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 room was 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 sank into 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.”
