Page 75 of Madness

The door swings open, and Hare’s bright, wonky smile greets me, “Har! Har! Har!”

“Hey buddy, yi good?”

“Yup! Wocky gave me paper, and I drew Red a picture. Look!” Hare skips over to Jameson’s desk, picking up multiple pieces of paper and showing me the doodles on the pages.

None of it really makes sense, but Red’s name is in bold letters with hearts and smiley faces around it.

“That’s great, Hare,” I say, trying to match his enthusiasm, but none of us ever quite manage to.

Hare’s happiness in this place is the one bright spot for a lot of us, and his enthusiasm is enough to keep us going most days. Still, it always dims when I realise he doesn’t fully understand where he is… why he’s here, and what he’s been through since he was pushed through those doors by his parents because they no longer wanted him.

Jameson and Al sit at his desk, both of them holding multiple pieces of paper with Hare’s drawings on them, “Yi really need to learn how to limit his paper intake,” I laugh at Jameson as I take a seat next to Al.

Jameson stares at Hare, “Why would I when it makes him so happy? It’s the least I can do after everything.”

“Fair. So why did yi want tae see me?”

“Al?” Jameson prods.

“I was never allowed to get an education, and I don’t know how to read or write. I need a tutor, and Jameson suggested you,” he rushes out, twisting his fingers in his lap.

“Are yi sure? It’s no like I can speak English all that well.” I laugh at my joke, but Al and Jamesonboth stare at me. “It was a joke… because am Scottish.”

Jameson huffs out a laugh to humour me, then offers me a small smile. “I know, but you are the best person for the job. You’re patient and kind, and if you love our girl as much as you act like you do, you’ll tutor her newest boyfriend.”

My head swivels to look at Al, who is staring wide-eyed between me and Jameson, “I dunno about that. We haven’t actually spoken about it,” he says, but I see the hopeful look in his eyes, a look I’m all too familiar with when it comes to Red.

I rub the back of my neck, “I’ll dae it, but we’ll start with the basics, Al. It’ll take a lot of time and effort.”

Al’s face lights up, “Thank you! I really want to try to learn. I want to be able to read a book.”

“Good, we’ll get yi there.” I take a piece of paper from Hare’s pile, who shouts out in outrage, “Jameson will give yi another bit. Now, we’ll start with the alphabet, and we’ll take it one step at a time, and before yi know it, yi’ll be reading and writing just like Hare draws.”

Jameson smiles, handing an extra bit of paper to Hare, who continues to doodle happily.

“Thank you, Harry. If you both need anything for it, just let me know,” Jameson smiles at us both happily.

“I will do,” I say, “Now, when do you want to get started?”

“No time like now,” Al shrugs, staring at the paper in his hands.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sweat clings to my skin, the nightmare lingering at the edges of my mind.

I throw my covers back, the cold flooring a balm on my soul as I sneak from my room across the hall to the twin’s room.

The cold metal of the handle feels like ice against my fingertips as I turn it slowly, praying that I don’t wake them both up.

The hallway is eerily silent, and I swear my mind is trying to play tricks on me, casting shadows on the walls from nothing.

My heart pounds against my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like a drum.

The door creaks open just enough for me to slip through, and I step into their room, my eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through the window.

Desmond lays on his bed, his back to me, seemingly asleep. But I knew better.

I can see the slight rise and fall of his shoulders, the way his fingers twitch ever so slightly, betraying him.

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