Page 52 of Psycho Sinners

When we finished, I asked to be excused, and Tyrone grunted as he waved me off. I took my leave and retreated to my room, grateful to find Kenny waiting there for me.

A knock on the door followed me, not giving me enough time to even sit down on the bed with Kenny.

“Yes?” I called out, my voice deflated. Was I really not going to get any reprieve?

The door swung open, and Julian strode in, glancing at Kenny. A smirk crossed his face before he focused on me, and his face became more devoid.

“Can I see your wrist?” he asked as he paused a few steps before me, and I frowned.

“Why?”

“We should redress it twice a day to save it from getting infected or anything.”

My frown deepened at the way he was gazing at me, one hand shoved in his pocket.

“Okay, but why do you care?”

“Because I’ll be the one taking you to the hospital if it gets infected or organizing a doctor to come to you. Just more of a headache,” he said with exasperation as his gaze moved around my room for a moment before focusing back on me. “So, will you let me check it?”

I chewed my cheek, taking in his lazy gaze before finally nodding.

He bobbed his head and moved for the bathroom, and I followed along. He was quiet as he set about undressing my wrist and cleaning it, and I winced as he wiped it down, the blistering, charred skin making my stomach knot. It probably looked worse than it was, but as soon as he started reapplying the cream, I relaxed, the coolness of it soothing.

He was gentle as he worked, and I watched him quietly, my mind a jumbled mess. How could he be nice to me like this and then use my body like a damn toy and toss me aside? What the hell was the deal with him?

“You can redress it in the morning, or I can, whichever works for you,” he finally said once he’d bandaged it up once more.

“You’re confusing, you know that?” I remarked, and he smirked as he released my wrist.

“Listen, pyro, I’m merely doing what needs to be done to keep me from having another mess to deal with. Don’t think too much into it.” With that, he turned and left, and I stared after him stupidly. How could I not think too much on it? Everything was a mess when it came to them, and it was fucking me up in my mind.

I lay in bed, wishing Kenny was with me. He’d wandered out last night after Julian had left my door open, and I’d closed it, wanting to take what false comfort I could in the fake privacy.

I was tired of watching my shows, and I’d done the puzzles Tyrone had bought me a few times now. I missed work, and I missed Noms. The short calls I had with her every second day weren’t enough.

The walls felt like they were closing in, and I rolled off the bed, knowing I couldn’t spend another damn day locked in this room.

I headed out, steeling myself as I went downstairs, finding only Julian on the couch, wearing a beanie for some reason. It wasn’t even cold.

He was reading and stroking a relaxed Kenny spread out beside him, and I glanced at the book in his hands.

Was that Harry Potter?

“So you finally grace us with your presence?” Julian’s tone was bored as he turned his page, not bothering to glance up.

“Where’s Cristian and Tyrone?” I asked as I headed for the kitchen, the thought of a coffee far too tempting. Maybe it’d bring some life back to me.

“Out on business.”

I nodded as I set about making a coffee, and when I took my first sip, I sighed, feeling a hint of life flourishing in my bones.

I turned, pausing when I found Julian watching me quietly.

“What?” I arched a brow.

“Surprised to see you out of your room, thought you’d never leave unless ordered,” he remarked.

“I’m getting cramped in there,” I stated before taking another sip of the hot life essence before walking over and plopping down on the opposing couch.

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