasha was amazed, but was learning more each day about the strange happenings in the Complex. She did remember her promise to Duncan and did not tell Mrs. Frick about their secret. She also knew Duncan needed to know about this meeting, if he did not already know. But he had been gone most of the evening so far, and soon it would be dark and the Complex would start closing up for the night. People were already going to their apartments, if they were not already there. Sasha loved to stay out as long as she could in the quiet of the evening. The stars and the moon overhead fascinated her and she wished she could fly away to them. But she was daydreaming again. Right now she needed to find Sarah and see if she had seen Duncan. She excused herself from Mrs. Frick, thanked her for the lovely gloves and took off running to Sarah's apartment. The last thing she could hear from the garden was Mrs. Frick instructing her, "Walk, child... for heaven's sake... slow down and walk!"
Sarah was curled up on her couch having a cup of chamomile tea when her doorbell sprang to life. By the sound of the continuous ringing of the chimes while she unwrapped her legs out from under her, she knew it must be Sasha. When she opened the door, Sasha was completely gasping for air, but saying through the gasps, "It's... so... lovely... in the garden..." finally she could say more, "... you just have to come out and see it with me!" She let the last out in one blast of air.
Sarah was totally intrigued that Sasha had obviously run to her apartment to tell her this. What else was she trying to say? Then she remembered what Duncan had said about the willow tree... you can say anything there and not be heard. What did Sasha need to tell her? She saw the begging look in Sasha's eyes and was proud that she could remember not to say anything. "Alright. I'll be ready in a moment."
Sasha smiled and said, "Oh great! You're gonna love it out there with the moon so full against the willow tree this evening!"
Sarah faltered for a moment. The moon? It was early in the evening, but the sun had not gone down completely. Did she just say the wrong thing? Or was she going on a wild goose chase with Sasha? But, she had to find out. Even in Sasha's childlike state, she was still very alert to all the goings on around here. Sarah calmly pulled a robe over her nightgown and slipped into some shoes that were easy to get on. "I'm ready. Not too shabby for the last minute, I hope."
"Oh, you always look so beautiful, Sarah."
It was just a short walk to the garden and all along the way Sasha talked about the sky and how beautiful the sunset looked in the garden and tonight was a full moon, etc. etc. Where Sasha got all her energy, Sarah did not know, but she wished she had half of it. They finally reached the old willow tree and sat down on the wrought iron bench. Sasha flew through her story, filling her in on the conversation with Mrs. Frick and asked Sarah what they should do?
"Nothing for now, Sasha. Nothing until we talk to Duncan. It might not be anything to worry about. But be careful what you say from now on and don't believe anything those three say to you."
"But Dominique has always been so nice... but I don't know about this Conner fellow... or Dr. Kapinski."
"Looks can fool you, Sasha. Tell you what... I'll try to find Duncan now and you go back to your apartment. If there's anything very important, I'll come and get you. OK?"
"OK... Sarah...?" Sasha paused, her brow wrinkled.
"Hmm..." Sarah had been thinking to herself about this new development.
"Are we in trouble?"
Sarah started at her question. "Trouble? What for?"
"For hiding behind the willow tree?" Sasha's trusting green eyes stared up at Sarah's face.
"I don't know, Sasha... I don't know."
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 5 - Part C
It was early in the evening and Sasha was in the garden with old Mrs. Frick. She was a curious little lady who always wore an expensive looking dress that had a matching belt, black pumps with roll up hosiery and a matching bag in which seemed to contain anything you could possibly imagine. Today she had pulled out two new pairs of pink flowered gardening gloves and handed one pair to Sasha.
"That's so you won't muss up those pretty little hands of yours!" she insisted in a creaky voice, after Sasha had protested. Sasha liked to get her hands in the dirt and feel the richness of the soil. But, today she acquiesced to Mrs. Frick, because in the short time she had known her, she had never won any kind of argument with the proper, but opinionated little lady.
This evening they were weeding the tomato patch and making sure all the flowers were getting fed. Mrs. Frick suddenly whispered to Sasha while they were bent down. "Did you see young Dr. Kapinski in here today?"
Sasha's eyes grew wide. "No... why was he here? Who is he? He's never been in here since I got here."
"I arrived... or I've been here," Mrs. Frick corrected.
"OK. I've been here. But what was he doing here?" Sasha implored impatiently.
"Well..." Mrs. Frick began slowly, just driving Sasha crazy, "I believe he was here to meet someone."
"Who? Do you know who it was?"
"It isn't proper to gossip on people or tell tales when you aren't sure of the facts!" she sniffed.
"Oh, come on, Mrs. Frick! Who was it? I know you know!" Sasha stood up impatiently with her hands on her hips.
"Well..." Mrs. Frick put her trowel in the dirt and began digging. "I suppose just this one time..." She paused and eyed Sasha. Finally, she got very close and whispered, "Fanny was in the CuppAJoe and young Dr. Kapinski was there with a younger man named Conner. They were speaking in a corner with our Miss Dominique we all see so much of. You know Miss Dominique... right?"
"Of course. But what did they talk about?"
"Hard to tell. Seems like they some kind of three way pow wow that nobody else could hear. As if there was whistling all around them."
"You mean to tell me nobody in that little tiny place could hear anything?"
"Well, I am sorry, sweetie, that's all I can tell you right now. Maybe later..." Mrs. Frick put her hands up in the air as if sorry for her news.
Sasha was amazed, but was learning more each day about the strange happenings in the Complex. She did remember her promise to Duncan and did not tell Mrs. Frick about their secret. She also knew Duncan needed to know about this meeting, if he did not already know. But he had been gone most of the evening so far, and soon it would be dark and the Complex would start closing up for the night. People were already going to their apartments, if they were not already there. Sasha loved to stay out as long as she could in the quiet of the evening. The stars and the moon overhead fascinated her and she wished she could fly away to them. But she was daydreaming again. Right now she needed to find Sarah and see if she had seen Duncan. She excused herself from Mrs. Frick, thanked her for the lovely gloves and took off running to Sarah's apartment. The last thing she could hear from the garden was Mrs. Frick instructing her, "Walk, child... for heaven's sake... slow down and walk!"
Sarah was curled up on her couch having a cup of chamomile tea when her doorbell sprang to life. By the sound of the continuous ringing of the chimes while she unwrapped her legs out from under her, she knew it must be Sasha. When she opened the door, Sasha was completely gasping for air, but saying through the gasps, "It's... so... lovely... in the garden..." finally she could say more, "... you just have to come out and see it with me!" She let the last out in one blast of air.
Sarah was totally intrigued that Sasha had obviously run to her apartment to tell her this. What else was she trying to say? Then she remembered what Duncan had said about the willow tree... you can say anything there and not be heard. What did Sasha need to tell her? She saw the begging look in Sasha's eyes and was proud that she could remember not to say anything. "Alright. I'll be ready in a moment."
Sasha smiled and said, "Oh great! You're gonna love it out there with the moon so full against the willow tree this evening!"
Sarah faltered for a moment. The moon? It was early in the evening, but the sun had not gone down completely. Did she just say the wrong thing? Or was she going on a wild goose chase with Sasha? But, she had to find out. Even in Sasha's childlike state, she was still very alert to all the goings on around here. Sarah calmly pulled a robe over her nightgown and slipped into some shoes that were easy to get on. "I'm ready. Not too shabby for the last minute, I hope."
"Oh, you always look so beautiful, Sarah."
It was just a short walk to the garden and all along the way Sasha talked about the sky and how beautiful the sunset looked in the garden and tonight was a full moon, etc. etc. Where Sasha got all her energy, Sarah did not know, but she wished she had half of it. They finally reached the old willow tree and sat down on the wrought iron bench. Sasha flew through her story, filling her in on the conversation with Mrs. Frick and asked Sarah what they should do?
"Nothing for now, Sasha. Nothing until we talk to Duncan. It might not be anything to worry about. But be careful what you say from now on and don't believe anything those three say to you."
"But Dominique has always been so nice... but I don't know about this Conner fellow... or Dr. Kapinski."
"Looks can fool you, Sasha. Tell you what... I'll try to find Duncan now and you go back to your apartment. If there's anything very important, I'll come and get you. OK?"
"OK... Sarah...?" Sasha paused, her brow wrinkled.
"Hmm..." Sarah had been thinking to herself about this new development.
"Are we in trouble?"
Sarah started at her question. "Trouble? What for?"
"For hiding behind the willow tree?" Sasha's trusting green eyes stared up at Sarah's face.
"I don't know, Sasha... I don't know."
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 5 - Part B
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 5 - Part B
Sasha's parents, Robert and Maya Kennawick, had decided to wait and ride the ferry over to the island in the morning. They had arrived in Bandon in the evening and discovered the only way to get to the island that same day was by private plane. Since the cost of the flight was beyond their means, they had decided to get a motel in Bandon and rest for the night. They ended up with a beautiful room that faced the ocean, where they could see large boulders rising up out of the surf that provided convenient outcroppings for seals and sea gulls. They were not interested in much of the scenery, however, since Sasha had sent many pictures of the surrounding area while exploring on her days off. Sasha was the reason they had driven hundreds of miles from Idaho to get here and find out why all communication with their only daughter had suddenly stopped.
It was a hard drive, since Maya was very ill with the complications of diabetes and what the doctors had called fibromyalgia. This diagnosis had explained her battle with distressing aches and pains that sometimes caused her to cry, and the constant, awful fatigue that made her want to do nothing but sleep all the time. Sasha had been instrumental in getting her to a Rheumatologist who was familiar with the chronic condition and could help her feel well enough to make this trip with her husband.
Maya was looking out the patio window at the vast green ocean. "This is the first time I've actually been so close to the sea that I could smell it." She took a long breath in through her nostrils.
"You flew over it once... couldn't you smell it then?" chuckled Robert.
Maya turned from the window and playfully threatened to throw a pillow at him as he lay resting on the bed. "And how many millions of feet in the air was I?" she teased.
"Not millions. You weren't orbiting the earth." They both laughed, knowing that soon there would be no laughing until they could solve the question of why their daughter was unaccounted for. Maya closed the curtains and turned out the light in the kitchenette. "Oh geez... I'm so tired from all the driving," she yawned. "I'm going to bed."
Robert had already been laying on the bed and reached over to pull down her covers. "No, you're not going to bed, you're going to sleep. I'm going to lie in bed." But she was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Robert knew that there was no way he could fall asleep right now, even though he had driven all the way from Fort Hall, Idaho straight through to Bandon, Oregon with very few stops.
Robert slipped out of bed after he heard Maya's quiet breathing and quietly tiptoed out the patio door onto the landing. As he watched the surf crash against the huge boulders along the shoreline and listened to the squawking of the seagulls, he wondered what was going to happen tomorrow when they met with this Dr. Eric Kapinski. Would they be like the water crashing against a large boulder of a man? He did not care. They had originally called and talked to Dr. Thornton after Duncan had called them with the devastating news about Sasha. Dr. Thornton seemed like a very compassionate man whose voice had cracked slightly when he had talked about Sasha. But when they had arrived today, the secretary said Dr. Thornton would be unavailable because of surgery and that this Dr. Kapinski was in charge of Sasha's case now. The secretary was not very forthcoming with any kind of information about Sasha. It was difficult for Robert and Maya to be so close and yet be unable to find out anything at all about her condition. This was their only daughter and they would walk through hot coals to be at her side.
If they had to, Robert thought, they would wear him down just like the surf did to these boulders on the shore. Robert had the patience to wait, but Maya was not as good at it. He would have to help her be calm, so her illnesses would not exacerbate. She could potentially end up being another one of this Dr. Kapinski's patients if they were not careful. Of course, Robert mused, that could be to their advantage. At least then they would get his attention... something they had not been able to do when they had phoned him this afternoon. Robert looked at his watch and saw it was already 1 am. It was tomorrow already. "We shall see," he murmured confidently.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 5 - Part B
Sasha's parents, Robert and Maya Kennawick, had decided to wait and ride the ferry over to the island in the morning. They had arrived in Bandon in the evening and discovered the only way to get to the island that same day was by private plane. Since the cost of the flight was beyond their means, they had decided to get a motel in Bandon and rest for the night. They ended up with a beautiful room that faced the ocean, where they could see large boulders rising up out of the surf that provided convenient outcroppings for seals and sea gulls. They were not interested in much of the scenery, however, since Sasha had sent many pictures of the surrounding area while exploring on her days off. Sasha was the reason they had driven hundreds of miles from Idaho to get here and find out why all communication with their only daughter had suddenly stopped.
It was a hard drive, since Maya was very ill with the complications of diabetes and what the doctors had called fibromyalgia. This diagnosis had explained her battle with distressing aches and pains that sometimes caused her to cry, and the constant, awful fatigue that made her want to do nothing but sleep all the time. Sasha had been instrumental in getting her to a Rheumatologist who was familiar with the chronic condition and could help her feel well enough to make this trip with her husband.
Maya was looking out the patio window at the vast green ocean. "This is the first time I've actually been so close to the sea that I could smell it." She took a long breath in through her nostrils.
"You flew over it once... couldn't you smell it then?" chuckled Robert.
Maya turned from the window and playfully threatened to throw a pillow at him as he lay resting on the bed. "And how many millions of feet in the air was I?" she teased.
"Not millions. You weren't orbiting the earth." They both laughed, knowing that soon there would be no laughing until they could solve the question of why their daughter was unaccounted for. Maya closed the curtains and turned out the light in the kitchenette. "Oh geez... I'm so tired from all the driving," she yawned. "I'm going to bed."
Robert had already been laying on the bed and reached over to pull down her covers. "No, you're not going to bed, you're going to sleep. I'm going to lie in bed." But she was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Robert knew that there was no way he could fall asleep right now, even though he had driven all the way from Fort Hall, Idaho straight through to Bandon, Oregon with very few stops.
Robert slipped out of bed after he heard Maya's quiet breathing and quietly tiptoed out the patio door onto the landing. As he watched the surf crash against the huge boulders along the shoreline and listened to the squawking of the seagulls, he wondered what was going to happen tomorrow when they met with this Dr. Eric Kapinski. Would they be like the water crashing against a large boulder of a man? He did not care. They had originally called and talked to Dr. Thornton after Duncan had called them with the devastating news about Sasha. Dr. Thornton seemed like a very compassionate man whose voice had cracked slightly when he had talked about Sasha. But when they had arrived today, the secretary said Dr. Thornton would be unavailable because of surgery and that this Dr. Kapinski was in charge of Sasha's case now. The secretary was not very forthcoming with any kind of information about Sasha. It was difficult for Robert and Maya to be so close and yet be unable to find out anything at all about her condition. This was their only daughter and they would walk through hot coals to be at her side.
If they had to, Robert thought, they would wear him down just like the surf did to these boulders on the shore. Robert had the patience to wait, but Maya was not as good at it. He would have to help her be calm, so her illnesses would not exacerbate. She could potentially end up being another one of this Dr. Kapinski's patients if they were not careful. Of course, Robert mused, that could be to their advantage. At least then they would get his attention... something they had not been able to do when they had phoned him this afternoon. Robert looked at his watch and saw it was already 1 am. It was tomorrow already. "We shall see," he murmured confidently.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 5 - Part A
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 5 - Part A
Dr. Thornton was tired. Tired of the deception. Tired of the failure of his dreams. He was tired of the betrayal by Leah whom he had discovered was now Dr. Kapinski's assistant Debra! She had worked beside him all those grueling years only to reveal that she had been trickling information to Dr. Kapinski long before Dr. Thornton had ever met him. He leaned back in his office chair, stretched his aching muscles and straightened his stooped shoulders. His graying hair and the worry lines etched along his face showed the disappointment in his body that he felt in his soul. He used to feel pleasure when he talked with a family and told them their loved one could be restored. But that had diminished to a bare fraction of what it was when he had first developed his technique to repair people's spinal cords. Now, guilt had eaten into his joy.
Teaching an arrogant, deceiving young doctor, who had no genuine interest in curing sick people, his complicated technique had stuck in his craw like an old chicken bone going down sideways. Dr. Kapinski had no real talent for the micro-neurosurgery and after all the years Dr. Thornton had been teaching him, he was still causing patients to have complete memory deterioration. But now, Dr. Thornton knew they were not real mistakes he had been making. It was part of Dr. Kapinski's original plan. As Dr. Kapinski continued learning, he persisted on experimenting with the patient's memories.
Dr. Kapinski had made the mistake of revealing the government's involvement in the Complex to Dr. Thornton. Dr. Thornton had argued that this was a private hospital, but Dr. Kapinski reminded him of who actually funded this venture... Mr. Wu. Mr. Wu was in reality a foreign government representative and all the money behind the hospital had come from government resources. Dr. Thornton had been livid at the betrayal of his work being sold to a government. So far, however, when he had asked for proof of this, none had been forthcoming. He had wanted true research and development for the purpose of curing patients, but Dr. Kapinski was secretly developing Dr. Thornton's technique to manipulate people's minds!
Dr. Thornton now knew his terrible mistake. He had exchanged his technique, that could be used as a weapon, for his dream of having a hospital of his own. Was it his own impatience that had landed him in this spot? Duncan had told him that God would forgive him if he asked and that he needed to stop doing the thing that was making him feel so miserable. But how could he stop now? How could he just walk away? He was in this over his head and did not know how to stop it now.
He sat contemplating the whole situation and what had happened to Sasha. He knew there was no accident. Dr. Kapinski had done a reprogramming of her memory himself... the same day of their confrontation in the Annex. Sasha was fortunate that her side effects were so little, considering Kapinski's poor surgical technique. Dr. Thornton had been instructed to tell Duncan that the family had been notified about her accident, when in reality, they had not been called. In fact, the family had contacted him when they had not heard from their daughter with her usual Sunday phone call.
While sitting in his inner office considering the ramifications of his situation, he suddenly heard a file cabinet squeak open in his outer office. Alerted, he started to pick up the phone to call security, knowing his secretary had already gone home for the evening. Then he paused and called to the outer office, "Hello? Who's there? Is there something you need?"
Duncan froze in Dr. Thornton's outer office. He thought the doctor had gone home to his villa hours ago. The lights had only been left on for the janitor, as usual, so he asumed that this was his best chance to investigate the files in Dr. Thornton's Annex office. Now he was forced to face the doctor directly, whether he was prepared with the files or not.
"It's Duncan, sir," he shouted through the slightly cracked inner office door.
Dr. Thornton stood up, walked around his desk and headed for the door. "What do you need from my files?" he asked as he walked through the door. He looked at Duncan as a father would a child who had been caught doing something inappropriate.
Pushing down his anger, Duncan stared directly into Dr. Thornton's faded blue eyes. Even though they had spent time getting to know one another, Duncan was not willing to excuse him for the myriad of things he was beginning to see that were going on at the Complex. "I want to see the real files on Sarah and Sasha."
"Sarah and Sasha..." Dr. Thorton echoed wearily. He thought for a moment and had an idea. "Would you like to go for a drive?" he asked Duncan unexpectedly.
Duncan was taken aback by this unusual request at this particular moment, but then thought it might be a ploy to keep him away from the records. Again, he cautiously repeated, "I want to see the files on Sarah and Sasha." Then he added, "After that, maybe I'll go for a ride with you."
Dr. Thornton sighed. He walked into his inner office and over to a large picture hanging on the wall. As Duncan followed him into the office, he pulled at the frame and the picture opened away from the wall on it's hinges. When Dr. Thornton saw the look on Duncan's face he nodded towards the filing cabinets and said, "What you're looking for won't be found in those files--they are too available. The ones you want are in here." He pointed to a safe behind the painting. "But, after you look at them, you have to agree to go for a drive with me so we can talk."
Watching Dr. Thornton opening the safe in the wall behind the painting, Duncan asked, "Why can't we just talk right here?"
Before opening the safe, Dr. Thornton turned and whispered, "Because that won't be possible. There are too many listening ears that get alerted after I open this safe door." He put a finger to his lips and shook his head from side to side indicating silence. Duncan remained silent while he opened the heavy safe door and dug out two files, one on Sarah and one on Sasha. He handed them to Duncan, sat down silently in his overstuffed chair and waited while Duncan read through the files.
Duncan read every page in both files carefully, assuming this would be his only opportunity to see them. When he was done, he closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head in disbelief. He handed the files quietly back to Dr. Thornton and stood staring off into space while the doctor returned them to the safe. After he heard the sound of the safe closing, Duncan slowly reigned in his building anger and quietly acquiesed. "OK. Let's go."
He was ushered out of the office, down a back hall in the Annex and out a side door that led directly to Dr. Thornton's villa. "My rig is parked in the garage by the side of the house." Dr. Thornton directed him down a small stone footpath along the side of his house that led directly to the garage. The whole time Duncan had been walking, his anger was mounting at what he had read in the charts. He wanted to shout questions and accusations at Dr. Thornton for deluding Sasha, Sarah and their families for so long. And how many others in the Complex were in the same situation? How many families did not even know their loved ones still existed?
Dr. Thornton wearily climbed in the driver's side of his 4-wheel drive and indicated for Duncan to get in. He knew exactly where they needed to go and he hoped Duncan would wait until they reached the dirt road before beginning to grill him. He needed that much space to get out of earshot of all the listening devices that he knew had been put up around the entire campus. He started to back out of the driveway and Duncan turned to him as if to speak, but again, Dr. Thornton made a sign for continued silence. They drove off up the road towards the monastery and Duncan waited in fiery silence.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 5 - Part A
Dr. Thornton was tired. Tired of the deception. Tired of the failure of his dreams. He was tired of the betrayal by Leah whom he had discovered was now Dr. Kapinski's assistant Debra! She had worked beside him all those grueling years only to reveal that she had been trickling information to Dr. Kapinski long before Dr. Thornton had ever met him. He leaned back in his office chair, stretched his aching muscles and straightened his stooped shoulders. His graying hair and the worry lines etched along his face showed the disappointment in his body that he felt in his soul. He used to feel pleasure when he talked with a family and told them their loved one could be restored. But that had diminished to a bare fraction of what it was when he had first developed his technique to repair people's spinal cords. Now, guilt had eaten into his joy.
Teaching an arrogant, deceiving young doctor, who had no genuine interest in curing sick people, his complicated technique had stuck in his craw like an old chicken bone going down sideways. Dr. Kapinski had no real talent for the micro-neurosurgery and after all the years Dr. Thornton had been teaching him, he was still causing patients to have complete memory deterioration. But now, Dr. Thornton knew they were not real mistakes he had been making. It was part of Dr. Kapinski's original plan. As Dr. Kapinski continued learning, he persisted on experimenting with the patient's memories.
Dr. Kapinski had made the mistake of revealing the government's involvement in the Complex to Dr. Thornton. Dr. Thornton had argued that this was a private hospital, but Dr. Kapinski reminded him of who actually funded this venture... Mr. Wu. Mr. Wu was in reality a foreign government representative and all the money behind the hospital had come from government resources. Dr. Thornton had been livid at the betrayal of his work being sold to a government. So far, however, when he had asked for proof of this, none had been forthcoming. He had wanted true research and development for the purpose of curing patients, but Dr. Kapinski was secretly developing Dr. Thornton's technique to manipulate people's minds!
