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Mom ignored me as we entered the hospital. The strong smell of cleaning chemicals filled my nostrils, reminding me of the acid I used to support the decomposition of the pigeons I killed. You’d be amazed at how easy it was to catch one. They’re fat and used to humans.
“Excuse me,” Mom said to the nurse behind the desk. “I called earlier about seeing a doctor for my son. It’s urgent. I need to see a doctor now.”
The nurse looked me over before turning back to my mom. “Can you give me more information. We’re busy today.” She nodded at the waiting room full of people. I wondered what all these people were sick with.
“Um.” Mom’s eyes flicked to me like she didn’t quite want to look at me. “My son, he, uh … has a tendency to …” She gulped. “Decapitate animals.”
The nurse blinked before she frowned and looked at me with renewed interest and horror. “All right. I’ll call the doctor right away.”
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man with a lanky build and super long fingers approached us. I remember thinking how funny his fingers were, almost like he was Slenderman. “Mrs. Levin?” He shook my mom’s hand. “I’m Dr. Radcliff. I understand you need a doctor to see your son.”
“Yes. It’s urgent.” She clutched my hand like her life depended on it.
“If you’ll follow me.” He took us down the hallway to a quiet, tidy little office. He sat down behind the desk and motioned for us to take a seat across from him. “I understand Viktor has been … having some issues.”
“Yes. He likes to …” There she went again, giving methatlook. Like she was horrified I was her son. “He likes to hurt animals. I think he needs serious help.”
Dr. Radcliff settled his eyes onto me in an intimidating way. “Do you hurt animals, Viktor?”
I shrugged. “Yes.” I didn’t see what the big deal was.
“All right.” He shifted in his seat. “How do you hurt them?”
“I cut their heads off.”
“And you feel no remorse for that?”
I shrugged again. “Not really. I think it’s kind of fun, actually.”
Radcliff’s frown deepened. “Fun how?”
“Seeing the life leave their eyes. It’s cool.”
“He killed our dog,” Mom cut in.
“Because Lucy kept biting me,” I explained. “I was tired of it.”
“So, you killed her?” Radcliffe asked.
“Yes.”
“By … cutting off her head?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you hurt animals, Viktor?”
I looked down at my hands for a moment before turning back to Dr. Radcliff. “Because it makes me feel powerful.”
Radcliff kept his expression neutral. but I sensed a little fear behind his eyes. “All right.” He turned to Mom. “And what are your concerns?”
“I’m worried he’s going to start doing it to humans next.”
I didn’t try to defend myself. I already had the idea of moving onto humans soon.
“I understand. Well, we can keep Viktor here under observation for a while. Give him therapy, medication, anything he might need to correct his behavior.”
Mom nodded. “Thank you. He can move in today?”
