Ella looked up at the clock for the
tenth time in as many minutes. Why was the time turning so slowly?
She paced up and down the room, the
dryness in her mouth worsening by the second. She felt dizzy, sick to
her stomach and her legs didn't quite belong to her.
But she had to do this. It was for the
best!
She felt in her pocket, checking that
the device was still there – she knew that it would be, but she had
to check. Without it, the mission just wouldn't work!
Time! She said to herself. She pulled
on her jacket and left the house.
It was a nice day, sunny, with just a
little breeze. That would make things harder. More people! People
liked sunshine. Still it must be done!
Head held high, she walked into the
busy town centre, cleaving her way between the shoppers. Look at
them, laughing and joking, not a care in the world. They had no idea
what was about to happen. No idea of what Ella had planned.
On she strode, taking no notice of the
crowds of people, ploughing her way through them, making resolutely
for her destination.
The building loomed closer, tall and
imposing. She would soon be there, soon the mission would be over,
she would have done what she had planned.
She was there! She pushed through the
heavy double doors into the lobby. She stopped, looking around at the
throngs of people milling about. Children crying, being comforted by
their parents, elderly people sitting in uncomfortable chairs,
stoically waiting for their fate.
She turned and headed down the crowded
corridor towards the lifts.
Ella pressed the button. “Come on,
come” on she muttered to herself, jabbing the button over and over
in the vain hope that it would make its arrival quicker somehow.
At last! The lift arrived, its doors
opening smoothly. She stepped into its cool blue interior and jabbed
the button for the top floor.
The doors closed and the lift swiftly
ascended. Once more, she checked to make sure that the device was
safely in her pocket. Of course it was. Where else would it be!
She felt the fear rising, almost but
not quite, overcoming her. Bile rose in her throat, threatening to
break free, her legs ceased to listen to her commands, the blood
roared in her ears!
The doors opened. This is it, she
thought, leaving the quietness of the lift for the noise and bustle
of the foyer. She glanced at the clock facing her, ticking away the
seconds. Right on time!
She strode forward, pushing through the
doors at the far end of the corridor.
A face, smiling greeted her. How dare
she smile! Didn't she know what was going to happen? How unpleasant
it was going to be?
We're ready for you now Ella.
She walked into the small, cell like
room, the smell making her fear escalate even further.
There, sitting facing away from her,
tapping at a computer, was her Nemesis.
Ah, Ella, there you are! Lets get this
done.
Ella pulled the device from her pocket.
“Ah, brought your music, I see”,
said the dentist. “What are you going to listen to today?”
“Some classical would be relaxing”,
said Ella, her hands trembling as she chose the album.
Finally, she had plucked up the
courage, at last, she was here. She didn't know what was worse. The
fear of the dentist, or the fear of being around crowds of people!
No longer would that wisdom tooth taunt
her, giving her pain – within a short time, it would be fixed!
She settled into the chair, making
herself as comfortable as possible in the circumstances, put her
ear-buds in and waited!