Dr. Thornton now knew his terrible mistake. He had exchanged his technique, that could be used as a weapon, for his dream of having a hospital of his own. Was it his own impatience that had landed him in this spot? Duncan had told him that God would forgive him if he asked and that he needed to stop doing the thing that was making him feel so miserable. But how could he stop now? How could he just walk away? He was in this over his head and did not know how to stop it now.
He sat contemplating the whole situation and what had happened to Sasha. He knew there was no accident. Dr. Kapinski had done a reprogramming of her memory himself... the same day of their confrontation in the Annex. Sasha was fortunate that her side effects were so little, considering Kapinski's poor surgical technique. Dr. Thornton had been instructed to tell Duncan that the family had been notified about her accident, when in reality, they had not been called. In fact, the family had contacted him when they had not heard from their daughter with her usual Sunday phone call.
While sitting in his inner office considering the ramifications of his situation, he suddenly heard a file cabinet squeak open in his outer office. Alerted, he started to pick up the phone to call security, knowing his secretary had already gone home for the evening. Then he paused and called to the outer office, "Hello? Who's there? Is there something you need?"
Duncan froze in Dr. Thornton's outer office. He thought the doctor had gone home to his villa hours ago. The lights had only been left on for the janitor, as usual, so he asumed that this was his best chance to investigate the files in Dr. Thornton's Annex office. Now he was forced to face the doctor directly, whether he was prepared with the files or not.
"It's Duncan, sir," he shouted through the slightly cracked inner office door.
Dr. Thornton stood up, walked around his desk and headed for the door. "What do you need from my files?" he asked as he walked through the door. He looked at Duncan as a father would a child who had been caught doing something inappropriate.
Pushing down his anger, Duncan stared directly into Dr. Thornton's faded blue eyes. Even though they had spent time getting to know one another, Duncan was not willing to excuse him for the myriad of things he was beginning to see that were going on at the Complex. "I want to see the real files on Sarah and Sasha."
"Sarah and Sasha..." Dr. Thorton echoed wearily. He thought for a moment and had an idea. "Would you like to go for a drive?" he asked Duncan unexpectedly.
Duncan was taken aback by this unusual request at this particular moment, but then thought it might be a ploy to keep him away from the records. Again, he cautiously repeated, "I want to see the files on Sarah and Sasha." Then he added, "After that, maybe I'll go for a ride with you."
Dr. Thornton sighed. He walked into his inner office and over to a large picture hanging on the wall. As Duncan followed him into the office, he pulled at the frame and the picture opened away from the wall on it's hinges. When Dr. Thornton saw the look on Duncan's face he nodded towards the filing cabinets and said, "What you're looking for won't be found in those files--they are too available. The ones you want are in here." He pointed to a safe behind the painting. "But, after you look at them, you have to agree to go for a drive with me so we can talk."
Watching Dr. Thornton opening the safe in the wall behind the painting, Duncan asked, "Why can't we just talk right here?"
Before opening the safe, Dr. Thornton turned and whispered, "Because that won't be possible. There are too many listening ears that get alerted after I open this safe door." He put a finger to his lips and shook his head from side to side indicating silence. Duncan remained silent while he opened the heavy safe door and dug out two files, one on Sarah and one on Sasha. He handed them to Duncan, sat down silently in his overstuffed chair and waited while Duncan read through the files.
Duncan read every page in both files carefully, assuming this would be his only opportunity to see them. When he was done, he closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head in disbelief. He handed the files quietly back to Dr. Thornton and stood staring off into space while the doctor returned them to the safe. After he heard the sound of the safe closing, Duncan slowly reigned in his building anger and quietly acquiesed. "OK. Let's go."
He was ushered out of the office, down a back hall in the Annex and out a side door that led directly to Dr. Thornton's villa. "My rig is parked in the garage by the side of the house." Dr. Thornton directed him down a small stone footpath along the side of his house that led directly to the garage. The whole time Duncan had been walking, his anger was mounting at what he had read in the charts. He wanted to shout questions and accusations at Dr. Thornton for deluding Sasha, Sarah and their families for so long. And how many others in the Complex were in the same situation? How many families did not even know their loved ones still existed?
Dr. Thornton wearily climbed in the driver's side of his 4-wheel drive and indicated for Duncan to get in. He knew exactly where they needed to go and he hoped Duncan would wait until they reached the dirt road before beginning to grill him. He needed that much space to get out of earshot of all the listening devices that he knew had been put up around the entire campus. He started to back out of the driveway and Duncan turned to him as if to speak, but again, Dr. Thornton made a sign for continued silence. They drove off up the road towards the monastery and Duncan waited in fiery silence.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 4 - Part C
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 4 - Part C
Sasha stood next to the old willow tree staring at her surroundings with the newfound wonder of a young child. She gazed at the wrought iron bench, thinking that there was something familiar about this place. But, she was not exactly sure what it was. Her memory was obscured, like she was trying to push through layers of thick, swirling clouds. As she stood wondering, she heard footsteps on the path and hid behind the trunk of the old willow tree. Sasha watched as Sarah walked around the corner and found the beautiful spot under the tree with the wrought iron bench.
"What a charming place," Sarah remarked and sat down on the bench. She continued to shake slightly from her encounter with Duncan and wondered at her own reaction. While she sat thinking and gazing at the serene place with its lush vegetation, she heard a small rustling behind her near the trunk of the willow tree. She pivoted on the bench to see who was there, and found a pale young lady standing near the trunk of the tree. She wore a slightly rumpled green dress, and had long yellow hair that hung loose about her face as if it had not been brushed lately. At first Sarah saw a young woman. But, she was giggling lightly as a younger girl would with her hand held over her mouth. Sarah felt slightly annoyed, but was curious, so she asked, "What's so funny?"
The young woman stopped giggling and frowned. "Did I make you angry?" she asked in a slurred, childlike voice.
Sarah was startled by her direct question and the manner it was asked. She thought that this must be another patient with some kind of head problem. Instead of being angry at her interrupted reverie, she immediately felt sorrow and compassion for this young woman's plight.
"No, not at all." Sarah answered. "Here, come over here and let me help you straighten your hair."
Sasha was delighted at the prospect of a friend in this lonely place. She swiftly came and sat down next to Sarah and smiled. "So what's your name? Mine's Sasha. I don't remember my last name, but they say that's OK 'cause you don't need it here." She continued to talk about how she had just arrived from this strange room and there was a new apartment here for her to live in... As she chattered, Sarah took a small comb out of her pocket and began the task of untangling Sasha's long thick hair. She heard her own story, with slight variations in it, from Sasha's tale. It seemed they had all come from these strange rooms and before that... no one knew where.
Sarah stopped Sasha's childish bantering by asking her a question. "Do you know a man named Duncan?"
Sasha frowned and thought hard. "I think I do... at least I remember that particular name..." For a moment Sasha did not seem quite so childlike, but a little more grown up. Then, it faded away with a new explanation of the vegetable garden and the new crop of tomatoes. Sarah let her talk about this and that as she finished taming her silky, blonde hair and began brushing some grass from her green eyelet dress. As she was doing this, a slight memory came to her, but stayed behind the black wall that would not crumble in her mind.
Duncan walked to Sarah's apartment and knocked boldly on the door. "Maybe I will just walk up to the door and say hello," he laughed to himself, slightly embarrassed. After waiting for a few minutes and having no response, he decided to check and see if Sasha was available while he was near her apartment. The rings of the walkway in the Complex still confused him and he still did not understand why they had to make them in a circle. It took longer to get where you wanted to go and when you got there, you could not tell if you had gone left or right. Or maybe you might call it up or down. He smiled at his poor attempt at humor, but began wondering in what part of the Complex these two ladies were hiding. He had looked forward to saying hello to Sasha after he had heard she was here and up and around.
Duncan wandered back to the hub where the restaurants and gardens were, but saw neither of them. Both seemed to be a hard pair to locate, and he began to think that they both must be hiding from him on purpose. But that was his imagination at play, Duncan thought. He decided to go past the garden, on to where all the trees stood. As he rounded the path to the willow tree, he stopped when he heard voices from the resting spot where the wrought iron bench sat. Sarah? And Sasha? Together? He had hoped that when he talked to Sasha, she could convince Sarah that he was not going to harm her. But he was quite unprepared for what he was to find when he rounded the bend. Sarah was on the bench talking to Sasha as a mother would talk to a child. When he slowly came into view, Sasha looked up, smiled at him and said, "Welcome! We don't know who you are, but welcome to our little party!"
Duncan was devastated. Sasha had not recognized him at all. He held back his desire to tell her all about their years of friendship and how he knew her parents as well. Also, her appearance alerted him immediately that all was not as he had been told in report that morning. There were no apparent bruises or contusions. No healing scars or suture lines. And for having a recent head injury, she did not even have a bandage or any missing hair from a surgery! What he saw was a beautiful young woman who had suddenly become a child overnight, with no memories of who she had been. He knew their surgery was on the cutting edge, but it was not so advanced that nothing would show. His only thought now was... does she have a suture line on the back of her neck, hidden underneath all of her long sunshine yellow hair? He would have to convince both of them to listen to him and gain their trust to find out. But if Sarah told Sasha he was not to be trusted, he was sunk.
Sasha spoke again in her lilting, singsong voice. "So, what's your name?"
"It's Duncan, Sasha. He works here." Sarah answered in a flat tone. She watched him warily, prepared for anything he might do or say. Sasha was wide eyed with the things they had discussed together before he had arrived. She watched eagerly, sensing something special about this gentleman.
Duncan decided this would be his only chance to get both women together like this so he said, "I know both of you, but you don't remember me."
Silence filled the small garden space as both women tried to remember what was behind the walls in their minds. No one spoke for quite some time until Sarah finally broke the silence.
"Why can't we remember you? Or anything else, for that matter. Also... who else can hear us? I know that somehow they know everything I say. Are there listening devices around this place?"
Before Duncan could answer, Sasha giggled with childlike anxiety. "Why did we forget ourselves?"
Duncan felt pushed in a corner by the direct questions. He was not sure how to explain all this to Sarah and Sasha. He was now sure, however, he knew who Sarah was, but he did not know why she was here. He also worried about how she would react if she knew her name had been changed and she had been given false memories on top of changing her identity. If she went ballistic with anger right now, they would all probably be found out. So, to evade her question until he had time to explain, he said, "Just remember one thing for right now...this spot is the only one in the entire Complex where you can talk freely, without anyone else knowing. But, if you stay here too long, someone will come looking for you."
Both women looked at each other and then at Duncan. The heaviness of betrayal hung in the air. What happened next would be most important in unraveling the rest of this machination.
"When can we meet again?" Sarah calmly asked. "Sasha and I have been here for almost an hour already."
Duncan thought quickly... he needed to get into their records as soon as possible, before they were all found out. They had questions and that would be the only way of getting to the real answers. Also, he needed to find out who was responsible for all this deception. He had to confront Dr. Thornton. And he knew the best time and place. "How about tomorrow morning after my staff meeting at 9am. And don't bring any friends with you... and Sasha..." Duncan spoke to her very gently, "... please, let's let this be our secret. OK?"
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 4 - Part C
Sasha stood next to the old willow tree staring at her surroundings with the newfound wonder of a young child. She gazed at the wrought iron bench, thinking that there was something familiar about this place. But, she was not exactly sure what it was. Her memory was obscured, like she was trying to push through layers of thick, swirling clouds. As she stood wondering, she heard footsteps on the path and hid behind the trunk of the old willow tree. Sasha watched as Sarah walked around the corner and found the beautiful spot under the tree with the wrought iron bench.
"What a charming place," Sarah remarked and sat down on the bench. She continued to shake slightly from her encounter with Duncan and wondered at her own reaction. While she sat thinking and gazing at the serene place with its lush vegetation, she heard a small rustling behind her near the trunk of the willow tree. She pivoted on the bench to see who was there, and found a pale young lady standing near the trunk of the tree. She wore a slightly rumpled green dress, and had long yellow hair that hung loose about her face as if it had not been brushed lately. At first Sarah saw a young woman. But, she was giggling lightly as a younger girl would with her hand held over her mouth. Sarah felt slightly annoyed, but was curious, so she asked, "What's so funny?"
The young woman stopped giggling and frowned. "Did I make you angry?" she asked in a slurred, childlike voice.
Sarah was startled by her direct question and the manner it was asked. She thought that this must be another patient with some kind of head problem. Instead of being angry at her interrupted reverie, she immediately felt sorrow and compassion for this young woman's plight.
"No, not at all." Sarah answered. "Here, come over here and let me help you straighten your hair."
Sasha was delighted at the prospect of a friend in this lonely place. She swiftly came and sat down next to Sarah and smiled. "So what's your name? Mine's Sasha. I don't remember my last name, but they say that's OK 'cause you don't need it here." She continued to talk about how she had just arrived from this strange room and there was a new apartment here for her to live in... As she chattered, Sarah took a small comb out of her pocket and began the task of untangling Sasha's long thick hair. She heard her own story, with slight variations in it, from Sasha's tale. It seemed they had all come from these strange rooms and before that... no one knew where.
Sarah stopped Sasha's childish bantering by asking her a question. "Do you know a man named Duncan?"
Sasha frowned and thought hard. "I think I do... at least I remember that particular name..." For a moment Sasha did not seem quite so childlike, but a little more grown up. Then, it faded away with a new explanation of the vegetable garden and the new crop of tomatoes. Sarah let her talk about this and that as she finished taming her silky, blonde hair and began brushing some grass from her green eyelet dress. As she was doing this, a slight memory came to her, but stayed behind the black wall that would not crumble in her mind.
Duncan walked to Sarah's apartment and knocked boldly on the door. "Maybe I will just walk up to the door and say hello," he laughed to himself, slightly embarrassed. After waiting for a few minutes and having no response, he decided to check and see if Sasha was available while he was near her apartment. The rings of the walkway in the Complex still confused him and he still did not understand why they had to make them in a circle. It took longer to get where you wanted to go and when you got there, you could not tell if you had gone left or right. Or maybe you might call it up or down. He smiled at his poor attempt at humor, but began wondering in what part of the Complex these two ladies were hiding. He had looked forward to saying hello to Sasha after he had heard she was here and up and around.
Duncan wandered back to the hub where the restaurants and gardens were, but saw neither of them. Both seemed to be a hard pair to locate, and he began to think that they both must be hiding from him on purpose. But that was his imagination at play, Duncan thought. He decided to go past the garden, on to where all the trees stood. As he rounded the path to the willow tree, he stopped when he heard voices from the resting spot where the wrought iron bench sat. Sarah? And Sasha? Together? He had hoped that when he talked to Sasha, she could convince Sarah that he was not going to harm her. But he was quite unprepared for what he was to find when he rounded the bend. Sarah was on the bench talking to Sasha as a mother would talk to a child. When he slowly came into view, Sasha looked up, smiled at him and said, "Welcome! We don't know who you are, but welcome to our little party!"
Duncan was devastated. Sasha had not recognized him at all. He held back his desire to tell her all about their years of friendship and how he knew her parents as well. Also, her appearance alerted him immediately that all was not as he had been told in report that morning. There were no apparent bruises or contusions. No healing scars or suture lines. And for having a recent head injury, she did not even have a bandage or any missing hair from a surgery! What he saw was a beautiful young woman who had suddenly become a child overnight, with no memories of who she had been. He knew their surgery was on the cutting edge, but it was not so advanced that nothing would show. His only thought now was... does she have a suture line on the back of her neck, hidden underneath all of her long sunshine yellow hair? He would have to convince both of them to listen to him and gain their trust to find out. But if Sarah told Sasha he was not to be trusted, he was sunk.
Sasha spoke again in her lilting, singsong voice. "So, what's your name?"
"It's Duncan, Sasha. He works here." Sarah answered in a flat tone. She watched him warily, prepared for anything he might do or say. Sasha was wide eyed with the things they had discussed together before he had arrived. She watched eagerly, sensing something special about this gentleman.
Duncan decided this would be his only chance to get both women together like this so he said, "I know both of you, but you don't remember me."
Silence filled the small garden space as both women tried to remember what was behind the walls in their minds. No one spoke for quite some time until Sarah finally broke the silence.
"Why can't we remember you? Or anything else, for that matter. Also... who else can hear us? I know that somehow they know everything I say. Are there listening devices around this place?"
Before Duncan could answer, Sasha giggled with childlike anxiety. "Why did we forget ourselves?"
Duncan felt pushed in a corner by the direct questions. He was not sure how to explain all this to Sarah and Sasha. He was now sure, however, he knew who Sarah was, but he did not know why she was here. He also worried about how she would react if she knew her name had been changed and she had been given false memories on top of changing her identity. If she went ballistic with anger right now, they would all probably be found out. So, to evade her question until he had time to explain, he said, "Just remember one thing for right now...this spot is the only one in the entire Complex where you can talk freely, without anyone else knowing. But, if you stay here too long, someone will come looking for you."
Both women looked at each other and then at Duncan. The heaviness of betrayal hung in the air. What happened next would be most important in unraveling the rest of this machination.
"When can we meet again?" Sarah calmly asked. "Sasha and I have been here for almost an hour already."
Duncan thought quickly... he needed to get into their records as soon as possible, before they were all found out. They had questions and that would be the only way of getting to the real answers. Also, he needed to find out who was responsible for all this deception. He had to confront Dr. Thornton. And he knew the best time and place. "How about tomorrow morning after my staff meeting at 9am. And don't bring any friends with you... and Sasha..." Duncan spoke to her very gently, "... please, let's let this be our secret. OK?"
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 4 - Part B
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 4 - Part B
Duncan was not sure how he should approach getting to know Sarah. He could not exactly knock on her door and say, "Hi! I'm Duncan... tell me what you're thinking!" Especially since he knew Conner would try to influence her against any overtures. Duncan laughed. Did Conner really think that I would not figure out what he was going to do? It would be the first thing that either one of us would try to do in this situation.
Duncan headed for the hub of the Complex to pick up a cup of coffee at its small cafe The CuppAJoe. Maybe some good java would help him formulate some kind of plan. Then he remembered from his days working at the monitors... whenever the clients would go into the garden area behind the old willow tree, there was a dead spot in the reception. The willow tree created a secluded spot where they had put an ornate wrought iron bench. Under the long branches hanging down, it created a private spot to sit and talk. Taking Sarah there would allow him to talk freely without interference from Conner.
Now his only problem would be devising an excuse to bring her there when he was a perfect stranger. Patience would be a key factor in this whole escapade. Of course, in a sense, Sarah was a perfect stranger to this place also. She had never been exploring to all the places in the complex and with her curiosity, there just might be an opportunity to take her to the private spot.
At 8:30 am The CuppAJoe was already overflowing with early risers wanting that first, or second cup of coffee. The tall, round tables with their high stools were already full of guests. It was standing room only as neighbors chatted with each other about how they needed to expand the small establishment. Against the far wall, stood a lovely woman wearing an exquisite cameo brooch on a silky, white summer dress. She was sipping a cup of steamy hot coffee and quietly watching everyone in the room. She had jet black hair and alabaster skin. Duncan thought he would have recognized her anywhere...Sarah.
Sarah watched the strange young man walk in, smiling at everyone, and she wondered who he was. His muscles rippled under his white shirt as he walked and Sarah imagined how firm they must feel to the touch. His curly black hair hung down almost to his shoulders and she thought how she would like to cut some of the locks off and make his hair just a little shorter. While imagining her deed, she realized he was heading straight for her. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at her musings. As their eyes met from across the room, something in the back of her brain seemed to wake up. It was like an electric shock as she looked into those pools of hazel grey, and a slight memory awoke. She tugged and fought to bring it to the surface, but a thick wall kept it from materializing. At the same time, that strange voice spoke inside her head. "Don't trust him. He's not good for you." She shivered as she fought between the two sentiments, while a turmoil of emotion began churning in her gut.
Duncan navigated the crowded room effortlessly. He made it to Sarah's side and gave her a warm smile. He took a sip of his piping hot coffee and casually introduced himself. "Hi... I'm Duncan. I'm one of the staff here and if I can help you with anything, just let me know."
Sarah fought to gain control of the situation. The two parts of her head were battling inside, as beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. She returned his invitation by brusquely pushing past him. "It's very warm in here. I believe I need some air."
She left her coffee cup on a side table and without acknowledging anyone, made her way straight to the door. Not sure where she was going, she headed for the garden to calm down in the cool of the shade trees and the fresh morning air.
Duncan knew immediately what had happened... Conner. Conner had sabotaged his first meeting with Sarah. Now it would be twice as hard for her to overcome that first surety that Duncan was not someone to trust. He quickly finished his coffee and with a vow to castigate Conner the next time he saw him, he left the coffee shop to find Sarah and try to repair their meeting.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 4 - Part B
Duncan was not sure how he should approach getting to know Sarah. He could not exactly knock on her door and say, "Hi! I'm Duncan... tell me what you're thinking!" Especially since he knew Conner would try to influence her against any overtures. Duncan laughed. Did Conner really think that I would not figure out what he was going to do? It would be the first thing that either one of us would try to do in this situation.
Duncan headed for the hub of the Complex to pick up a cup of coffee at its small cafe The CuppAJoe. Maybe some good java would help him formulate some kind of plan. Then he remembered from his days working at the monitors... whenever the clients would go into the garden area behind the old willow tree, there was a dead spot in the reception. The willow tree created a secluded spot where they had put an ornate wrought iron bench. Under the long branches hanging down, it created a private spot to sit and talk. Taking Sarah there would allow him to talk freely without interference from Conner.
Now his only problem would be devising an excuse to bring her there when he was a perfect stranger. Patience would be a key factor in this whole escapade. Of course, in a sense, Sarah was a perfect stranger to this place also. She had never been exploring to all the places in the complex and with her curiosity, there just might be an opportunity to take her to the private spot.
At 8:30 am The CuppAJoe was already overflowing with early risers wanting that first, or second cup of coffee. The tall, round tables with their high stools were already full of guests. It was standing room only as neighbors chatted with each other about how they needed to expand the small establishment. Against the far wall, stood a lovely woman wearing an exquisite cameo brooch on a silky, white summer dress. She was sipping a cup of steamy hot coffee and quietly watching everyone in the room. She had jet black hair and alabaster skin. Duncan thought he would have recognized her anywhere...Sarah.
Sarah watched the strange young man walk in, smiling at everyone, and she wondered who he was. His muscles rippled under his white shirt as he walked and Sarah imagined how firm they must feel to the touch. His curly black hair hung down almost to his shoulders and she thought how she would like to cut some of the locks off and make his hair just a little shorter. While imagining her deed, she realized he was heading straight for her. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at her musings. As their eyes met from across the room, something in the back of her brain seemed to wake up. It was like an electric shock as she looked into those pools of hazel grey, and a slight memory awoke. She tugged and fought to bring it to the surface, but a thick wall kept it from materializing. At the same time, that strange voice spoke inside her head. "Don't trust him. He's not good for you." She shivered as she fought between the two sentiments, while a turmoil of emotion began churning in her gut.
