Page 59 of Exile
Especially in a place like Lilydale.
How anyone could become complacent here is beyond me. Even without the knowledge of what lies below, we're constantly surrounded by other patients who could slip into their trauma at any given moment, and so-called professionals who get off on playing God.
I've been following this asshole for twenty minutes and he's still none the wiser. Grey would have realized within seconds if I was tailing him. Probably Damon as well.
But Rian Thatcher? Walking around as if he's taking a casual browse through a shop, completely oblivious to his surroundings.
I have half a mind to just take him out now. I'm almost at the point where it seems pointless to follow him. Clearly, he's not up to any good.
Most patients are either in their cells or attending professional sessions. So, the fact that he's just strolling freelythrough the halls, peeking into rooms and wandering aimlessly is suspicious enough.
Especially since Avery is nowhere to be seen.
Grey, Damon and I waited at the table the entire time, head-counting every patient that was escorted into the hall for mealtime. She never showed.
It wouldn't be the first time that Avery has been kept from the patient eating schedule, but something about the timing feels off. My gut tells me this isn't a simple case of assigned duties or punishment.
None of us waste our time with the bullshit therapy sessions. After we returned to the male dorms following breakfast, we quickly formulated a plan.
The other two are currently sourcing information while I volunteered to check the facility for signs of her. I'm just hoping she's not downstairs. Part of me wants to smash the stairwell door in and check, but given they have patients down there already, we put everyone at risk if we burst in suddenly. It was the first place that came to mind, but all of us quickly agreed that it's unlikely Whittingham would pull the same move twice. I could sense the panic and uncertainty in Grey and Damon's tones when we had that discussion—it matched mine. One wrong move and it's all over. One incorrect agreement about her whereabouts and we run the risk of getting to her too late.
But we have to think clearly and act rationally. They let her get away once. If she was down there, they wouldn't allowthat again. She'd be killed and there's too many witnesses with the other patients. I'mattemptingto be empathetic, but despite our warnings, those patients signed the fucking form. For all I care, they are a low priority right now. I know the others don't agree and Aves would give me a mouthful too if I relayed those thoughts, but she is the only one I care about. She is the one I'm going to save first.
I'm volatile and on edge with the idea that someone has their hands on her or could be hurting her again. If that's the case, they can consider this their last day on Earth.
After searching and being unable to find her anywhere, I was just about ready to head back when I saw this asshole lurking about.
He came out of the dorms without a guard which only means one thing—he has access in and out. And knowing that the luxury of Cirque des Morts hasn't been provided to him, I can only assume someone else has. And the only reasonable suggestion points directly to Whittingham.
I knew from his arrival that he was up to no good. Something is off with his body language, the way he conducts himself—as if pretending to be intimidated while saving face and acting brave. While I definitely believe he spiraled during his run-in with Grey, I'm willing to bet he's got a lot of motivation coming from somewhere. It's a good act—I'll give him that. But I see through his charade.
The way he wasstaring at Avery. The way he's kept himself small and seemingly out of view. It doesn't exactly scream mental patient.
At this point, either he's searching for something, knows I'm tailing him, or he's genuinely shit with directions because we've visited everywhereand nowherein Lilydale.
The free time rooms, the hallway near the staff offices, the meal hall. I can't help but notice he glanced at the library door as he passed but didn't attempt to enter—exactly like he's trying not to be cornered.
If someone was actually trying to hide or have personal space, that would be one of the safest places.
No—this fucker is up to something.
Rian never checks behind him, not that he'd spot me.
Finally, he starts making an intentional beeline toward the psychiatry rooms, vanishing into Elsher's office when the previous patient exits to an awaiting guard.
Shame.
I was really hoping to have a one-to-one chat somewhere private.
I could wait for him, but I suspect he's going to be in there for a while and I need to see if there's been any updates about Avery.
Heading back to the dorm, I find Grey and Damon in the latter's room.
"Well—anything?" I ask straight away, inviting myself in without a care.
The two glance up, faces tight with matching expressions. It's Damon who speaks first though.
"They found our camera in Arthur's office. We've lost signal so Byrone assumes it's been destroyed."
