Page 32 of Stitches

Sort of have to be, don’t we?

No.

Sin’s groans had me turning back to look at him and pushing the voice out of my head.

“You’re alive,” I said, watching him wince.

“Why?” he mumbled, his words garbled.

I went to his side and sat in the chair beside the bed.

“Because you’re a fucking idiot who deserves his chance at life.”

He stared at me through slitted eyelids. “Says who?”

“The fates. Me.”

“Asylum?” he croaked out.

“Yeah. You trying to overdo it and kill yourself throws a wrench into the plans. Can’t have that happening.”

He groaned again but didn’t say anything for a long time.

“Am I being admitted here?”

“No. Sully was just in. They’re actually releasing you back into the wild, surprisingly. You have some new meds to pick up at the desk and another therapy session each week now.”

“Fuck,” he grumbled. “Should have let me bleed out on the floor.”

“I could have, but as I’ve said before—”

“Just shut up,” he said with a grunt. “You and the magical voices in your head know more than the average person. I get it. Delusional fuckwit.”

I sighed and rubbed my eyes. “Listen, prick, I don’t like this any more than you do. Do you think this entire thing is a joyride for me?”

He looked over at me. “You’re right.Seth.It’s hard to keep track of you and your other half. You switch so often I don’t know who the fuck is who.”

“I haven’t switched to Asylum since last night. And I certainly didn’t do it mid-sentence. You knew who I was when you woke.”

“I’m delusional too,” he muttered.

“Yeah, you’re something, that’s for sure. By the way, nice haircut.” I eyed the shorter, shaggier hair he now sported. Gone were his long, blond locks he kept in a man bun. Now, the hair would be lucky to scrape the bottom of his earlobes. I suppose he’d still be able to wear it up if he chose to. Maybe that was by design. Hell if I knew.

“Thanks. I’ll do yours for ten bucks.”

“I think not. Asylum would lose his mind.”

“He has one left to lose?” Sin sat up with a soft whimper and a wince.

“Well, no. I suppose he doesn’t. He is a bit unhinged.”

Fuck off. If I’m unhinged, what does that make you?

I cocked my head to the right and listened to the voice, a smile on my face.

“It makes me eager,” I said, chuckling. “To cut our hair now to see how you react.”

Sin stared at me in confusion.

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