The Script of Evil

31 - The Shrink

Kadin is sitting next to Billy in the waiting room. She looks at her mother who is whispering to her father at the entrance. She tries to persuade him to leave. Kadin shakes her head. She doesn't know her father like this. He is totally paranoid. They can go nowhere without him and she simply burns to see the code Michael had unravelled, but now they must first see the psychiatrist. She knows it is a waste of time because she and Billy now understand what Vipracitti meant when he said he would onwards always be with them. After the nightmare everything became clear to them, but it will be impossible to persuade her parents. She knows they will think that she and Billy also believe in the mad prophet.

Thus, there is no choice but to meekly dance to their tune. However, she is at war with herself and she knows her body language and attitude give away her feelings. Rene probably tries to persuade Jack to spare time by going and changing the tyres on their car in the meantime. Eventually, Jack leaves and Rene walks over to the receptionist to confirm their appointment and to report their presence. Her mother is always so punctual. Her father sometimes acts impulsively and also has a dangerous temper.

She is now sitting with folded arms while Billy sits upright on the edge of his chair paging through a Popular Mechanics. She peeks at what he is reading and becomes curious. It looks like a plan someone has to exploit an asteroid in space. It seems like a hundred-year plan to start an industry in space. She smiles when she thinks of Billy's new nickname at school. They call him Meerkat because he always sits upright and looks around. They have just arrived from Medi Cross where his wounds have been treated and new bandages applied. She shudders when she thinks how his back looked.

Rene comes and sits down next to her and whispers in her ear. "Why are you looking so cross, Kadin? Your body language tells me you don't want to be here."

"Relax, Mother. We are here now, I won't run away."

"It is as if you have changed after the nightmare, my child. It is as if your father and I irritate you and as if you hide something from us."

"Oh no, Mother. Come now. You are imagining things. I am only curious and want to get to Michael to learn what is in the code of the professor for Nico."

"What good will it do now, Kadin? We have all agreed it is more important to see a psychiatrist to remove all that rubbish that monster planted in your heads. What if you get that terrible nightmare again? Who knows what can happen?"

"It is history, Mother. We are safe now and I don't know how to convince you. I wish I had a way to do it but I know it is impossible. I don't know father like this. He is totally paranoid. It feels as if we are under house arrest."

"He is just worried about all of us, Kadin. It is only your imagination that lets you believe we are safe. You don't know for sure. I think you will feel better when we have seen the psychiatrist."

"Doctor Sandra Prinsloo won't be able to help us, Mother, and this visit is going to upset you even more."

Damn! She can kick herself! Here she lets her tongue slips!

Amazed Rene frowns. "How do you know we are going to see Doctor Sandra Prinsloo? I wasn't even aware it is a female doctor when I made the appointment and what do you mean that this visit will even upset us more?"

Kadin frowns. "Sorry, Mother. I was only jabbering. Forget what I said."

"How do you know, Kadin? The names on the door at the entrance only show Drs S. Prinsloo and J.C. van Eeden and you sat down immediately when you came in."

"I overheard that pair over there pronouncing the name and I took a wild guess."

"Kadin, don't lie to me! The pair over there is too far from here and I have heard no one speaking loudly from the time we have entered. How do you know her name is Sandra Prinsloo?"