Page 6 of No Escape

He was led through the peaceful, pastoral corridors of Shady Pines Retreat, the sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the elegantly patterned wallpaper. The scent of freshly cut flowers and the distant sound of classical music filled the air, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a cozy bed and breakfast than a psychiatric facility.

He took in the surroundings with an air of amusement, thinking how easy it would be to escape when the time came. He had unfinished business, after all. Justice had to be served, and he was its instrument.

Upon arriving at his room, he noted the tasteful decor, the plush carpeting underfoot, and the view of the serene gardens outside the window. It was a far cry from the sterile confines of the maximum security psychiatric ward he had previously inhabited.

As he settled into his new environment, a doctor entered. She was young and attractive, her brown hair pulled back into a neat bun, her intelligent eyes framed by delicate glasses. For a moment, John thought she reminded him of his wife.

He burned that thought out of his mind as quickly as it had come. There was no room for sentiment. Not now when work needed to be done.

“Good afternoon, John. I’m Dr. Irene Stadler, and I’ll be helping you with your treatment. Today, I’m here to discuss your progress and how you’re adjusting to the environment here at Shady Pines. How are you feeling today now that you’re here?” Dr. Stadler asked, taking a seat across from him.

John smiled, his eyes studying her face. “I feel quite well, Doctor. I must say, the atmosphere here is much more pleasant than what I’m used to.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” she replied, making a note on her clipboard. “Now, let’s talk about your feelings of anger and your impulse control. I’ve read your notes extensively, and I’m quite certain we can continue to assist you in the excellent progress you’ve already made. Have you noticed any issues in managing these emotions? This is quite a change for you, and it would be quite normal to experience some emotional uncertainty.”

John nodded, feigning sincerity. “Yes, I have. I have felt nervous and some frustrations boiling up, but all of the progress I made before has helped me to focus that into positive thinking. The therapy sessions before my transfer have been life-changing, and I understand my triggers and have developed healthier coping mechanisms. I must say, the peaceful environment here at Shady Pines will help me even further. Where I was before could be… trying.”

Dr. Stadler continued, “I quite understand that, and we’re happy to help you. We’ll get into this in further detail in our sessions, but today, how do you feel about your victims and their families now?”

“I feel a deep sadness for the victims,” John lied smoothly, his voice laced with a carefully crafted hint of regret. “I wish I could take back what I’ve done, but I can’t. I can only try to make amends by helping others.”

“I understand you’ve been assisting the authorities in locating the remains of other victims,” Dr. Stadler said, looking at him intently. “Can you tell me more about that?”

John leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “While I was at Culver Institute, one of the patients confessed to me about people they had killed. I’ve been helping the authorities find the bodies based on that confession. It’s my way of atoning for my past actions, and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to continue my therapy here at Shady Pines.”

Dr. Stadler seemed pleased with John’s answers. “Thank you for sharing that, John. It’s important that we continue to work on your rehabilitation and ensure that you’re making progress.”

With a final smile, she stood up and headed for the door. “I’ll see you at our next session, John. Take care.”

As the door closed behind her, John turned and looked out the window at the sun-drenched gardens. He couldn’t wait to get to work again. He grinned, seeing his reflection in the glass. “This is going to be fun,” he whispered, the sinister glint in his eyes belying his seemingly benign words.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dr. Will Cooper sat in his office at Arkham University, his eyes scanning the piles of academic papers and research on his desk. He felt a strange sense of disconnect, a longing for the thrill of his FBI days, even as he knew that the chances of the agency allowing him, Charlie, and Valerie to continue their work were slim at best.

Not least since Valerie had broken down.

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair as he tried to focus on the task at hand. He was helping a post-grad student with their doctoral thesis.

Just as he was about to dive into another research article, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he called out absentmindedly, not bothering to look up from the paper in front of him.

The door creaked open, revealing a tall, gaunt man with pale features that seemed to suck the warmth out of the room. Will’s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the man as Damian Skorzeny, a killer he had put away years ago. The man had been released recently, despite Will’s fervent testimony at his parole hearing that he remained a danger to society. Fear gripped Will’s chest, but he refused to show it.

“Damian,” he said, his voice steady even as his heart raced. “What are you doing here?”

Damian stepped into the room, a chilling smile on his thin lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t call ahead. But I was certain you wouldn’t want to see me after I was released on parole. The things you said at my hearing… They stayed with me. I just wanted to reassure you, Dr. Cooper. I’m a changed man, truly healed from the violent mental illness that drove me to kill all those years ago.”

He paused, his eyes boring into Will’s. “I don’t want you to have any sleepless nights on my account.”

Will couldn’t tell if Damian’s words were a genuine sentiment or a veiled threat. Before he could respond, his phone rang, the shrill tone echoing in the tense silence of the room. Damian glanced at the phone, then back at Will.

“I’ll leave you to it,” he said, his grin widening. “Perhaps next time we see each other, we can have a longer chat.”

With that, Damian turned on his heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Will’s heart hammered in his chest as he picked up the phone, trying to steady his breathing.

“Hello?” he answered, his voice slightly shaky.

“Will, it’s Valerie,” came the familiar voice on the other end of the line. “John Murphy is being held at Shady Pines Retreat. I think he’s manipulating the authorities so that he can be in a facility with less stringent security.”

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