Mental (Lams)

Chapter Nine

John Pov
"Alex how did you get the pens and paper?" I asked.

"A magician never reveals his secrets. I used to use the trick on my old therapists just for fun. I mean, I had nothing really in mind but it's fun to play with people. I won't use it on you though," He said, gripping his chair.

They put a few guards in the room with us and I could tell it made Alex a little nervous.

I mean, sociopath and all he's still nervous to be around people who slam his head into the ground..
time and time again.

They didn't make him wear handcuffs when the guards were with us.

"Why not with me?" I asked.

"You're smart. You'd make playtime fun. Not yet though." He replied.

I saw one of the guards take a small step further from Alex.
I sighed.

"How'd you get Burr to quit?" I asked.

"I just talked to him. I didn't do anything." He said.

That's the fucking thing though! Talking is your strength!

"What'd you say to him?" I asked.

"Now you're asking the right questions! But I won't tell you."
He told me excitedly.

"I could check the cameras." I said. "Hmm. You won't." Alex countered, kicking his feet.

I almost asked 'how do you know.'
He's brilliant.
Bloody fucking brilliant that's how.

"Why did you decide to kill when with your smarts you could be such a great detective?" I asked.

His face softened.

"Because that's boring. I like playing the villain. It's more fun. I get a real kick out of it." He said.

"What's the point of being a villain when there's no hero?" I asked.

"Clever Laurens. But not clever enough." He said playfully.

I've noticed that about him.
I think the more he knows he has the upper hand, the more childish he gets.

Why?
Why would he do that though?
...Because it's all child's play to him.

"You figured it out didn't you?"
He asked.

"What?" I asked.

"You've got that look on your face."
He said.

"What look?"
"That one!"
"What?"
"The one that you have on your face currently!"
"Damn it, Alex I can't see myself!"
"You can't?"
"What?!"

It was silent for a moment.
We broke out laughing.

The guards probably think I'm crazy too.

He wiped his nose.
"You're funny. I like that. When I escape we should be friends." He said.

I almost agreed, but bit my tongue.

"I don't think you can escape Alex." I said.

"No, I can. You'll see."
"Times up." A guard said.

"Fuck you. But okay. Toodles!" Alex called, whilst being pushed out the door.

"Bye." I muttered.

Ms.Schuyler walked into my office. "He's so weird. Insane, yes but not like the other crazies." She said.

"I do agree." I replied.

I started to pack my things.

"John I'm going to be blunt. I think Alex is going to kill himself." She said. "What?" I asked, standing up.

"You say that a lot. Anyway, I talked to him yesterday. I mean after you left. I went to talk to him about the smily face and the paper. He told me himself.
He said,
'I'm so bored. After I escape and kill everyone in sight, I'll be bored again. I'll die of boredom. I'll make a plan to mess with everyone and then kill myself so everyone runs wild, scared, confused.'
A few guards freaked out when he said that. They..
they beat him up.
That's why his face was messed up.
And the thing that scares me is that he never seems to feel pain."
She said, her eyes glassing up.

"What do you mean never feels pain? Did he not respond to being beat up?" I asked.

"That amongst other things. When he first came, we had him chained up and the police tried to interrogate him. They screamed, and yelled they tried to..torture him.
Yes, I do believe that he is scared of things, but does he feel it? I'm not sure at all." She said.

"...Right. About the group therapy thing-"

"John did you not even listen to me? He..He told me to tell you something."
She interrupted.

"What?" I asked.

"He said, 'Oh, My fantasies are your nightmares, My dear Laurens.'
Good luck figuring that one out."
She said.

"My fantasies...
are your nightmares..
..oh no.
Oh no."