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"Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?" I snap in frustration.
"The Lilydale board has agreed not to press charges and will also accept you back into the center. However, there will be some stipulations, of course," Margaret says, looking excited like she's delivering the best news of all time.
My stomach drops. "And if I don't want to go back?"
I don't know what I want. Of course I'd rather be there—a thought I never imagined myself thinking—but at what cost? Who knows what disrepair Lilydale is in now and what my future holds?
Who knows what will happen to me?
If this murder thing goes away, that's one thing. But I'll still have to face the wrath of the other patients. And Damon.
Oh, my fucking God.
Is this one of Damon's games? Getting me locked up after framing me, just to then bring me back to his kingdom to demonstrate his power?
At least I'd be with Theo. But something tells me, I wouldn't always be protected. And once again, that puts the people I care about in the firing line.
"Avery," Margaret stutters in disbelief. "Why don't you want to go back? You know the only other option is to serve out the remainder of your sentence in federal prison."
I pick a spot on the dark graphite wall to focus on. "Lilydale isn't all it's cracked up to be. No offense," I add, looking at Alexander. His demeanor is cold, ruthless, and I try not to flinch as his dead eyes narrow on me.
"You'll be going back," he mutters in a deep, warning tone. "The detectives are currently investigating this matter and speaking to patients. At this stage, the preliminary report is suicide."
Well, at least he calls uspatients. Unlike Whitface who refers to us as students. This guy knows and sees it for what it actually is.
My eyebrows furrow at his words. "And do you believe that?"
"No," he answers without hesitation. "I'm well aware of the behavior of the patients and what they are capable of. But I doubt you did it. I'm not sure why you would masquerade around with a lie of that magnitude, but frankly, I don't care. Our reputation is on the line here. Youwillreturn to Lilydale. The Board has already decided on the matter."
"I was framed," I blurt out.
Pausing by the door, Alexander looks over at me, a hint of disgust on his features. "Obviously," he replies sarcastically. "Your social worker will discuss with you the stipulations of your return. I trust Arthur will also have some choice words as well."
He swings the door open, partially heading out before he looks over his shoulder. "And Ms. White?"
"Yeah?"
"Next time I will not be as generous."
I know the other option was prison, but there's something about his tone—a threat—that makes me believe he's not referring to my imprisonment.
He's referring to my life.
Chapter 2
Grey
Dainty trails of maroon drip down the walls.
Usually, the sight of blood calms me. There's something about the very essence of our being—the life that it gives and seeing it spill out—that pacifies me. It's a reminder that we can use it as a weapon, ending lives as well as saving them.
But not today.
Not fucking today.
I pull back my fist, ready to slam it into the concrete wall again, until a voice stops me.
"Will you just chill for five minutes?" Damon snaps under his breath. "I don't have time to clean your mess off my walls. We have bigger problems to sort out."
