Prologue
341 Words
PROLOGUE
Life is precious – particularly when it is slipping away.
Dr Cornelius Vandermeer believed this with the passion of the converted as he struggled to gulp one last lungful of air. The muscles in his throat had constricted as he collapsed on the lush carpet of his surgery. His receptionist had left the surgery as it was the lunch hour, but even if she had been present, the realisation came to him that the epinephrine that should have been in the nearby medicine cabinet was not there. He had not bothered to replace it despite several reminders from his staff.
The doctor had always prided himself on his physical condition, his finely honed body being a source of pleasure that he often observed in the full-length mirror on the inside door of his surgery. As part of his strict diet, his personal health-drink concoction was carefully prepared each morning before leaving home. Always consumed during a relaxing lunchbreak, between yoga and meditation, he had proudly proclaimed to one and all that this ‘elixir of life’ would see him fit and well to at least one hundred years of age. The liquid smelled foul and tasted worse, so he always downed the flask in one swallow. On this occasion, however, constriction soon followed the consumption of the elixir. His skin gradually took on a bluish hue as he spasmodically convulsed and slid into semi-consciousness. His hopes of a long and productive life, and his dreams of medical fame and financial wealth were receding all too quickly. A noise like loud static filled his ears, and a black fog filled his vision as his heart slowly ceased to pump blood.
His brain came to rest as his body twitched before becoming still. Then all was quiet.
Dr Cornelius Vandermeer, plastic surgeon to the stars, society darling of the newspapers and loving husband of Jessica lived no more.
Not everyone would grieve at the news of his demise. Some may even gain some pleasure from the fact that the very drink devised to extend his life had ended it.
- Writer