Duncan navigated the crowded room effortlessly. He made it to Sarah's side and gave her a warm smile. He took a sip of his piping hot coffee and casually introduced himself. "Hi... I'm Duncan. I'm one of the staff here and if I can help you with anything, just let me know."
Sarah fought to gain control of the situation. The two parts of her head were battling inside, as beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. She returned his invitation by brusquely pushing past him. "It's very warm in here. I believe I need some air."
She left her coffee cup on a side table and without acknowledging anyone, made her way straight to the door. Not sure where she was going, she headed for the garden to calm down in the cool of the shade trees and the fresh morning air.
Duncan knew immediately what had happened... Conner. Conner had sabotaged his first meeting with Sarah. Now it would be twice as hard for her to overcome that first surety that Duncan was not someone to trust. He quickly finished his coffee and with a vow to castigate Conner the next time he saw him, he left the coffee shop to find Sarah and try to repair their meeting.
(To be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 4 - Part A
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 4 - Part A
It was finally Monday and Duncan headed to the staff meeting, or daily report as the nurses called it, that was held in a conference room inside the Complex. All of the employees who lived and worked inside the Complex had separate staff meetings and then a regular monthly meeting outside in the Annex. Duncan sat impatiently listening to the night nurse drone on about the usual happenings of the Complex as it slept. He was suddenly curious, however, when the day supervisor, Jody, laid a new file on the table in front of the group.
"We have a new client as of early this morning..." she began, "...Sasha Kennawick. Some of you might know her. She was a nurse on our surgical staff."
Just maybe... thought Duncan sourly to himself, as the nurse continued.
"She was in a car accident and sustained a very serious head injury. Right now, her condition is guarded. She has very little memory, her speech is slurred and her affect is quite childlike."
Duncan's heart sank at the news. The devastation of a head injury could leave her permanently changed. "Jody..." he politely interrupted, "how did it happen? I mean... what did she hit to get such a bad injury? Also, were there any other injuries?"
Jody closed the file and looked directly at Duncan. "As for other injuries, I believe all that is reported here are minor bruises and contusions. But none of the details of the actual accident are in the file we received. Most of that is being kept confidential, I understand, until the family has been notified."
Duncan eyes grew very large. "You mean the family doesn't know yet?" he asked in astonishment. Dr. Thornton had told him it had been taken care of! Fortunately, Duncan had made a phone call of his own to the family, but he had told them the doctor would call them with details.
"I don't know who is taking care of that." Jody answered stiffly. "It's not really my department." It was apparent that she was annoyed by his questions. As silent eyes watched the exchange, she glanced at her watch to indicate that the meeting had reached it's end, and she dismissed everyone.
Duncan continued sitting at the table after everyone left the room. His mind was spinning with fragments of information that were like a jigsaw puzzle that did not fit. He had so many questions, but the answers he was receiving did not seem adequate. Slowly, he got up from the table, anger welling up inside him. He had to make sense of all this. But, for now, he was on duty and had a job to do. Taking a deep breath, he headed out the door.
Jody was waiting outside the door to join Duncan as he was leaving. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"
Duncan pushed his anger below the surface. "Sure," he replied cautiously.
"I understand you have a special assignment while you are here," she stated openly.
"Excuse me?" Duncan queried. Suddenly he remembered Sarah! In all the turmoil about Sasha, he had forgotten about seeing her today. He was not aware of Dr. Kapinski telling anyone else about his request, so Duncan felt he should be careful with his answers.
"I was talking about Sarah." Jody said tensely. "Dr. Kapinski left orders that you were to have a free hand while you were here and you were to report directly to him. In my opinion, that totally disrupts the chain of command..." she sniffed acrimoniously, "...but you and the doctor can handle this your way. Just don't be breaking ALL the Complex rules, OK?"
"OK... look, Jody. I don't want to be stepping on anybody's toes, so if there's a problem here, could you just say so?" Duncan asked outright.
Her face reddened and she answered, "Of course not! You have a special route right to the boss's ear, so I wouldn't want you to think I'm challenging his authority. I mean... well... he usually gives me a free hand at dealing with the clients here."
She was trying to say it delicately, but Duncan heard the message. He was interfering with the 'status quo' around here. First Dr. Kapinski and then he had heard from others teasing him about spending a Sunday morning with the "great Dr. Thornton". It was a small island with no place to hide and right now that was exactly what he wanted to do. But, he had his work to do and it included Sarah, so hiding was not on today's list.
Jody put a hand on Duncan's shoulder and smiled weakly. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine." With that she was off to make her rounds and left Duncan to make his. This was his first day in the Complex and it was starting out just peachy!
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 4 - Part A
It was finally Monday and Duncan headed to the staff meeting, or daily report as the nurses called it, that was held in a conference room inside the Complex. All of the employees who lived and worked inside the Complex had separate staff meetings and then a regular monthly meeting outside in the Annex. Duncan sat impatiently listening to the night nurse drone on about the usual happenings of the Complex as it slept. He was suddenly curious, however, when the day supervisor, Jody, laid a new file on the table in front of the group.
"We have a new client as of early this morning..." she began, "...Sasha Kennawick. Some of you might know her. She was a nurse on our surgical staff."
Just maybe... thought Duncan sourly to himself, as the nurse continued.
"She was in a car accident and sustained a very serious head injury. Right now, her condition is guarded. She has very little memory, her speech is slurred and her affect is quite childlike."
Duncan's heart sank at the news. The devastation of a head injury could leave her permanently changed. "Jody..." he politely interrupted, "how did it happen? I mean... what did she hit to get such a bad injury? Also, were there any other injuries?"
Jody closed the file and looked directly at Duncan. "As for other injuries, I believe all that is reported here are minor bruises and contusions. But none of the details of the actual accident are in the file we received. Most of that is being kept confidential, I understand, until the family has been notified."
Duncan eyes grew very large. "You mean the family doesn't know yet?" he asked in astonishment. Dr. Thornton had told him it had been taken care of! Fortunately, Duncan had made a phone call of his own to the family, but he had told them the doctor would call them with details.
"I don't know who is taking care of that." Jody answered stiffly. "It's not really my department." It was apparent that she was annoyed by his questions. As silent eyes watched the exchange, she glanced at her watch to indicate that the meeting had reached it's end, and she dismissed everyone.
Duncan continued sitting at the table after everyone left the room. His mind was spinning with fragments of information that were like a jigsaw puzzle that did not fit. He had so many questions, but the answers he was receiving did not seem adequate. Slowly, he got up from the table, anger welling up inside him. He had to make sense of all this. But, for now, he was on duty and had a job to do. Taking a deep breath, he headed out the door.
Jody was waiting outside the door to join Duncan as he was leaving. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"
Duncan pushed his anger below the surface. "Sure," he replied cautiously.
"I understand you have a special assignment while you are here," she stated openly.
"Excuse me?" Duncan queried. Suddenly he remembered Sarah! In all the turmoil about Sasha, he had forgotten about seeing her today. He was not aware of Dr. Kapinski telling anyone else about his request, so Duncan felt he should be careful with his answers.
"I was talking about Sarah." Jody said tensely. "Dr. Kapinski left orders that you were to have a free hand while you were here and you were to report directly to him. In my opinion, that totally disrupts the chain of command..." she sniffed acrimoniously, "...but you and the doctor can handle this your way. Just don't be breaking ALL the Complex rules, OK?"
"OK... look, Jody. I don't want to be stepping on anybody's toes, so if there's a problem here, could you just say so?" Duncan asked outright.
Her face reddened and she answered, "Of course not! You have a special route right to the boss's ear, so I wouldn't want you to think I'm challenging his authority. I mean... well... he usually gives me a free hand at dealing with the clients here."
She was trying to say it delicately, but Duncan heard the message. He was interfering with the 'status quo' around here. First Dr. Kapinski and then he had heard from others teasing him about spending a Sunday morning with the "great Dr. Thornton". It was a small island with no place to hide and right now that was exactly what he wanted to do. But, he had his work to do and it included Sarah, so hiding was not on today's list.
Jody put a hand on Duncan's shoulder and smiled weakly. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine." With that she was off to make her rounds and left Duncan to make his. This was his first day in the Complex and it was starting out just peachy!
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 3 - Part D
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 3 - Part D
Duncan was looking forward to seeing two people as he arrived in the Complex. Sarah, of course, but also Sasha when she was ready for her rehabilitation. He was hoping she could explain to him what happened--not only her accident, but how her clothes got packed and when she had decided to leave.
His first weekend was spent unpacking and settling into his new apartment. Then he was responsible for reviewing the current client files. Since the last time he was here the little community had doubled in size, but the working staff had stayed the same. This was due to the overseeing job he had just come from. Duncan and Conner had always called it the "ultimate bug" because what better way to keep track of someone than by putting a tiny microchip in their brain and just listening in when they spoke. This had been one of the accidental discoveries that Dr. Thornton had developed while trying to electrically stimulate the nerve growth centers of the brain. So, while all the clients had some kind of electrode implant, they had varying degrees of results with their recovery.
When Duncan came to Sarah's file, he studied her history very carefully. After reading it and re-reading it, he stared off into space for some time. Something was not adding up, but he was not sure what it was. The person he remembered was not in a wheelchair and this person had been, according to this chart. Could he have been wrong about her? He would have to wait until he met her to see anything for sure and that would mean waiting until Monday morning.
On Sunday, While Duncan still had time off, he wanted to keep his promise to go light a candle at the old church that stood with the monastery on the island. The road to get there had been left undeveloped by the contractors, who only paved the part of the road that belonged to the hospital. As Duncan walked along the rutted old road, he enjoyed seeing the tall trees and thick ferns. They had moss growing on the branches that hung over each side, making a thick canopy above the road. He had been down here before, when time permitted, but rarely saw many other visitors from the hospital. Conner had always teased him about his "religious fetish", but his strong beliefs--especially after seeing unexplainable things in the hospital--left him continually returning to worship and thank God for the life he was given and the path he had chosen to walk.
His silent meditation was broken by the sound of an SUV making its way down the road. It pulled up beside him and the driver smiled. "Hello!" It was Dr. Thornton. "Need a ride?" he amiably asked.
Duncan's emotions went on alert. He was angry at this man right now for the way things were fouled up around Sasha. But, maybe he could get some answers. Maybe it was not all Dr. Thornton's fault.
"I'm just going to the monastery up the road." Duncan answered.
"Great! So am I!" Dr. Thornton opened the passenger door and motioned for him to get in. He knew many of his employees were reticent and uncertain about how to act around him. He usually had to take the lead and be the first to offer friendship outside the work atmosphere. Because of his position, he had very few friends on the island, but he had seen Duncan at the church before and had always wanted to speak to him. As Duncan jumped in and slammed the door, Dr. Thornton asked, "How often are you able to get down here?"
"Oh... every other week or so, sir." Duncan was a little vague because his schedule was always changing.
Dr. Thornton reminded Duncan of the way he remembered his father. He had the same thinning gray-black hair and soft gentle, but sad eyes. And up close, he felt like someone with whom you could talk. But still, there was this mess about Sasha. His feelings told him to go ahead and try to find out about Dr. Thornton.
"I like to come here just to get away once in a while." Duncan offered.
"That's my feeling exactly. Your name is Duncan... something, right?"
"Yes. And that something is McNealy, sir."
"Please... no sir's out here, OK?"
Duncan smiled. This guy did not seem half bad away from the tensions of the hospital. "OK... si..." He broke off the automatic sir that came with a man of authority.
"So, Duncan McNealy, what else do you like to do in your free time?" Dr. Thornton wanted to speak of anything besides the hospital. He was hoping Duncan would oblige him.
"Hmm... free time... what's that?" Duncan said playfully.
They both laughed together, enjoying the sunshine as they pulled into the parking lot of the old church. Before they got out, Dr. Thornton said, "On the way home, I have a story to tell you." He smiled, indicating they were riding home together and then they both turned and separately went inside to do their more serious business.
Inside, Duncan remembered to light a candle for Sasha. It was not the only one lit and he hoped some of them were for her. While he was sitting in a pew waiting for Dr. Thornton, he observed the doctor standing off to the side with a young looking priest. What piqued his interest was the way the priest was dressed. Along with his black shirt and white collar, he wore a pair of faded blue jeans and leather sandals. They seemed to be in a very serious conversation, but what caught his eye most was the rosary that Dr. Thornton took out of his pocket and handed to the priest. It was a beautiful shade of turquoise blue with a large silver crucifix. He thought for a moment how strange it was, the doctor giving it to the priest, but he never totally understood everything about his own religion, so maybe Dr. Thornton had a reason he did not understand. He thought to himself that he would have to remember to ask Dr. Thornton about it, if the moment came up.
As they left the monastery, Duncan accepted an invitation for dinner at the doctor's garden apartment. They climbed into the SUV and Duncan listened to the tale of Dr. Thornton's fishing expedition off the Oregon coast. He was listening to a whole other side of this brilliant doctor and he hoped to find out just who RJ Thornton was up close and personal.
They sat finishing a delicious meal that had been sent over from the hospital's kitchen. It was then that Duncan remembered to broach the subject of religion. "Tell me about what you believe..." he began akwardly.
Dr. Thornton put his coffee cup down thoughtfully. "Believe? About what?"
"You know..." Duncan stammered, "About God."
Dr. Thornton's face paled visibly and he looked away slightly embarrassed. After a moment of silence he carefully said, "I'm afraid I'm in trouble with God right now."
Duncan sensed his distress and offered, "Whatever trouble it is, you know God will forgive you. All you have to do is ask and then stop whatever thing it is that's causing the trouble." Duncan stopped talking when he saw the stricken look on Dr. Thornton's face. Fearing he had gone somewhere that he did not belong, he quickly apologized for his forwardness and stood up to leave. He came to the other side of the table to shake hands with Dr. Thornton, who had remained seated.
Dr. Thornton looked up at Duncan and whispered, "Are you sure about that?"
Duncan turned and faced him squarely. "Yes, I'm sure."
As Duncan walked home to his apartment in the Complex, he thought it was strange that Dr. Thornton had picked him up and then invited him to his home. He was grateful for this opportunity to get to know such a great man personally, since he still had some nagging doubts about the Complex. Perhaps now he would have a way to get some of his questions answered. He could only wait and see what happens.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 3 - Part D
Duncan was looking forward to seeing two people as he arrived in the Complex. Sarah, of course, but also Sasha when she was ready for her rehabilitation. He was hoping she could explain to him what happened--not only her accident, but how her clothes got packed and when she had decided to leave.
His first weekend was spent unpacking and settling into his new apartment. Then he was responsible for reviewing the current client files. Since the last time he was here the little community had doubled in size, but the working staff had stayed the same. This was due to the overseeing job he had just come from. Duncan and Conner had always called it the "ultimate bug" because what better way to keep track of someone than by putting a tiny microchip in their brain and just listening in when they spoke. This had been one of the accidental discoveries that Dr. Thornton had developed while trying to electrically stimulate the nerve growth centers of the brain. So, while all the clients had some kind of electrode implant, they had varying degrees of results with their recovery.
When Duncan came to Sarah's file, he studied her history very carefully. After reading it and re-reading it, he stared off into space for some time. Something was not adding up, but he was not sure what it was. The person he remembered was not in a wheelchair and this person had been, according to this chart. Could he have been wrong about her? He would have to wait until he met her to see anything for sure and that would mean waiting until Monday morning.
On Sunday, While Duncan still had time off, he wanted to keep his promise to go light a candle at the old church that stood with the monastery on the island. The road to get there had been left undeveloped by the contractors, who only paved the part of the road that belonged to the hospital. As Duncan walked along the rutted old road, he enjoyed seeing the tall trees and thick ferns. They had moss growing on the branches that hung over each side, making a thick canopy above the road. He had been down here before, when time permitted, but rarely saw many other visitors from the hospital. Conner had always teased him about his "religious fetish", but his strong beliefs--especially after seeing unexplainable things in the hospital--left him continually returning to worship and thank God for the life he was given and the path he had chosen to walk.
His silent meditation was broken by the sound of an SUV making its way down the road. It pulled up beside him and the driver smiled. "Hello!" It was Dr. Thornton. "Need a ride?" he amiably asked.
Duncan's emotions went on alert. He was angry at this man right now for the way things were fouled up around Sasha. But, maybe he could get some answers. Maybe it was not all Dr. Thornton's fault.
"I'm just going to the monastery up the road." Duncan answered.
"Great! So am I!" Dr. Thornton opened the passenger door and motioned for him to get in. He knew many of his employees were reticent and uncertain about how to act around him. He usually had to take the lead and be the first to offer friendship outside the work atmosphere. Because of his position, he had very few friends on the island, but he had seen Duncan at the church before and had always wanted to speak to him. As Duncan jumped in and slammed the door, Dr. Thornton asked, "How often are you able to get down here?"
"Oh... every other week or so, sir." Duncan was a little vague because his schedule was always changing.
Dr. Thornton reminded Duncan of the way he remembered his father. He had the same thinning gray-black hair and soft gentle, but sad eyes. And up close, he felt like someone with whom you could talk. But still, there was this mess about Sasha. His feelings told him to go ahead and try to find out about Dr. Thornton.
"I like to come here just to get away once in a while." Duncan offered.
"That's my feeling exactly. Your name is Duncan... something, right?"
"Yes. And that something is McNealy, sir."
"Please... no sir's out here, OK?"
Duncan smiled. This guy did not seem half bad away from the tensions of the hospital. "OK... si..." He broke off the automatic sir that came with a man of authority.
"So, Duncan McNealy, what else do you like to do in your free time?" Dr. Thornton wanted to speak of anything besides the hospital. He was hoping Duncan would oblige him.
"Hmm... free time... what's that?" Duncan said playfully.
They both laughed together, enjoying the sunshine as they pulled into the parking lot of the old church. Before they got out, Dr. Thornton said, "On the way home, I have a story to tell you." He smiled, indicating they were riding home together and then they both turned and separately went inside to do their more serious business.
Inside, Duncan remembered to light a candle for Sasha. It was not the only one lit and he hoped some of them were for her. While he was sitting in a pew waiting for Dr. Thornton, he observed the doctor standing off to the side with a young looking priest. What piqued his interest was the way the priest was dressed. Along with his black shirt and white collar, he wore a pair of faded blue jeans and leather sandals. They seemed to be in a very serious conversation, but what caught his eye most was the rosary that Dr. Thornton took out of his pocket and handed to the priest. It was a beautiful shade of turquoise blue with a large silver crucifix. He thought for a moment how strange it was, the doctor giving it to the priest, but he never totally understood everything about his own religion, so maybe Dr. Thornton had a reason he did not understand. He thought to himself that he would have to remember to ask Dr. Thornton about it, if the moment came up.
As they left the monastery, Duncan accepted an invitation for dinner at the doctor's garden apartment. They climbed into the SUV and Duncan listened to the tale of Dr. Thornton's fishing expedition off the Oregon coast. He was listening to a whole other side of this brilliant doctor and he hoped to find out just who RJ Thornton was up close and personal.
They sat finishing a delicious meal that had been sent over from the hospital's kitchen. It was then that Duncan remembered to broach the subject of religion. "Tell me about what you believe..." he began akwardly.
Dr. Thornton put his coffee cup down thoughtfully. "Believe? About what?"
"You know..." Duncan stammered, "About God."
Dr. Thornton's face paled visibly and he looked away slightly embarrassed. After a moment of silence he carefully said, "I'm afraid I'm in trouble with God right now."
Duncan sensed his distress and offered, "Whatever trouble it is, you know God will forgive you. All you have to do is ask and then stop whatever thing it is that's causing the trouble." Duncan stopped talking when he saw the stricken look on Dr. Thornton's face. Fearing he had gone somewhere that he did not belong, he quickly apologized for his forwardness and stood up to leave. He came to the other side of the table to shake hands with Dr. Thornton, who had remained seated.
Dr. Thornton looked up at Duncan and whispered, "Are you sure about that?"
Duncan turned and faced him squarely. "Yes, I'm sure."
As Duncan walked home to his apartment in the Complex, he thought it was strange that Dr. Thornton had picked him up and then invited him to his home. He was grateful for this opportunity to get to know such a great man personally, since he still had some nagging doubts about the Complex. Perhaps now he would have a way to get some of his questions answered. He could only wait and see what happens.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 3 - Part C
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 3 - Part C
Both Conner and Duncan had come to Brookhaven at nearly the same time. They had been assigned to the same two man apartment and even though they were as different as night and day, they had become close friends over the past few years. They had always looked out for each other and liked to work the same assignments. Conner had never seen Duncan act this way over a client before, and they had seen a few really beautiful women come through here. It worried him about the trouble Duncan could be in, but respected Duncan's curiosity and courage. He was worried, however, that Duncan might say things that would unlock parts of Sarah's memory. That would be devastating for Sarah and more trouble for Duncan than he could ever imagine. Conners decision was to try and stop Duncan, but not by reporting him to Dr. Kapinski like he should. A plan was formulating in his mind, but it was too soon to carry it out. If it had been anyone else, thought Conner, I'd let them sink. But their friendship carried a strong bond and he wanted to try to help Duncan. Maybe over time, he thought, Duncan will just forget this foolishness. He will be so busy with others in the Complex he won't have time for this.
"Especially when he meets the General!" Conner laughed. He knew the General, which was his nickname, would take every new nurse in the Complex and attempt to educate them in the British Army way of doing things.
Conner's plan, he had decided, was that while he was still working at the monitors as a technician, he could use Sarah's implanted stimulator and place suggestions to her that Duncan was someone undesirable or unsafe to know... someone to watch out for. This was totally unethical... yes... but Conner did not care. He had gotten away with plenty of things with just a little bit of cunning. Duncan nor the doctors would not be suspicious, and after a while, with no response from Sarah, maybe he would deal with his disappointment and forget about her. Besides... she might not even be somebody he actually knows!
Both Duncan and Conner had a plan, each opposite the other. And, after knowing each other for so long, both already knew what the other was up to. Unfortunately Duncan did not know that Conner had a back-up plan if this one failed.
* * * * * *
Mr. Dan Wu did not make many visits to Brookhaven. In fact, he rarely came to America at all except to sign papers and check on his investments and holdings. He had discovered long ago that he was not fond of American ways and traditions. After Dr. Thornton had restored his adopted daughter's legs and she could walk, they had flown back to the Orient and she was never seen by Dr. Thornton again.
Mr. Wu was, however, interested in the promised added bonus that came with this particular investment that had cost so much more to build. Creating the Complex to Dr. Thornton's exact specifications was not a small task... especially on an island instead of on the mainland. But it was Mr. Wu who had insisted it be on this Oregon coastal island for the privacy it afforded. So he had agreed and had been willing to wait to see the outcome of this venture based on what he had learned about Dr. Thornton and his abilities. Because he considered himself a patient man he was also willing to wait for Eric Kapinski to become educated in this new, very extraordinary technique. Things were taking a bit longer than the originally mapped out plan and he had not seen any of Kapinski's work become successful yet.
