“ Hold her down ,” I told the mother and two maids . “ I ’ m going to give her an injection .”
Each maid pinned an arm . The mother gently put her square hands on her daughter ’ s chest and stomach and pushed down . The girl wriggled , kicking her legs , and the three women struggled to restrain her . The mother motioned for the father to help and he frantically scurried off the wall to pin his daughter ’ s legs . The pressure of four adults restricted the girl ’ s movements greatly , though she still tried to break free . When I pulled out a clear liquid vile from my bag and swirled it around slowly , her gaze fell upon me . Her attention was transfixed , and she stopped writhing . She watched my every move with wide eyes . I inserted the needle of a syringe into the vile and pulled the plunger all the way back . Her mouth gaped open , mesmerized by the clear liquid that seemed to dance in the candlelight . I slipped the vile back in my bag , squeezed the plunger gently , and forced some of the liquid out and down the needle . I approached the girl slowly .
“ This won ’ t be easy . Hold her tight .”
I crossed the room with my right hand outstretched , fingertips holding the syringe , waving it continuously left and right in front of the girl . She followed the syringe with bated breath . When just inches away , I held the syringe in front of her nose . The girl ’ s head lowered , her eyes zeroing in on the silver needle with clear , glistening residue . As the syringe moved to the left , her head turned , and I quickly placed my palm on her cheek , pushing her face into the white satin pillow on which her head rested . With her eyes deflected , the fight in her returned , and she began to push and pull her body more viciously than before .
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