I look up briefly, the sweat pouring down my face. They are coming towards me now - the three of them - Neil leading in the front, Jermaine and Gina behind him, one hand on either side of Neil's back. They are edging forward slowly, cautiously. I can see Neil whispering a command to Jermaine. I struggle to hear what he is saying.
My feet remain rooted to the floor, and I can feel my heart pounding. I know that it's only a matter of time before they're upon me. There is no escape. My eyes dart up, towards the far corner of the room, I am thinking constantly, checking the room for any escape avenues.
I am surprised to see Neil leading the team, as he is the slimmest and least strong of the trio. Jermaine stands to his right, tall, solidly built - the kind of guy that looks as though he could pick you up and snap you in two. Gina stands to his left, behind Neil. She does not look very big, in fact, she is only around my size, but the wiry muscles in her arm are a testament to her stregnth. Besides, she has dealt with a lot of people like me, and has confidence on her side.
Neil begins talking to me, his manchester accent foreign to my ears. He is attempting to descalate my behaviour. I know they don't really want to restrain me unless they absolutely have to.
'You look a little agitated there, Fiona. Is everything alright?'
'No it's not fucking alright!' I snap back, my voice quivering. I feel tears spring to my eyes.
'Come on, let's sit down, talk about it.' he gestures to the row of chairs on the side of the room. 'Shall we have a seat together, then?'
'I don't want a fucking seat! I want you to get the fuck away from me!'
'Are you sure? I think it'd be much better for everyone if you did.'
'Get away from me.' I say, my teeth clenched. I feel ready to fight. 'I'm warning you.'
He stops talking, and inches gradually closer. I know what is coming next and I feel prepared for it. I start running.
Neil reacts first. 'Go!' I hear him yell.
I make to run past them, but they are too quick for me. Neil moves in front of me, and I feel Neil's hands - one on my shoulder, his knuckles against my collarbone. Jermaine and Gina simultaneously grab my arms, rotating them up and around, and forcing me down to my knees. They have my arms in a tight grip - Gina is applying flection to my left wrist and it really really hurts. I cry out in pain but they ignore me, intent on pushing me further towards the ground. I resist, and feel my arms being pulled further back. I am shoved down to my knees.
'Watch it!' I hear Neil yell out, and then 'alright, take her down!'
They come crashing down on either side of me, pulling me down with the weight of their body. Neil's elbows are locked around my face, I can barely hear what is going on. I land with a thump on the cold, hard linoleum floor, feeling my elbows take most of the blow. I wince in pain. Jermaine crashes down on my back, and I can feel his elbow digging into my spine. Gina is still applying too much flection, causing my wrist to bend forward at an unnatural angle.
'Change your locks!' commands Neil. 'Number two, change locks.' Jermaine twists my arm into a triangular shape on the floor, beside me. I can feel him leaning down, securing my arm in place. After a similar command, Gina does the same.
'You're hurting me!' I try to cry out, although my mouth is hard up against the floor, and this muffles my voice somewhat.
'If you would just stay still,' she hisses, as she presses my hand further towards my palm 'there would be no need for any of this. So stop moving and do what you're told.'
'Change locks, number two.' Neil says. 'and place her hands behind her back.'
Jermaine brings my arm out straight, then bends it at the elbow, so my wrist is facing upwards on my back. He doesn't ease the tension he's placed on it, and he kneels in close to me, facing the door, ready to run when given the all clear. Gina then does the same, arm out straight, hand up against my back. This position is extremely painful for me, yet they don't ease up. I guess they don't want to run the risk of me getting away again.
Neil moves in closer, bending himself over my body, and takes my hands in his. 'Number two, check the room' he commands. His hands feel sweaty on mine, and I realise that perhaps this has taken a lot out of him, too.
Jermaine lets go, and moves away. I hear him as he quickly checks the room - removing anything that might be considered dangerous, before moving to the door.
'Clear.' I hear him call out.
'Number three, go!' Neil orders, and suddenly their hold on me is loosened. The tension drains away as my arms fall limply to my sides, I lay still, my energy completely sapped, as I hear the nurses close the door and lock it behind them.
Brighton Pier: Christchurch
