Mental (Lams)

Chapter Ten

John Pov
I ran down the hall and to his cell.
He wasn't there.

Where the fuck did he go?!

"Where is he?! Where are the fucking guards?!" Peggy shouted.

My phone started ringing.
Now is not the fucking time.

It rang again.
I groaned and answered it.

"What." I growled.

"Ooh! I made Johnny mad? Sorry. Come to the rooftop please!" Alex sang in the phone.

"Alex? How the fuck did you-"

"I'm brilliant.
Genius.
Master of manipulation.
Do you want to know how I play the game?" He asked.

"What game?!" I shouted.

"Calm down Johnny. Come to the rooftop! Bring Peggy. I bet she'll be...enlightened to see me."
He said.

"Why the fuck are you on the rooftop?! How the fuck did you get up there? How'd you get through the glass?!"
I yelled.

"Touch the glass."
He said.

The call ended.

"What's he doing on the rooftop?!" Peggy exclaimed.

"I don't know." I muttered.

Touch the glass.

I reached my hand out.
My hand went through the glass.

Oh my god.
There is no glass.
How?!
How'd he do this?!
There was glass yesterday!

I retracted my hand and stumbled back.

"W-Where's the nearest staircase?"
I asked Peggy.

She pointed to the staircase and looked at me like, 'Duh'.

"Oh." I breathed.

I ran down the hall and up the stairs. Peggy followed on my heels.

I swear to fucking god if this is some Sherlock shit.

I reached the roof.

Alexander was up there.
He wasn't in the white jumpsuit anymore.
He wore a trench coat, and a suit underneath.

"Cold in the winter, isn't it my dear Laurens?" He asked, facing the other direction.

"How'd you do this?!" I shouted.

"Do what? I'm just playing a game Laurens. Don't sweat it. We're friends." He said.

"And you're cute so I won't be killing you or anything like that. That'd just be rude, now wouldn't it?" He asked.

"Hamilton come back with me before I call the police!" Peggy shouted.

He turned around, a wicked smile on his face. The wind blew, causing his coat flap in the wind.

He walked to Peggy.
He glanced at me and then whispered in her ear.

Her eyes glassed up.
"N-no!" She exclaimed.

"It's all part of the game madame.
Join or die."

He reached into his jacket and gave her a gun.

"Shoot me and I'll kill John." He said. "Sorry my dear," He told me.
"It's how the game must be played."

"If I shoot you, you'll be dead." Peggy said, her voice shaking.

"You think I don't have people that work on my side? They'll find you.
Big plan, am I right?" He said giggling.

"Isn't this fun?!" He exclaimed, jumping.

Peggy put the gun to her head.
"Don't do it." I whispered.

Alex watched, biting his lip and squealing with joy.

She pulled the trigger.
She died.
Alex killed her.
No.
She killed herself.
What did he say to her to make her do this?!

I stumbled back, tears falling down my face. Alex laughed and smiled at me.

"Isn't this just great?" He asked.
"N-no!" I choked.

He sighed and took off his trench coat. "You cold?" He asked, his face softening.

"N-no. Get away from me. I'm going to call the police." I said, reaching into my pocket.

"But John!" He whined.

"That's not part of the game! You have to follow the rules. Besides, if you call the police, I'll clap.
Once I clap, your friend Herc?
He'll be meeting Peggy in Heaven.
But if you still call the police, than you'll be meeting me in Hell."
He hissed.

It was silent between us.

"Love ya John!" He said, walking to the edge of the building.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He turned around and stuck out his arms.

"Keep the coat. A gift from me to you." He said.

He started to lean back.
Then he stopped and sat down.

"Nah. Not feeling it. Come sit with me John." He said.

I hesitantly followed his directions and sat down next to him.

He studied me.
Fuck.
He's doing the thing.

"You're hiding something...what is it?" He asked.

"You really want to know? You really want to fucking know?" I growled.

He shrugged and nodded.
I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pretended to push him off the building.

He yelped and started to laugh.

"You're insane." I muttered. "You're..you're just getting that..now?" He asked.

"Stop trying to be charming, fucking sociopath." I hissed.

"But Johnny! Playtimes only just begun! Let me tell you the rules,"