Page 47 of Creeping Beautiful

So yeah.

I’m a selfish piece of shit.

But I want what I want.

That’s the only way I can explain it.

Maybe she didn’t become mine the day of the auction, but the day that asshole triggered her without my permission, she did.

She is.

CHAPTER EIGHT - DONOVAN

MIND CONTROL IN CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY OF COMPANY ASSASSINS

INTERVIEW WITH INDIE, AGE 11.10

SESSION #19

INDIE: Well?

DONOVAN: Well, what?

Aren’t you going to talk?

This is your chance to talk, Indie.

I know that, but you’re in charge and you’ve been sitting there for seventy-six seconds saying nothing.

Seventy-six?

I counted.

I’m waiting for you. Adam said you stopped talking again. I didn’t want to rush you. But… first. Are you OK? Do they… hurt?

I guess I’m OK. I’m still alive. And I’m not sure if they hurt. I guess when I move, they do. It stings. And I can feel the stitches pulling. But I know why we’re here.

This time is no different than all the other times.

It is. Because I did the job. And it wasn’t a job, Donovan. Did he tell you that?

What do you mean?

Or maybe that’s not the best way to explain it. It was… it was an inside job.

Inside what?

The Company. He took me to a meeting with another team leader and then he told me I had to steal something from his hotel room while he kept him busy.

I’m confused. Was this the job you prepared for?

No.

So he…

Yes. And he didn’t tell me that there were two men, not just one. And the other guy was already there when I entered the room.

Then what happened?