On this particular visit, he had come to the Complex to see this new patient--number "7". Mr. Wu had personally arranged for this patient to become a resident in Brookhaven, so he had a special interest in her progress. He had been told by Dr. Kapinski that her entire memory had been revised. So much so that they were able to tell her she had been in a wheelchair for years before she came to the Complex. After perusing the data of this experiment, he was encouraged as to the many uses of this unique investment. But, because he was a careful man, he wanted more information from Dr. Kapinski. To himself, however, he toasted his fortune of having run across this idiot Kapinski before someone else did. Greed was a strange thing, Mr. Wu thought. If you are not careful, you can find yourself in permanent slavery, humiliated and disgraced.
Dr. Kapinski had also told Mr. Wu about Sasha, but reassured him that everything was fine. Mr. Wu was always concerned when he heard that there were difficulties in his business dealings or when something troublesome was suddenly considered to be "fine". As he sat sipping his tea from the small china cup, he swirled the tea leaves around in the cup and decided that she was too much of a risk. The answer was simple: eliminate the problem and pull up the roots.
Dr. Kapinski was summoned to his office and had recieved the instructions from Mr. Wu. But he argued, "It's already all taken care of, isn't it? Why risk more trouble?"
"She's still here and that can mean trouble. Also, what does she know?"
"She knows nothing!" assured Dr. Kapinski. "She's as docile as a lamb."
"For now she is. What about later? What if Dr. Thornton finds out what you've done?"
"He already knows. And there's nothing he can do because he signed off on the surgery without even realizing it!"
"And how did he do that?" Mr. Wu's patience was starting to wear thin with this simpleton. But Dr. Kapinski was proud of his own percieved success and answered with disdain and sarcasm. "I put it in with his papers and told him he needed to sign them off as the senior doctor. He was so broken up over the poor child that he signed the papers without a second glance. Then I told him what he'd done." Dr. Kapinski paused and reconsidered Mr. Wu's instructions. "We also have to deal with her family, sir. They will be asking questions and if she just disappeared... I mean... what would we say?"
"Dr. Kapinski... I assume you understand the concept of someone dying from severe head injuries?" Mr. Wu stood up but never raised his voice. "Get rid of the girl before my next visit. That should give you plenty of time to plan something."
Mr. Wu left him standing in his office, his mouth wide open and beads of sweat on his forehead. Mr. Wu walked through the corridors of Brookhaven Hospital contemplating his next step. Should he allow Kapinski to continue as their go-between? Maybe he should put one of his own men in here instead. But, he had given Dr. Kapinski until his next visit to fix it.
"We shall see..." Mr. Wu murmured as he pulled a cell phone from out of his pocket. "It's time to go." was all he said to the person on the other end of the phone.
Mr. Wu's jet was gone within the hour and everyone exhaled a sigh of relief. As the plane soared up in the air, a young priest riding a bicycle stopped and shaded his eyes to get a closer look at the craft as it soared upward into the clouds. He looked at his watch, turned his bicycle around and headed back to the monastery.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 3 - Part C
Both Conner and Duncan had come to Brookhaven at nearly the same time. They had been assigned to the same two man apartment and even though they were as different as night and day, they had become close friends over the past few years. They had always looked out for each other and liked to work the same assignments. Conner had never seen Duncan act this way over a client before, and they had seen a few really beautiful women come through here. It worried him about the trouble Duncan could be in, but respected Duncan's curiosity and courage. He was worried, however, that Duncan might say things that would unlock parts of Sarah's memory. That would be devastating for Sarah and more trouble for Duncan than he could ever imagine. Conners decision was to try and stop Duncan, but not by reporting him to Dr. Kapinski like he should. A plan was formulating in his mind, but it was too soon to carry it out. If it had been anyone else, thought Conner, I'd let them sink. But their friendship carried a strong bond and he wanted to try to help Duncan. Maybe over time, he thought, Duncan will just forget this foolishness. He will be so busy with others in the Complex he won't have time for this.
"Especially when he meets the General!" Conner laughed. He knew the General, which was his nickname, would take every new nurse in the Complex and attempt to educate them in the British Army way of doing things.
Conner's plan, he had decided, was that while he was still working at the monitors as a technician, he could use Sarah's implanted stimulator and place suggestions to her that Duncan was someone undesirable or unsafe to know... someone to watch out for. This was totally unethical... yes... but Conner did not care. He had gotten away with plenty of things with just a little bit of cunning. Duncan nor the doctors would not be suspicious, and after a while, with no response from Sarah, maybe he would deal with his disappointment and forget about her. Besides... she might not even be somebody he actually knows!
Both Duncan and Conner had a plan, each opposite the other. And, after knowing each other for so long, both already knew what the other was up to. Unfortunately Duncan did not know that Conner had a back-up plan if this one failed.
* * * * * *
Mr. Dan Wu did not make many visits to Brookhaven. In fact, he rarely came to America at all except to sign papers and check on his investments and holdings. He had discovered long ago that he was not fond of American ways and traditions. After Dr. Thornton had restored his adopted daughter's legs and she could walk, they had flown back to the Orient and she was never seen by Dr. Thornton again.
Mr. Wu was, however, interested in the promised added bonus that came with this particular investment that had cost so much more to build. Creating the Complex to Dr. Thornton's exact specifications was not a small task... especially on an island instead of on the mainland. But it was Mr. Wu who had insisted it be on this Oregon coastal island for the privacy it afforded. So he had agreed and had been willing to wait to see the outcome of this venture based on what he had learned about Dr. Thornton and his abilities. Because he considered himself a patient man he was also willing to wait for Eric Kapinski to become educated in this new, very extraordinary technique. Things were taking a bit longer than the originally mapped out plan and he had not seen any of Kapinski's work become successful yet.
On this particular visit, he had come to the Complex to see this new patient--number "7". Mr. Wu had personally arranged for this patient to become a resident in Brookhaven, so he had a special interest in her progress. He had been told by Dr. Kapinski that her entire memory had been revised. So much so that they were able to tell her she had been in a wheelchair for years before she came to the Complex. After perusing the data of this experiment, he was encouraged as to the many uses of this unique investment. But, because he was a careful man, he wanted more information from Dr. Kapinski. To himself, however, he toasted his fortune of having run across this idiot Kapinski before someone else did. Greed was a strange thing, Mr. Wu thought. If you are not careful, you can find yourself in permanent slavery, humiliated and disgraced.
Dr. Kapinski had also told Mr. Wu about Sasha, but reassured him that everything was fine. Mr. Wu was always concerned when he heard that there were difficulties in his business dealings or when something troublesome was suddenly considered to be "fine". As he sat sipping his tea from the small china cup, he swirled the tea leaves around in the cup and decided that she was too much of a risk. The answer was simple: eliminate the problem and pull up the roots.
Dr. Kapinski was summoned to his office and had recieved the instructions from Mr. Wu. But he argued, "It's already all taken care of, isn't it? Why risk more trouble?"
"She's still here and that can mean trouble. Also, what does she know?"
"She knows nothing!" assured Dr. Kapinski. "She's as docile as a lamb."
"For now she is. What about later? What if Dr. Thornton finds out what you've done?"
"He already knows. And there's nothing he can do because he signed off on the surgery without even realizing it!"
"And how did he do that?" Mr. Wu's patience was starting to wear thin with this simpleton. But Dr. Kapinski was proud of his own percieved success and answered with disdain and sarcasm. "I put it in with his papers and told him he needed to sign them off as the senior doctor. He was so broken up over the poor child that he signed the papers without a second glance. Then I told him what he'd done." Dr. Kapinski paused and reconsidered Mr. Wu's instructions. "We also have to deal with her family, sir. They will be asking questions and if she just disappeared... I mean... what would we say?"
"Dr. Kapinski... I assume you understand the concept of someone dying from severe head injuries?" Mr. Wu stood up but never raised his voice. "Get rid of the girl before my next visit. That should give you plenty of time to plan something."
Mr. Wu left him standing in his office, his mouth wide open and beads of sweat on his forehead. Mr. Wu walked through the corridors of Brookhaven Hospital contemplating his next step. Should he allow Kapinski to continue as their go-between? Maybe he should put one of his own men in here instead. But, he had given Dr. Kapinski until his next visit to fix it.
"We shall see..." Mr. Wu murmured as he pulled a cell phone from out of his pocket. "It's time to go." was all he said to the person on the other end of the phone.
Mr. Wu's jet was gone within the hour and everyone exhaled a sigh of relief. As the plane soared up in the air, a young priest riding a bicycle stopped and shaded his eyes to get a closer look at the craft as it soared upward into the clouds. He looked at his watch, turned his bicycle around and headed back to the monastery.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 3 - Part B
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 3 - Part B
Brookhaven Medical-Surgical Center filled an expanse of several city blocks on an island off the coast of Oregon. Besides the hospital, the tiny island contained a small airstrip and one small harbor where the twice daily ferry would bring people and supplies on and off to the nearby town of Bandon. Because it was an island, it also had a number of housing modules set up for people to rent out daily, weekly or monthly. Small cars, SUVs or even bicycles were also available for rental to get to the hospital or to just drive around the island or visit the Monastery and church.
Most of Brookhaven hospital, designed in the shape of a giant triple "TTT", was made up of it's expansive surgical department. There were the main surgery suites and recovery areas and then separate from this main part was the second floor surgery that had a corridor to a section where only certain personnel were admitted. It required handprint ID to enter. Because of this, a lot of the regular staff of doctors, interns and auxilliary personnel often made quiet jokes about Dr. Thornton's "Frankenstein Unit". These comments had naturally gotten back to Dr. Thornton who allowed the speculation to continue so it could hide the actual nature of his experimental surgery. On the other side of this special unit, seprate from the rest of the hospital, were the unit's own recovery room, ICU and hospital patient rooms that were separate from the rest of the hospital.
Off to the left and right hand sides of the hospital, behind the large right and left wings, were apartments set aside for the staff. Since this was a teaching hospital, there were dormatories in one wing set aside for the staff that would come and go as their careers dictated. In the middle were the classrooms and lecture halls affectionately known as the Annex, and on the other side of this large building, was the housing for the permanent staff with larger, more comfortable apartments. Dr. Thornton and his close associates (mostly the senior surgical staff) maintained private quarters which were protected by high fences and thick shrubbery.
Behind all this was an area totally off limits to almost all personnel. It was so hidden by walls and trees, most of the regular staff didn't really know what was back there. Most assumed it was Dr. Thornton's private playground, but in reality it contained a far-reaching enclosure known by those involved as the Complex. Security was so tight around the Complex that most of the guards didn't know what was behind the high, brush-covered walls. Only a hand picked few knew about this area, and only a dozen knew its real reason for existing.
It was into this area that Duncan was going to be returning for a second assignment. His first rotation here had been for a six week training period. He had enjoyed his stay in this unusual rehabilitation facility. He had been told that all the clients here were surgical patients who needed longer recovery periods from the micro-neurosurgical brain and nerve stimulation that they had undergone. But he also knew from his job in the recovery area that part of their retraining and rehabilitation had to do with complete memory loss and total memory replacement therapy. They had a complete list on each patient and what was supposed to be said to them and be reinforced. He had never questioned his job before, until recently when he had seen Sarah. He had quietly watched her re-training, all the time being almost sure she was actually someone else. It was then that the nagging questions had started. What was wrong with telling her she had been in a wheelchair if she had? But, if she was the person Duncan thought her to be, she never had been in a wheelchair at all! And why change her name? He was sure Sarah was not her real name, but he could not prove what he thought to be true. He had hidden all this from Conner, but now Conner had starting watching him... closely.
Back in the small apartment that Duncan shared with Conner, Duncan was occupied with packing his bags for his longer rotation in the Complex. Conner was laying crossways on his bed throwing a soft basketball against the wall, eyeing Duncan closely.
"Don't get involved, Duncan." Conner said casually, breaking the awkward silence.
"What are you talking about?" Duncan answered innocently, looking up from his packing briefly and then continuing with his clothes.
"Oh, come on, Duncan!" Conner insisted. He threw the basketball into the wastebasket and sat up on the bed. "I saw the looks you were giving that lady from the moment you first set eyes on her! Now what's going on?"
"What lady?" Duncan pleaded innocently. "And how can I tell you what's going on when I don't know who you're talking about?!"
"You know who I'm talking about! Don't play the innocent with me... I know you too well!" Conner stood up and walked over to face Duncan. "I'll tell you what it is... you know her... don't you." It was a statement not a question.
Duncan felt trapped, but turned away to hide his face, continuing to pack in silence. How could he ever explain to Conner what was happening inside his gut. Conner was a rebel by nature and would confront you on a hangnail. Duncan had to reach way down deep inside his passive nature to get up enough courage to ignore Conner and stay true to his own feelings. He bent down and reached for the things inside his closet, with the hope that the conversation would die.
Conner got off the bed and set his hands on his hips."It's too risky, Duncan, for you and for her. You've got to forget..."
Duncan stood up tall and stopped him mid-sentence. "Conner, please...drop it... OK?"
He didn't understand Conner's persistence. Why did it matter to Conner whether Sarah was someone he recognized or not? Duncan wanted dearly to confide in Conner, but again, he was feeling the same caution he had felt earlier with Dr. Kapinski while he was on duty.
The silence between them was long and heavy as Duncan gathered up his bags and left the apartment. He didn't turn and try to say goodbye, knowing his thoughts and feelings would be revealed. Conner had become his best friend since he had come to the island, but there was a chasm developing between them. He wanted to try and explain what was going on, but if he was wrong, or perhaps if he was right, it would only mean trouble for Conner as well. But as Conner sat staring after Duncan, Conner sadly knew what he had to do.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 3 - Part B
Brookhaven Medical-Surgical Center filled an expanse of several city blocks on an island off the coast of Oregon. Besides the hospital, the tiny island contained a small airstrip and one small harbor where the twice daily ferry would bring people and supplies on and off to the nearby town of Bandon. Because it was an island, it also had a number of housing modules set up for people to rent out daily, weekly or monthly. Small cars, SUVs or even bicycles were also available for rental to get to the hospital or to just drive around the island or visit the Monastery and church.
Most of Brookhaven hospital, designed in the shape of a giant triple "TTT", was made up of it's expansive surgical department. There were the main surgery suites and recovery areas and then separate from this main part was the second floor surgery that had a corridor to a section where only certain personnel were admitted. It required handprint ID to enter. Because of this, a lot of the regular staff of doctors, interns and auxilliary personnel often made quiet jokes about Dr. Thornton's "Frankenstein Unit". These comments had naturally gotten back to Dr. Thornton who allowed the speculation to continue so it could hide the actual nature of his experimental surgery. On the other side of this special unit, seprate from the rest of the hospital, were the unit's own recovery room, ICU and hospital patient rooms that were separate from the rest of the hospital.
Off to the left and right hand sides of the hospital, behind the large right and left wings, were apartments set aside for the staff. Since this was a teaching hospital, there were dormatories in one wing set aside for the staff that would come and go as their careers dictated. In the middle were the classrooms and lecture halls affectionately known as the Annex, and on the other side of this large building, was the housing for the permanent staff with larger, more comfortable apartments. Dr. Thornton and his close associates (mostly the senior surgical staff) maintained private quarters which were protected by high fences and thick shrubbery.
Behind all this was an area totally off limits to almost all personnel. It was so hidden by walls and trees, most of the regular staff didn't really know what was back there. Most assumed it was Dr. Thornton's private playground, but in reality it contained a far-reaching enclosure known by those involved as the Complex. Security was so tight around the Complex that most of the guards didn't know what was behind the high, brush-covered walls. Only a hand picked few knew about this area, and only a dozen knew its real reason for existing.
It was into this area that Duncan was going to be returning for a second assignment. His first rotation here had been for a six week training period. He had enjoyed his stay in this unusual rehabilitation facility. He had been told that all the clients here were surgical patients who needed longer recovery periods from the micro-neurosurgical brain and nerve stimulation that they had undergone. But he also knew from his job in the recovery area that part of their retraining and rehabilitation had to do with complete memory loss and total memory replacement therapy. They had a complete list on each patient and what was supposed to be said to them and be reinforced. He had never questioned his job before, until recently when he had seen Sarah. He had quietly watched her re-training, all the time being almost sure she was actually someone else. It was then that the nagging questions had started. What was wrong with telling her she had been in a wheelchair if she had? But, if she was the person Duncan thought her to be, she never had been in a wheelchair at all! And why change her name? He was sure Sarah was not her real name, but he could not prove what he thought to be true. He had hidden all this from Conner, but now Conner had starting watching him... closely.
Back in the small apartment that Duncan shared with Conner, Duncan was occupied with packing his bags for his longer rotation in the Complex. Conner was laying crossways on his bed throwing a soft basketball against the wall, eyeing Duncan closely.
"Don't get involved, Duncan." Conner said casually, breaking the awkward silence.
"What are you talking about?" Duncan answered innocently, looking up from his packing briefly and then continuing with his clothes.
"Oh, come on, Duncan!" Conner insisted. He threw the basketball into the wastebasket and sat up on the bed. "I saw the looks you were giving that lady from the moment you first set eyes on her! Now what's going on?"
"What lady?" Duncan pleaded innocently. "And how can I tell you what's going on when I don't know who you're talking about?!"
"You know who I'm talking about! Don't play the innocent with me... I know you too well!" Conner stood up and walked over to face Duncan. "I'll tell you what it is... you know her... don't you." It was a statement not a question.
Duncan felt trapped, but turned away to hide his face, continuing to pack in silence. How could he ever explain to Conner what was happening inside his gut. Conner was a rebel by nature and would confront you on a hangnail. Duncan had to reach way down deep inside his passive nature to get up enough courage to ignore Conner and stay true to his own feelings. He bent down and reached for the things inside his closet, with the hope that the conversation would die.
Conner got off the bed and set his hands on his hips."It's too risky, Duncan, for you and for her. You've got to forget..."
Duncan stood up tall and stopped him mid-sentence. "Conner, please...drop it... OK?"
He didn't understand Conner's persistence. Why did it matter to Conner whether Sarah was someone he recognized or not? Duncan wanted dearly to confide in Conner, but again, he was feeling the same caution he had felt earlier with Dr. Kapinski while he was on duty.
The silence between them was long and heavy as Duncan gathered up his bags and left the apartment. He didn't turn and try to say goodbye, knowing his thoughts and feelings would be revealed. Conner had become his best friend since he had come to the island, but there was a chasm developing between them. He wanted to try and explain what was going on, but if he was wrong, or perhaps if he was right, it would only mean trouble for Conner as well. But as Conner sat staring after Duncan, Conner sadly knew what he had to do.
(to be continued...)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 3 - Part A
(To read the beginning to the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 3 - Part A
Sarah's curiosity had definitely been piqued when Dominique told her about the Complex, which was to be her home. As she stood there looking at her lavender pajamas, however, she shook her head doubtfully at Dominique.
"But I don't have any clothes. I can't go out there in these!" Sarah pulled at her pajamas, wishing they would disappear.
Dominique smiled and turned to a wall next to the bed. "I took the liberty of bringing a few things over from your apartment so you could decided what you'd like to wear."
Sarah felt dumbfounded as she watched another wall slide open into a closet. In it were a number of very nice clothes, shoes and accessories in her size. She felt the material of all the clothing, hoping they would bring back a memory. But all she was left with was the same vacant void when she tried to think about anything before the last few days. To offset her gloomy mood, she chose a summery white, gauze dress and some matching sandals. After getting all ready, she stood anxiously waiting for the bookcase to slide open again. As always, her eagerness melted into momentary confusion when the bookcase didn't open... again... but the opposite wall slid open to reveal a beautiful garden path with an array of colorful flowers among lush green plants. This path would lead them all the way to the middle of the Complex. Her irritation at more unexpected events caused a reproach towards Dominique.
"Miss... uh... Dominique... does anything stay put in this place? In the future, would you please warn me about unexpected sliding walls, appearing and disappearing spare rooms, closets and what not?"
Dominique smiled with the professional air she always maintained and calmly responded to Sarah. "Certainly. I apologize for the confusion. In the future, I'll try to remember to explain to you all of our modern advances and time saving devices before they appearr or disappear. Shall we go and have a walk around the Complex? Your apartment is number "7"... that's closer to the town square, at the hub."
As they walked along the path, they passed rows of soft green and butter yellow apartments. Each had its own little bit of lawn and shrubs about it. Dominique described the design of the Complex as they walked. It's been modeled after the Ringstrasse of Vienna, only on a much smaller scale, of course."
She handed Sarah a small map of the Complex that had all the main buildings labeled, with a star next to an apartment in the second circle. That apartment was number "7"...Sarah's apartment. Dominique told her that she had lived here before so she tried to remember anything about this place, but still there was nothing. She had hoped that after she saw the Complex that would change. Finally they reached the second ring from the middle that contained her apartment. Dominique stopped walking so Sarah could take it in and look at her own apartment. It had a small grassy area out front with a walkway up to the door. On either side of the door were windows with flower boxes that contained the same colorful flowers that were seen all over the Complex.
"Does anybody ever grow vegetables here?" Sarah asked.
"There's a special garden just for that. See... here... on the map." Dominique pointed to a special area near the big round area in the middle of the map. "It's actually not very far from here if you want to go see it later. Right now, let's go inside your apartment and get you settled in."
Sarah was nervous about seeing her apartment. What if she couldn't remember living here... and as of right now, she could not. So far, this whole place was a mystery to her. She could not understand how she could have lived somewhere and not remember a thing about it. Dominique handed Sarah a brass key with a number "7" on it. As she took the key she smiled and then broke out in laughter.
"You mean to tell me I have to open this with a key? What happened to the sliding walls?"
For the first time she actually saw some emotion from Dominique. Her eyes twinkled as she tried to contain her laughter. "I'm sorry Sarah... for privacy reasons you will need to open it with a key."
Sarah turned and looked at the sidewalk again before they entered and she suddenly had a striking revelation. There were no streets here! No cars! Why didn't she notice that before? But, instead of asking Dominique, she kept it to herself for now. She would investigate that later. Now, she needed to investigate her apartment. She turned the key in the lock and a voice from inside the apartment announced a greeting.
"Hello, Sarah, welcome home." The door swung open and Sarah stepped back a bit, wondering at the voice inside.
It's your automatic computer, monitoring your door." Dominique explained. "From now on you don't have to use your key. All you have to say is..."
"Open sesame?" Sarah interjected with a wry smile.
"Actually, all it needs is the sound of your voice. It runs on a voice print program. Just like you can turn on the lights by saying: 'Lights'."
Sarah did just that and the lights sprang on in the room. She looked around the entire living room area and didn't recognize anything at all. She turned to Dominique and asked, "Do I have a bunch of sliding walls? Or do I have a real kitchen that I can cook in."
Dominique continued to smile and said, "Yes, you have a real kitchen. If you choose to cook, you may, or you can have meals delivered in. Or, you can go to our fine eatery in the center of the Complex. A lot of your neighbors like to go there for lunch or to our coffee house for a cup of coffee in the morning. It's a good place to visit."
Sarah nodded as she wandered around her apartment. She had found the bedroom and was now examining the closets and drawers. The clothes in the drawers were all her size, but she didn't recognize anything. After looking all around, she turned to Dominique and asked, "Is there a place to go shopping?"
"Everything you need is provided here."
