Page 39 of Brainwashed

“You need to lighten up, babe.” I prop my head on the wall with a grin. “You’re in here for good, just like the rest of us. Haven’t you realized, the more you struggle, the worse it gets?”

“I don’t… I don’t care,” he sniffles. “I didn’t do it. Timmymade me…”

Tracing a tear in the padding, I ask, “Who’s Timmy? Your boyfriend?”

“I ain’t a goddamn faggot!” he roars at me through the wall, and I chuckle again.

“Jesus… Calm down.” I roll my eyes. “My ex-boyfriend, Isaac, he used to pretend he wasn’t gay. He swore up and down he didn’t like me watching him, but I know he did.” I scoff at the memory. “Such a tease.”

“Yer a real sick fuck, yeh know that?”

I kick the wall with my worn sneaker. “Oh yeah, and you’re not? Listen up, asshole. Whatever happened toTimmyis on you. Don’t you get that?? You’re no better than any of us, including me. So get off your goddamn high horse. You’re a monster, just like me.”

He lets out a growl, and something bumps against the wall separating us. I think it was his head.

“Fuck you!” he shouts. “He was my brother! Why would I kill him?? It makes no sense. I was set up, I’m telling yeh! Framed!” His bellows turn swiftly into whimpers, and he begins weeping.

I can’t help the surprise that ripples through me. He’s sort of confessing, which is what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve beendyingto find out what he did, and from the sound of it, he killed his brother.

No judgement… But this dude is clearly whacked.

Pressing my forehead to the worn padding, I listen while O’Malley cries. “Shh… It’s okay, Kieran. Your brother is dead, that’s all that matters. And it’s your fucking fault.”

His sobs turn hysterical. My lips quirk.

Take that, you self-righteous little worm.

The sound of a door opening distracts me from the new song I’m enjoying, and the familiar loud clunky footsteps send a wave of realization, stiffening my muscles.

“Against the wall, inmate,” Velle’s voice calls from outside my cell as his keys jingle.

I’m already against a wall, so I just stay where I am as he enters, then immediately shackles my feet. I’m not sure where we’re going, but I don’t even bother asking because he won’t tell me.

He simply shoves me toward the door and grunts, “Walk.”

O’Malley’s sobs echo, growing softer while we trudge up the long hall, through one door, then another. Velle is guiding me along, down the corridor and up to a door I don’t recognize. He pushes it open to reveal an office. And a tall man standing with his back to us.

When he hears us, the man turns. And our eyes lock.

The breath in my lungs sweeps out, unexpectedly. My head cocks right as I blink at him, this large,veryattractive man staring at me while clutching a case file in his hands.

Who… are you?

Velle removes my shackles while the man and I continue to hold one another’s gaze. “I’ll be right outside.”

“No need, Officer,” the man replies, still staring right at me, the rich amber in his eyes visible even from across the room. They look like torches in the woods. “I’ll take it from here.”

His voice sends chills over my entire body, deep and as smooth as molasses.

Velle says something, arguing with the guy about just leaving me here, but I can barely even hear what he’s saying. I’m too busy watching the fellow who’s watching me.

The way he’s looking at me is something I’ve never seen before. Studious, secretly delighted. He’s not looking at me the way most people do now, like I’m something that needs to be guarded at all costs. Like a dangerous criminal.

He’s looking at me like I’m a riddle to be decoded.A puzzle that was just placed in front of him for solving.

Is this my new doctor??

When he and Velle stop bickering, Velle leaves, closing the door behind him. And I’m just sort of swaying in place, tucked away in my straitjacket while this man looks me over. But says nothing.