The Grey's Curse

Chapter Thirty Six - Dr. Smiley

"Tanner?" I asked the unrecognizable figure in my arms "Is that you?" My breathing stilled as I grew more cautious when I didn't hear an answer, a nasty feeling festered in my gut "Oh you poor sweet girl, we have to stop meeting like this" the figure gently pushed me away and stepped out in the little slither of light in the room and I gasped when I saw the face of Dr. Smiley.

'You've got to be kidding me'

I took a few steps back; trying to keep distance between us as he casually walked towards me. smirking with an evil glint in his eyes and his attire didn't help much as he wore a black trench coat with matching leather gloves, making him disappear completely when in the dark "You might get the wrong impression of me" I stopped and narrowed my eyes at him.

'I'm so sick of this creep'

"I think it's a bit late for that" he fake pouted and laughed "Yeah, I thought so and if you don't mind, please stop calling me 'Tanner' thank you" my eyes wanted to roll in annoyance as his voice was filled with sass and condescension.

'How could anyone tolerate this creep?'

But instead, I kept my glare and looked him over; checking for any weapons he may have on him 'I don't see anything but he could still have something hiding in that big trench coat of his' he noticed me scanning him over and spread his arms wide with a smile to show he held no weapons.

"You hurt me Maria, after all this you still think that I would hurt you?" I looked at him with an eyebrow raised "Uh yeah, I do" I said without a hint of doubt in my voice.

He stared at me for a moment before bursting out into a crazed laughter and nodded his head "Ah, well, you're absolutely right, I would" he sinisterly told me with a sadistic smile, making me take a step back.

I felt chills go up my spine at his menacing and sadistic behavior 'I need to get away from him if I want to get out of here and find Tanner' He faked a cough and rose an eyebrow at me when he noticed that my attention was wasn't on him but elsewhere.

"It's rude to ignore someone you know" I deadpanned at him "You ignored me when you kidnapped me and shoved me into a car" he sucked in a breath with a corner of his lips pulling down into a half frown.

"We can't all be perfect now can we?"

This time I did roll my eyes, I was getting ready to turn tail and run when he obnoxiously faked a cough again but more aggressively than before "Leaving so soon? Don't you want to know what happened to dear old Tanner?" I stiffened and looked at him with wide eyes.

"What did you do to him?" I asked, my voice filled with anger as I glared at him when all he did was smile "What did you do to him you sicko?!" I screamed making his smile drop.

He tsked at me and walked closer "Now now Maria, there is no need to name call and yell at me, especially since I have some important information that you want" I gritted my teeth at his arrogant tone and clenched my fists tightly; stubbornly standing my ground when he kept getting closer to me.

"What do you want?" I barely spat out without raising my voice 'You can yell at him later Maria but right now you need to find out what happened to Tanner' he smiled again "That's more like it and as for dear ole Tanner well" he smirked when he saw my impatient expression.

"That's for me to know and you to find out" I felt myself heat up in anger "Wha-what do you mean?! You just said that you would tell me!" I could feel my eye twitch "Oh, I don't know" he tapped his chin in a thinking motion, taking in my anger with a smirk.

"As much as I would love to deliver the news, it would be much more amusing to see poor Tanner tell you from afar" he stepped back out into the darkness and disappeared after taunting me.

I ran my hands through my hair nervously, the room spinning around me making me feel sick  'I have to calm down, I can't freak out' I closed my eyes and took in slow deep breaths "It's okay Maria, it's going to be okay" I whispered; trying to reassure myself and repeating Tanners words from earlier.

'He could be lying, maybe nothing happened, he does seem to enjoy causing pain so I wouldn't be surprised...but he didn't look like he was lying' I ran through the hallway again; hoping that something would look familiar.

"Come on I can't be far, he has to be close" my bare feet ached from running on the floor but I had no choice other then to ignore it.

'It's not like I really ever prioritized my health anyway...even though I probably should'

"Hello?! Tanner?! Can you hear me?!" I yelled; my voice echoed throughout the hallway and my breath hitched when I heard footsteps somewhere behind me.

'That's too many footsteps to just be Tanner' I looked around for a place to hide; panicking when there wasn't anywhere that I could blend in at.

I ran faster this time, feeling nervous when I heard harsh yells behind me 'They must have saw me!' I felt my heart nearly stop when I slammed into someone 'That's it, I'm dead, I'm caught' but instead of Dr. smileys stupid face I see someone else's.

"Tanner!" He looked up and my excitement at finally finding him slowly diminished when I saw the dead and scarred look in his eyes.

'I can't stand it anymore, I have to ask him what's wrong'

"Tanner? What happened?" I didn't bother asking if he was alright when I already knew that he wasn't. I walked closer to him confused when he would avoid my eyes "Tanner, what happened?" I repeated, slower this time.

That's when he really broke down, he bit his lip, trying to stop his mouth from quivering and his eyes teared up "I-I it's your mom she-I'm so sor-sorry" he stuttered with tears running down his face as he looked like a shell of himself.

"Tanner what are you talking about? Why are you sorry?" I asked with my stomach in knots. He shook his head, his shoulders trembling "Mars I'm so-sorry bu-" my eyes softened at how he was struggling.

'It must be bad if it's gotten him so shaken up'.

"Tanner what happened? What about my mom? is she here?" I didn't understand how Mom would be here, she was just in the hospital.

He took in a deep breath and looked at me with sadness "Mars, it's your mom, she's" he coughed, clearing his throat as he wiped his cheeks.

"She's dead" he looked up with teary eyes "I should've done something, I'm so sorry Mars" he stumbled to me and wrapped his arms around me.

I slowly returned the hug, still in shock "What? are you sure she's dead? Did you see her or?" I cut myself off with a sob "Please tell me there's a chance, please" I felt Tanner shake his head and tighten the hug.

"She's gone Mars"