Richard moved quickly, pinning Victoria's wrists to the floor before her fingers could secure the phone. She thrashing violently, screaming obscenities as she tried to break free from his grip. Her silver gown crumpled against the hard floor, the delicate fabric tearing at the seam. Richard held her down, his heart pounding against his ribs like a sledgehammer, but he knew he could not stay in this struggle forever. He had to get to the hospital before the nurse in the video completed his task.
Richard: Give it up, Victoria! It is over!
Victoria: It is never over! I won't let you ruin my life!
Richard: You ruined your own life the second you turned on Clara!
Victoria: Get off of me! Let me go!
With a sudden burst of energy, Victoria kicked her legs, catching Richard in the chest and knocking him backward onto the floor. She snatched the phone off the wood and scrambled up, sprinting toward the front entryway. But instead of running out the front door, she turned toward the side study where a small safe was built into the wall behind a framed painting of the USA flag. Richard jumped up and pursued her, his heavy steps closing the distance rapidly.
Richard: Victoria, stop right there!
Victoria: Stay back, or I swear I will smash this phone to pieces!
Richard: Smashing the phone won't save you! The hospital has cameras!
Victoria reached into her coat pocket, which she had thrown onto the study desk earlier that morning. Instead of a key or a wallet, she pulled out a heavy plastic case and opened it with a sharp snap. Inside sat a small glass syringe filled with a clear, dense fluid. She held it up in front of her face, her hands trembling violently as her enraged eyes locked onto Richard's chest. The sight of the needle made Richard freeze in his tracks.
Victoria: You think I didn't come prepared for you too?
Richard: What is that, Victoria? What did you bring into my house?
Victoria: The same sedative I gave Clara. Just enough to put you to sleep for a long time.
Richard: You are completely out of your mind if you think you can inject me with that.
Victoria: Try me, Richard! Step any closer and see what happens!
The room went dead silent except for the heavy breathing of both adults standing in the center of the study. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the clear fluid inside the syringe, making it glow with a terrifying clarity. Richard knew he had to disarm her without getting scratched by the needle, but any sudden move could cause a fatal mistake. He carefully calculated his distance, waiting for the split second her focus slipped.