Facts are facts, I don’t know him at all. I don’t know his personality or whether he was just teasing. And in reality, this is only temporary. I’ll never see him again once he’s gone.
“Here’s a panic button just in case you need it, Ms Tate. Keep it on you at all times while you’re here. You can never be too sure with some of these patients,” Dr Moss asserts, snapping me out of my thoughts as he leans over his desk, handing me the small, white device. I reach over, taking it from his hand before slipping it into my pocket.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
“Billy Wade is yet another patient on this floor and I’d like you to meet him today as well. He hasn’t been scheduled to be freed yet, but he’s another that is making incredible improvements.” He says, handing me a file which I take and open.
As I skim through the case file, my stomach knots. Billy Wade, thirty-six. Convicted eighteen years ago for crimes so unspeakable. He had abducted two young women, chained them together, brutally abused them in ways that make the words on the page feel dark and heavy, and finally murdered them after weeks of torture. He also recorded every minute of the horrific act before selling it on the dark web. The cruel images his file paints settle into my mind, and I find myself shuddering internally.
According to these reports, Billy’s been diagnosed with psychopathy as well, yet he’s managed to show what they call “significant progress.” I remind myself that the doctors here know what they’re doing. They’ve seen this side of humanity more closely than I have, and if they think he’s progressing, it must be true.
I take a deep inhale, struggling to silence my mind. Professionalism is supposed to be my armor in situations like these. I’m here to understand, not to judge. Yet, I’m also a woman. And somewhere in the dark corner of my mind, beneath the polished therapist mask, I feel the fear, the disgust, the heartbreak for the lives he tore apart. I’m only human, but I have to walk in and engage, even if my heart hurts for those poor women.
I close the folders, stacking them neatly before pushing back from the desk with a sense of calm determination and place them down in front of Dr Moss.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
As we step out of the office, we walk side by side toward the residential wing. When we pass Ty’s open door, I peek inside briefly, but I notice he’s no longer there. I continue confidently alongside Dr Moss until we reach Billy’s room. Pausing at the doorway, I look in to see Billy reclining on his bed, a book in hand. He lifts his gaze in our direction as Dr Moss clears his throat, his dark eyes sharp and probing, but I hold my ground. I won’t let him get under my skin like Ty did. No way.
“Billy, this is Ms Tate,” Dr Moss says with a slight nod in my direction. “She’ll be leading your session today.”
Billy closes his book and sits up, eyes still locked onto me. “Of course. Ms Tate,” he says, with an almost challenging emphasis, “please, have a seat.”
I step forward before settling into the chair opposite him and crossing one leg over the other, my notepad balanced in my lap. I catch Dr Moss’s approving nod as he leaves, keeping the door ajar. Now alone with Billy, I adjust my glasses with a calm smile and make my introduction.
“It’s so good to meet you, Billy. Let’s talk about you—tell me a bit about yourself,” I say. “What keeps you occupied?”
Billy pauses, assessing me, but I keep my expression calm. “Well,” he says slowly, testing my reaction, “there’s not much to do but read and talk to the others here.”
“Sounds like a great use of time,” I say smoothly. “Any favourite genres?”
He shrugs, his gaze narrowing. “My first choice would be horror, if they’d allow it. Otherwise, whatever they’ve got in the library.” He lets out a low chuckle, his bright yellow teeth showing just a little.
I smile slightly before I continue, “Have you thought about what you’d like to do once you’re out?”
He nods, shifting as he studies me. “Yeah, I’ve got family—my momma, an aunt, cousins…” His gaze narrows, gauging my reaction. “And my girl.”
I keep my expression neutral as I look up, surprised but relaxed. “You have a girlfriend? I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you.”
His smile widens, as if he's savouring some private triumph. “Of course, I have a girlfriend. She’s stood by me through everything. She knows I didn’t mean to do what I did—I wasn’t myself.”
A chill works its way up my spine, but I keep my face neutral, nodding as I jot down his words. “I’m glad you’ve had supportthrough all this, Billy,” I reply, measuring each word. “That can make a real difference.”
Billy’s smile stretches, eyes fixed on mine. “I don’t know where I’d be without them,” he says, voice strangely flat. “I’m a reformed man now, Ms Tate. I’ll be out of here in no time.”
I nod thoughtfully, holding his gaze for a moment longer before shifting in my seat. We speak for a while longer, getting to know him and all about his plans when or if he leaves this place, then I think it’s time to move onto the next patient.
“Is there anything you need from me?” I offer, voice steady. “I’m here to help, anytime you need.”
He shakes his head, gaze shadowed. “Not today, Ms Tate,” he murmurs. “But I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
When he leans back, the glint in his eyes is as unreadable as it is unsettling. But I remind myself to stay firm and wrap up our session with a smile. “Thank you for talking with me today, Billy. I appreciate it.”
Billy watches me wordlessly as I exit, his eyes following every step until I’m around the corner. Exhaling, I feel the anxiety of the encounter settle in as I head down the corridor.
I spot a nurse wheeling a medication trolley and approach her with a polite nod. “Hi, I’m Ms Tate,” I say, introducing myself with a warm smile. “A new therapist here. I’d like to get to know the patients a bit better—would it be alright if I tag along?”
The nurse, Cathy from what I see one her name tag, gives a small nod, her expression impassive. “Sure.” She agrees gravely.
