The Calling | The House of Voices #1

Thirty One - Good Behavior

Good Behavior

“Human nature.”

Clap. Clap.

“Wanna Be Starting Something.”

Clap. Clap.

“Dirty Diana.”

Clap. Clap.

“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”

Clap. Clap.

There was a momentary pause as Parish tried to think of another title. “Um, Ben.” Damn. I frowned. A second longer and I’d have won the round.

Clap. Clap.

“Will You Be There.”

He waited for the two claps and said, “Smooth Criminal.”

I rolled my eyes. Why hadn’t I thought of that one? “Jam.”

Clap. Clap.

“Beat—” The sound of Parish’s door opening met my ears. “It.”

I froze, wondering who was visiting Parish. It was too early for his session with Darren, so it was probably Patty coming in to bring us breakfast or something.

“Excuse me?” I felt the blood freeze in my veins when I realized who Parish’s visitor was. It wasn’t Patty. “What did you just say to me?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Came Parish’s monotonous reply.

“Who were you talking to then?”

“There really isn’t much to do in here, so I was trying to name as many Michael Jackson songs I could think of.” He said, still sounding immensely bored. “You just happened to walk in when I remembered Beat It.”

“Hmm.” I climbed back onto the bed as softly as possible while Dr. Larkson determined whether or not Parish was telling the truth. “Doctor Michelson and Nurse Malone tell me that you and October have been behaving yourselves.”

“Not surprising.” He quipped. “Not much havoc we can wreak in here anyway.”

She ignored the sarcasm. “They advocated for the both of you and asked me to release you on good behavior.”

I sat up straighter on the hard bed. “That’s nice of them.” I shook my head at Parish, slightly marveling at his ability to remain so calm and disinterested.

“I’m going to check up on October and inform her of her your release.” She stated dryly, clearly fed up with Parish’s snark. “Maria will escort you to your room. You can either stay there, or go and join Witherberry at breakfast.”

“Whatever.”

When no reply came, I realized that Larkson was probably on her way over to my room. So I laid back against the pillow and dropped my palms over my eyes and began humming softly to myself. I heard a few shuffling noises before Parish’s door shut once again. A few seconds later, my own door opened and Dr. Larkson walked in, her heels clacking loudly against the tiles.

“October?”

“Hmm…?” I removed my hands from my face and sat up to face the doctor. I tried not to smile at the look of pure discomfort that was plastered on her face. She looked like someone had stuck a slice of blue cheese in her nose.

“You’re being released.” She said matter-of-factly. Like I should have known that already.

No need to mention that I actually did know.