Page 61 of Monster. Me.

He smiles as he drops onto the couch beside me.

"That’s nice, though. A chance to make a little extra money. I kind of feel the same way, which is why I never quit doing reception work for my uncle. Extra cash always comes in handy, right?"

He sounds relaxed, which isn't surprising. After all, just like me, he had an orgasm not that long ago. I could start a fight, I could confront him right now. But suddenly I don't feel like it.

In a normal situation, I would've decided to leave the program today, but I'm past that point now.

I want to stay. And see what happens next.

Rupert stares at the screen. I notice he's holding a small tennis ball in one hand, absently tossing it up and down.

What the fuck? Why a tennis ball of all things?

I find myself staring at it with that strange fascination all small, fast-moving objects seem to trigger in me. Up, down, up, down. My eyes track it automatically.

Suddenly, Rupert turns toward me and blinks.

"Wow. Your eyes. Your pupils are huge."

He's still casually tossing the ball, and eventually I can't take it anymore. I swat at it. The ball flies across the room, bounces off the wall, and comes right back. I snatch it out of the air.

Rupert lets out a goofy little chuckle.

"Oh, you hunted the ball," he says, sounding amused, like I'm some silly kid. "If you want it, keep it. I won it in a raffle at Pedro's birthday party."

Naturally, I take it.

For the next ten minutes, I throw it against the wall obsessively and catch it every time it rebounds. Flawlessly. Every now and then Rupert glances over with a slightly raised eyebrow, apparently entertained by my fixation, but he doesn't comment on it.

Well, everybody has their thing. Some people are into sharing. Others…

Catching just one prey.

◆◆◆

I’m sitting alone again during the meal. Rupert is busy at Juan and Timmy’s table, of course. I could join them, but I deliberately pick a different seat. Rupert doesn’t even blink when he notices it, just goes back to his conversation with Juan, laughter and silly jokes flying around.

I’m finishing my plate of bacon, sausages, and soft-boiled eggs when I spot Reed heading my way.

Great. I raise my eyebrows slightly as he approaches. He leans in over my table, getting uncomfortably close, and speaks way too loudly for it to be a private message.

"Red Mug wants you. He’s got another procedure today. Not exactly a pleasant one."

I catch the looks from the other participants. You can practically read their reactions: amusement and disapproval. Unsurprisingly, Rupert doesn’t seem bothered at all by Reed talking to me like that. He glances over but says nothing.

"Another painful procedure? You’re seriously putting that man through torture." I make sure my voice carries. "Of course I’ll help."

He pretends to be indifferent to my comment.

I stand up with exaggerated annoyance and follow Reed out, feeling everyone’s eyes on me.

Once we’re in the hallway, he says, "By the way, I can see Rupert doesn’t have a problem with Red Mug. Since you’re all so relaxed about it, don’t forget about our offer. Wilhelm’s and mine. If you’re interested, you know where to find us." He makes a casual gesture with his hands, like he’s reminding me of a possible favor to come.

I give him a freezing cold look and say nothing. I just keep walking behind him toward the lab, the same one where Fenn had his procedure before.

We go in, and I find him sitting at a specialized table, similar to a blood-draw station.

He looks a little different. I notice he must have had his hair cut. His dark hair is now very short, military style.