The Shrink Program

Chapter 67

"Think positive thoughts, Maddison," I instructed myself in a whisper.

"Positive. P-os-itive. Un-negatively positively positive thoughts. Thoughts that don't just involve repeating the word "positive" over and over again because you can't actually think of anything positive to say... Ugh..."

I sagged in defeat, leaning back against the glass wall of the jar.

It was so dark in the bag, I could barely see my hands in front of my face.... which actually didn't bother me as much as I thought.

Darkness sort of went well with the whole defeated and depressed mood I had going.

"On top of everything else, I'm starving," I muttered, feeling my stomach grumble out in agreement.

I don't do well without food...

If Apollo doesn't hurry up and get me to the ultimate evil lair soon.... he's going to open this jar to find a tiny pile of bones.

"I don't want to die," I said, climbing to my feet.

The jar was rocking with Apollo's movements, but out of sheer stubbornness, I managed to remain standing.

This gloomy attitude wasn't doing the situation any good.

It was high time I talked some sense into myself.

"Stop whining Maddison." I hissed angrily. "Complaining is just your annoying way of coping with this stressful situation."

A violent rock of the jar sent me crashing into the opposite wall.

The universe's way of saying 'Go on, try to rationalise this. See what good it does you.'

Frustrated, I shoved away from the glass. "No, you shut up Maddison. Talking to yourself is crazy enough without all the self-criticism."

I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to snap back a reply.

She had a point after all.

Going insane was not going to improve my situation.

That means no getting into a heated argument with myself.

The first sign I had that we were nearing our destination was the piercing sound of a violin.

The sharp, fragile sound sent a chill down my spine because that sound could only mean one thing.

Jack's here, and he's in a good mood.

A moment later, the music cut off, and I hear Jack call out a greeting to Apollo.

"Finally, everyone is here. Don't tell me you had trouble getting your cards?" Jack's voice managed to be both gentle and eager. "Did you at least manage to get Maddison here safely?"

Apollo didn't answer as he set the bag on the ground.

The movement knocked me off my feet, leaving me on my hands and knees when light suddenly burst into the bag.

Looking up, I watched as the giant hand reached into the bag, lifting the jar up and out.

Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw that we were standing in the deserted indoor basketball court.

I didn't know the place very well since it was still used regularly by students.

I did my best to avoid populated areas... Not to mention Physical education.

"My, it appears that you have been successful, despite the lateness of your arrival and the horrible state you're in. Good job, Apollo." Jack said, drawing my eyes to him and the other people in the room.

Jack stood among the seats on the left side of the room.

He was in the highest row of seats. Beside him, was a kid dressed in a grey hoodie, their head lowered and hidden by the hood.

What, so now Jack has a sidekick?

At the centre of the court, a group of ten students stood, and I recognised a few of them as Apollo's group.

Vain was there as well, pinned between two of them. Our eye met briefly, and I felt a wave of guilt come over me. After only a quick moment of eye contact, I had to look away.

... And was startled to see that one of the people holding, or rather, clinging to him was Rachel.

I stared at her, completely stunned, then felt the intense urge to facepalm.

Of course. The fire alarm had gone off just after she had left the classroom!

As if she knew what I was thinking, Rachel sent me a smug smirk, clinging to Vain's arm like a total creeper.

If I had any money, I would bet that she was the one who led them the Apollo's hideout.

Its times like these that made you wished you weren't broke...Or five inches tall for that matter.

"Jack." Apollo's voice snapped me out of my murderous, if somewhat sidetracked, thoughts.

I sent a quick look over my shoulder up at his face.

And almost wished I hadn't.

Apollo's eyes were cold as he looked up at Jack, and his next words were just as icy.

"What did you do to her?"

Jack tilted his head, giving him a sincerely confused look. "I don't know what you mean..."

"What did you do to the Ace?!" Apollo shouted, silencing the already quiet room.

Apollo was just... not meant to lose his cool like that.

Jack looked taken aback.

"I just...did what you told me to do Apollo."

He gently placed his violin down, his innocent expression slipping into a warm, reassuring smile.

"I broke her."

Apollo stiffened, but that was his only reaction as Jack delicately made his way down the row of seats, hands innocently behind his back, speaking with each step.

"First, I broke her arm. Then her ankle, then her jaw and many other little bones in between. But I didn't stop there. Once I had her lying broken before me... I broke her a little bit more."

Jack reached the bottom of the stairs, and I didn't dare look away as he walked towards us.

"But that was what you wanted, right Apollo?" He tilted his head questioningly. "Why do you look so angry?"

He stood in front of Apollo, giving the shorter boy a puzzled expression.

"I wonder why... Ah! " Jack clapped his hands together, giving Apollo a cheerful smile. "Now, I remember!"

His smile showed only the sincerest of warmth.

"The Ace, Robin Linquesta. She's your Fiancée."