Page 3 of Imprisoned

“He’s back inside now—different facility.” She shakes her head. “It taught me a valuable lesson about maintaining boundaries. Academic interest is one thing, but never forget what these men are capable of.”

“Of course.” I nod. “I understand the importance of boundaries.”

“What about you?” I ask, eager to shift the conversation away from my interest in psychopaths. “Do you have family?”

Dr. Pierce’s face lights up. “Two teenagers—God help me. Sarah’s seventeen, heading to college next year. She wants to be a doctor, though I’m pushing for something less stressful.”She pulls out her phone, showing me a photo of a girl with her mother’s sharp features and confident smile. “And Tommy’s fifteen, more interested in video games than career planning right now.”

“They’re beautiful.” She shows me a family photo, her husband’s arm wrapped around them all at what looks like a beach vacation. “Must be nice having that support system at home.”

“Oh, trust me, some days I wonder who’s supporting whom.” She laughs, scrolling through more photos. “Just last week, Tommy decided to try cooking dinner. Nearly burned down the kitchen making mac and cheese. And Mark, my husband, just stood there filming the whole disaster instead of helping.”

The warmth in her voice as she talks about her family helps ease my tension. Her stories of normal teenage drama and family dinners feel worlds away from our earlier discussion of violent offenders.

“Mark’s an architect,” she continues. “Works from home most days, a blessing, really. He’s always there when the kids need something.”

I lean back, letting her words wash over me, grateful for this glimpse of ordinary life. Her stories of parent-teacher conferences and family game nights ground me, reminding me there’s a whole world beyond these prison walls.

2

WILLOW

After lunch, I slip my phone from my pocket and pull up today’s schedule. My heart sinks when I see that Axel Morrison isn’t listed.

What’s wrong with me?

Why am I disappointed about not having a session with a diagnosed psychopath?

I scroll through the schedule, searching until I spot his name.

Two days.

Our first session isn’t for two whole days.

Dr. Pierce’s warning echoes in my mind—maintain distance, stay clinical. I force myself to focus on my afternoon appointments instead.

“Ready for your two o’clock?” The guard asks.

“Yes, thanks.”

He returns a few minutes later with my next patient. He’s serving time for drug possession—no violent offences. He slouches in his chair but answers my questions without hostility. The session flows smoother than this morning’s disasters.

My three o’clock goes even better. We discussed his anxiety management techniques, and I actually feel like I’m helping. By four, I’m settling into a rhythm and growing more comfortable.

Between each session, my mind drifts to that name in my calendar: Axel Morrison. I push away the intrusive thoughts and focus on my current patients, who deserve my full attention.

Still, I catch myself rehearsing what I’ll say when I finally meet him. What questions I’ll ask. How I’ll maintain my composure while diving into his complicated mind.

I’m supposed to help these men, not count the hours until I can analyze the most dangerous one in person.

After my last patient leaves, I pull Axel’s file from my bag. The manila folder feels heavy, loaded with secrets.

I freeze when I see his convictions. Ten murder charges. Ten lives ended by his hands. Three more suspected victims were never found. The clinical language can’t mask the horror beneath—torture, mutilation, psychological games that broke his victims long before he killed them.

My stomach lurches at the crime scene photos. Each murder was more calculated than the last. Axel learned, adapted, and perfected his technique. The earlier bodies showed rage and impulse. The later ones were pure artistry in their brutality.

The psychological evaluations paint a picture of a man who weaponized his charm. Guards, fellow inmates, and his past psychologists noted his magnetic personality and ability to seem perfectly normal. Until he didn’t want to anymore.

I read the interview transcripts. Axel’s responses are measured and intelligent. He never breaks character and never reveals the monster beneath. A true psychopath hiding in plain sight.

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