Page 14 of Ash and Poison

It was strange she didn’t even blink when she saw Asher there. No one considered him as a patient in this place.

“Oswald, the cops will certainly want to talk with you. Go back inside, drink some water, and wait for them to arrive,” I said, patting his shoulder. With a thank you to me, he ran toward the asylum.

I studied Doctor T’s body with a wince.

“You could have done it with more finesse,” I mumbled under my breath. “Such a waste.”

“You fucking know,” Asher hissed. “You know.”

“Well, did you think a stupid mask would hide you? You’re not ready for this, Maddox, or me.”

“Don’t,” he said. “Walk away. Now.” His voice was too calm, too controlled.

I could have lied, could have played along, but I had no intention of playing his games or hiding from him.

I had lived quite a long time in fear, in hiding, keeping the scars covered under the full sleeves and baggy pants. I’d never let anyone make me feel unsafe again. Never.

I whirled around, pushing him against the cottage, my hand against his throat.

“Or?” He gasped when I dug my nails into the side of his neck, making sure it hurt. “Are you going to kill me, too, Maddox?” Laughing, I shook my head. “I just sent your case file, your details, and everything else about Doctor T’s death to my best friends. They will keep quiet as long as I’m safe. If something happens to me… you’ll regret it.”

He pushed my hand away with a growl.

I saw the madness lurking just beneath the surface, ready to break out. A push, a touch. His animal was ready for a hunt, but he couldn’t afford that right now, could he?

“You’re playing a dangerous game here, Doctor Sharma.”

“Well, I do love me a bit of danger.”

His fingers curled so tight, that his knuckles turned white.

“If you know what’s best for you, you’d shut the fuck up.”

“I know what’s best for me. Do you know what’s best for you, Maddox? I don’t care about any of this. Just leave me the fuck alone, and I’ll leave you alone. Blink twice if you understand,” I said with a grin.

He took a deep breath, his eyes wide on my face, unblinking.

“You didn’t blink twice.”

“You don’t care that I killed your co-worker?” His voice held a tinge of suspicion. “Any normal person would. Who the fuck are you and what are you hiding?”

His eyes turned curious as he studied me, like he wanted to look past my mask, deep into my derelict soul. Oh, he could try, but I had locked it up, and lost the key.

“Don’t think I’ll keep quiet if you come into my home again and threaten me. Next time you try that, expect a fucking knife to your throat. I have no intention of becoming your next victim, Maddox.”

His lips curled into a cold, humorless smile as he looked at me. “You look almost cute when you’re defiant, but let’s be real for a minute here.”

“Listen. Your secret is safe with me, but don’t…” I pushed a finger against his chest. “Don’t push me. If you do, I’m more than happy to show you just how uncute I can be.”

“What the fuck are you?”

“You don’t need to know,” I said with a shrug, taking a step back from him. “So, did he kill your friend? Is that why he is…” I waved my hand at the dead doctor.

“You’ve been snooping. That’s why you wanted to talk about best friends in today’s session.” Asher’s voice was accusatory.

“I heard you found your friend’s dead body, and she committed suicide.”

“Mur—” he stopped before he finished it.