11. Micah

Iwas in a foul mood as the disturbing sight played in my mind on repeat. Katsy on her knees, Psycho thrusting into her panting mouth. I wanted to destroy him, repeatedly shattering that stupid face.

Even worse, I still couldn't bring myself to torture him for the answers I required. I wasn't lying to Tanner. Even with Psycho's latest escapade, I didn't know if I was capable.

I cringed internally at my own uselessness, now my constant companion.

Maybe I should kill him and remove this unfounded weakness. It was a weakness I had never experienced before. I wasn't a runner, but I knew when to cut my losses. I had to leave before my identity was jeopardised.

I burst into Burner's office without knocking, and came up short to find him in deep conversation with Katsy. Their speech hushed as they turned to me in unison, both sporting fake, welcoming grins.

"I'm glad you're here, Olivia," Burner said. "You've heard the news then?"

"News?"

"Some idiot has threatened chemical warfare on the city."

My brows lifted. What the fuck did he just say? Surely I misheard.

Katsy giggled at my expression. "The government has released a city-wide alert. Everyone is to stay indoors until the threat has been neutralised."

I ignored them, grabbing my phone and scrolling through numerous unread messages.

Spencer: Let's go shopping. I need a few more dresses.

Tanner: No.

Emerson: You'll get poisoned and die.

Spencer: The government's a conspiracy.

Tanner: True. Still, the answer is no.

Spencer: Micah? What do you think?

I rolled my eyes before typing out a reply.

Micah: Veto the shopping, Spence. Save it for another day.

Spencer: Too late.

Image Received

Attached was a selfie of Spencer wearing a gas mask. Where she got that, I had no idea. Another image followed straight after: Emerson pulling hard on Spencer's hair, the shot blurry with movement.

I ran a loose hand down my face and sighed.

Katsy aimed for the exit, her arm skimming mine as she passed. "Looks like we're stuck here all night. Let's have some fun together."

Red filtered into my vision and my fingers strained tight, digging into my phone. My expression remained clear as I counted my respirations, re-establishing equilibrium.

When I was stabilised, Katsy was gone and Burner remained at his desk, perusing the official warning directive from the government.

He flicked a reassuring gaze my way. "I know this isn't ideal, but a chemical weapon is a serious matter, and you'll be safer indoors. We will ensure your comfort as best we can."

I nodded, sparing another glance at my phone.

Tanner: Greattttt. Now you're contaminated.

Spencer: OMG! I swear I can't breathe.

Emerson: And yet, she has enough breath to keep on whinging. Stay where you are, Micah. The threat is around the corner from Oakview.

I swear, I couldn't make this shit up if I tried. If Emerson was concerned, the threat must be legitimate.

Since I was trapped and opposed to the idea of gassing myself alive, I had to remain in character until I could officially leave for good.

Burner offered Katsy's empty seat. "While I've got you, I wanted to say how impressed I am with your work. No psychiatrist has lasted more than one session with Psycho."

No shit. Psycho wasn't here to be rehabilitated, he was here to be punished.

Besides the Caverns and famed fighting pits, Ludus Maximus was an influential crime organisation that provided security and soldiers to the world's elite. Maximus had enough jurisdiction and power to influence if someone was to remain locked up or not.

Burner continued with his worthless drivel. "Except you. I'd be lying if I didn't wonder what you talked about in your sessions. No security, no protection, no witnesses. He must trust you."

My ears pricked at the underlined insinuation. I'd underestimated Burner's observation skills.

I leant forward and softened my features. "I'll tell you," I said, lowering my voice in conspiring camaraderie. "If you win."

His eyes sparked with interest. "Win what?"

"Whatever game you choose."

Burner was a gambler, his personal traits synonymous with his addiction; irregularities with his work performance, mood, personality and appearance. The fact that I'd sifted his bank account also helped. Despite the money he'd embezzled from Oakview Asylum, Burner remained in debt beyond repair.

He scuffed his chair closer, eyes gleaming. "Alright, Doctor. We have the Fundraiser coming up, and I want to make an impact on Mayor Arthur Oakview. More importantly, I want to use you to make that impact. If the Mayor hears of the progress you've made with Psycho, he may be inclined to donate more money."

"Stakes?"

Burner steepled his fingers. "If you don't gain his favour, you tell me what's discussed in your sessions."

"Okay." His aura flared at my simple agreement.

"What about you, Olivia? What do you want if you win?"

I stood, pivoting for the door. Adopting a flirtatious tone, I said, "The satisfaction of beating you is reward enough."

Burner started, a grimace splitting his eager expression. "Call Fern to me. He's in the treatment baths assisting with hydrotherapy."

A shiver ghosted my skin at his statement, my steps growing heavier the closer I climbed to my intended destination.

The tiled roomwas clinically white, a glossy sheen mirroring grotesque reflections.

A handful of inmates were stripped to their briefs as Fern sprayed them with a high-powered hose (which was predominantly aimed in Psycho's direction).

Psycho had braced himself against the wall at a strange angle, bearing the brunt of the pressure, protecting Ace, who was huddled behind him.

