Chapter 152

The stages of grief begin with Denial. And no, that's not just a river. I went through this before I rejoined the academy. I had to be evaluated and I staged it. I was put on the field because I took a couple of online courses to give me the answers along with the given

responses. Added a few drugs to give the proper chemical response and boom. They put me on the force.

I kept telling myself that my being able to logically go around the set system proved that I was fine and I ignored the beginning stage of Crystal's feral spiral. Everything I did was an excuse I used to justify how fucking terrible I feel about the way everything happened and how I handled it. Even after all that, here I am once again. Step one.

I am sitting in a room with James, Alegra, and some guy. I don't even know his name yet. We're new so they're keeping us together. Alegra is dressed the same as I am'and she's seated between her son and me. Dr. Salazar is sitting across from me writing shit down with his stupid fucking Lightning McQueen pen.

"Good morning," he greets us. No one says it back. He smiles and writes something down. I see James shift in his seat from my peripheral vision. "All right. How did you all sleep?"

No one answers again. His eyes sweep the room and just as he's about to write it down I clear my throat.

"Not well," I answer truthfully. He takes a deep breath and nods.

"I can only imagine. This place is not familiar,"

"And it has no scent," I add.

"Why is that?" James asks.

"Each room is sterilized daily. Often we have lycans that have a very strong scent. Letting the scent of grief and fear linger in a room can turn any of us ravenous," he explains. "Why don't we go around the room and introduce ourselves? Let's get to know one another a little more. Why don't we start with you, Perry? Introduce yourself,"

"Um," I clear my throat again and try to sit up straight. I stare down at my hands not sure how to begin. Am I Pernicious Phurry or Prince?

"There are no titles here. No politics. Just tell us your name,"

"My name is Pernicious-" I take a deep breath. "My name is Pernicious Nelson,"

"Good," he smiles and then turns to Alegra.

"My name is Alegra Prince," she answers quietly.

"James Prince," her son says.

"Endo Graham," the other guy finishes.

"I am Edmundo Salazar," the doctor introduces himself and then turns to me. That's what I fucking get for taking pity on

here?" him. I think he's about to question me but then his eyes turn the James. "Mr. Prince. Why are you

"What?" James asks as if the doctor were insulting him.

here? Or maybe try, why

"It's court-ordered," he says.

"No other reason?"

me here," he growls. He writes that down and it

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18:07 Mon

Chapter 152

say calmly when he tenses up. James's

eyes before

are you

my brother wanted his wife out of the

be here," I answer. "Well, you suggested it and I think

would you choose to be here?" James asks. The

you choose to be

something bad. Maybe the worst thing I've ever done and I stop

"And?" the doctor presses.

punishing me for it," I look down at my hands not wanting

"Yes," I nod.

"Okay, why?"

You do something bad and you're punished for

you believe that, why did you break this rule or why did you

it was the right thing to do. I told myself it was, but I've never been able to tell

B

"Between what?"

"Right and wrong,"

growl at him when he

punishment do you

turns to look

you have possibly done to deserve such

killed, exploited, and stolen from a lot of people including my

this quite

""Every word,"

notice that something was

time I pushed a hunting knife through

did you

I've thought of Reginald Barkley. He was sixteen at the time-one of Calvin's best friends. Calvin often got verbal with me growing up. He'd call me names and had others laugh at me, but he never put his hands on me. Reggy, however, got off on hurting others and got rough with Morgan. Tried to force her shorts down her legs

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18:07 Mon, Nov 25

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