Page 89 of Psychotic Obsession
"He just asked for Aria. I'm sorry, I'll ask for them next time."
It's not unusual, so I write it down on my sticky note and attach it to my board beside my desk. It's very colourful, with fluorescent pinks, blues, and yellows, each marked from low to high-risk patient cases.
At the very bottom, I have a space saved for me: all the signs of mental illness Tobias has shown and any that can potentially be passed down to our children. I've ordered many books, researched, and even have a doctor lined up to evaluate them when they’re old enough.
I've left many voicemails with Tobias' mom, but she hasn't once responded to my pleas for help, for an insight as to what Tobias was like growing up and if there's anything I should look out for.
I could speak to Tobias, try to do my own digging, but with him being locked up and awaiting transfer to the States, I don't see it as possible. He leaves tomorrow, and I’ve stayed off social media, hidden myself away in my office or at home for the past week. I've done everything possible to hide from the annoying press trying to get an article on the girlfriend of the psychopath, Tobias Mitchell.
It was a stretch even getting my boss to allow me back into work after cancelling my disciplinary meeting and offering me all kinds of support.
Ewan has been checking in with me, but he’s more so constantly asking Gabriella how I am, maybe to try not to overstep since I left his house. I want him to message and call me, to reach out, but I understand the barrier and why we need the space.
I search for the file of my next patient, a nine-year-old girl with Rhett's Syndrome. She has recently transferred to Scotland from Wales and desperately needs treatment as she enters the plateau stage of her illness.
As rewarding as my job may be, it's hard to see so many battling something I don't. I want to do everything I possibly can to help.
Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to Tobias.
Walkinghome is quiet for once, no reporters swarming me for information or groups of people doing their shopping. It's late by the time I finish up at work, and I’m desperate to go to sleep.
I have my headphones on, listening to the soft tones of Muse playingMadnesswhile I keep myself wrapped up in the falling snow. Each footstep is on beat, and I feel all my worries seep away for the duration of the song.
My peace is interrupted as my phone starts to ring, cutting off the music through my headphones. I frown, seeing an unknown number calling me. "Hello?" I answer. "Who is it?"
“I’ve missed your voice."
Tobias’ voice echoing in my ear has me stopping in my tracks. “Tobias?”
"I don't have a lot of time, Aria. I need to see you. I'll send you the address, okay?"
"What—"
"I need to see you,” he repeats. “You’re pregnant, and I’m…" He trails off before speaking to someone about how they have two hours, that they need to be quick. "I'm sorry for doing all of this to you, but I couldn't help it. I love you, even if you think I'm incapable."
“Why are you out?” I ask, reaching my door and unlocking it. “You’re supposed to be locked up.”
He lets out a breathy laugh. “I have my ways. Come meet me. We don’t have a lot of time.”
As soon as he says the words, a message comes through that I have two missed calls from Ewan, then another, then one from Gabs.
"I can't let you leave, Tobias. You need the help they're giving you. I can drive you back,me and you, and you can talk to me about it all."
"After everything I've done, you still want to help me?"
I try to reply, but he's cut off by someone telling him to hurry up and Tobias telling them to fuck off.
"I killed two people, Aria, and it felt good."
All the blood drains from my face, unable to reply as he chuckles on the other end of the phone. “I had all the control. And they’re dead now. I did it for you, so I could get to you and our child.”
The line goes dead, and I fall back against the door.
I feel myself falling apart at the seams, battling with every throb of my heart and disagreement spiking from my mind. "Shit," I mutter to myself, dropping my things on the floor as soon as I get into my apartment.
I stay in this position for what feels like hours, but in reality, it has onlybeen minutes. My phone has been ringing. My parents, Ewan, Gabriella. I've gone over every scenario possible, ways to get him back to the station, but I’ve come up empty.
I have the address in front of me, a message from an unknown number with nothing else. I almost call the cops, but after the first two rings, I hang up. My mind is going so crazy right now that all I want to do is scream.
