One of the most important rules for a psychiatrist is that she should never let her patients see her flinch, the very thing he wants to see. That grin was designed to make me back down, to scare me off, that’s what he wants anyway. He doesn’t only use his body as a weapon, he uses everything he has—his eyes, his words, his emotions. His grin makes me shiver but not because I’m scared but because I’m thrilled. He has become my new muse, trying to heal the very thing I am and a part of me does know that there is no saving for people like us but if I can somehow find a way for him…maybe there’s a possibility for my redemption too. “I have a feeling you won’t be breathing for too long”

  My ass…

  The words aren’t even scary, the way he said it? maybe a bit, but that’s not enough to have me running away. In fact, I don’t know what is because someone who fears themselves can’t fear anyone else.

  I should probably go check on my other patients, but do I want to? no I don’t.

  Riven scares me in a way not because he’s a killer. I’m scared the reactions he might trigger from me because no matter how much I try to run away from it, I am what I am—barely holding on to sanity and I fear one push in the wrong direction will be all it takes to have me spiralling down a path I never want to take. He’s a mirror of what I could’ve become if the world knew about who and what I truly am.

  But at the end of the day, we’re both psychos, I just know how to hide it much better than him.

  That’s what I have been doing my entire life.

  The foundation of my very being is built on lies.

  ****************************************************************************************

  “Dr. Inez where are you? we have an important session with our patients right now” I hear an annoyed voice shouting through the phone. “Just a minute, sir” I reply back half running to the room. Not my fault afternoon nap turned into a fucking coma.

  I knock on the room before entering it. Damn Asher really didn’t have to make it this creepy. I give him a sheepish grin with a muttered sorry for being late to which he responds with a roll of his eyes…typical of him. I take my place at the right of the big whiteboard in the room while Asher stands at the left. “So today, we are going to be talking about our emotions, about how you guys feel and what difficulties you face. We will be talking you through it and helping all of you as much as we can” he says in a cheerful voice as if there isn’t a possibility of one of use not coming out alive from this room. I don’t pay much attention to whatever speech Asher is giving, it’s probably boring anyways. Instead, I take a quick look at the patients present in this group therapy. First there’s, Nico—I offer him a quick smile to which he barely nods, but coming from him, that too is a great achievement.

  Every time I look at him, talk to him, even pass by him, my heart clenches for whatever this burdened soul had to bear. Nico’s his name, barely 19 and yet, he’s probably seen and ben through things no one should. His eyes seem distant just like they always are. Believe it or not. He is showing signs on betterment; his PTSD was much worse when he first came. He used to flinch at shadows and shout in languages none of us understood. Now, at least he talks and responds to people. Even though its subtle, it’s still something and that must be valued

  Next, my gaze travels to Lyra, the one who currently seems to be pissing Riven off. It's diabolical, really seeing Riven so bothered over nothing but her only her presence.

  "Missed me Riven?" she asks, twirling her hair but not in the sweet way. I have seen most do, she does it in a mocking way. Like she wants to bring his ego down which is higher than his already tall ass height and honestly, if she did that, I would damn well thank her for it despite the fact that sometimes she annoys the fuck out of me. Can't blame her can I? narcissist she is...

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Finally, stormy gray eyes meet mine and this time, there's a hint of amusement dancing in their depths and a dangerously charming smirk on his face.

  At Lyra's question, I noticed a muscle in his jaw clench, except for it he didn't answer but that alone is enough.

  There is...was something going on between these two.

  After what feels like an eternity, Asher finishes his speech. "Dr. Inez, is there anything you would like to say?" At his question, I give all the patients the best smile I could muster up.

  "I'm sure you all have a lot to say, express your thoughts freely over here. Nico, why don't we start with you? I'm sure you might want to share a few things," I say enthusiastically hoping to make the boy speak at least a sentence.

  But Nico—he doesn't even budge. I wait for a while hoping for some kind of reaction, but unfortunately, I don't get one.

  Asher takes a step closer to the boy. "It's alright Nico, you can trust us..." he coos, as he reaches out to rest a hand on Nico's shoulder.

  But before he could do that, I stop him with a firm grip on his wrist, "don't touch him, you'll make it worse," a frown settles on Asher's brows.

  "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

  Just then... a voice speaks up... and it belongs to Riven

  "Didn't you hear the shrink? The boy doesn't like being touched, so if you want him to speak, better listen to her."

  Nico flinches at the bitter tone in Riven's voice but he's probably relieved about what me and Riven did .

  Damn, do all killers have a soft spot for this boy, because two of them in here most certainly do.

  Finally , he speaks, and I have a feeling I know what he's going to say—

  "They screamed...I didn't"

  Knew it...This is what he mostly says that one line is enough to explain the horrors he witnessed. Asher tries to press on "Nico, could you give us a bit more context on it?". The boy's eyes are fixed at a far-off spot on the wall as he says in a monotone "They begged for their lives, for mercy...I didn't because I knew I wasn't going to get any." Before Asher could press on further Riven speaks up "Okay doc, that's enough don't trouble him more. Anyways he said more than he usually does."

  How the fuck does Nico soften even the most terrifying killer's hearts...including me and Riven.

  Asher turns to Riven with a challenging look "Riven since you seem so enthusiastic about this session how about you go second huh?"

  he tilts his head, a habit I'm quickly getting used to...and find so damn hot.

  "Oh I would love to go next doc. Want to hear about the most recent plan in my head to carve a body open? Or about how I killed two people in less than a minute? Because currently, my emotions are ranging from murderous to mildly amused" his eyes flick briefly to me "And I'm damn sure someone else's thoughts are no different than mine"

  Shit...

  Shit...

  What is the dumbass trying to say? Does he know something? Fuck I need to geta hang of myself. I can't let him see me break—not him of all people.

  Maybe he's just toying around with me, testing to see when I crumble under his words. He doesn't know anything...he can't...he shouldn't...

  Asher looks quite taken aback from his reply and I almost laugh at the look on his face—looks like someone went pale. Instead of waiting for him to regain his composure I say "Thank you Riven for sharing your thoughts with us. Is there anything else you would like to say?"

  "Careful, pretty shrink—Can't have you running away now, can I? I'm having quite a lot of fun with you...

  Don't turn into my next muse..."