True Deceit

Chapter 30: Roman

TW- Self harm and trauma mentioned, uncomfortable scene. 

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"We're not sure how long your sentence will be," Roman spoke from behind a large transparent plastic screen, observing the prisoner within his cell. Janus was stroking his hat in his hands, a fake expression of content plastered onto his face. "We'll prepare a hearing this evening once Thomas has finished with his errands."

Janus nodded coolly, adjusting the leash like contraption strapped around his waist. He was harnessed to the wall, preventing him from sinking down and escaping. "Where's Patton?"

"None of your concern, you are both barred from seeing each other until the hearing."

Janus inhaled heavily, leaning his head against the wall and seating himself on a small wooden bench. "On a scale of one to ten, how much do you hate me right now?"

Roman was quiet for several moments before replying. "Ten, I've never hated another side as much as I hate you, not even Virgil."

Roman instantly wished he hadn't added the 'not even Virgil' part, because now Janus was pressing on.

"Why do you hate Virgil?" Janus spoke with offence, with his eyebrows slanted in a distained look.

"I don't," Roman corrected himself. "Maybe I did at first. He was such an emo and ruined everything with his stupid anxiety."

Janus stood up agitatedly. "That's not his fault, he's the embodiment of anxiety, what did you expect?"

"I'm not saying it's his fault, in fact, I'm saying it's yours. Anxiety is one thing, but panic attacks and self-harm? I blame you, Deceit, I really do."

Roman paced towards the door, when Janus yelled out. "Where are you going? What self-harm, what!?" He dragged himself as close as he could to the screen until the stretch of leash ran out, just allowing him to reach out and lightly tap the transparent wall with his fingertips. "I mean it, since when?"

Roman turned back, a suspicious expression on his face. "What, you don't know about it?"

Janus shook his head, scrunching his hat tightly in his grip. "I have no idea about that."
Roman narrowed his eyes, his brows burning. Eventually he spat. "Bull shit. You're a snake, this is some trick to get me stay. Well it won't work, bye." Roman opened the door, walking through.

"Wait! No, I'm being honest, come back!" Janus shouted. He let out a cry. "Please!"

*

Janus groaned, twirling his hat in his fingers. It had been four hours, a long time for a snake to be immobilized to a wall. He was longing for a puzzle, an invention, maybe even a conversation. In fact, he was so bored, he'd resorted to counting his fingers in rhythmic patterns and kicking his toes against the bench.

"This feels stupid," he muttered to himself under his breath.

"You're right, that is stupid." Said a snarky voice. Janus jolted, standing up straight and staring outside the screen to see Logan adjusting his glasses whilst smirking his face off.

"Totally saw you come in," Janus lied before making a loud uncontrollable hiss. Logan laughed unpleasantly, placing his hands onto his hips.

"You want to hear something interesting?"

"No." Janus fibbed, although he was very curious.

Logan smiled, knocking his palm against the screen. "I don't intend to ever let you out of this box again after this hearing."

Janus felt his stomach lurch with sickness. He couldn't stand it in the cell, it was so boring, his brain was rotting. He needed to talk, do, think.

"You're... pretty upset with me, aren't you?"

"That's right, snake boy. That evil plan of yours is going to back fire horribly."

Janus tapped his chin. "Do I get bonus points for releasing you and Patton from my cell?"

Logan stared at him with cold eyes. "Why did you do that anyway?"
Janus shrugged his shoulders, though his heart was pounding. It was complicated, to say the least. "It stopped being fun, I guess." Janus lied.

"You're a sick human being for enjoying that." Logan spat.
Deceit rolled his eyes sarcastically. "Right, because you're completely not enjoying doing the exact same to me."

Logan clenched his fists, speaking accusingly. "What you did to me severely damaged me. My mind is traumatized and broken, all thanks to you."

Janus searched his mind for an excuse or come back, but he couldn't find a suitable come back.

"Fine. Sorry." He refused to meet his gaze, his cheeks flushed red.

"Oh Janus," Logan pouted. "I love it when you pretend to care about people."
"I... I'm not pretending, I'm legitimately sorry." Janus voiced hastily.

Logan gritted his teeth. "How would I know? You've lied to me at least twice in the time we've been talking."

"I know; I can't help it!" Janus voiced loudly. "I'm a snake, it's my go to defence!"

Logan smiled. "I know, that's why I've got a very special surprise for you at the hearing."
"And what's that?" Janus responded nervously.

"A lie detector."