Page 219 of Brainwashed

Perfect.I allow my grin to widen. “I was hoping you would be.”

“I think we have much in common, Doctor.” He places his hand on my shoulder, guiding me toward the door. “I look forward to working with you more.”

Leaving his office in a haze, my thoughts are fumbling around in my skull.

I didn’t mention anything about the doctors to him… Because now I’m thinking I might not have to.Maneuvering around this island is like a game of chess.

And my best move right now involves a knight, a queen, and a rook…

Well, damn.

“Man… I can’t believe he died,” Felix whines, kicking the soggy bag of bones on the floor. “What a pussy.”

I sigh. “What the hell are we supposed to do with him now?”

Dr. Templeton is dead.Good riddance.

I guess he was finally able to free himself from our chains—metaphorically, of course, since he’s still tied up. He’s been in this room for a few weeks now, experiencing every bit of nefarious torture Felix or I can think up. I even located an IV in order to get him enough nutrients and hydration, the bare minimum, to keep him alive.

The lump on the floor barely even resembles the man I’ve hated since the moment I met him. And I’m glad. After what he did to Felix, death is by far too sweet a release. If it were up to me, I would have kept him living for years like this.

Dickless, footless, fingerless, toothless.The list could go on, but I don’t want to gross you out.

Unfortunately, it looks like he got off easy. I’m not sure how, but I don’t really care. My main concern now is what to do with him. And much to my own surprise, Manuel Blanco hasn’t mentioned him to me at all in the weeks that I’ve been back. I think he has bigger things going on than the death of one of his rapist doctors.

Getting rid of Templeton is a win for us. But Johansson and that asshole Hassan are still slinking around here, though they go to great lengths to avoid me. Hassan in particular, after I kicked the shit out of him. And Johansson, I let off with a warning… For now.

I’ll get them off this fucking island if it’s the last thing I do.

“Maybe we should call someone,” Felix says, bending down to observe the hacked-up face of what used to be Dr. Templeton.

“Like who? The police?” I chuckle, and he rolls his eyes at me.

“Yea, the police,” he mutters sarcastically. “They’ll just hop on their cop boat and sail out here to solve the case. No, silly ass. I mean like… Joy.”

My instinct is to sayfuck no, and take care of this shit on my own. But then I remember the conversation I had with Velle yesterday…

We came to an understanding. I’m on Team Chevelle now. And Manuel thinks I’m on Team Ivory. I’m like the Benedict Arnold of Alabaster Isle.

And since Joy is much less inclined to beat the shit out of Felix for something like this than Velle—she likes him, though she doesn’t care to admit it—she’s probably the safest bet. Although apparently Joy, Velle, and Rook come as a package deal.

Either way, Felix is right. We need to call someone. I don’t think I can get rid of this body by myself without anyone noticing.

So I make the call. And ten minutes later, the three of them are standing beside Felix and me, staring down at the body.

“This is… highly disgusting,” Joy says with a flutter of her dark lashes.

“Yea, but I mean… I hated that asshole.” Velle laughs. He leans behind me to high-five Felix. “Nice work, you fuckin psycho.”

Felix grins wide, clearly proud of himself. “Thanks.”

“I’m gonna be sick,” Rook grumbles, turning away and coughing.

“Aww… Cookie! What’s wrong?” Joy chuckles, walking over to rub his back. “Never seen hacked-up human remains before?”

“Let’s get this over with.” Velle sighs. “I have leftover lasagna in the fridge calling my name.”

“I hate both of you.” Rook gags. Then his eyes find Felix. “Especially you. Can’t you control yourself?? I mean, what did this guy do, anyway…”