Page 156 of Sin Like the Devil

He’s already striding towards the door that attaches to the south wing where classes are about to finish. It wasn’t hard to pin down Lennox’s routine. Whenever he’s done with the maths class he got roped into attending, he always needs to step outside. I suspect it’s a habit leftover from his smoking days.

Noah props himself against the brick wall. Right on time, the door bursts open, and patients flood outside. The corridors are being cleaned and repaired after the flood, so there’s more footfall heading outside than usual.

Panic takes hold as I scan the crowd, recognising a few familiar faces. The invisible hand at my lungs tightens its grip as I spot his pile of chocolate-brown hair. Lennox’s bulky height towers over everyone else.

He’s stony-faced as usual in his standard white t-shirt and fitted sweatpants. Walking with big strides, he escapes the throng to stand in the middle of the lawn. The puddles don’t seem to bother him.

I watch in morbid fascination as he tilts his head upwards and sighs heavily. His toned shoulders are drooping, reflecting the slump of his posture.

Lennox looks defeated.

Abandoned like the rest of us.

So why doesn’t that satisfy me?

Pushing off from the wall, Noah squares his shoulders. I’m carried forward several steps to intercept him before the devil on my shoulder wins out. He’s choosing this. I’m just a facilitator. This is the price of war.

If I tell myself that enough times, perhaps I’ll be able to sleep at night. But excuses haven’t eased the guilt that haunts my nightmares from every other incident I’ve justified this way. And deep down, I know it won’t now.

Noah approaches him then shoves his shoulder. Seeing him facing off against Lennox and his poundage brings home the reality of what I’ve arranged. Noah’s going to get himself killed—by Lennox’s rage or the drugs I’m paying him with to provoke it.

If I do this, I’m no better than the monster I’ve condemned. Lennox hurts people to further his own gains. This right here is me doing exactly the same thing to get what I want.

Holly wouldn’t be proud of this. She’d be fucking ashamed. This is wrong. Revenge isn’t worth this price. I’ve been caught up in this twisted game for so long, I’ve lost my humanity along the way.

It isn’t too late.

You can stop this.

As Lennox whirls around and begins to shout, I move. Noah’s too far away for me to make out what he’s saying, but it doesn’t take much to provoke Lennox. Especially since I gave Noah a few pointers. He knows all the pressure points to hit.

Having dragged the patients out of their muddy playground, Langley is occupied by escorting them inside. He hasn’t noticed the disaster about to unfold. I have no backup to break apart the impending brawl I’ve instigated.

Noah shoves Lennox again, hollering something in his face. I watch Lennox slowly turn red, grabbing Noah’s shirt and wrenching him forward so fast, he stumbles. His face sails straight into Lennox’s fist.

“No!” I screech.

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Noah laughs as he says something else to Lennox. My yelling doesn’t stop the next punch from flying. Only this time, Noah hits back, causing Lennox’s head to snap to the side.

Several patients have gathered to watch. I slam into someone’s shoulder, desperate to reach Noah and drag him away from Lennox’s onslaught. He’s still baiting him despite the blood smeared around his mouth.

“Right this way, ladies and gentlemen.” A voice rings out across the quad as several pairs of footsteps echo behind me. “You know, we were so delighted to be contacted for this interview opportunity.”

Bancroft’s gloating is unmistakable. I’d recognise his smug, regal tenor even in a pitch-black room. The old man speaks like we’re living in a period drama.

“As you can see, we’re pouring every resource into the cleanup effort this week. Here at Harrowdean, we care for our patients.”

Horrified, I look over my shoulder. Bancroft is here, with Davis and several guards in tow, Elon included. There’s also a leggy blonde with three cameramen. Her bright pantsuit screams journalist.

She points a microphone towards him. “We’re here to talk about the investigation.”

“There’s plenty more for me to show you!” Bancroft quickly deflects. “We have lots of exciting initiatives here.”

“Sir, would you care to respond to recent rumours of medical malpractice and violence in your institutes?”

“Violence?” Bancroft shakes his head, a charming smile in place. “No, never. This is a place of healing. We’re helping to rehabilitate those in need.”

There’s a series of bellows before the shouting catches their attention. Surrounded by a gaggle of onlookers, Lennox has Noah on his back, two hands wrapped around his throat as he slams him repeatedly into the ground.

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