Page 68 of The Cute Psycho

"Pretend you do," she says, and my ears perk up.

"I have to say, Hell Girl, you continue to surprise me." I chuckle when she suggests we play good cop, bad cop.

"Let's see if it works."

Turning back to the situation, I continue feeding Mr. Petrovic the meat, all the while Sisi is pacing the room, looking extremely anxious.

"He has to speak, Vlad. I know he will. Just please don't harm his family... they're innocent!" Her entire face transforms as she shifts into her role, her eyebrows drawn in concern, her mouth downturned.

"Sisi," I groan, getting into my part, "this is exactly why I didn't want you here. Now you're feeling sorry for him!"

"They're children, Vlad! The eldest is only eight... How can you do that to them?" she yells, tears already gathering at the corner of her eyes.

Damn me, but she's killing this.

"You know what I was doing when I was eight? I was disemboweling my father's guards. He'll be fine." I wave my hand in the air. "A little pain never hurt anyone," I add, and I immediately note Mr. Petrovic's quick intake of air.

"But it's you... you're like the spawn of evil," she says, and I can see a small smile playing at her lips. "He's just an innocent child."

"No one is innocent in this world, Sisi. He may be now, but waituntil he grows and wants to avenge his father. Better cut them while they're young," I say, enjoying her scandalized look.

"Wha-what are you talking about?" I hear Mr. Petrovic's low voice.

"Vlad, he's a child!" Sisi screams at me, coming forward to grab the lapels of my shirt. "Are you so soulless that you would harm achild?" she cries, her hands going to my chest as she's punching me.

"Shh now," I say, grabbing her face, "maybe Mr. Petrovic's next meal will be a little fresher. I say, eight-year-old meat..." I trail off, and Sisi's eyes widen. For a moment I fear I've taken it too far, but she continues to play along.

"You wouldn't." She shakes her head, taking a step back, her eyes filled with horror.

"Stop!" Mr. Petrovic finally says, his tone defeated. "I'll tell you just... please... don't let him harm my children." He looks at Sisi as he says this.

"Speak," I prompt him, suddenly anxious to hear what he has to say.

"Project H-Humanitas..." he trails off, taking a deep breath, "I don't know too much, just that your sister was given to Miles, the head of Project Humanitas." He looks between Sisi and me before pleading once more with her, "Please don't harm my family."

Project Humanitas...

"Vlad?" Sisi asks when she sees I'm not responding.

I blink twice, some type of memory resurfacing before it's gone again.

"Vlad!" I feel her hand on my arm as she pinches me, and I finally react.

"I need to go," I mumble, disentangling her fingers from the material of my shirt.

I'm almost in a trance as I leave the garden, heading straight for my room. Vaguely, I realize Sisi is hot on my trail, but I can't seem to care right now.

I'm quick to rip the shirt off my back, discarding my pants and underwear before climbing into the shower. The water is scalding hot on my skin, red in its trail as it cascades down my body.

"Project Humanitas," I whisper to myself, pain assaulting me when I utter the words.

Dazed, I collapse to my knees, holding on to the bathroom stall for support.

"Vanya," I call out, my voice barely above a whisper. "Where are you, Vanya?" I ask, desperate to hear her voice. Why is she not here when I need her the most?

My breath hitches as my body starts trembling uncontrollably, visions of blood and organs, all lying at my feet as I kill and maim.

"Vanya, please," I say on a sob, bringing my head hard against the wall. "Where are you?" I ask again, hitting my head even harder. "Please." My voice is broken as I beseech her to answer me.

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