Lemuel Angelo Santos is a nursing student who didn't believed that he is a psycho, and killing animals was just his hobby. His first human murder was supposed to be simple-a practice run, targeting a defenseless patient in a psychiatric facility. Wh...
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Meeting the Patients in Pajamas
I stormed out of Dra. Lucy's office, barely keeping my frustration in check. How the hell did I mess up? My mind raced, replaying every moment of our session, trying to figure out what gave me away. I clenched my fists, feeling the anger boiling inside me. Damn it.
But I knew better than to let that anger show. Years of practice taught me how to wear a mask, to blend in when needed. I've got to play nice if I want to stay under Dra. Lucy's radar. I straightened up, adjusting my expression, letting a forced smile spread across my face. People and their stupid rules.
It's almost lunch time, and the last person that went inside the office is Aiahn. Before he entered, he was still in his anxious state. He was easy to read-guys like him always were. But what could be bothering him now?
On the other hand, outside the office, I saw the girls and Anthony, gathered not far from the entrance, laughing and chatting about what happened in them during the self-assessment. I barely didn't hear them and I'm so fucking curious to whom did Dra. Lucy assigned Lilith to.
I realized Aiahn was right. If I want to have a good grade, I have to cooperate. But it's not the grade I'm after, but their trust, so that mother-fucking doctor won't suspect me of anything anymore and I can move freely inside the facility and ask whoever of them got Lilith. I swallowed down my frustration and threw on the friendliest face I could muster. It's time to put on the real show.
I walked to them with a sweet smile plastered on my face.
"Hi!" I called out, forcing my voice to sound bright.
They all turned to look at me, startled. Faye blinked, clearly not used to me approaching like this. Good. Let them wonder what's going on. Let them think I've changed.
"Oh, Lemuel! May kailangan ka?" Princess asked, her voice gentle and welcoming, like always.
I leaned in a little, softening my tone. "Actually... I just wanted to apologize." I let my fake smile drop, replaced by a look of regret. "I know I've been... difficult. Arrogant, even. And I'm really sorry. After my session with Dra. Lucy, I realized I was wrong."
I let a tear fall-just the right amount to sell the act. I bowed my head, glancing sideways to gauge their reactions.
Faye was the first to respond. She stood up and patted my back. "Ano ka ba Lemuel, okay lang 'yun! Alam naman namin ni Princess na sinasadya mo lang maging masungit, 'diba?" Siniko nito sa gilid niya si Princess, seeking agreement as she giggled and leaned her head on my arm like I hadn't been a mitch to her a while ago.
Ilang saglit lang ay bigla namang hinila palayo sa'kin ni Anthony si Faye na ikinasama naman ng tingin nito sa kaniya.
"Bakla may Aiahn ka na, 'wag mo nang agawin sa'kin si Lemuel." he jokingly remarked, making Faye exaggeratedly grab his hair.