"Yes. But can I go shopping somewhere?"
"What is it you need?"
"I want to go clothes shopping. And food shopping. and some personal things. You know... shopping!" Sarah was starting to feel that same frustration as with the sliding walls. It wasn't quite right here. But, again, she said nothing. Instead, she asked, "Could I be alone for awhile to kind of get acquainted with my apartment?"
"Certainly. I'll come back later to check on you. And feel free to go out and visit the square. I'm sure you might enjoy saying hello to your neighbors, also."
I'm sure I won't, thought Sarah, who couldn't remember any of these neighbors she was supposed to have known.
Dominique turned and left Sarah alone in the bedroom. When she was alone, Sarah sat down on the bed as tears started to roll down her cheeks. It had been a very big disappointment to not remember anything at all. Now, she just wanted to have a good cry. Then, she wanted to try and solve this puzzle.
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 3 - Part A
Sarah's curiosity had definitely been piqued when Dominique told her about the Complex, which was to be her home. As she stood there looking at her lavender pajamas, however, she shook her head doubtfully at Dominique.
"But I don't have any clothes. I can't go out there in these!" Sarah pulled at her pajamas, wishing they would disappear.
Dominique smiled and turned to a wall next to the bed. "I took the liberty of bringing a few things over from your apartment so you could decided what you'd like to wear."
Sarah felt dumbfounded as she watched another wall slide open into a closet. In it were a number of very nice clothes, shoes and accessories in her size. She felt the material of all the clothing, hoping they would bring back a memory. But all she was left with was the same vacant void when she tried to think about anything before the last few days. To offset her gloomy mood, she chose a summery white, gauze dress and some matching sandals. After getting all ready, she stood anxiously waiting for the bookcase to slide open again. As always, her eagerness melted into momentary confusion when the bookcase didn't open... again... but the opposite wall slid open to reveal a beautiful garden path with an array of colorful flowers among lush green plants. This path would lead them all the way to the middle of the Complex. Her irritation at more unexpected events caused a reproach towards Dominique.
"Miss... uh... Dominique... does anything stay put in this place? In the future, would you please warn me about unexpected sliding walls, appearing and disappearing spare rooms, closets and what not?"
Dominique smiled with the professional air she always maintained and calmly responded to Sarah. "Certainly. I apologize for the confusion. In the future, I'll try to remember to explain to you all of our modern advances and time saving devices before they appearr or disappear. Shall we go and have a walk around the Complex? Your apartment is number "7"... that's closer to the town square, at the hub."
As they walked along the path, they passed rows of soft green and butter yellow apartments. Each had its own little bit of lawn and shrubs about it. Dominique described the design of the Complex as they walked. It's been modeled after the Ringstrasse of Vienna, only on a much smaller scale, of course."
She handed Sarah a small map of the Complex that had all the main buildings labeled, with a star next to an apartment in the second circle. That apartment was number "7"...Sarah's apartment. Dominique told her that she had lived here before so she tried to remember anything about this place, but still there was nothing. She had hoped that after she saw the Complex that would change. Finally they reached the second ring from the middle that contained her apartment. Dominique stopped walking so Sarah could take it in and look at her own apartment. It had a small grassy area out front with a walkway up to the door. On either side of the door were windows with flower boxes that contained the same colorful flowers that were seen all over the Complex.
"Does anybody ever grow vegetables here?" Sarah asked.
"There's a special garden just for that. See... here... on the map." Dominique pointed to a special area near the big round area in the middle of the map. "It's actually not very far from here if you want to go see it later. Right now, let's go inside your apartment and get you settled in."
Sarah was nervous about seeing her apartment. What if she couldn't remember living here... and as of right now, she could not. So far, this whole place was a mystery to her. She could not understand how she could have lived somewhere and not remember a thing about it. Dominique handed Sarah a brass key with a number "7" on it. As she took the key she smiled and then broke out in laughter.
"You mean to tell me I have to open this with a key? What happened to the sliding walls?"
For the first time she actually saw some emotion from Dominique. Her eyes twinkled as she tried to contain her laughter. "I'm sorry Sarah... for privacy reasons you will need to open it with a key."
Sarah turned and looked at the sidewalk again before they entered and she suddenly had a striking revelation. There were no streets here! No cars! Why didn't she notice that before? But, instead of asking Dominique, she kept it to herself for now. She would investigate that later. Now, she needed to investigate her apartment. She turned the key in the lock and a voice from inside the apartment announced a greeting.
"Hello, Sarah, welcome home." The door swung open and Sarah stepped back a bit, wondering at the voice inside.
It's your automatic computer, monitoring your door." Dominique explained. "From now on you don't have to use your key. All you have to say is..."
"Open sesame?" Sarah interjected with a wry smile.
"Actually, all it needs is the sound of your voice. It runs on a voice print program. Just like you can turn on the lights by saying: 'Lights'."
Sarah did just that and the lights sprang on in the room. She looked around the entire living room area and didn't recognize anything at all. She turned to Dominique and asked, "Do I have a bunch of sliding walls? Or do I have a real kitchen that I can cook in."
Dominique continued to smile and said, "Yes, you have a real kitchen. If you choose to cook, you may, or you can have meals delivered in. Or, you can go to our fine eatery in the center of the Complex. A lot of your neighbors like to go there for lunch or to our coffee house for a cup of coffee in the morning. It's a good place to visit."
Sarah nodded as she wandered around her apartment. She had found the bedroom and was now examining the closets and drawers. The clothes in the drawers were all her size, but she didn't recognize anything. After looking all around, she turned to Dominique and asked, "Is there a place to go shopping?"
"Everything you need is provided here."
"Yes. But can I go shopping somewhere?"
"What is it you need?"
"I want to go clothes shopping. And food shopping. and some personal things. You know... shopping!" Sarah was starting to feel that same frustration as with the sliding walls. It wasn't quite right here. But, again, she said nothing. Instead, she asked, "Could I be alone for awhile to kind of get acquainted with my apartment?"
"Certainly. I'll come back later to check on you. And feel free to go out and visit the square. I'm sure you might enjoy saying hello to your neighbors, also."
I'm sure I won't, thought Sarah, who couldn't remember any of these neighbors she was supposed to have known.
Dominique turned and left Sarah alone in the bedroom. When she was alone, Sarah sat down on the bed as tears started to roll down her cheeks. It had been a very big disappointment to not remember anything at all. Now, she just wanted to have a good cry. Then, she wanted to try and solve this puzzle.
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
The Complex - Chapter 2 - Part D
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 2 - Part D
Dr. Thornton and Dr. Kapinski entered the room as Duncan sat musing over his conundrum. He instantly switched his eyes to another screen so he wouldn't look so interested in one single patient (Sarah) and they wouldn't see the hurt that had crept into his eyes from thinking about his soul mate.
Dr. Thornton appeared pale and drawn more so than his usual look after a long, hard operation. He cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I have some very distressing news..." he began, as they both turned to face him. "Unfortunately, while Miss Sasha Kennawick was driving to the airport, she was involved in an extremely serious accident. She's in intensive care right now with one of our best neurosurgeons--Dr. Potter--watching over her. Her condition is guarded, but her prognosis is fair. When she is doing better, she will be coming to the Complex for rehabilitation. We're not exactly sure how bad the damage is, but please maintain her privacy until we can contact her family. And because of the circumstances of her departure, there's going to be a lot of speculation, so please do not discuss this with anyone. We are all very sorry this has happened and we will do everything we can to help her regardless of the situation."
There was complete silence in the room as Conner and Duncan stared at Dr. Thornton. The doctor looked stricken, as if his own child had been hurt. Dr. Kapinski stared at the floor during the entire recitation, looking uninterested and impatient.
Finally in shock and disbelief, Duncan spoke up in a hoarse voice. "I know her family. I'd like to call them if I could be relieved." He desperately wanted to go run into the forest and scream at the top of his lungs. The pain he felt was overwhelming and he didn't want to just sit here right now. Also, confusion was blinding his thoughts. He had just talked to the porter... he had doubts about this whole incident. How could something like this happen?
"You knew her family...?" Dr. Thornton started to ask. But Dr. Kapinski looked up and interrupted.
"That's already been taken care of R.J."
R.J. Thornton, MD looked around sadly at Dr. Kapinski and then back at Duncan. He stood shifting from foot to foot, not sure of what to say to Duncan. "Yes... well... hmm... Okay... Thank you anyway, Duncan. I appreciate your concern. But, as you can see..."
"We are friends. I'll make sure to light a candle for her at mass, Doctor." Duncan whispered quietly. To himself he added that he would call Sasha's parents right after his shift.He had stiffened during Dr. Thornton's news. He was angry and suspicious at the explanation and he wondered why Dr. Thornton hadn't done the operation himself? He understood why Dr. Kapinski couldn't do it, because of the altercation in the Annex. He kept quiet and hid his feelings so no one could see them, but Conner saw him stiffen and he decided to wait until later to ask Duncan about what was going on.
"Thank you Duncan..." replied Dr. Thornton, "...and I will light a candle also." Dr. Thornton turned to leave, looking older than his years, his shoulders even more stooped than usual. With a sigh he left to go on with his rounds, leaving Dr. Kapinski with the two young men at their stations.
Dr. Kapinski leaned over Duncan and Conner, looking at all the screens, to see for himself how the patients were doing. He made no mention of Sasha and it was put behind them for the moment. He put his hand on Duncan's shoulder, but Conner pretended not to notice the sudden display of 'friendship'. To them, it usually meant a job change. The two had been working together for so long this could mean the breakup of a good team. It might mean his rotation to surgery. That wasn't a welcome thought for Conner, since they had enjoyed each others company on and off the job.
Conner watched as Dr. Kapinski chatted with Duncan and he felt a true jealousy eating away inside. The doctors always addressed Duncan first when they came to the work center. They always asked Duncan what he was thinking first. Conner felt like an invisible worker next to a person who was supposed to be his best friend. How could he prove to Dr. Kapinski that he was important too? Conner decided he would find a way. Somehow, he'd be just as important as Duncan. Conner snapped back away from his thoughts when he heard Dr. Kapinski talking about their latest patient.
"Well, Duncan, it's time for number 7 to stop being a patient and become another one of our clients in the Complex. Has she had any problems with her name?"
Duncan paused for a moment before answering. He wanted to tell the doctor that he thought he recognized her, but something in his gut warned him off. He finally said, "It's been a bit difficult for her overall, sir, but she's not said anything negative about her name."
Conner mutely shook his head in agreement when Dr. Kapinski glanced at him. He wanted to add something intelligent to impress the doctor but the time to speak flew away when Dr. Kapinski started speaking, so Conner gritted his teeth in silence.
"Okay, since all is in agreement, send Dominique in to prepare Sarah for the transition. As soon as she's ready, Dominique has full authority to take her outside into the Complex."
Duncan nodded his head, picking up the phone to call Dominique when Dr. Kapinski cleared his throat and began again. Duncan knew what was coming.
"Duncan... it's rotation time again. You know we try to protect our employees from burnout by doing this..." He waited for Duncan to acknowledge his reasoning. After the appropriate nod from Duncan, he continued. "Since we consider this the most stressful job in the entire facility, we like to reward our hard workers with a most delightful change of job by letting them work in the Complex. You have been at this position for a very long time and have done an excellent job. Unfortunately, Conner has to stay on to help orient our new staff member. He is transferring over from the recovery center." Duncan nodded again, waiting for the rest of his instructions.
"As you know, of course, you'll be staying in the supervision housing which is actually much nicer than the regular apartments. Quite superb, in fact. Have you done this rotation before?"
"Yes sir, I enjoyed it very much." Duncan tried to curb his enthusiasm at going back to the Complex. The opportunity of getting close to Sarah was actually materializing for him and he didn't want anything to change this current reassignment.
"Good then. You know all the job requirements... daily reports... especially newcomers. Oh--and by the way--we need a very careful watch on number 7, or Sarah, that is, now that she is a client. Try to get close to her if you can... and try to get her to talk about whatever she's thinking. We're not really getting much from her, as you know."
"Yes sir. I know. I'll do my best." You bet I will, Duncan thought. And that's an order! Trying to get close to the one person he wanted to talk to anyway was an excellent assignment. Duncan couldn't have been happier if they had given him an all expense paid vacation! He ran his hand through his shoulder length, black hair and felt his chin for a 5 o'clock shadow. He had an hour and a half left on his last shift in the "hole", as most of the staff affectionately called it. The time seemed to grind to a halt as he watched the clock, waiting for the hands to strike 5 pm. Soon he would not have to just sit there and watch Sarah on the screen. He would be able to meet her in person and perhaps find out if he had met her before... and where it had been. But then... she probably wouldn't remember him...
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 2 - Part D
Dr. Thornton and Dr. Kapinski entered the room as Duncan sat musing over his conundrum. He instantly switched his eyes to another screen so he wouldn't look so interested in one single patient (Sarah) and they wouldn't see the hurt that had crept into his eyes from thinking about his soul mate.
Dr. Thornton appeared pale and drawn more so than his usual look after a long, hard operation. He cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, I have some very distressing news..." he began, as they both turned to face him. "Unfortunately, while Miss Sasha Kennawick was driving to the airport, she was involved in an extremely serious accident. She's in intensive care right now with one of our best neurosurgeons--Dr. Potter--watching over her. Her condition is guarded, but her prognosis is fair. When she is doing better, she will be coming to the Complex for rehabilitation. We're not exactly sure how bad the damage is, but please maintain her privacy until we can contact her family. And because of the circumstances of her departure, there's going to be a lot of speculation, so please do not discuss this with anyone. We are all very sorry this has happened and we will do everything we can to help her regardless of the situation."
There was complete silence in the room as Conner and Duncan stared at Dr. Thornton. The doctor looked stricken, as if his own child had been hurt. Dr. Kapinski stared at the floor during the entire recitation, looking uninterested and impatient.
Finally in shock and disbelief, Duncan spoke up in a hoarse voice. "I know her family. I'd like to call them if I could be relieved." He desperately wanted to go run into the forest and scream at the top of his lungs. The pain he felt was overwhelming and he didn't want to just sit here right now. Also, confusion was blinding his thoughts. He had just talked to the porter... he had doubts about this whole incident. How could something like this happen?
"You knew her family...?" Dr. Thornton started to ask. But Dr. Kapinski looked up and interrupted.
"That's already been taken care of R.J."
R.J. Thornton, MD looked around sadly at Dr. Kapinski and then back at Duncan. He stood shifting from foot to foot, not sure of what to say to Duncan. "Yes... well... hmm... Okay... Thank you anyway, Duncan. I appreciate your concern. But, as you can see..."
"We are friends. I'll make sure to light a candle for her at mass, Doctor." Duncan whispered quietly. To himself he added that he would call Sasha's parents right after his shift.He had stiffened during Dr. Thornton's news. He was angry and suspicious at the explanation and he wondered why Dr. Thornton hadn't done the operation himself? He understood why Dr. Kapinski couldn't do it, because of the altercation in the Annex. He kept quiet and hid his feelings so no one could see them, but Conner saw him stiffen and he decided to wait until later to ask Duncan about what was going on.
"Thank you Duncan..." replied Dr. Thornton, "...and I will light a candle also." Dr. Thornton turned to leave, looking older than his years, his shoulders even more stooped than usual. With a sigh he left to go on with his rounds, leaving Dr. Kapinski with the two young men at their stations.
Dr. Kapinski leaned over Duncan and Conner, looking at all the screens, to see for himself how the patients were doing. He made no mention of Sasha and it was put behind them for the moment. He put his hand on Duncan's shoulder, but Conner pretended not to notice the sudden display of 'friendship'. To them, it usually meant a job change. The two had been working together for so long this could mean the breakup of a good team. It might mean his rotation to surgery. That wasn't a welcome thought for Conner, since they had enjoyed each others company on and off the job.
Conner watched as Dr. Kapinski chatted with Duncan and he felt a true jealousy eating away inside. The doctors always addressed Duncan first when they came to the work center. They always asked Duncan what he was thinking first. Conner felt like an invisible worker next to a person who was supposed to be his best friend. How could he prove to Dr. Kapinski that he was important too? Conner decided he would find a way. Somehow, he'd be just as important as Duncan. Conner snapped back away from his thoughts when he heard Dr. Kapinski talking about their latest patient.
"Well, Duncan, it's time for number 7 to stop being a patient and become another one of our clients in the Complex. Has she had any problems with her name?"
Duncan paused for a moment before answering. He wanted to tell the doctor that he thought he recognized her, but something in his gut warned him off. He finally said, "It's been a bit difficult for her overall, sir, but she's not said anything negative about her name."
Conner mutely shook his head in agreement when Dr. Kapinski glanced at him. He wanted to add something intelligent to impress the doctor but the time to speak flew away when Dr. Kapinski started speaking, so Conner gritted his teeth in silence.
"Okay, since all is in agreement, send Dominique in to prepare Sarah for the transition. As soon as she's ready, Dominique has full authority to take her outside into the Complex."
Duncan nodded his head, picking up the phone to call Dominique when Dr. Kapinski cleared his throat and began again. Duncan knew what was coming.
"Duncan... it's rotation time again. You know we try to protect our employees from burnout by doing this..." He waited for Duncan to acknowledge his reasoning. After the appropriate nod from Duncan, he continued. "Since we consider this the most stressful job in the entire facility, we like to reward our hard workers with a most delightful change of job by letting them work in the Complex. You have been at this position for a very long time and have done an excellent job. Unfortunately, Conner has to stay on to help orient our new staff member. He is transferring over from the recovery center." Duncan nodded again, waiting for the rest of his instructions.
"As you know, of course, you'll be staying in the supervision housing which is actually much nicer than the regular apartments. Quite superb, in fact. Have you done this rotation before?"
"Yes sir, I enjoyed it very much." Duncan tried to curb his enthusiasm at going back to the Complex. The opportunity of getting close to Sarah was actually materializing for him and he didn't want anything to change this current reassignment.
"Good then. You know all the job requirements... daily reports... especially newcomers. Oh--and by the way--we need a very careful watch on number 7, or Sarah, that is, now that she is a client. Try to get close to her if you can... and try to get her to talk about whatever she's thinking. We're not really getting much from her, as you know."
"Yes sir. I know. I'll do my best." You bet I will, Duncan thought. And that's an order! Trying to get close to the one person he wanted to talk to anyway was an excellent assignment. Duncan couldn't have been happier if they had given him an all expense paid vacation! He ran his hand through his shoulder length, black hair and felt his chin for a 5 o'clock shadow. He had an hour and a half left on his last shift in the "hole", as most of the staff affectionately called it. The time seemed to grind to a halt as he watched the clock, waiting for the hands to strike 5 pm. Soon he would not have to just sit there and watch Sarah on the screen. He would be able to meet her in person and perhaps find out if he had met her before... and where it had been. But then... she probably wouldn't remember him...
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 2 - Part C
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 2 - Part C
Duncan left the annex stunned at the altercation. He wanted to find Sasha so he could talk to her before she packed her things and left the island. He told Conner he had some personal business to take care of and headed for her apartment. When he arrived at the front door, he found it unlocked and standing ajar. Inside, all of her personal belongings had been removed and all that was left appeared to belong to her roommate.
Wait a minute... he thought... how could she have packed up and disappeared in such a short time? Had she been planning this all along? But she would have at least said something. They had been friends for so long that he was surprised that she hadn't said something about the enormous anger he'd seen and felt coming from her. They didn't get to spend much time together because of their schedules being opposite and he knew she had starting seeing someone very secretly. She hadn't told him about it and that was a little bewildering since they had always shared their adventures with each other. But, he had respected her privacy and refused to pry she wouldn't answer his queries.
Lately, they hadn't spent any of that luxurious free time on the beach, watching the Oregon surf beat against the soft sand. The last time they'd been together, on a particularly hot day for Oregon, Sasha had decided to go swimming... shedding everything but a bathing suit. She had run back from the freezing surf shaking and blue, grabbing everything she could find with which to cover up. Duncan had helped dry her long blonde hair and had told her she had the greenest eyes he had ever seen. She had blushed, but declined his invitation for romance.
"I'm seeing someone right now, Duncan," she had explained, "but please don't ask me about it, okay?" That had been their last discussion on the subject.
So now, Duncan shook his head in disbelief. "Where did you go?" he mumbled aloud. He began wandering around the grounds, ending up at the front lobby of the hospital. There, a young man dressed in a porter's uniform stood lazily waiting for the next car to arrive or for anyone in need of assistance when they were leaving. Duncan casually walked up to him hoping to find some information.
"Hi. Seen anybody leave lately?"
The porter scrutinized Duncan's casual appearance, straightened with importance and responded officially. "Who are you looking for?"
"A young nurse with blonde hair and hazel-green eyes. She would've been heading for the airstrip."
"Nope. Not in the last four and a half hours. And by that description, I wouldn't have missed the cutie! Before that, I couldn't tell you. I was running all over the place moving luggage from one place to the next. You know... move me here... move me there..."
Duncan nodded absently, said his thanks and kept on walking while the porter continued to talk to thin air. Then he suddenly realized what the porter had been talking about! "...move me here... move me there." The porter had probably moved Sasha's belongings somewhere! He needed to go back and talk to him. Sasha had to be somewhere on the grounds. Checking his watch, he was startled by the time and ran the entire length of the hospital to get back to the Complex. His shift was about to start, so looking for her would have to wait until after he got off work and had time to think through this whole mess. Right now he had to keep his mind on his job which required a great deal of concentration. If he started messing up because he wasn't paying attention, it could possibly mean a job change, but not the one he was interested in.
* * * * * *
Sarah lay asleep on the floor curled around her pillow that was still moist from the tears she had cried for what had seemed like hours. All day she had questioned, insisted and demanded answers, but had received none. Not even from the voice that would come from nowhere. She felt completely isolated and cut off from any human contact aside from Dominique--in her crisp, clean suits. So, without any memory to fall back on to help her cope with this horrible nightmare, she had decided to lay down on the floor near the bookcase and cry herself to sleep. What she didn't know was that Duncan and Conner had kept a close watch on her most of the day and when they were gone others were in their place. Their orders were not to interfere unless it was vital to her survival. She needed to go through her stages of grief at losing her entire memory. Normally, a memory wouldn't be so completely lost and with her fighting the whole process, it seemed to make her recovery that much harder. Duncan wondered why it had been so important for the doctors to erase what little was left. The memory generally recovered little by little anyway after their spinal cords healed.
Duncan watched silently while Sarah lay sleeping. It had been a very difficult day for him - being assigned to oversee this grief process. He's seen many before, but this one was different. The reason? He was certain he'd seen Sarah before. He remembered her looks: her jet black hair and blue eyes. She had sheer alabaster skin that was unforgettable and her whole presence and demeanor told him that her family had come from the Mediterranean somewhere. He had visited Greece once to see a childhood friend. They had met while their parents were both working in Washington, D.C. Sarah resembled her so much that he was almost convinced that they were the same person. And if so, how did she get here in Oregon on this tiny island? And why?
