Still Alive - Adam Stanheight

Chapter 13

"So, how's life going for you, Adam?" Lawrence asks as he brings Adam around this headquarters which feels like a maze.

Adam does not respond. Lawrence patiently asks again. Adam speaks up then. "Just because I forgave you doesn't mean we're best fucking friends. The least you could do is not talk to me, at all."

"Not gonna happen," Lawrence replies. He tries to catch up to Adam's pace which is not fast, but still too fast to keep up with. "After the state you were in when I came to see you in the hospital, I became worried sick about you. I just want to know if you're okay."

"Jesus, the hypocrisy," Adam replies in annoyance. Lawrence hangs his head low again. "I know."

After a minute of silence, Adam decides to answer him, just so his true intentions to put John in jail don't shine through. "Fine. I'm doing pretty good actually."

"You are?" Lawrence says, a hint of relief in his voice. "I'm so glad you took the advice in my letter. What have you been up to?"

"Do you even care?" Adam asks bluntly. "Yes, it helps me forgive myself more," Lawrence then explains.

Adam rolls his eyes before beginning. "Well, let's see. I'm still scarred for life after everything, but I'm working on it. I haven't been able to quit smoking yet, but that's not the point. I got into college. Veterinary." Lawrence beams, genuinely happy for him. "That's amazing, Adam. I noticed how much of a smart kid you were in the bathroom. They'll be lucky to have you. Anything else?"

"I cut my parents off and I've never felt more free in my entire life," Adam continues. "And I'm dating someone."

"Do tell more," Lawrence teases. "None of your business," Adam then partly jokes. "All I'll say is that she's been really amazing in helping me navigate shit these past few weeks. I don't know what I'd do without her. Speaking of that, how's your wife and daughter doing?"

"Hold on," Lawrence says, going back to Adam's business. "You're dating that detective from the hospital, aren't you?" Adam scoffs. "Who's the stalker now?"

"I didn't stalk you," Lawrence says in defence. "I just noticed how you looked at her. The exact same way Ally looked at me when we first met. Since you asked, she's doing okay. We're getting a divorce."

"Shit," Adam says, feeling a little sorry for him. Lawrence shakes his head, brushing it off like it's no big deal. "I deserve it. I may not have cheated on her that night, but I did before many times."

"What about Diana?" Adam asks, genuinely concerned for the little girl. He has always had a soft spot for kids, especially if they had family issues just like him.

"She doesn't fully get it," Lawrence sighs. "She has enough to deal with after her kidnapping. Other than that, she's been doing good. Ally and I are making sure she doesn't miss out on her childhood, despite the incident. We have agreed to share custody over her so she doesn't have to worry even more."

"I'm glad you guys are doing what my parents didn't do...thinking of their child before themselves," Adam remarks. Lawrence nods in approval. "I'd do anything for her. She's the main reason I fought to live."

There is a period of silence after that, as Lawrence brings Adam into the room where his traps are made and procedures are done. "Are you sure you're prepared for this?" Lawrence asks him as he eyes all the brutal devices.

"I mean, I did take more time to think about this than you," Adam responds sarcastically. Lawrence nods in agreement. "That's true, actually. Your girlfriend doesn't know, does she?"

"Nope," Adam lies. "I could never do that to her. I still wonder why I'm doing it to myself, to be honest. But you know, I have my reasons."

Lawrence smiles slightly. "Yeah, I won't question you if you don't question me. I am glad you're here though."

Adam smiles back, but its fake. Lawrence is only glad to see him because he doesn't have to feel guilty about him anymore. No matter how angry Adam feels inside about this, he has to keep his composure.

***

Brielle is sitting in her office, concentrating on her computer screen, her fingers brushing off the keyboard. She is looking even more into Adam's case that she can use against Jigsaw if it comes to it.

Brielle is interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," she calls. Peter Strahm and Allison Kerry enter, two of her closest employees. "Sorry to bother you," Strahm says. "We just wanted to let you know that we tested the warehouse last night."

"And?" Brielle asks, hoping nobody got injured. "There was no Jigsaw in there, just a whole load death traps we could've easily walked into if it wasn't for your suggestion," Kerry replies.

Brielle sighs with relief. "Thank God. Now we have to find where he's really hiding."

"I've got some of the guys searching the area for any traces of the bastard," Strahm says. "Would you two be able to investigate further online?"

"Sure," Brielle smiles as Strahm exits. Kerry is also about to return to her office, when she catches Brielle's research of the bathroom trap on her screen. "Hey, isn't one of the guys from that trap currently living with you? Adam, right?"

"How do you know that?" Brielle questions, worried if Kerry knows where he is today. Instead, she casually laughs. "I've seen you two around a lot. You're like never apart. I also saw that Adam's apartment was up for sale. I'm in the moving process at the moment."

"Cool," Brielle mumbles. "Are you suspicious because he lives with me?"

Kerry rapidly shakes her head. "No, not at all. I just know that he didn't deserve to be there and I wanna know if he's okay." Brielle smiles with relief. "Yeah, he's good. Really good."

Kerry snickers again as Brielle gives her a muddled look. "What?"

"You're dating, aren't you?"

Brielle lets out a sarcastic, audible gasp. "What the fuck you're totally spying on us!"

"No, not at all," Kerry responds, patting Brielle on the shoulder. "I'm just happy you're devoted to something outside of this job. You're not even fully employed yet and you've done so much for us since we signed you on."

"I love my job," Brielle says cheerfully. She then feels her phone buzz in her pocket. She takes it out to see that Adam is calling. "Speaking of Adam, here he is," she says. "Do you mind if I take this?"

"Of course," Kerry replies, getting up to leave. "Keep the talk PG, lovebirds." Brielle jokingly flips her off as she exits the room. She then answers the phone, keeping her voice to a minimum. "Hey Ad. How's it going?"

"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!" Adam whispers frantically into the phone. "This has got to be the worst experience of my life minus the trap. I hate pretending to be a fucked-up human like John or Amanda. Also, he's paired me with Lawrence! Lawrence is working for this cunt!"

"Okay, okay," Brielle says trying to calm him down. "Are you out of there now?"

"No, I'm in some bathroom stall, like the miniature version of the actual bathroom. Lawrence wants me to stay and help him with this face crusher trap," Adam complains. "Now that he thinks I fully forgive him, he's been annoying as fuck, Brie! Makes him feel better to see that I'm thriving outside of this shithole."

"You can always back out, Adam," Brielle suggests. "If this is too much for you to handle, we'll figure out another way to stop all of this."

Adam sighs into the phone. "No. This is the only way. God, I really need to pull myself together." He takes a deep breath and he gradually becomes calmer. "Not gonna lie, this is a lot," he then says. "I really just rang you so I could hear your voice, even for a second."

"You're so cute," Brielle tells him. "You're gonna be fine, okay? Just think about all the fun we're gonna have when you come home."

Before Adam can respond, he hears footsteps that even Brielle can pick up through the phone. "Fuck, someone's coming. Gotta go, love you, bye!"

Brielle's stomach instantly drops as Adam quickly hangs up. She can't imagine how difficult this must be for him. By being paired with Lawrence, it's like he's reliving that whole experience all over again...

Is Jigsaw putting him through that trauma on purpose?