Life After Divorce: The Rise Of Elijah Crawford

Chapter 6

The table scraped against the floor as Winnie stood, her eyes widening in alarm at Elijah's ominous caution about Dr. David's herb mixture for her grandfather.

"Death? How could these herbs possibly lead to that?" she questioned, her voice echoing her concern.

Dr. David, visibly upset, shot Elijah a disapproving glance. "Mind your words, young man. My medicine won't cause anyone's death. Are you out of your mind?"

Elijah, maintaining his composure, calmly responded, "I'm not crazy. While your medical knowledge is vast, there are aspects to healing beyond textbook sciences."

Elijah wasn't just good at helping people get better. He was skilled in both healing and poison, and also knew the cure for most poisons. 

"Enough!" Dr. David bellowed, thumping his foot on the ground, prompting a groan from Winne's grandfather.

"Now, look what you've caused," Elijah pointed at Winne's grandfather.

"Could you both just take a step back?" Winnie asked, stepping between both of them. "Elijah, why would Dr. David's mixture harm my grandfather?"

"Emberroot and Kola nuts react dangerously, forming a toxin that accelerates the moonroot poisoning already affecting your grandfather," Elijah explained.

Winnie turned to Dr. David. "Is this true?"

Dr. David dismissed it with frustration, "Why entertain this nonsense? He's just trying to tarnish my reputation. Stop slandering me, Elijah! I can see through your folly. You're only after the reward for treating the old man. I've been a doctor for seven years! Do you think I won't know what's toxic and what's not?"

Old man Carter's groans echoed again, accompanied by glistening beads of sweat on his face, and his trembling hands betrayed the toll of his worsening condition.

Winne approached her grandfather and took a seat beside him. Gently, she placed his head on her lap, cradling him with tender care, and offered reassurance, saying, "Grandpa, relax. I'm here for you. Your Winnie is by your side."

"Miss Winnie, we are wasting time," Dr. David insisted, holding out the mixed herbs in front of her.

Winnie hesitated as she observed the herbal medicine concoction. The decision weighed on her; Dr. David had received glowing recommendations, yet so had Elijah. Her gaze flickered between the bowl of herbs in Dr. David's hand and the bottle of Ginger Ale held by Elijah. In the end, the herbs appeared to be the more suitable remedy, at least in her inexperienced judgment.

"Sorry, Mr. Elijah. " Winnie said, still torn between making a decision.

"The choice is yours, Miss Winnie," Elijah replied, his expression stoic. 

Stepping into the sunlight streaming through the curtain, Dr. David's face illuminated, mirroring an angel with a radiant glow. 

"Miss Winnie, I assure you of the potency of my herbs and accept full responsibility for any consequences. If they are indeed harmful, I'll consume them myself. Alternatively, should my herbs prove effective, we need to break Mr. Elijah's hands to prevent further harm from his impersonation as a doctor."

Elijah sneered as he shook his head at the profound wicked and callous nature that Dr. David unabashedly exhibited. Despite the undeniable repulsion, a spark of curiosity flickered within Elijah's mind. He wanted to know if indeed Dr. David would be willing to consume the poisonous herbs. 

"Sure thing," Elijah said, placing the Ginger Ale bottle on the table. "I'm on board with Dr. David's terms."

Winnie hesitated briefly, glancing between Elijah and Dr. David. "Very well," she finally said, her voice wavering. "Let's see if your herbs can live up to the confidence you have in them, Dr. David."

Dr. David's eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and arrogance. "Excellent choice, Miss Winnie. You won't be disappointed."

Elijah watched intently, his skepticism lingering, as Dr. David stirred the mixture of herbs in the bowl. The room became saturated with the herbs aroma.

With the herbs ready, Dr. David drew closer to the bed. "This will be a turning point, Miss Winnie. Brace yourself for the remarkable changes ahead."

Taking a deep breath, Winnie nodded in approval. 

"Grandfather, the doctor has a remedy to ease your discomfort. Would you mind opening your mouth for a moment?" Winnie inquired with concern.

Old man Carter, in his weakened state, couldn't open his mouth by himself. Winnie attempted to gently coax his mouth open, eventually succeeding. Using the spoon, Dr. David meticulously measured out the herbs and carefully pushed them into the slight opening of the man's mouth. Elijah, foreseeing the inevitable outcome, took a step back, regretting that Winnie hadn't heeded his advice.

Immediately old man Carter ingested the herbs, his face began to turn red. Dr. David's excitement grew, interpreting the reddening as a positive sign. "Excellent! The herbs are already taking effect. His body is responding well."

However, the excitement soon turned to horror as Winnie's grandfather's face shifted from red to a deep crimson. Within moments, violent convulsions seized the old man, rattling the room. Dr. David's eyes widened in shock as blood began to trickle from the man's nose and ear, staining the crisp white sheets. Winnie's eyes widened in horror, seeing her grandfather's reaction. 

"What's happening to my grandfather?" Winnie asked with a trembling voice.

"Oh- that, that's just the natural reaction. It looks like the poison is bleeding out. Let's give him some time and see what will happen," Dr. David replied, still trying to look convincing.

Realizing every passing moment brought the old man closer to the brink, Elijah swiftly retrieved a medley of herbs from his bag. With meticulous precision, he blended them, added a splash of Ginger Ale to complete the concoction, hurried towards Winnie and her grandfather,pushing Dr. David aside,then administered the potion to the convulsing man, and suddenly, the spasms came to an abrupt halt. Old man Carter now lay completely still. 

"You've ended his life!" Dr. David exclaimed, anger in his voice. "You piece of shit. What on earth have you done?"