The person he'd known was spirited and feisty and they had spent the whole summer playing on the shores of the Mediterranean. But her father had interrupted any love affair that might have developed by telling Duncan that she was already engaged to someone else. He had been crushed and angry. Crushed at her for not telling him and angry at himself for not asking. When the summer was over he had said his goodbye... forever. He left to finish his schooling and to forget about her. Conner had caught him earlier on the breezeway with that faraway look as Duncan tried to remember who Sarah looked like and as he remembered his one true soul mate, Alexis.
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 2 - Part C
Duncan left the annex stunned at the altercation. He wanted to find Sasha so he could talk to her before she packed her things and left the island. He told Conner he had some personal business to take care of and headed for her apartment. When he arrived at the front door, he found it unlocked and standing ajar. Inside, all of her personal belongings had been removed and all that was left appeared to belong to her roommate.
Wait a minute... he thought... how could she have packed up and disappeared in such a short time? Had she been planning this all along? But she would have at least said something. They had been friends for so long that he was surprised that she hadn't said something about the enormous anger he'd seen and felt coming from her. They didn't get to spend much time together because of their schedules being opposite and he knew she had starting seeing someone very secretly. She hadn't told him about it and that was a little bewildering since they had always shared their adventures with each other. But, he had respected her privacy and refused to pry she wouldn't answer his queries.
Lately, they hadn't spent any of that luxurious free time on the beach, watching the Oregon surf beat against the soft sand. The last time they'd been together, on a particularly hot day for Oregon, Sasha had decided to go swimming... shedding everything but a bathing suit. She had run back from the freezing surf shaking and blue, grabbing everything she could find with which to cover up. Duncan had helped dry her long blonde hair and had told her she had the greenest eyes he had ever seen. She had blushed, but declined his invitation for romance.
"I'm seeing someone right now, Duncan," she had explained, "but please don't ask me about it, okay?" That had been their last discussion on the subject.
So now, Duncan shook his head in disbelief. "Where did you go?" he mumbled aloud. He began wandering around the grounds, ending up at the front lobby of the hospital. There, a young man dressed in a porter's uniform stood lazily waiting for the next car to arrive or for anyone in need of assistance when they were leaving. Duncan casually walked up to him hoping to find some information.
"Hi. Seen anybody leave lately?"
The porter scrutinized Duncan's casual appearance, straightened with importance and responded officially. "Who are you looking for?"
"A young nurse with blonde hair and hazel-green eyes. She would've been heading for the airstrip."
"Nope. Not in the last four and a half hours. And by that description, I wouldn't have missed the cutie! Before that, I couldn't tell you. I was running all over the place moving luggage from one place to the next. You know... move me here... move me there..."
Duncan nodded absently, said his thanks and kept on walking while the porter continued to talk to thin air. Then he suddenly realized what the porter had been talking about! "...move me here... move me there." The porter had probably moved Sasha's belongings somewhere! He needed to go back and talk to him. Sasha had to be somewhere on the grounds. Checking his watch, he was startled by the time and ran the entire length of the hospital to get back to the Complex. His shift was about to start, so looking for her would have to wait until after he got off work and had time to think through this whole mess. Right now he had to keep his mind on his job which required a great deal of concentration. If he started messing up because he wasn't paying attention, it could possibly mean a job change, but not the one he was interested in.
* * * * * *
Sarah lay asleep on the floor curled around her pillow that was still moist from the tears she had cried for what had seemed like hours. All day she had questioned, insisted and demanded answers, but had received none. Not even from the voice that would come from nowhere. She felt completely isolated and cut off from any human contact aside from Dominique--in her crisp, clean suits. So, without any memory to fall back on to help her cope with this horrible nightmare, she had decided to lay down on the floor near the bookcase and cry herself to sleep. What she didn't know was that Duncan and Conner had kept a close watch on her most of the day and when they were gone others were in their place. Their orders were not to interfere unless it was vital to her survival. She needed to go through her stages of grief at losing her entire memory. Normally, a memory wouldn't be so completely lost and with her fighting the whole process, it seemed to make her recovery that much harder. Duncan wondered why it had been so important for the doctors to erase what little was left. The memory generally recovered little by little anyway after their spinal cords healed.
Duncan watched silently while Sarah lay sleeping. It had been a very difficult day for him - being assigned to oversee this grief process. He's seen many before, but this one was different. The reason? He was certain he'd seen Sarah before. He remembered her looks: her jet black hair and blue eyes. She had sheer alabaster skin that was unforgettable and her whole presence and demeanor told him that her family had come from the Mediterranean somewhere. He had visited Greece once to see a childhood friend. They had met while their parents were both working in Washington, D.C. Sarah resembled her so much that he was almost convinced that they were the same person. And if so, how did she get here in Oregon on this tiny island? And why?
The person he'd known was spirited and feisty and they had spent the whole summer playing on the shores of the Mediterranean. But her father had interrupted any love affair that might have developed by telling Duncan that she was already engaged to someone else. He had been crushed and angry. Crushed at her for not telling him and angry at himself for not asking. When the summer was over he had said his goodbye... forever. He left to finish his schooling and to forget about her. Conner had caught him earlier on the breezeway with that faraway look as Duncan tried to remember who Sarah looked like and as he remembered his one true soul mate, Alexis.
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 2 - Part B
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter 2 - continued
The Annex contained a room that was like any typical lecture hall with rows of seats climbing upward so everyone could see and be seen. In the very last row, sitting high against the wall between two nurses, was a slender young woman with silky blond hair that was tied up at the nape of her neck. She sat with her hands clenched together and her eyes looking down at her perfectly polished white shoes. She continued watching the floor as Dr. Kapinski ceremoniously marched through the main door of the hall, his white coat flapping open and a stray lock of hair flying from his temple.
He was carrying a patient file that was blank on the outside except for a number "7" on the lip of the folder. At his entrance, the entire room rustled for a moment as everyone settled in for his lecture and then all became still and quiet. He stepped up on the podium and solemnly laid the file down in front of him. The entire surgery unit waited while he slowly went through each page of the file, carefully reading the entire record from beginning to end. When he was finished and had closed the back cover, he cleared his throat and slowly gazed around the room at the colorfully garbed surgical personnel. His eyes rested briefly on the young blonde in the top row wearing all white. As his eyes continued onward he began succinctly:
"This is the case file of a patient whom we will now refer to as number seven. Those of you who are not privy to her information may sit quietly and listen. This can be a learning experience for you as well."
As he spoke his voice gradually became stiff and stern. "What I want to know..." he paused and began looking around the room at different faces... "...is WHO was responsible for taking the stitches out of this woman's neck?!"
The last few words had been spit out harshly, and his jaw clamped shut as he waited for a response. His eyes squinted as they floated around the room burning holes in individuals who might look guilty for something. His gaze finally rested on the young woman in the back row who was averting her face from him. As he continued to stare at her, Sasha finally raised her head up and stared back at him. With all the courage she had, she stood up and spoke in a calm, steady voice, her eyes directly on him.
"It was me, sir."
"And who, pray tell, is 'me'?" he retorted angrily. Although he already knew who she was after working closely with her in surgery for a number of years, he had already decided to make an example of her. Unfortunately, Sasha had been more than just another employee to him. They had been meeting privately at Dr. Kapinski's garden apartment.
"Sasha. Sasha Kennawick, RN, sir."
Sasha Kennawick had been a nurse on the surgical floor for over three years, coming to the hospital with impeccable records and recommended by Duncan for her position. They had met in the same hospital stateside and become fast friends, both being a sort of outcast among the normal hospital regularity. Duncan had visited her parents on a number of occasions during the holidays since his parents were usually overseas with the consulate. Although they were close friends, they'd never been more than that. They both had an interest in neurosurgery, and wanted to become the best in their field. Now, in front of all her peers, Sasha was looking like the worst.
"Well, Sasha Kennawick, RN... do you have any particular reason for not removing the stitches from our recent surgical patient? Perhaps a little too overloaded with work, or a memory lapse on how to prepare our patients for transfer to..."
Sasha interrupted, "Sir, when I examined this patient's stitches, it was my opinion that..."
"YOUR OPINION?" Dr. Kapinski was angry at being interrupted and his voice was now raised loud enough to frighten any first year intern in the room. But, Sasha remained calm and raised her own voice loud enough to be heard over his objections.
"... the suture line wasn't healed well enough to take the stitches out without the possibility of... of..." Sasha had forgotten the medical term in her nervousness and rising anger. "...the whole thing breaking wide open!"
She kept speaking and ignoring his objections, knowing this was her only chance to be heard. "I went to find you, remember? But by the time I'd returned to the patient, she had been released from recovery. You are the one who signed off her chart."
Dr. Kapinski suddenly became aware that Dr. Thornton had quietly slipped in during this exchange. His face reddened as he saw the shocked look on Dr. Thornton's face. He recovered quickly, however, and glibly addressed him.
"Ah! You've joined our teaching session. Did you just arrive?"
"I've been here long enough," he quietly replied. He continued leaning against the wall just inside the door, indicating his intention to stay and listen. Thinking quickly, Dr. Kapinski began addressing the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our surgery and recovery schedules run on a very tight timetable. If you have any questions or feel there are reasons for a deviation from this schedule of events, you are to inform your supervisor, or a physician." He looked directly at Sasha and said, "Do not leave a patient unprotected and if you make a mistake, be the first to admit it... so it doesn't go unnoticed and further damage is caused."
Sasha was angered again by the direct attack and interrupted his speech. "I didn't do anything wrong! And you knew about it when it happened!"
He pointed a finger at her and retorted, "That's a lie, young lady, and you know it!" He then turned to Dr. Thornton while regaining his composure and with a weak smile said, "This is all pure fabrication. She's obviously trying to cover up her own mistake by using me as her excuse."
By carefully picking his words, he could see that other people in the room were starting to feel an injustice might have been done here, as they nodded their heads in agreement to his reasoning. Duncan, however, sat staring at the skeleton hanging in the corner of the room, appalled. He couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. This reaming out of one nurse for some stitches was over the top. Something else was happening here, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Sasha forgot about her colleagues watching and shouted back at Dr. Kapinski.
"That's totally untrue, Eric! You know you were there! We'd just come back from a coffee break together and you were sitting in the staff lounge! That's where you signed off her chart! Why are you denying it? Are you afraid of getting your hand slapped by the great R.J. Thornton for not being on duty when you were supposed to be?"
Dr. Kapinski was livid at that kind of personal revelation by a mere nurse. The veins in his neck bulged and pulsed under his reddened face and neck. His voice was barely audible while he demanded, "Get...out...of...here!"
The room buzzed with whispers as Dr. Kapinski stepped down off the podium to speak quietly with Dr. Thornton. But Sasha had reached her point of exasperation by being so overtly dismissed. Ever since she had been "promoted" to the surgery unit beyond the high security doors and had discovered what transpired there, she hated Dr. Thornton. She hated Dr. Kapinski, too. In fact, she hated all that this misleading, demagogic hospital stood for. If it hadn't been for the fact that her mother was so extremely ill stateside, and she was making more money at this job than she'd ever made in her life, she would have left a long time ago. But she had waited and listened. She had even dated Dr. Kapinski to find out more about just what was going on here. And she had learned. But Dr. Kapinski had found out. Now, he had set her up for a fall. She needed to pack her bags and get out before anything else happened. She proudly marched down the stairs of the lecture hall and around her fellow employees, who stared after her. As she swung the door open to leave, she heard Dr. Thornton regaining control in the lecture hall by giving a brief talk on examining suture lines. As the door swung shut behind her, Dr. Kapinski was on her heels out the door.
"Nurse Kennawick... Sasha... may I speak with you?" His voice was controlled with no trace of anger.
Sasha was still fuming and already making a list of things she needed to do to get out of the hospital and off the island. And, talking to Dr. Kapinski wasn't on the list. She walked away from him stiffly, her soft soled shoes not making any sound on the highly polished tile. But he followed her down the corridor, undaunted. "Sasha!"
Finally, she swung around and demanded, "What do you want now?" Her question was sharp, indicating her impatience, but Dr. Kapinski had returned to that cool, suave part of him that characteristically could charm all the ladies. He could be slicing off your arm and still be drinking his cherished cup of tea in the same breath.
"Could we walk over to my office and talk?"
"Why? Is that part of my 'discharge planning'?" She used the words known all too well by nursing staff when sending a patient home. And that's exactly where she was planning on going--home. "I'm really in a hurry if I'm going to catch the next flight out of here."
"I won't keep you too long," he answered smoothly, straightening his white coat. "I want to make sure all your papers are in order so you can get proper severance pay."
"You can just mail it to me. There's an address in my file."
At this point, they had arrived at the offices that the doctors kept in the Annex. He unlocked his door, pushed it open and held out his arm to invite Sasha in. "Please... just a moment of your time?"
Sasha sighed and decided to get this over with and Kapinski off her back. If I don't go in and talk with him, he'll probably follow me all the way to the airstrip, she thought to herself.
As she walked through the door Dr. Kapinski smiled and pushed back his lock of unruly brown hair. Sasha was starting to feel uneasy about this whole situation but couldn't put her finger on the reason why.
Dr. Kapinski closed the door behind them and starting speaking so she didn't hear the small click that locked the door from the inside....
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter 2 - continued
The Annex contained a room that was like any typical lecture hall with rows of seats climbing upward so everyone could see and be seen. In the very last row, sitting high against the wall between two nurses, was a slender young woman with silky blond hair that was tied up at the nape of her neck. She sat with her hands clenched together and her eyes looking down at her perfectly polished white shoes. She continued watching the floor as Dr. Kapinski ceremoniously marched through the main door of the hall, his white coat flapping open and a stray lock of hair flying from his temple.
He was carrying a patient file that was blank on the outside except for a number "7" on the lip of the folder. At his entrance, the entire room rustled for a moment as everyone settled in for his lecture and then all became still and quiet. He stepped up on the podium and solemnly laid the file down in front of him. The entire surgery unit waited while he slowly went through each page of the file, carefully reading the entire record from beginning to end. When he was finished and had closed the back cover, he cleared his throat and slowly gazed around the room at the colorfully garbed surgical personnel. His eyes rested briefly on the young blonde in the top row wearing all white. As his eyes continued onward he began succinctly:
"This is the case file of a patient whom we will now refer to as number seven. Those of you who are not privy to her information may sit quietly and listen. This can be a learning experience for you as well."
As he spoke his voice gradually became stiff and stern. "What I want to know..." he paused and began looking around the room at different faces... "...is WHO was responsible for taking the stitches out of this woman's neck?!"
The last few words had been spit out harshly, and his jaw clamped shut as he waited for a response. His eyes squinted as they floated around the room burning holes in individuals who might look guilty for something. His gaze finally rested on the young woman in the back row who was averting her face from him. As he continued to stare at her, Sasha finally raised her head up and stared back at him. With all the courage she had, she stood up and spoke in a calm, steady voice, her eyes directly on him.
"It was me, sir."
"And who, pray tell, is 'me'?" he retorted angrily. Although he already knew who she was after working closely with her in surgery for a number of years, he had already decided to make an example of her. Unfortunately, Sasha had been more than just another employee to him. They had been meeting privately at Dr. Kapinski's garden apartment.
"Sasha. Sasha Kennawick, RN, sir."
Sasha Kennawick had been a nurse on the surgical floor for over three years, coming to the hospital with impeccable records and recommended by Duncan for her position. They had met in the same hospital stateside and become fast friends, both being a sort of outcast among the normal hospital regularity. Duncan had visited her parents on a number of occasions during the holidays since his parents were usually overseas with the consulate. Although they were close friends, they'd never been more than that. They both had an interest in neurosurgery, and wanted to become the best in their field. Now, in front of all her peers, Sasha was looking like the worst.
"Well, Sasha Kennawick, RN... do you have any particular reason for not removing the stitches from our recent surgical patient? Perhaps a little too overloaded with work, or a memory lapse on how to prepare our patients for transfer to..."
Sasha interrupted, "Sir, when I examined this patient's stitches, it was my opinion that..."
"YOUR OPINION?" Dr. Kapinski was angry at being interrupted and his voice was now raised loud enough to frighten any first year intern in the room. But, Sasha remained calm and raised her own voice loud enough to be heard over his objections.
"... the suture line wasn't healed well enough to take the stitches out without the possibility of... of..." Sasha had forgotten the medical term in her nervousness and rising anger. "...the whole thing breaking wide open!"
She kept speaking and ignoring his objections, knowing this was her only chance to be heard. "I went to find you, remember? But by the time I'd returned to the patient, she had been released from recovery. You are the one who signed off her chart."
Dr. Kapinski suddenly became aware that Dr. Thornton had quietly slipped in during this exchange. His face reddened as he saw the shocked look on Dr. Thornton's face. He recovered quickly, however, and glibly addressed him.
"Ah! You've joined our teaching session. Did you just arrive?"
"I've been here long enough," he quietly replied. He continued leaning against the wall just inside the door, indicating his intention to stay and listen. Thinking quickly, Dr. Kapinski began addressing the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our surgery and recovery schedules run on a very tight timetable. If you have any questions or feel there are reasons for a deviation from this schedule of events, you are to inform your supervisor, or a physician." He looked directly at Sasha and said, "Do not leave a patient unprotected and if you make a mistake, be the first to admit it... so it doesn't go unnoticed and further damage is caused."
Sasha was angered again by the direct attack and interrupted his speech. "I didn't do anything wrong! And you knew about it when it happened!"
He pointed a finger at her and retorted, "That's a lie, young lady, and you know it!" He then turned to Dr. Thornton while regaining his composure and with a weak smile said, "This is all pure fabrication. She's obviously trying to cover up her own mistake by using me as her excuse."
By carefully picking his words, he could see that other people in the room were starting to feel an injustice might have been done here, as they nodded their heads in agreement to his reasoning. Duncan, however, sat staring at the skeleton hanging in the corner of the room, appalled. He couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. This reaming out of one nurse for some stitches was over the top. Something else was happening here, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Sasha forgot about her colleagues watching and shouted back at Dr. Kapinski.
"That's totally untrue, Eric! You know you were there! We'd just come back from a coffee break together and you were sitting in the staff lounge! That's where you signed off her chart! Why are you denying it? Are you afraid of getting your hand slapped by the great R.J. Thornton for not being on duty when you were supposed to be?"
Dr. Kapinski was livid at that kind of personal revelation by a mere nurse. The veins in his neck bulged and pulsed under his reddened face and neck. His voice was barely audible while he demanded, "Get...out...of...here!"
The room buzzed with whispers as Dr. Kapinski stepped down off the podium to speak quietly with Dr. Thornton. But Sasha had reached her point of exasperation by being so overtly dismissed. Ever since she had been "promoted" to the surgery unit beyond the high security doors and had discovered what transpired there, she hated Dr. Thornton. She hated Dr. Kapinski, too. In fact, she hated all that this misleading, demagogic hospital stood for. If it hadn't been for the fact that her mother was so extremely ill stateside, and she was making more money at this job than she'd ever made in her life, she would have left a long time ago. But she had waited and listened. She had even dated Dr. Kapinski to find out more about just what was going on here. And she had learned. But Dr. Kapinski had found out. Now, he had set her up for a fall. She needed to pack her bags and get out before anything else happened. She proudly marched down the stairs of the lecture hall and around her fellow employees, who stared after her. As she swung the door open to leave, she heard Dr. Thornton regaining control in the lecture hall by giving a brief talk on examining suture lines. As the door swung shut behind her, Dr. Kapinski was on her heels out the door.
"Nurse Kennawick... Sasha... may I speak with you?" His voice was controlled with no trace of anger.
Sasha was still fuming and already making a list of things she needed to do to get out of the hospital and off the island. And, talking to Dr. Kapinski wasn't on the list. She walked away from him stiffly, her soft soled shoes not making any sound on the highly polished tile. But he followed her down the corridor, undaunted. "Sasha!"
Finally, she swung around and demanded, "What do you want now?" Her question was sharp, indicating her impatience, but Dr. Kapinski had returned to that cool, suave part of him that characteristically could charm all the ladies. He could be slicing off your arm and still be drinking his cherished cup of tea in the same breath.
"Could we walk over to my office and talk?"
"Why? Is that part of my 'discharge planning'?" She used the words known all too well by nursing staff when sending a patient home. And that's exactly where she was planning on going--home. "I'm really in a hurry if I'm going to catch the next flight out of here."
"I won't keep you too long," he answered smoothly, straightening his white coat. "I want to make sure all your papers are in order so you can get proper severance pay."
"You can just mail it to me. There's an address in my file."
At this point, they had arrived at the offices that the doctors kept in the Annex. He unlocked his door, pushed it open and held out his arm to invite Sasha in. "Please... just a moment of your time?"
Sasha sighed and decided to get this over with and Kapinski off her back. If I don't go in and talk with him, he'll probably follow me all the way to the airstrip, she thought to herself.
As she walked through the door Dr. Kapinski smiled and pushed back his lock of unruly brown hair. Sasha was starting to feel uneasy about this whole situation but couldn't put her finger on the reason why.
Dr. Kapinski closed the door behind them and starting speaking so she didn't hear the small click that locked the door from the inside....
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 2 - Part A
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Chapter Two
Duncan and Conner, two friends who lived and worked together, had been asked to work a double shift since they were already familiar with this new client. Actually, both doctors felt they couldn't risk certain kinds of information being exposed to very many employees. Even though the people who worked in the experimental surgery department had been meticulously screened, it only took one "blabbermouth" to cause a great deal of difficulty for the institution. Duncan and Conner had the highest security clearance and were allowed to go basically wherever they were needed in the entire hospital. And right now, after a double shift, that need was something to eat. They were walking along the breezeway that took them to the main hospital and the all too familiar basement cafeteria. Duncan stretched his muscular shoulders and smiled.
"I hope there's something good in the cafeteria today--I haven't seen the menu yet."
Conner laughed. "Something good? Where did you grow up? Since when has any hospital cafeteria ever served anything out of the ordinary? What I need is a nice, juicy steak!" He licked his lips and rubbed his stomach. Conner loved to playfully chide Duncan and this was one of those times.
Duncan countered accusingly: "Steak? You? What about all your lectures about the sins of red meat? What happened to the died-in-the-wool vegetarian you've been professing to be for the last eight months? Have you repented?"
Laughing boisterously together, Conner pulled at the top of his T-shirt, showing his bare neck. Besides his T-shirt, his typical garb was blue carpenter jeans and white sneakers. He and Duncan were fortunate because they weren't required to wear scrub suits or uniforms. He playfully teased Duncan.
"Ah, but I don't have to repent. You have conveniently forgotten again that I'm not Catholic... you are! And I LOVE red meat! I just took a break from it for a while."
As he was bowing to Duncan in jest, the overhead speakers in the breezeway crackled to life:
"Attention--all surgical personnel... there will be a staff meeting in the main lecture hall in 30 minutes. Please don't be late!"
As the announcement began it's repeat recitation, Duncan and Conner rolled their eyes at the thought of missing their lunch. Then Duncan asked,
"Can you believe this? Another staff meeting? Do you think that Dr. Thornton called this special meeting?"
