Page 107 of Exile
Dr. Smith clears his throat. "I may have been a little dishonest with you," he starts. My brows frown in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I know of three people who probably have a good idea of what you're going to do next…"
Heart beating rapidly, I stare at him wide eyed. "Don't play with me, Christopher…"
He nods his head toward something behind me, smiling.
I spin around, gasping. Standing in the doorway of the courtroom is Damon, Theo, and Grey, dressed casually with matching grins.
My feet move on their own accord, nearly barging Dr. Smith and Margie out of the way as I sprint down the aisle. I launch myself at them, unable to decide who to go to first. Limbs become entangled as I try to reach for all of them, Grey letting out a pained groan as his head collides with Theo's.
"Whoa, little killer. Careful of the award winning face."
"Shut up," I breathe out, grabbing his cheeks and kissing him into silence.
He's only just started kissing me back when I release him, sucking the life out of Theo before moving onto Damon. It's only when someone awkwardly clears their throat behind me that I remember we have an audience, and that I have a million questions, so I pull back.
"You're here," I croak out, voice breaking. "But I don't understand."
Theo reaches for my hand, rubbing my wrist with his thumb. "Grey and I were released last week. Damon was let go a few weeks ago."
I stare at Damon. "Weeks ago?"
He nods. "They decided to set my trial first, given the situation and my involvement. Once I was able to provide all the evidence relating to my father's scheme, the board's corruption, and the treatment suffered in Lilydale, it was basically a domino effect for the rest of the patients. Especially with the investigation findings."
"Except Theo," Grey adds. "He nearly didn't get let off."
"What?" I mutter in horror.
Theo shrugs. "I was brutally honest that I had no issue with killing the people I had."
"But then the public defender jumped in and explainedwhy," Grey tacks on. "Idiot here left out some key details."
"I have nothing to hide," Theo explains. "But they basically ruled any conduct at Lilydale as self-defense and reluctantly moved to a ruling that I'd served time. With a warning, apparently."
"Apparently?" I press.
"I don't consider it a warning. Just a suggestion."
Shaking my head, I wipe away tears. "Fuck. This is really happening? We're free? But some people didn't come back to the facility I was in. I thought they had been taken away…"
Damon nods. "A few patients, particularly those struggling still, were admitted into treatment programs. Somevoluntarily, others mandated for a fixed period of time to be reviewed. Others were released. Everyone has been happy with their results."
"I can't believe it," I murmur, starting to become overwhelmed with emotion. "Shit—it's over. This is real?"
"It's real, little killer," Grey grins, spinning me around.
I squeal, throwing my arms around his neck. When I'm back on two feet, I ask the question that's bothering me. "Why weren't you guys in the courtroom then?"
"That was something you needed to do on your own," Theo answers. "To fall back on your own strength without having us there to distract you."
"And she did it perfectly," Dr. Smith adds, walking over. "You'd be proud."
"I'm always proud," Grey says, winking at me.
Taking a breath, I wipe away more tears, on the verge of a full sobbing session. "I still can't believe it."
