Page 56 of Twisted

“Cocaine today isn’t what it was back in my day,” she starts.“It used to be in tonics and sodas.It would make you feel alive!”

“Yeah, I’ve heard it’s better than coffee.”I shake my head.“It was just a random thought.But I have another.”

“Hit me with it!”

“Do you know how Xavier got so rich?”

“He’s good at business,” Mabel replies.

“What kind of business?”

“Buying and selling things.”

Okay, that’s not much to work with.“Do you know what kind of things?”

“Real estate.And stocks or trading, or something like that.”She shrugs.“I was told it was complicated.But I guess over the centuries you learn a thing or two about investing.”

“Yeah, you definitely would,” I agree.None of that sounds outright illegal, though I know there are ways around legalities in those fields.Still, it’s nowhere near dealing drugs.“I should go shower.”I finish the rest of my water and put the glass in the sink.Mabel says something I can’t quite make out, but I think she’s talking to herself anyway.

Jogging up the stairs, I pause where I usually turn to head to my room.I haven’t really explored the rest of this floor yet, and I know everyone has their own room.Pausing, I listen, and head in the direction of a TV.

“Knock-knock,” I say, stopping in the doorway to Devon’s room.He’s sitting on his bed, legs outstretched.He has his phone in one hand, lazily scrolling while he watches TV.

“Hey,” he replies quickly, looking surprised.“Enjoy your run?”

“Yeah.It felt really good to get out and exercise again.It was such an important part of my routine before it felt almost unnatural tonotworkout.”

“There’s a workout room in the basement, you know.”

“I’ve been in my room and, like, the kitchen.”I cock an eyebrow.“I’m basically Belle not allowed in the West Wing, which is like the rest of the house.”

He chuckles.“I’ll show it to you later.It’s nice.And if there’s anything you want, we can get it for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.I told you on your first day, making sure you’re happy and healthy is a big priority.”

My hands go to my middle.“Right.Because happy mothers make happy babies.Maybe?I don’t know.”

“There’s a lot of research that shows the mother’s mental health has a rather large impact on the baby.”

“Hmm,” I just say and we both look at each other in awkward silence.Any time this is brought up, I know we’re thinking the same thing: sooner or later, we’re going to have sex.

“Hey, random,” I start, “but have you heard of an increase of overdoses in the city?”

“Yeah,” Devon replies.“There’s been a big issue with shit being laced with carfentanil.It’s like an instant death if it touches you, I’ve heard.”

“Oh, shit.”

“I just saw on the news a day or two ago that the number of overdoses this month is already higher than average by like double.”

“That’s terrible.”

He nods.“Why are you asking about ODs?”

“I heard someone talking about it while I was on my run and just was curious.I still don’t have access to the real world.”

“Right.No phone.You should ask Xavier about it.”