"Naw... I don't think so. We just had grand rounds. There's no reason to call us in again." Conner looked around to make sure they were having a private conversation. They were privy to a lot of classified information and letting it leak out would guarantee you a job mopping floors, if you were lucky. Quietly he said,
"My bet's on Kapinski. He's probably got a bug up his butt and I think I know why. I mean... he must have heard about those stitches already. Between that and all the other screw-ups he must be rabid by now." Conner dug a pack of cigarettes out of the pocket of his jeans, lit one and slid open the window on the breezeway to help clear the smoke.
All this time, Duncan had been looking out the window with a faraway look on his face not paying real attention to Conner's playfulness. Conner poked him on the shoulder.
"Hey buddy! You still in this century? I was talking to you!"
Duncan turned to face Conner, changing his faraway expression into a casual smile: "Same chapter, different verse, buddy, that's all. Sorry."
"Are you still wanting that surgical transfer you applied for?" Conner asked.
"Yeah... I'd like to keep my skills up to date. What I'd really like, though, is to work a little of both places. I like this job too, you know."
Duncan had been trained as an elite surgical assistant before coming here. After he had been working in surgery for about a year, Conner had talked him into applying for a classified job with him in the Complex. He had been here ever since and he missed the surgery.
"So you want to break up a good team like us? Talk about the same chapter, different verse... who'd I get as a replacement? Some clown probably! Come on... we're perfect together!"
Conner had heard that phrase from Duncan many times before when he was off 'daydreaming' as Conner thought. But this time he knew it was about work and NOT his transfer. He'd noticed that Duncan seemed unusually taken by their new patient. Duncan had spent a proportionately larger amount of time watching number 7 than the others in the Complex. Granted, she was having a more difficult time right now, but there was something else there behind his shy hazel eyes than just her difficulty. And Conner didn't like being left in the dark. In the four years that they'd lived and worked together, he had always been able to wheedle out of Duncan just what was going on. Even when he'd spent so much time with that nurse... Sasha. But now, Duncan was totally closed off. Conner knew something was wrong and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Also, on top of this, there'd been a lot of unusual accidents lately that were driving the perfectionist doctors absolutely batty. The accidents would eventually end up in their laps to correct. Both young men had witnessed the exchange that had happened that morning between Dr. Thornton, who was the head of the facility, and Dr. Eric Kapinski, whom everyone assumed was to be his successor. He had been learning Dr. Thornton's techniques for doing the specialty micro-neurosurgery that was revolutionizing spinal cord surgery. They also knew that Dr. Kapinski could be outspoken and demanding not only to his surgical staff, but in more private situations, directly to Dr. Thornton.
Conner checked his watch and stubbed out the rest of his cigarette on the window frame, shoving the butt in his pocket. He rubbed his five o'clock shadow and gave Duncan a shove on the shoulder.
"Hey! Let's get moving!" he said as he received a shove back from Duncan. "We're gonna have to take the outside stairs to get to the Annex on time or WE'LL be mopping floors for Kapinski!"
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Chapter Two
Duncan and Conner, two friends who lived and worked together, had been asked to work a double shift since they were already familiar with this new client. Actually, both doctors felt they couldn't risk certain kinds of information being exposed to very many employees. Even though the people who worked in the experimental surgery department had been meticulously screened, it only took one "blabbermouth" to cause a great deal of difficulty for the institution. Duncan and Conner had the highest security clearance and were allowed to go basically wherever they were needed in the entire hospital. And right now, after a double shift, that need was something to eat. They were walking along the breezeway that took them to the main hospital and the all too familiar basement cafeteria. Duncan stretched his muscular shoulders and smiled.
"I hope there's something good in the cafeteria today--I haven't seen the menu yet."
Conner laughed. "Something good? Where did you grow up? Since when has any hospital cafeteria ever served anything out of the ordinary? What I need is a nice, juicy steak!" He licked his lips and rubbed his stomach. Conner loved to playfully chide Duncan and this was one of those times.
Duncan countered accusingly: "Steak? You? What about all your lectures about the sins of red meat? What happened to the died-in-the-wool vegetarian you've been professing to be for the last eight months? Have you repented?"
Laughing boisterously together, Conner pulled at the top of his T-shirt, showing his bare neck. Besides his T-shirt, his typical garb was blue carpenter jeans and white sneakers. He and Duncan were fortunate because they weren't required to wear scrub suits or uniforms. He playfully teased Duncan.
"Ah, but I don't have to repent. You have conveniently forgotten again that I'm not Catholic... you are! And I LOVE red meat! I just took a break from it for a while."
As he was bowing to Duncan in jest, the overhead speakers in the breezeway crackled to life:
"Attention--all surgical personnel... there will be a staff meeting in the main lecture hall in 30 minutes. Please don't be late!"
As the announcement began it's repeat recitation, Duncan and Conner rolled their eyes at the thought of missing their lunch. Then Duncan asked,
"Can you believe this? Another staff meeting? Do you think that Dr. Thornton called this special meeting?"
"Naw... I don't think so. We just had grand rounds. There's no reason to call us in again." Conner looked around to make sure they were having a private conversation. They were privy to a lot of classified information and letting it leak out would guarantee you a job mopping floors, if you were lucky. Quietly he said,
"My bet's on Kapinski. He's probably got a bug up his butt and I think I know why. I mean... he must have heard about those stitches already. Between that and all the other screw-ups he must be rabid by now." Conner dug a pack of cigarettes out of the pocket of his jeans, lit one and slid open the window on the breezeway to help clear the smoke.
All this time, Duncan had been looking out the window with a faraway look on his face not paying real attention to Conner's playfulness. Conner poked him on the shoulder.
"Hey buddy! You still in this century? I was talking to you!"
Duncan turned to face Conner, changing his faraway expression into a casual smile: "Same chapter, different verse, buddy, that's all. Sorry."
"Are you still wanting that surgical transfer you applied for?" Conner asked.
"Yeah... I'd like to keep my skills up to date. What I'd really like, though, is to work a little of both places. I like this job too, you know."
Duncan had been trained as an elite surgical assistant before coming here. After he had been working in surgery for about a year, Conner had talked him into applying for a classified job with him in the Complex. He had been here ever since and he missed the surgery.
"So you want to break up a good team like us? Talk about the same chapter, different verse... who'd I get as a replacement? Some clown probably! Come on... we're perfect together!"
Conner had heard that phrase from Duncan many times before when he was off 'daydreaming' as Conner thought. But this time he knew it was about work and NOT his transfer. He'd noticed that Duncan seemed unusually taken by their new patient. Duncan had spent a proportionately larger amount of time watching number 7 than the others in the Complex. Granted, she was having a more difficult time right now, but there was something else there behind his shy hazel eyes than just her difficulty. And Conner didn't like being left in the dark. In the four years that they'd lived and worked together, he had always been able to wheedle out of Duncan just what was going on. Even when he'd spent so much time with that nurse... Sasha. But now, Duncan was totally closed off. Conner knew something was wrong and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Also, on top of this, there'd been a lot of unusual accidents lately that were driving the perfectionist doctors absolutely batty. The accidents would eventually end up in their laps to correct. Both young men had witnessed the exchange that had happened that morning between Dr. Thornton, who was the head of the facility, and Dr. Eric Kapinski, whom everyone assumed was to be his successor. He had been learning Dr. Thornton's techniques for doing the specialty micro-neurosurgery that was revolutionizing spinal cord surgery. They also knew that Dr. Kapinski could be outspoken and demanding not only to his surgical staff, but in more private situations, directly to Dr. Thornton.
Conner checked his watch and stubbed out the rest of his cigarette on the window frame, shoving the butt in his pocket. He rubbed his five o'clock shadow and gave Duncan a shove on the shoulder.
"Hey! Let's get moving!" he said as he received a shove back from Duncan. "We're gonna have to take the outside stairs to get to the Annex on time or WE'LL be mopping floors for Kapinski!"
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
The Complex - Chapter 1 - Part C
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
After watching the interaction on the screen, the doctors turned to each other in discussion. The younger Dr. Kapinski spoke first.
"It seems that her basic personality is extremely inquisitive. There could be a difficult adjustment." He was critical of Sarah and didn't think she would make a good addition to the unit. He thought she'd require constant surveillance for at least a few weeks.
"Yes..." replied Dr. Thornton, "...but that's expected. Don't you remember our 'General'? You know... the Englishman who kept rapping his cane on the bookshelf? He's adjusted quite nicely, even though he does give a heated opinion once in a while. I think she'll come around in time. They all do."
Dr. Kapinski shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know... she seems more resistant to suggestion than most of our other clients. After all..." he paused, raising his voice slightly, "...there must be some reason why her memories came through. If it wasn't for the fact that she has to be here, I'd suggest we get rid of her right now." He felt his anger well up inside and he raised his voice slightly louder and growled: "The problem is probably a foul up by some incompetent nurse somewhere who needs to be weeded out before she causes a real travesty of some kind. After all, that's not acceptable in this kind of experi..."
Dr. Thornton interrupted him mid-sentence. "I think this would best be discussed in the privacy of my office." His eyes directed his counterpart to Duncan and Conner, who sat observing the screens and attending to the needs of the clients. Even though they pretended not to notice, it was obvious to both young men that Dr. Kapinski was seething with rage as he clamped his mouth shut with a frown.
As the two doctors turned to leave the control room, their conversation halted entirely. Dr. Kapinski paused and turned to Duncan. "Keep a close watch on her... it would be most unfortunate if she were unable to assimilate into our community here."
Duncan nodded his head but said nothing.
* * * * *
Sarah continued to explore her astonishingly curious room while she waited for breakfast. She carefully felt around the bookcase, feeling for seams or breaks in the wall. She ran her fingers under the shelves for a switch or button, or anything that could open the door and give her freedom from this enigma. While she continued hunting, the voice from nowhere spoke again.
"Sarah, your breakfast is ready."
The voice still bothered her, but instead of fighting with the "collective voice from the void" (she chuckled at her thought), she stood poised at the edge of the bookcase ready to tackle to the ground whoever brought her breakfast. She planned to run as fast as she could to where ever the corridor took her. Sarah knew she'd probably be re-captured by whoever claimed ownership of her right now, but hopefully, she could get a better idea of what "Brookhaven Complex" was.
Instead, across the room from where she stood, another panel slid open to reveal a small dining area. On the table was the entire breakfast she had ordered.
"NO!" she cried, banging on the bookshelf with her fist. "Open up! Let me out!"
But the only response was the mysterious tenor voice. "Please go to breakfast." It requested gently and as if someone had suddenly re-directed her thoughts, she forgot all about the bookcase and became interested in her breakfast.
Sarah had expected Dominque or someone to deliver her breakfast, but again, another mystery room had appeared. She looked at all the remaining walls in the room to try to discern how her breakfast had arrived, but she couldn't see any signs of an opening. So, instead of trying to look for a needle in a haystack, she pulled out the single chair at the table and sat down. As she leaned back against the smooth oak chair, she noticed that her neck felt stiff and sore. Automatically, her hand went to the back of her neck and behind the thick hair she was surprised to find a rectangular bandage taped there. Her breakfast forgotten, she grabbed the tape and pulled up the bandage. Reaching under it, she felt a tiny row of bumps. No, not bumps she thought, but stitches.
"I've got stitches in my neck!" She was astonished at this new discovery. It was another mystery piled onto all the others. She tried to remember if she'd had some kind of surgery... it seemed like something was there, just under the surface, but she couldn't remember anything about this before today. She tried to remember other things before today... but there was nothing there to remember!
"Gone..." she whispered. "It's all gone... everything!" She felt panic taking over her senses again. She began getting louder and louder. "What did you do to me?" She pushed back the chair, stood up and shouted again.
"Where is my memory?! Where is my life?!"
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
After watching the interaction on the screen, the doctors turned to each other in discussion. The younger Dr. Kapinski spoke first.
"It seems that her basic personality is extremely inquisitive. There could be a difficult adjustment." He was critical of Sarah and didn't think she would make a good addition to the unit. He thought she'd require constant surveillance for at least a few weeks.
"Yes..." replied Dr. Thornton, "...but that's expected. Don't you remember our 'General'? You know... the Englishman who kept rapping his cane on the bookshelf? He's adjusted quite nicely, even though he does give a heated opinion once in a while. I think she'll come around in time. They all do."
Dr. Kapinski shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know... she seems more resistant to suggestion than most of our other clients. After all..." he paused, raising his voice slightly, "...there must be some reason why her memories came through. If it wasn't for the fact that she has to be here, I'd suggest we get rid of her right now." He felt his anger well up inside and he raised his voice slightly louder and growled: "The problem is probably a foul up by some incompetent nurse somewhere who needs to be weeded out before she causes a real travesty of some kind. After all, that's not acceptable in this kind of experi..."
Dr. Thornton interrupted him mid-sentence. "I think this would best be discussed in the privacy of my office." His eyes directed his counterpart to Duncan and Conner, who sat observing the screens and attending to the needs of the clients. Even though they pretended not to notice, it was obvious to both young men that Dr. Kapinski was seething with rage as he clamped his mouth shut with a frown.
As the two doctors turned to leave the control room, their conversation halted entirely. Dr. Kapinski paused and turned to Duncan. "Keep a close watch on her... it would be most unfortunate if she were unable to assimilate into our community here."
Duncan nodded his head but said nothing.
* * * * *
Sarah continued to explore her astonishingly curious room while she waited for breakfast. She carefully felt around the bookcase, feeling for seams or breaks in the wall. She ran her fingers under the shelves for a switch or button, or anything that could open the door and give her freedom from this enigma. While she continued hunting, the voice from nowhere spoke again.
"Sarah, your breakfast is ready."
The voice still bothered her, but instead of fighting with the "collective voice from the void" (she chuckled at her thought), she stood poised at the edge of the bookcase ready to tackle to the ground whoever brought her breakfast. She planned to run as fast as she could to where ever the corridor took her. Sarah knew she'd probably be re-captured by whoever claimed ownership of her right now, but hopefully, she could get a better idea of what "Brookhaven Complex" was.
Instead, across the room from where she stood, another panel slid open to reveal a small dining area. On the table was the entire breakfast she had ordered.
"NO!" she cried, banging on the bookshelf with her fist. "Open up! Let me out!"
But the only response was the mysterious tenor voice. "Please go to breakfast." It requested gently and as if someone had suddenly re-directed her thoughts, she forgot all about the bookcase and became interested in her breakfast.
Sarah had expected Dominque or someone to deliver her breakfast, but again, another mystery room had appeared. She looked at all the remaining walls in the room to try to discern how her breakfast had arrived, but she couldn't see any signs of an opening. So, instead of trying to look for a needle in a haystack, she pulled out the single chair at the table and sat down. As she leaned back against the smooth oak chair, she noticed that her neck felt stiff and sore. Automatically, her hand went to the back of her neck and behind the thick hair she was surprised to find a rectangular bandage taped there. Her breakfast forgotten, she grabbed the tape and pulled up the bandage. Reaching under it, she felt a tiny row of bumps. No, not bumps she thought, but stitches.
"I've got stitches in my neck!" She was astonished at this new discovery. It was another mystery piled onto all the others. She tried to remember if she'd had some kind of surgery... it seemed like something was there, just under the surface, but she couldn't remember anything about this before today. She tried to remember other things before today... but there was nothing there to remember!
"Gone..." she whispered. "It's all gone... everything!" She felt panic taking over her senses again. She began getting louder and louder. "What did you do to me?" She pushed back the chair, stood up and shouted again.
"Where is my memory?! Where is my life?!"
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 1 - Part B
(To read the beginning of the original novel "THE COMPLEX" click HERE.)
In another part of the complex, two young men with headphones on sat behind a row of monitors. They watched them with intensity and occasionally whispered into the microphones attached to their headsets. A tall, aging man in a grey suit stood behind them with a shorter, obviously younger subordinate beside him. They were in their own conversation that was intentionally ignored by the two technicians, Duncan and Conner, at the monitors. The argument between the two neurosurgeons was intense, but the younger doctor was more adamant and intent on having things his way. It seemed even though the elder doctor, R.J. Thornton was supposed to be the Administrator and Chief Surgeon, he was acquiescing to the younger man's demands. At what appeared to be a stalemate near the end of their heated discussion, they both turned and watched the monitors silently.
In another part of the complex, two young men with headphones on sat behind a row of monitors. They watched them with intensity and occasionally whispered into the microphones attached to their headsets. A tall, aging man in a grey suit stood behind them with a shorter, obviously younger subordinate beside him. They were in their own conversation that was intentionally ignored by the two technicians, Duncan and Conner, at the monitors. The argument between the two neurosurgeons was intense, but the younger doctor was more adamant and intent on having things his way. It seemed even though the elder doctor, R.J. Thornton was supposed to be the Administrator and Chief Surgeon, he was acquiescing to the younger man's demands. At what appeared to be a stalemate near the end of their heated discussion, they both turned and watched the monitors silently.
"Dr. Thornton, number 7 is up and about. I've sent Dominique in to attend to her... do you have any instructions?"
"All of the memory stimulation is taken care of at the surgical recovery unit... before they arrive here."
"Well, whatever it was, I'm sure you'll think of it later if it was important."
Sarah eyed her with annoyed suspicion. She knew it had been important... so why could she suddenly not remember what she had just been talking about? And why did this woman disregard her or the subject of her conversation?
"Also," he added, "put her up on the main screen."
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Copyright 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Complex - Chapter 1 - Part A
(To read the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Sarah opened her eyes and slowly gazed around the room. As the sleep faded from her eyes, bewilderment took over as she realized that this was not the room she'd been in the night before! Also gone was the blue hospital gown... it had been replaced with a pair of silk lavender pajamas. On her hand where she'd once had an IV was a small band-aid and instead of the hospital bed which she fought so hard to get comfortable in, was a large canopy bed with pale green satin sheets and a matching down comforter.
'What's going on here?' she thought feeling dazed. Panic slowly washed over her as she struggled to get up.
"Nurse! NURSE!" she shouted.
She sat up while she was shouting, looking for someone to help her. Suddenly she realized she could feel the comforter against her legs.
"That's not possible!" She sat mystified. Sarah had been in a wheelchair for 11 years, paralyzed from the waist down and now all of a sudden she could move her legs and wiggle her toes! Her eyes wandered around the room, trying to unravel the mystery of what had happened to her. She was almost afraid to believe it could be true. She'd had so many disappointments when doctors told her they could improve her condition, but it had always ended in failure.
'It must be a dream.' she thought. With a nervous exhale, she said aloud: "If it is, I don't ever want to wake up. Ever!" She reached down and carefully pinched her slightly muscular thigh... "Ow!" she muttered to herself... "I'm awake alright."
Still waiting for a nurse, or someone to come, she cautiously slid her legs over the edge of the bed. As far as she knew, she hadn't had any physical therapy to help her walk, but her legs felt as though they were strong enough to hold her weight. She carefully examined her leg muscles and saw well developed, sturdy legs and feet.
Puzzled, with her thoughts spinning in all directions, she decided that if no one came to help her in the next few minutes, she'd try to stand up by herself. So, after waiting what seemed like an interminable amount of time, she slid all the way to the edge of the bed, with her feet almost touching the floor. Sarah froze, poised in that position. Her fear of falling and not being able to get up kept her from going any further. She was alone in a strange place, not knowing when someone might come to help her. A voice inside her head whispered: "Go ahead... it's OK... you can do this..."
That little bit of encouragement gave her the strength to try. "Well, here goes!" And she set her feet down into the plush green carpet. The feel of the soft pile brought a smile to her face and she automatically wiggled her toes against the softness around her bare feet.
Sarah sat watching her feet for a few minutes, moving them back and forth, thankful that they could perform the tasks she asked of them. Finally, she decided to try to stand up. She felt shakey at first, as she slid off the bed, but then she pushed herself straight up and felt her muscles tightening to hold her erect. She stood like that for quite some time, feeling the rippling of the muscles in her legs, and adjusting to the feel of being upright.
Finally, she decided to take a small side step, parallel to the edge of the bed. Tiny beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she continued experimenting with this new found freedom. She checked her fear by holding one arm out over the bed ready to pull herself to saftey in case she started to fall.
"Where is that nurse!" she said aloud anxiously, while contemplating leaving the saftey of the edge of the bed. After not hearing any response to her call, she turned her back to the bed and decided to take a step away from it. Her step was a small, tentative one, but after she found herself still standing, she went ahead and kept taking small steps which became longer and more steady. Soon she was carefully making her way around the unfamiliar room, laughing with joy at her freedom. After being bound to a wheelchair for 11 years, she felt like she was flying!
Still amazed, she wandered about the room, relaxing her hold on objects until she finally allowed herself to walk totally unassisted.
Sarah began actually noticing the room she was in. She looked in an ornately scrolled mirror at her reflection and followed her jet black hair down the line of her oval face. A pair of clear blue eyes looked back at her and then back at the room. It was then that she suddenly realized how odd the room looked.
"No doors? And no windows either? What is this place and how did I get in here?" Her voice raised with the next question: "And where is everyone?!"
As if in answer to her question, the wall with a bookshelf on it slid open and a woman smartly dressed in a grey suit, her auburn hair pulled back in a french knot, walked in and with a warm smile greeted her guest:
"Welcome, Sarah."
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Sarah opened her eyes and slowly gazed around the room. As the sleep faded from her eyes, bewilderment took over as she realized that this was not the room she'd been in the night before! Also gone was the blue hospital gown... it had been replaced with a pair of silk lavender pajamas. On her hand where she'd once had an IV was a small band-aid and instead of the hospital bed which she fought so hard to get comfortable in, was a large canopy bed with pale green satin sheets and a matching down comforter.
'What's going on here?' she thought feeling dazed. Panic slowly washed over her as she struggled to get up.
"Nurse! NURSE!" she shouted.
She sat up while she was shouting, looking for someone to help her. Suddenly she realized she could feel the comforter against her legs.
"That's not possible!" She sat mystified. Sarah had been in a wheelchair for 11 years, paralyzed from the waist down and now all of a sudden she could move her legs and wiggle her toes! Her eyes wandered around the room, trying to unravel the mystery of what had happened to her. She was almost afraid to believe it could be true. She'd had so many disappointments when doctors told her they could improve her condition, but it had always ended in failure.
'It must be a dream.' she thought. With a nervous exhale, she said aloud: "If it is, I don't ever want to wake up. Ever!" She reached down and carefully pinched her slightly muscular thigh... "Ow!" she muttered to herself... "I'm awake alright."
Still waiting for a nurse, or someone to come, she cautiously slid her legs over the edge of the bed. As far as she knew, she hadn't had any physical therapy to help her walk, but her legs felt as though they were strong enough to hold her weight. She carefully examined her leg muscles and saw well developed, sturdy legs and feet.
Puzzled, with her thoughts spinning in all directions, she decided that if no one came to help her in the next few minutes, she'd try to stand up by herself. So, after waiting what seemed like an interminable amount of time, she slid all the way to the edge of the bed, with her feet almost touching the floor. Sarah froze, poised in that position. Her fear of falling and not being able to get up kept her from going any further. She was alone in a strange place, not knowing when someone might come to help her. A voice inside her head whispered: "Go ahead... it's OK... you can do this..."
