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Chapter 5 by Kongforce Kongforce

Which option will you choose?

Accept your bag is gone and cooperate with the orderlies as resistance seems futile now.

With your bag and credentials, now on their way to Dr Ashford's office, you see no reason to fight. Saving what strength you have, you end your struggle. At least for now, surrendering as the orderlies take you towards the isolation room. Your lack of struggle is noticed by the orderlies taking them slightly of guard. Judith tightens her fingers momentarily, as if expecting some trick, but you say nothing. You just comply as they carry you deeper into the institutes belly. The whole time, you take mental notes.

The names of staff members, the layout of corridors, the schedules of the day. All information that you'll need in aiding your escape. They carry you deeper into the belly of the institute through passages that grow narrower and dimmer, casting the stone walls with shadows. Along the way, you catch your clothes on one of the flagstones ripping them slightly. You can smell the acrid of urine and something chemical carbolic, perhaps.

"Mind the corner," Agnes says to her companion as they navigate a particularly sharp turn. As they take you down a narrow staircase, you glimpse a corridor lined with heavy wooden doors, each fitted with a small barred window at face height. Judith stops before a green door. The surface of which is scarred and dented as it has seen better days.

"Isolation Two," Judith announces, having retrieved a key from one of her apron pockets. The door swings inward to reveal a small chamber, perhaps ten feet square. The walls and floor are thickly padded with yellowed quilted canvas, the stitching visible where previous occupants have worried at it with fingernails or teeth. There is no furniture to be spoken of besides a low platform of canvas-covered wood—a bed, or what passes for one. A small barred window sits high up, admitting weak afternoon light. The air is stale, thick with the smell of previous confinement.

"Easy now," instructs Agnes as they set you down on the padded platform with surprising gentleness. Your feet touch the ground, and for a moment just a moment, you think that they might just leave you here. That moment is broken as you watch Judith produce restraints from a drawer you hadn't noticed. Judith begins to secure your left wrist as you calmly look on.

"No gag yet," Judith insists, having been told that Dr. Ashford wants to supervise the sedation. Well, Judith speaks Agnes works on your other wrist. "Stay still," Agnes advises, not unkindly. "It will make it easier for everyone."

Your options

Attempt to build a relationship with the orderlies. Ask them questions that might help.

Remain silent and look for any signs of weakness in your restraints.

Accept the laudanum when the doctor arrives, allowing yourself to be sedated with the hope that once you wake, you'll be taken to a less isolated place.

What choice will you make.

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