Page 154 of Under the Bed

“Eddy.” My pulse skyrockets. “What have you done?”

Before he gets to answer, I curl my fingers around the collar of his sweater. I could snap his neck so. Fucking. Easily.

We’re the only two people left in the room. No one else ishere to stop me.

“N-n-n?—”

“You ratted him out?”

“No,” he blurts out. His trembling intensifies. “I came to tell you that y-y-you’ve got to stay today.”

“Stay for what?” I pull my lips in, pushing the worst-case scenarios out of my head. This has nothing to do with Kaleb. He’s just scared of me. I think.

“S-someone—” He’s grown a shade paler, almost translucent now. “For the clinical practice hours. Well. One hour. Just one. A volunteer has asked specifically for you.”

Eddy stares at me. I stare back.

The information sinks in.

A volunteer.

“Fuck.” I release Eddy.

The force of my frustration makes him stumble back. I pinch the bridge of my nose and suck in a deep breath.

I can’t say that I hate it. I can’t deny that I’m wet for it.

A game.

A sex game.

I’m sick for thinking this would be a good idea.

Even sicker for being okay with him risking his freedom over this.

“Fuck.” I lower my voice, hissing. “I—He?—”

“He? I have no idea who this person is,” Eddy screeches. He’s a terrible liar. Worse than I am.

“Eddy.” Tremors rack his body the longer I stare him down. “Repeat what you just said. Make it believable.”

His eyes lose focus, eyebrows lowering in confusion. “I’m sorry?”

“Who’s the volunteer? Who’s been asking for me?” Each word is delivered in a low, menacing voice.

“Oh.” He blinks, nodding frantically as the meaning behind my question registers. “Of course.” He clears his throat and stands an inch taller. “No idea who’s in there. A stranger who emailed Professor Dempsey. Jakob White. That’s his name. That’s all I know. We had someone walk him out of campus after the clinical practice last night, so there’s no way he could’ve killed?—”

“Enough,” I snap at him. His lips slam together. “Too much detail is just as incriminating. Short and to the point, okay? Again.”

“You’re absolutely right.” He rolls his shoulders. Fixes his features into a neutral expression. But he still looks like a coward to me. “No idea who’s in there. All I have is a name. Jakob White. A volunteer.”

“Good.” It’ll have to do.

“You gave them another description, right?” When my nostrils flare, Eddy staggers back another few steps, his back hitting the wall. “Don’t—don’t come any closer. I’m just saying it’ll help. Knowing what they’re looking for.”

“Short and stocky. Couldn’t remember anything else.” I sneer as I stride past him. “If you’ll excuse me, my patient is waiting for me.”

Our second and last session.

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