Page 54 of Lessons in Cruelty

“We choose how we treat our monsters,” he purrs as he scans his captive audience.

There’s this ripple as students shift whenever his gaze falls on them. It’s fucking awe-inspiring to watch from my seat behind the desk. I almost feel like the prison warden in Zimbardo’s Stanford experiment. Watching these interactions play out with no intention of stopping it until it’s run its course.

“Do we keep them caged? Or do we let them out to play?”

So is Rooke her bodyguard now? Is that why she dared to come back? Guess I’m gonna have to get Bobby Lee down here for a chat.

There’s a sick feeling in my stomach, but it’s got nothing to do with Haven’s dad. Okay, maybe a little. That guy’s been winning Druggie Dad of the Year award since Haven was five.

What if she told Rooke what had happened?

I snort softly to myself.

Doubtful.

The dean would have suspended me already, and Sheriff MacAllister would have swung by for ‘a quick chat’.

Maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Sometimes, a student needs extra help with course material.

“Assignment!” He claps his hands together, and while there are a few uneasy laughs, his students are getting used to how he signals the end of his lectures.

“Pair up with someone in class, be it friend, foe, or stranger. Grab an envelope from Mr. Jordan on your way out. Your instructions are inside. I need these back by Tuesday morning. Have a great weekend, kids.”

I grab the stack of envelopes out of his satchel that we’d prepared the other day. I’d taken a peek inside some before sealing them.

Fuck. These guys don’t have a clue what’s in store for them.

Haven immediately turns to redhead Parker, but Melissa’s on her phone. Haven’s shoulders slump, and she stares down at her notepad with a blank expression.

Yeah, all brave and shit until you realize there’s a ‘no friends’ situation here at AHC, hey, Haven?

I doubt any of her Ashwood Crossing lays are here. Grants and scholarships are thin on the ground in Agony Hollow. I’m still not sure how the hell she scored one, but I’m pretty sure her moneymaker was involved.

Seriously, what the fuck is it going to take for her to quit? Haven’s never seemed interested in getting a degree. This has got to be personal.

She’s haunting me.

Guess it’s time I got Bobby Lee involved. Just gotta make some paperwork disappear, raise a flag on AHC’s internal system, and watch the fireworks.

In the meantime, I’ll have to take Haven somewhere private and explain things to her.

Again.

She’s always been a stubborn one.

That’s what I love about her.

Chapter 15

Bastian

I love letting my pets out of their cages. Watching them tousle and play-fight with each other. A little nip here. A little growl there. It’s how they learn and grow, and bond.

Interacting with others makes them feel less alone. Being chased makes them feel wanted.

They all enjoy it at first.