Page 132 of Brainwashed

I allow my shoulders to drop a bit.

“I’m Luthor,” the kid with the shaved head says. “And Dash was my cellmate. He was my friend. So I just wanna know if he was alright. When you saw him…”

Remembering the day I opened Dash’s cell in the East Wing and cut that straitjacket off of him, I nod. “I let him out. Then I gave him the keys and my sneakers. That’s all I know.”

Luthor and Ren share a look.

“How in the fuck did he know where to go?” Ren combs fingers through his dark hair.

“We’ve talked about it so many times.” Luthor sighs. “The East Wing door, right, left, left, right, then the sewer; that way you avoid the heat at the side exit. I was down there, man. I saw it.”

“Okay… so that gets you out of the prison. How would he know what to do after that? I mean, no one’s attempted Shark Bay since fucking Toby.”

Luthor gives Ren a look. I can tell by the way they’re sort of staring at each other that they must be good friends, or have some kind of connection that allows them to share telepathic thoughts.

“The boat,” Ren says as it dawns on him. Luthor nods. “Velle’s fucking boat. Jesus, that crazy Russian lunatic.” He huffs a laugh, shaking his head.

“I know. That’s what I’m saying,” Luthor murmurs. “It’s crazy, but like… it makes some sense.”

“Do I need to be present for this conversation?” I grumble.

Ren’s chin jerks in my direction, and he makes a show of looking me up and down slowly. “You give new meaning to the termcute but psycho, you know that?”

Luthor shoves him away from me. “Alright, ignore him. He’s a thirst trap. Go on, get your glasses fixed. We won’t keep you.”

I sway in place for a moment, staring at him, wishing I could see clearer. I have a feeling I might like these guys… They seem decent.

“Thanks,” I mutter, turning away.

Luthor’s voice catches me on the way out. “And Darcey…” I spin to face him. “Thanks. For helping Dash.”

I nod. It feels like all I can do.

Then I leave the showers, going back to Joy. Back down to my quiet section of Hell.

A few hours have passed.

After the shower, Joy brought me to eat in the cafeteria, which was another fun experience. I barely got a few bites down before inmates were lashing out at me from every side. It was bedlam… I had guards surrounding me with guns drawn while she dragged me out and back to safety.

Apparently, the prison is on lockdown after what happened. The Warden has Velle running around confiscating everyone’s swag, and there’s a huge halt on the sex-for-goods trade that usually goes on here. Meaning the inmates are being forced to live this shitty life on a secluded island without even the barest of essentials for entertainment, like books, porn, and cigarettes.

If I could feel bad, I think I would right now. I really didn’t intend to make everyone’s lives a living hell. I’m just a killer who saw an opportunity.

The thing that’s craziest, though, is all of this seems to be stemming from Dash’s escape, rather than O’Malley’s death. Kang is the only person who’s actively upset about that. But from what I’m gathering, the lockdown is all about Dash.

After my attempt at lunch, Joy went and grabbed my things from the room with the burst pipe and let me brush my teeth in a different locker room. It must be for guards only, because the lockers had names on them, and she was standing right next to me, rushing me the whole time.

Now I’m just sitting in my padded cell, blind as a damn bat, wondering when the hell I’ll get new glasses. I know it isn’t easy to get things on this island, but Dr. Love usually seems to obtain stuff with little effort. Still, something like prescription glasses might be a bit more difficult.I hope he’s not affected by this lockdown too…

My anxiety is high over this. I hate not being able to see, and what’s more, I can’t stop fidgeting around in anticipation of being in the same room as my doctor again. We left things pretty up in the air after last night. I’ve gotten used to seeing him basically every day, but since things got physical, he’s been pumping the brakes.

I don’t like it. I’m attached to him now. More so than I have been to anyone in a while.

I know I have a tendency to crush on guys, but this feels different. Dr. Love is a presence I desperately want around, and for more than just the ultimate kill. I want to get inside him the way he has with me. To crawl into his deep down; cuddle up in there.

Unfortunately, I don’t see him letting that happen any time soon.

My temples are throbbing, a strong headache clutching inside my skull from not having my glasses for so long. I’m trying to rest my eyes when footsteps clunk from up the hall, coming directly at my cell. I stand up in preparation.