Page 32 of Mask and the Magnolia

And that’s coming from someone who spends most of her time with bonafide murderers.

If Camden didn’t think twice about that, there’s no telling what else he’ll try to do because he thinks he can.

DR. LOWE: I’m not sure how long I’m going to be. You can go ahead and get started in the common room if you like, or you can wait for me. It’s up to you, but I doubt Nurse Ratchet is going to let any of the residents roam free without us for very long if she can help it.

I smile despite the lone tear that manages to escape as I turn away from Camden, mumbling a quick goodbye while I rush out of the restaurant. Isaak has started referring to Nurse Hubbard that way recently and I can’t really argue with it. I wouldn’t anyway, that woman is awful, so the nickname is pretty spot on. Plus, it’s a nice little insight into a side of my mentor I rarely see.

ME: I’ll get in and settled, then help in the common rooms. Do you know who’s out?

DR. LOWE: Unsure. O’Brien was going to see who was willing and best behaved before they let anyone start working.

ME: So, definitely not the Rooker boys.

DR. LOWE: No, I imagine they’re still on the guard’s shit list.

The only reason Bishop and Lochlan made that list was because they were busted having sex and instead of stopping like most people would once caught, they finished. All over O’Brien. Who had to separate them then walk through Ward C covered in alpha jizz. Something nearly all the staff give him hell for now.

I don’t expect those two to come off the shit list any time soon.

Aside from that, they’ve been well behaved. All of them have been.

It’s impressive to see what kind of response you get from someone once you start treating them like human beings and not the feral animals most think they are.

I pull my sweater closed as I push through the revolving door out onto the sidewalk, stopping to take a deep cleansing breath in order to hold myself together.

DR. LOWE: I sent Hawthorne back to bed after morning medications. He still doesn’t seem to be feeling well.

I frown as I swipe at a few more tears then start toward the shuttle stop.

That’s been going on for a while now, and I really don’t like it.

Neither does Isaak.

Honestly, both of us have been a little too concerned over Desmond’s mysterious illness and the longer it goes on, the closer we are to doing a complete overhaul of his diagnosis and medications just to find a starting point.

DR. LOWE: How was breakfast?

A small smile tugs at my lips despite the fact that I’m on the verge crying.

Isaak’s tone came through loud and clear in that text, and I can’t help but be a little flattered by it.

Every time Camden comes up in any way, the good doctor’s entire demeanor changes, whether he would ever admit it or not. Which is a boost to my very bruised and defeated ego.

In the beginning, I assumed the attraction was one sided because that’s how it felt.

He wouldn’t talk about anything personal, wouldn’t entertain the idea of even a working lunch or dinner. Isaak would put space between us as often as possible, and there was a short stretch where he wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

That has all started to change and while I know it’s pointless, it’s kind of nice to know he’s most likely awkward because he’s attracted to me. We’ve become friends, though, and I’ll take that for now.

I’m sure it won’t last thanks to Camden.

With a sigh, I send Isaak a short response and calm down long enough to catch the right shuttle to the asylum but as soon as I’m seated and heading that way, I lose what little composure I had.

I don’t know how much longer I can do this.

It was one thing when it was just my parents and their bullshit. Having them hate me was so normal for me that I didn’t have to worry about anything other than getting away from them. My father is intimidating, he’s always had me on a leash, but I thought I’d be able to get away one day.

So, I kept looking for a loophole, for something in that goddamn contract that would allow me to do just that, but then Byron dropped a bomb on me in the form of Camden Blackhurst.

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