Nurse Katsy stood aside, a clipboard clasped to her chest, chewing on the end of her pen, her gaze tracking over Psycho's naked flesh.

I stilled. If I ventured any closer, my Variant would engulf all rational thought and only instinct would remain. For the survival of all others, I couldn't let that happen.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Katsy flinched. "Dr Chaser. I told them to tell you—"

I raised a hand, her words halting from her venomous mouth.

Fern paused his assault and raised a smug brow. "Dr Mudlark ordered hydrotherapy for these patients. We are completing his treatment authority."

Whimpers echoed from the far wall, frail bodies dripping with ice-cold water.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Calm yourself.

"Dr Mudlark has no jurisdiction over my patients. Maybe I should pay him a visit, if only to remind him of the conditions required to practice as a doctor in Junction City?"

Fern scowled and Katsy averted my piercing observation.

"Ace Cooks, come with me," I said.

The remaining patients cowered, however they remained in their positions. They weren't assigned under my care, so I didn't have the power to remove them from this heinous treatment.

Turning for the exit, Ace stumbled behind, teeth chattering loudly.

I swallowed the traces of lingering guilt deep down in my gut. It was an emotion I wasn't attuned to, nor one I wanted to cultivate. I couldn't save them all.

Before I could pass the threshold, Fern called for my attention. "What about Psycho? He's yours."

I glanced over my shoulder. Although he was quivering, Psycho remained resolute and magnificent.

Staring straight into his black holes, I replied, "Is he?" Fern chuckled.

Psycho's eyes bore into me, their weight heavy. You're actually going to leave me here?

I huffed. "Fern. Burner wants you in his office."

"I'll be there soon," he replied, before turning the hose back on full blast.

I spared Psycho half a shrug in farewell.

Deal with the consequences.

Ace sankinto the chair opposite, his eyes bouncing off my office walls. Tonight he seemed off-kilter, more anxious than usual, his lighter clicking at an alarming rate.

The hydrotherapy incident was hours ago. Dinner had passed and pre-bed rituals had commenced.

I continued on with my sessions booked for tomorrow, hoping distraction would help with my twisted emotions and the suffocating feeling of being trapped.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Can we…can we turn off the lights?"

"Why?"

"I'd feel more comfortable. Please, Doc, I promise I'm not up to no good." He was genuine, the request hard for him to admit.

I nodded reassuringly and extinguished the lights, his agitation easing away as darkness took hold and his breathing steadied into a mellow, soothing stream.

Blindly recollecting my seat, I spoke into the blackened space. "Is that better?"

"Yes, Doc. I prefer the dark."

"Some would say it's safer. Easier to hide or disappear."

Ace flinched at my observation. "You're right. Most don't like losing their vision. It makes them scared, uncomfortable, not realising that demons come searching no matter the time of day. The dark has only ever been my friend."

"You're a Variant, aren't you?" He retreated into himself, scared to admit what was biologically passed down from birth, what he was most likely targeted for. "There's no need to fear. So am I."

Ace laxed from the knowledge, sinking further into his chair. I was glad to be able to give him some semblance of comfort.

What the fuck is happening to me?Comfort? I really have lost the plot.

He couldn't help but ramble, glad to talk to someone about something so ingrained. "I have night vision. Well, outside of here, anyway. When I was younger, I'd have to say ‘lay low' for my Variant to be triggered. As I aged, my ability became automatic. I come alive in the dark, like I can breathe easier here."

His speech naturally tapered off, his fond description catching me in the vestiges of a past life. Memories where my sisters and I discovered our own abilities, learning and teaching through each other. I didn't realise how long I'd gone without speaking, reliving those formative years.

Clearing my throat, I crashed back to the present as Ace contemplated his next words, hesitating before following through with whatever was on his mind.

"Doctor, you seem…sad."

"Hmm. I'll be leaving Oakview soon. So I guess I do have a certain melancholy air about me."

"You're right to leave, Doc. You're not like the rest of them. You do right by Psycho, leaving before the evil of this place consumes you."

Observant, indeed. "What evil, Ace?"

"Your colleagues, Doc. They ain't good people." I couldn't blame him. They were vile humans, but the poor boy had us confused. Little did he realise that I was capable of far more evil than they ever possessed.

"I must say, tonight does feel particularly ominous," I said, referring to the city-wide lockdown.

"Well, today's Wednesday, ain't it?" I could hear him shuffle into a more comfortable position. "When the Terror Squad of Oakview comes out to play. Security Fern the brute, Nurse Katsy the sexual deviant, Manager Burner the thief. And everyone's least favourite, Dr Mudlark, the mad scientist." I froze, soaking in his descriptive narrative as he released a soft chuckle. "I actually thought you called for me so you could send me down for experimentation, Doc. I was shitting my fucking pants. I should have trusted you…although I never would have guessed that you would leave Psycho to the mercy of them," he hummed. "Or maybe that's a good thing, so he can't remember you. Come tomorrow, there won't be much left of him, anyway."

"What do you mean?" My tone was low and airily menacing.

Ace choked in disbelief. "You didn't know?"

I shoved upright. "Where is Psycho?"

"They took him down to the basement, Doc." His voice cracked with each word. "They took him to the mad scientist."