“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.”
Chapter 12Psycho
“It’s your one-year anniversary. Did you know that, inmate?” Fern taunted. Apparently I had an annual appointment to attend, a debrief of sorts, to discuss my progress as a patient.
I hadn’t seen Micah since she’d left me at the mercy of the Terror Squad, and I couldn’t help feeling I had lost.
Fern led me further into the castle, down passageways I’d never ventured to before.
My hackles raised at the change of location. The corridor looked exactly the same as every other: clean, grey, bland. But it felt different, more clinical—plus a hint of misery, coating the walls. My jaw set as my eyes scanned the surroundings, instincts enhanced, searching for any threats.
Turn back.
Fern opened a random iron door that looked 100 years old and stepped aside for me to enter. I arched a brow and turned 180 degrees, intending to backtrack.
My ego got the better of me. I believed my reputation and status alone would be enough to protect me from future conquest, from letting idiots attempt to touch, or even be in the same vicinity as me.
So far, I’d been accurate. My stay here was fucking depressing, but during this year of incarceration no one had ever dared to challenge me, preferring to leave me to my self-inflicted wallowing and self-pity.
Until now.
I was jerked backwards by my jacket, and without hesitation I twisted, using the momentum to forcibly ram my fist into Fern’s nose.
A resounding crack and painful cry rang in my ears, causing a manic grin to spread across my lips. It didn’t falter when four guards swarmed into the corridor, rushing to aid their boss.
Even without my suppressed Variant, I was more than equipped to deal with these low-grade security guards.
Ludus Maximus was the criminal syndicate renowned for producing elite fighters and indestructible soldiers. Specialising in MMA, weapons and all aspects of mortal combat. And me? I was the best of them all.
They will kneel and beg for mercy before Psycho, the undefeated champion of the motherfucking Caverns.
My shoulders rolled back, severing the last vestiges of restraint holding my festering rage. “Let’s play.”
Fern backed away, cradling his nose, blood seeping through his fingers as he cowered in shock. His minions didn’t waste time invading my space.
The first crouched low, launching to tackle me to the ground. I used his neck as an anchor, tipping him off-balance, the force pushing him headfirst into the hard stone wall. He toppled to the ground, gravity doing the rest.
The remaining three shuffled closer, warier in their approach. At least they were smarter.
Fern remained an overzealous bystander.
“Pussy,” I mouthed.
