Page 69 of Just Between Us

I roll my eyes.

“I know you’re rolling your eyes by the way.”

My head has been everywhere today, and I have no idea where my laptop is, so I quickly make my way to Cole’s office, settling in the chair and opening his. I’m about to log out of his email when I see an opened window. It’s an email from Nick. Cole never speaks about his family, and I know I shouldn’t snoop but the subject makes me pause.

Nicholas Armas

REMEMBER THIS?

There are two attachments. A video and scanned documents. I look up at the open door and then back to the laptop, my heart racing. I should ignore it; it’s none of my business but I still find myself hovering the mouse over the video.

“Levi? You still there?” Anant asks the other end.

I swallow, my heart racing. “Can I call you back?”

I don’t wait for him to answer, pressing play and dropping my phone on the desk, my heart beating so fast I think I might pass out.

The screen is dark for a moment, then a muffled sound comes out of the speakers.The camera is facing something hazy, a part of the screen blacked out, like it’s concealed under a blanket. When the haziness clears, a woman with long dark hair lies on a bed, her delicate wrists tied up with rope and her mouth gagged by what looks like a red tie.

She’s alone, and as the seconds pass, I watch her naked chest rise and fall quickly. But call it a sixth sense or whatever because I know what comes next. Cole appears in the frame. I would recognise him in the dark. He’s fully dressed in black jeans and a black shirt, and he looks down at her, smiling and unbuttoning his jeans. She moans, gazing up at him with dark eyes full of desire, the sound muffled by the gag.

My stomach wretches.

I know what comes next. I know what he’ll do to her because he’s done it to me. I can’t watch it. I click out of the video, swallowing the saliva building in my mouth. It’s like I’m here and not at the same time, like I’m watching myself with my eyes glued to the screen, unable to make myself stop because instead of closing the laptop and pretending this is all a dream, I click on the scanned document.

REPORT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

CONFIDENTIAL

Patient Name: Cole Andrew Armas

D.O.B: 14/09/19xx

CHRONOLOGICAL AGE: 5 years, 11 months

Identifying Data and Reason for Referral:

Patient (5 years, 11 months) was referred to Doctor Philippe for psychological evaluation following an incident that took place at the family residence two days prior where the patient used a garden knife to cut open his brother’s pet rabbit in their family home.

Behavioural Observation:

Patient does not show any signs of remorse or guilt over the incident. Patient has refused to speak to Doctor Phillipe, however, shows an understanding of the questions and maintains eye contact throughout the interview.

When shown pictures of other dead animals, the patient did not show any reaction, negative or positive.

Initial Observations:

Anti-social behaviour

Lack of empathy

Pathological lying

Violent tendencies

Initial Recommendation:

Initial observations of a potential anti-social disorder/personality disorder. More assessments and monitoring required by Doctor Phillipe. If ignored, could result in acute anti-social behaviour in adulthood.

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