Page 25 of Psychopath

“I enjoyed it, the other students, the teachers, the classes, but in particular, the library.”

“You like to read?”

“I do, and there was this hidden-away corner where no one went, had a sofa, a small table, and that place was…it was special to me.”

Quinn frowned. “Why?”

“It was the only place I could be completely alone. The dorm was always busy, loud, and I find value in peace and quiet.”

“What kind of books do you read?”

“Sci-fi, fantasy, give me an epic story with sex, action and some interesting lore, and I’m all over it.”

“Have you read…” Quinn’s voice trailed off. He glanced down at his sheet and the questions he was drifting away from.

“Have I read?” Zane pressed.

“It’s…it’s not important.”

“It is now you’ve mentioned it. If you don’t tell me, I’ll go back to my cell and go insane. You can’t leave me hanging like that.”

Quinn smiled. “The Oslo Chronicles.”

“I’ve read the first one—”

“There’s three out. Why did you stop there?”

Zane glanced around the room. “Well, I ended up here, and let’s just say the library is…lacking.”

“Oh.”

“But I enjoyed the first. What’s not to like about deadly dragons and epic battles?”

“It’s getting turned into a movie soon.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why I told you that, let’s get back—”

“How was your school life, Quinn?” Zane cocked his head.

“That’s hardly relevant.”

“I think it is.”

Quinn sighed. “I’d say average. I wasn’t popular or athletic or academic. I studied really hard to pass my exams by the smallest of margins, and it was enough to get me into university where I had to balance studying and having a good time, which meant I barely slept in three years and only passed by the skin of my teeth.”

Zane narrowed his eyes. “There you go again.”

“What?”

“Putting yourself down. You shouldn’t.”

Quinn lowered his gaze back to his sheet. “Erm.” He scratched the back of his head. “I’ve forgotten where we got up to.”

“It’s still broken.”

“Huh?”

“The watch.”

Quinn covered it with his hand. “I know.”

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