That little bit of encouragement gave her the strength to try. "Well, here goes!" And she set her feet down into the plush green carpet. The feel of the soft pile brought a smile to her face and she automatically wiggled her toes against the softness around her bare feet.
Sarah sat watching her feet for a few minutes, moving them back and forth, thankful that they could perform the tasks she asked of them. Finally, she decided to try to stand up. She felt shakey at first, as she slid off the bed, but then she pushed herself straight up and felt her muscles tightening to hold her erect. She stood like that for quite some time, feeling the rippling of the muscles in her legs, and adjusting to the feel of being upright.
Finally, she decided to take a small side step, parallel to the edge of the bed. Tiny beads of sweat broke out on her forehead as she continued experimenting with this new found freedom. She checked her fear by holding one arm out over the bed ready to pull herself to saftey in case she started to fall.
"Where is that nurse!" she said aloud anxiously, while contemplating leaving the saftey of the edge of the bed. After not hearing any response to her call, she turned her back to the bed and decided to take a step away from it. Her step was a small, tentative one, but after she found herself still standing, she went ahead and kept taking small steps which became longer and more steady. Soon she was carefully making her way around the unfamiliar room, laughing with joy at her freedom. After being bound to a wheelchair for 11 years, she felt like she was flying!
Still amazed, she wandered about the room, relaxing her hold on objects until she finally allowed herself to walk totally unassisted.
Sarah began actually noticing the room she was in. She looked in an ornately scrolled mirror at her reflection and followed her jet black hair down the line of her oval face. A pair of clear blue eyes looked back at her and then back at the room. It was then that she suddenly realized how odd the room looked.
"No doors? And no windows either? What is this place and how did I get in here?" Her voice raised with the next question: "And where is everyone?!"
As if in answer to her question, the wall with a bookshelf on it slid open and a woman smartly dressed in a grey suit, her auburn hair pulled back in a french knot, walked in and with a warm smile greeted her guest:
"Welcome, Sarah."
(to be continued)
Original novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Complex - Prologue - Part B
(To read from the beginning of the original novel "The Complex" click HERE.)
Over the next few years, the news of Robert James Thornton, M.D., a neurosurgeon who could repair spinal cords, spread rapidly in the medical community. Although there were many questions from doubtful observers, inquiries and appointment offers came in by the hundreds. His desk ended up being filled with letters and case histories from patients all over the world.
What was misunderstood by most, except those with a more direct knowledge of the spine, was that this technique would not work on all types of injuries and then on some, the healing had to be teased with special electrode implants that would stimulate the nerve pathways. As time went on, however, Dr. Thornton discovered an unusual side effect - memory loss that could be partial or complete, but which could be controlled with the electrodes, depending on where they were placed along the nerve conduction pathway near the brain. Because of this, Dr. Thornton was forced to keep his surgery very selective while he was at the hospital.
He decided it was time to seek a place where he could have more control over the patients he chose so the outcome would be more positive. He began searching in earnest for his own hospital. Because of the high risk surgery, however, it was more difficult than he thought to obtain the funding he needed to create his dream. That is, until he met a most dynamic personality: Eric Kapinski, MD, Neurosurgeon & Psychiatrist. He was a bit younger than Dr. Thornton, but he had good "horse-sense" for his age and was on fire about seeing a hospital come out of Dr. Thornton's technique.
At first, Dr. Thornton wondered what Dr. Kapinski wanted out of it, but as they spent more time together, he didn't see greed as a motive. And then the incredible happened - a backer appeared in the form of the father of one of Dr. Kapinski's patients.
Mr. Dan Wu was in America with his adopted daughter, who'd had a serious car accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. When he heard about Dr. Thornton (via Dr. Kapinski) he had asked to meet with him. Mr. Wu was in the process of purchasing an island off the coast of Oregon and was willing to back their project in exchange for his daughter's surgery and continued care. Since he was a friend of Eric Kapinski's, one of Mr. Wu's requests (and actually part of their agreement) was that Dr. Thornton be willing to teach his techniques to Eric. Mr. Wu and his company would build Dr. Thornton's hospital on the island, and they would have free reign to develop it as they needed.
There was one problem on the island, and Mr. Wu apologized. There was a monastery there that was private property and it would remain intact on the island.
"A problem?" Dr. Thornton exclaimed; "I'm catholic!" He marvelled at the sight of seeing his dream become a reality.
An agreement was made and their hospital was born. Dr. Thornton excitedly tried to contact his wife (or ex-wife... he wasn't sure anymore), to tell her and his daughter the wonderful news. But, to his dismay, the years that had passed had left him without even a trace of where they had flown away to.
The next few years were exciting ones as he watched his dream become a reality. But as time marched on, Dr. RJ Thornton began to realize that his ivory tower was actually made of clay. He was trapped and destined to spend the best and most rewarding years of his life alone, except for his new-found mistress, Brookhaven Medical-Surgical Center.
(to be continued)
Original novel "the Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Over the next few years, the news of Robert James Thornton, M.D., a neurosurgeon who could repair spinal cords, spread rapidly in the medical community. Although there were many questions from doubtful observers, inquiries and appointment offers came in by the hundreds. His desk ended up being filled with letters and case histories from patients all over the world.
What was misunderstood by most, except those with a more direct knowledge of the spine, was that this technique would not work on all types of injuries and then on some, the healing had to be teased with special electrode implants that would stimulate the nerve pathways. As time went on, however, Dr. Thornton discovered an unusual side effect - memory loss that could be partial or complete, but which could be controlled with the electrodes, depending on where they were placed along the nerve conduction pathway near the brain. Because of this, Dr. Thornton was forced to keep his surgery very selective while he was at the hospital.
He decided it was time to seek a place where he could have more control over the patients he chose so the outcome would be more positive. He began searching in earnest for his own hospital. Because of the high risk surgery, however, it was more difficult than he thought to obtain the funding he needed to create his dream. That is, until he met a most dynamic personality: Eric Kapinski, MD, Neurosurgeon & Psychiatrist. He was a bit younger than Dr. Thornton, but he had good "horse-sense" for his age and was on fire about seeing a hospital come out of Dr. Thornton's technique.
At first, Dr. Thornton wondered what Dr. Kapinski wanted out of it, but as they spent more time together, he didn't see greed as a motive. And then the incredible happened - a backer appeared in the form of the father of one of Dr. Kapinski's patients.
Mr. Dan Wu was in America with his adopted daughter, who'd had a serious car accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. When he heard about Dr. Thornton (via Dr. Kapinski) he had asked to meet with him. Mr. Wu was in the process of purchasing an island off the coast of Oregon and was willing to back their project in exchange for his daughter's surgery and continued care. Since he was a friend of Eric Kapinski's, one of Mr. Wu's requests (and actually part of their agreement) was that Dr. Thornton be willing to teach his techniques to Eric. Mr. Wu and his company would build Dr. Thornton's hospital on the island, and they would have free reign to develop it as they needed.
There was one problem on the island, and Mr. Wu apologized. There was a monastery there that was private property and it would remain intact on the island.
"A problem?" Dr. Thornton exclaimed; "I'm catholic!" He marvelled at the sight of seeing his dream become a reality.
An agreement was made and their hospital was born. Dr. Thornton excitedly tried to contact his wife (or ex-wife... he wasn't sure anymore), to tell her and his daughter the wonderful news. But, to his dismay, the years that had passed had left him without even a trace of where they had flown away to.
The next few years were exciting ones as he watched his dream become a reality. But as time marched on, Dr. RJ Thornton began to realize that his ivory tower was actually made of clay. He was trapped and destined to spend the best and most rewarding years of his life alone, except for his new-found mistress, Brookhaven Medical-Surgical Center.
(to be continued)
Original novel "the Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
THE COMPLEX - Prologue - Part A
Welcome to the beginning of my original novel "The Complex". I hope you find reading these installments an enjoyable and entertaining experience. The easiest way to navigate through this book is to click on the chapter part you wish to read in the Index to "The Complex" to the right on the sidebar. Enjoy your reading!
Karen Elizabeth Brown
---Prologue---
Dr. Thornton quietly stood in front of the animal cage, patiently waiting for his latest subject to wake up. This had been his habit for the last few years. Waiting and watching as he slowly came closer and closer to his dream... the full recovery from a spinal cord injury. He stretched his stiff shoulders which were stooped forward from years of standing over operating tables. Then he rolled up his sleeves and exercised his fingers to keep them limber from the eventual aging process he saw taking over.
As he watched the sleeping monkey, he sighed with fatigue and checked the surgery schedule only to find that someone in his office had scheduled another surgery for tomorrow morning. He laughed silently and rubbed his blurry eyes. He reminded himself to explain to his office personnel again, that he needed more time scheduled for the experimental surgeries. Since his technique required nerve stimulation in the brain as well, sometimes it took longer to see actual results. He couldn't do surgeries back to back and still maintain the standard of excellence that he required of himself.
As he stood focused on any movement that should transpire at this crucial time, he heard the lab phone buzz in the background. With gestures so as not to disturb his subject, he indicated to his lab assistant Leah, to get the phone.
"Neurology Lab, this is Leah..." she answered in a subdued voice. As she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone, her body stiffened and she covered the mouthpiece.
"Dr. Thornton, it's your wife." she whispered, "She needs to talk to you."
Dr. Thornton looked annoyed, but tried to maintain his voice in low tones. "Could you tell her I'll call her back in about an hour?"
After delivering his message, Leah jerked the receiver away from her ear while Mrs. Thornton shouted her answer. With controlled annoyance, Leah calmly reported to the doctor.
"Um... I don't think she's going to wait that long. She said if you don't come to the "damn" phone right now, she's going to come down here and open up all the cages and rip you and all your "subjects" into little tiny pieces. I think you should talk to her this time... especially since I'm no good at puzzles and I might end up putting something back where it doesn't belong. No kidding, I think she's really sore about something."
Dr. Thornton's tall figure was hunched over a clipboard, engrossed in making entries for this hour. He sighed, stretched his back again and motioned for Leah to come and stand watch. She'd been with the doctor for enough time in the lab that she was experienced at what to do. She picked up the clipboard and started to check all his subjects and then stayed close to his latest post-surgical patient.
Dr. Thornton picked up the telephone: "Bea, honey," he began...
"Don't you 'Bea honey' me! Where the hell are you?!"
As if suddenly jerked awake from a dream, Dr. Thornton snapped his mind to attention and glanced at his watch:
"I've just finished an operation and I think this one might be it! My subject is just now waking up..."
"Dammit RJ, your subject is a monkey and I've heard the same story since your daughter was born!"
"But this time..."
"This time nothing! Do you know what time it is? And do you know where the hell you're supposed to be?"
Panic struck the doctor and he grabbed his calendar off his desk, while at the same time trying to calm his wife. But, other than the operation, there was nothing else in his date book.
"Well..."Beatrice sneered, "You've had enough time to look up what you've forgotten. I know that's what you're doing! Have you figured it out yet?"
"Honey, I'm a little lost..." he tried to humor her. "There's nothing else on my calendar for today..."
"OH REALLY? NOT EVEN YOUR DAUGHTER'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION?! SHE IS THE CLASS VALEDICTORIAN! OR DID YOU FORGET THAT TOO?!" Beatrice's voice shrieked with rage. "IT'S EITHER YOUR DAUGHTER'S GRADUATION OR THAT STUPID MONKEY! SO, IF YOU'RE NOT HERE SITTING BESIDE ME BY THE TIME SHE WALKS ACROSS THE STAGE, THEN WE'LL WALK RIGHT OFF THE OTHER SIDE AND YOU'LL NEVER SEE US AGAIN!"
The crash of the receiver being hung up on the other end echoed in his ear. At that moment, Leah called...loudly. "Dr.Thornton! She's waking up... and she's MOVING!"
"Aw Hell!" Was all he could think of to say. A strange reaction for someone who had just succeeded in repairing a spinal cord. But that meant hours of tedious testing and records to be made. And it would have to be done now, while his first sucessful subject was making it's initial recovery. If he left it for his assistant to do, it would never be acceptable for ANY medical journal or the hospital's board of directors, for that matter.
'In one career and out one family', he thought sadly. He loved his wife and daughter very much, but his work as a neurosurgeon, including human patients, and his experiments on spinal cord injuries had taken him away from his family more than he wanted. When he'd first told Beatrice about his discoveries... where he had accidentally discovered a way to repair a HUMAN spinal cord, she'd been elated. She had encouraged him to continue on the path... even when he'd ended up in a grueling surgery with a car crash victim while she was giving birth to their only daughter. He had made it back long enough to watch the nurse weigh their newborn and then fall asleep holding her in a rocking chair.
Beatrice had encouraged him to write his paper on spinal cord repair, which meant speaking engagements across the country as their young daughter grew into the sharp, scientific minded young lady that she was. R.J. Thornton reflected on how truly sad he was that he couldn't be at his daughter's graduation, all puffed up and proud that she was the class Valedictorian and was making a speech. He had missed so many events in his daughter's life that he could understand why his wife was so angry and also why his daughter would be so disappointed in him as a father.
But, as fleetingly as he allowed himself this indulgence, he immediately dropped the receiver back on its cradle, picked up his clipboard and headed for his newly awakened subject. It could be up to 36 hours before they knew their exact results, and he absolutely had to be there observing and documenting everything. This kind of news traveled fast in a teaching hospital and he also wanted to take pecautions so no unnecessary visitors showed up. They were welcome to the data, of course, but actual examinations were absolutely out of the question.
While Dr. Thornton was absorbed in examining his subject and writing down all the necessary data, Leah slipped out without him noticing. The research office was deserted this time of day, so she was able to use the phone unobserved. She quickly dialed a number and waited for a response.
"Hello...Dr. Kapinski?"
(to be continued...)
Original Novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
All characters, places, happenings and situations in this book are imaginary and are not related to any person, place or actual event. Any similarity is totally unintentional.
Karen Elizabeth Brown
---Prologue---
Dr. Thornton quietly stood in front of the animal cage, patiently waiting for his latest subject to wake up. This had been his habit for the last few years. Waiting and watching as he slowly came closer and closer to his dream... the full recovery from a spinal cord injury. He stretched his stiff shoulders which were stooped forward from years of standing over operating tables. Then he rolled up his sleeves and exercised his fingers to keep them limber from the eventual aging process he saw taking over.
As he watched the sleeping monkey, he sighed with fatigue and checked the surgery schedule only to find that someone in his office had scheduled another surgery for tomorrow morning. He laughed silently and rubbed his blurry eyes. He reminded himself to explain to his office personnel again, that he needed more time scheduled for the experimental surgeries. Since his technique required nerve stimulation in the brain as well, sometimes it took longer to see actual results. He couldn't do surgeries back to back and still maintain the standard of excellence that he required of himself.
As he stood focused on any movement that should transpire at this crucial time, he heard the lab phone buzz in the background. With gestures so as not to disturb his subject, he indicated to his lab assistant Leah, to get the phone.
"Neurology Lab, this is Leah..." she answered in a subdued voice. As she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone, her body stiffened and she covered the mouthpiece.
"Dr. Thornton, it's your wife." she whispered, "She needs to talk to you."
Dr. Thornton looked annoyed, but tried to maintain his voice in low tones. "Could you tell her I'll call her back in about an hour?"
After delivering his message, Leah jerked the receiver away from her ear while Mrs. Thornton shouted her answer. With controlled annoyance, Leah calmly reported to the doctor.
"Um... I don't think she's going to wait that long. She said if you don't come to the "damn" phone right now, she's going to come down here and open up all the cages and rip you and all your "subjects" into little tiny pieces. I think you should talk to her this time... especially since I'm no good at puzzles and I might end up putting something back where it doesn't belong. No kidding, I think she's really sore about something."
Dr. Thornton's tall figure was hunched over a clipboard, engrossed in making entries for this hour. He sighed, stretched his back again and motioned for Leah to come and stand watch. She'd been with the doctor for enough time in the lab that she was experienced at what to do. She picked up the clipboard and started to check all his subjects and then stayed close to his latest post-surgical patient.
Dr. Thornton picked up the telephone: "Bea, honey," he began...
"Don't you 'Bea honey' me! Where the hell are you?!"
As if suddenly jerked awake from a dream, Dr. Thornton snapped his mind to attention and glanced at his watch:
"I've just finished an operation and I think this one might be it! My subject is just now waking up..."
"Dammit RJ, your subject is a monkey and I've heard the same story since your daughter was born!"
"But this time..."
"This time nothing! Do you know what time it is? And do you know where the hell you're supposed to be?"
Panic struck the doctor and he grabbed his calendar off his desk, while at the same time trying to calm his wife. But, other than the operation, there was nothing else in his date book.
"Well..."Beatrice sneered, "You've had enough time to look up what you've forgotten. I know that's what you're doing! Have you figured it out yet?"
"Honey, I'm a little lost..." he tried to humor her. "There's nothing else on my calendar for today..."
"OH REALLY? NOT EVEN YOUR DAUGHTER'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION?! SHE IS THE CLASS VALEDICTORIAN! OR DID YOU FORGET THAT TOO?!" Beatrice's voice shrieked with rage. "IT'S EITHER YOUR DAUGHTER'S GRADUATION OR THAT STUPID MONKEY! SO, IF YOU'RE NOT HERE SITTING BESIDE ME BY THE TIME SHE WALKS ACROSS THE STAGE, THEN WE'LL WALK RIGHT OFF THE OTHER SIDE AND YOU'LL NEVER SEE US AGAIN!"
The crash of the receiver being hung up on the other end echoed in his ear. At that moment, Leah called...loudly. "Dr.Thornton! She's waking up... and she's MOVING!"
"Aw Hell!" Was all he could think of to say. A strange reaction for someone who had just succeeded in repairing a spinal cord. But that meant hours of tedious testing and records to be made. And it would have to be done now, while his first sucessful subject was making it's initial recovery. If he left it for his assistant to do, it would never be acceptable for ANY medical journal or the hospital's board of directors, for that matter.
'In one career and out one family', he thought sadly. He loved his wife and daughter very much, but his work as a neurosurgeon, including human patients, and his experiments on spinal cord injuries had taken him away from his family more than he wanted. When he'd first told Beatrice about his discoveries... where he had accidentally discovered a way to repair a HUMAN spinal cord, she'd been elated. She had encouraged him to continue on the path... even when he'd ended up in a grueling surgery with a car crash victim while she was giving birth to their only daughter. He had made it back long enough to watch the nurse weigh their newborn and then fall asleep holding her in a rocking chair.
Beatrice had encouraged him to write his paper on spinal cord repair, which meant speaking engagements across the country as their young daughter grew into the sharp, scientific minded young lady that she was. R.J. Thornton reflected on how truly sad he was that he couldn't be at his daughter's graduation, all puffed up and proud that she was the class Valedictorian and was making a speech. He had missed so many events in his daughter's life that he could understand why his wife was so angry and also why his daughter would be so disappointed in him as a father.
But, as fleetingly as he allowed himself this indulgence, he immediately dropped the receiver back on its cradle, picked up his clipboard and headed for his newly awakened subject. It could be up to 36 hours before they knew their exact results, and he absolutely had to be there observing and documenting everything. This kind of news traveled fast in a teaching hospital and he also wanted to take pecautions so no unnecessary visitors showed up. They were welcome to the data, of course, but actual examinations were absolutely out of the question.
While Dr. Thornton was absorbed in examining his subject and writing down all the necessary data, Leah slipped out without him noticing. The research office was deserted this time of day, so she was able to use the phone unobserved. She quickly dialed a number and waited for a response.
"Hello...Dr. Kapinski?"
(to be continued...)
Original Novel "The Complex"
by Karen Elizabeth Brown
Copyright 2009
All characters, places, happenings and situations in this book are imaginary and are not related to any person, place or actual event. Any similarity is totally unintentional.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Today
"Today is not the day you quit. Nor is it the day you cry. Today you know that you have all the passion and wisdom to find that quiet center of solace, serenity and strength necessary to create and sustain an authentic life." ---Sarah Ban Breathnach
Saturday, October 3, 2009
"The Plan"
Today I blink away my tears
Asking why I should keep trying;
When it seems I always end
In frustration, rage and crying.
Where do I keep on going wrong?
What is it that I do?
And then it strikes me all too hard-
I'm trying to be just like you.
After saying yes to truth,
I pick myself up off the floor;
Dust the cobwebs from my mind
And open up the door;
To let my courage soon begin
Another day of trying;
Of learning lessons painfully
That sometimes include me crying.
But today I set my ship a'sail
Away from muck and mire;
Towards those goal that do exist
Within my hearts desire.
I promise to be very honest
And true to my own self;
And put away the vainer things
Left sitting on the shelf.
Now I have one brand new promise
That only leaves me grinning;
I've learned to always be myself
And that's the plan for winning!
Asking why I should keep trying;
When it seems I always end
In frustration, rage and crying.
Where do I keep on going wrong?
What is it that I do?
And then it strikes me all too hard-
I'm trying to be just like you.
After saying yes to truth,
I pick myself up off the floor;
Dust the cobwebs from my mind
And open up the door;
To let my courage soon begin
Another day of trying;
Of learning lessons painfully
That sometimes include me crying.
But today I set my ship a'sail
Away from muck and mire;
Towards those goal that do exist
Within my hearts desire.
I promise to be very honest
And true to my own self;
And put away the vainer things
Left sitting on the shelf.
Now I have one brand new promise
That only leaves me grinning;
I've learned to always be myself
And that's the plan for winning!
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Note On Wisdom:
"Wisdom comes not from when we say we know all we need to know, but when we admit that there is much left to learn." ---Unknown---
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Writer's Block
I decided there are several different types of writer's block after talking to several diferent types of writers...except they all have the same thing in common - the inablilty to put pen to paper and write story, song or verse. This thing I see in common is some kind or reason, or excuse, that's breaking the train of thought. But what I've recently learned from my sister is: NO EXCUSES! A motto, if lived by, will break down all the walls and cause you to put pen to paper and etch out something for the world to see, hear or feel. So, thank you Loretta, this poem is for today, for now, because I have no excuses.
A Smile...
My heart was hidden far away
Gone from all mankind
Until I saw a tiny smile
From a strange but gentle mind
This illusive grin was short
And didn't last for long
But had the power to awaken
My broken heart in song
Such a little kindness stays
Forever etched inside
But most of all it heals the heart
From prejudice and pride
Do not ever be afraid
To share another smile
Who knows how far that grin will go
Or just how many miles
One turns into two and then
Three turns into four
Then people who were once forlorn
Are looking back for more
That tiny grin has now beome
A flower on a vine
Spreading roots and spreading hope
Blossoming with time
A Smile...
My heart was hidden far away
Gone from all mankind
Until I saw a tiny smile
From a strange but gentle mind
This illusive grin was short
And didn't last for long
But had the power to awaken
My broken heart in song
Such a little kindness stays
Forever etched inside
But most of all it heals the heart
From prejudice and pride
Do not ever be afraid
To share another smile
Who knows how far that grin will go
Or just how many miles
One turns into two and then
Three turns into four
Then people who were once forlorn
Are looking back for more
That tiny grin has now beome
A flower on a vine
Spreading roots and spreading hope
Blossoming with time
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