The Shrink Program

"Pardon?" Alan's cheerful smile slipped. "Could have sworn you said you have the Ace and the Joker..."

"I did. "

Surprise flashed access Alan's face.

"...That sucks." he pouted, resting his hands on his hips in disappointment. "I really liked those guys."

His shoulders were held unnaturally stiff.

The King hadn't been expecting this.

And it was my fault.

I had had a chance to warn them... But had failed to mention what I knew of Apollo's schemes.

Now, my friends were paying for negligence.

I leapt off the edge of the bench, any reservations I had about jumping from the incredible height pushed aside.

Alex was the only one who looked over at the movement, actually taking a step forward before stopping himself.

Just like last time he was in this state, he refused to come near me.

I landed with what little grace I could manage, I stumbled forward into a run.

Ignoring the towering figures in the room, I headed straight towards the ladder to the trap door.

.... I was pretty sure I could climb it somehow... And get the trap door open... All by myself...

"There's no point, Maddison," Apollo spoke.

I stopped, standing with my back to the room.

You don't say...

"Even if you make it out of here, there's nothing you can do." He continued, boredom masking every word.

"The Joker has been arrested for fighting on hospital premises and the Ace, in turn, has been sent to the hospital. As well as the Cards, we have Vain hostage."

Vain.

I froze. My mind, my body, my blood, every part of me turned ice cold.

Vain is going to get hurt. Because of me.

Again.

"Clearly, there is no room for negotiation..." Apollo sighed. "Hand over your card Tramph, and let's be done with this..."

"Why did you lie?" I asked lightly, my voice sounding alien in my ears.

Calm, when really, I should be screaming.

Swearing and abusing the person who had done this to me. Even demanding that he surrender and return the cards was more in my nature.

What am I even doing....?

All I knew... was that I wanted to hurt him.

For hurting us. For hurting Vain.

It was drawing out something cruel from inside of me.

My body shifted, turning to face his confused eyes, a curious smile frozen on my face.

A smile to hide the cold anger turning my heart to ice.

"About what?" He asked warily.

"I realised it when I saw you fight," I said, examining his disinterested expression. "After you mimicked Alex's move, I realised that you are a copycat."

He raised an eyebrow."Congratulations?"

I ignored his sarcasm. "You can learn people's fighting style just from experiencing them once right?"