Chapter 19c: Rigged

That annoying therapist. Things are never good enough for him.

You outdo your group in 'fail' marks, and he complains.

You outdo your group nearly overnight with almost pure 'pass' marks, and he still complains.

Still, I have little choice but to take a deep breath as I follow him for a bit more therapy and 'evaluation', whatever the latter might be. I was about to go watch a movie with the rest of the group, but it looks as if missing the first thirty minutes is going to be out of my reach.

That is the unfortunate part of living in an institution for problem kids like me. I study here. I exercise here. I eat here. I sleep here. And of course, my therapy is here, too.

"I'm sorry for calling you out like this, Cain. I had some work to get done, and the overtime is always nice, if you know what I mean."

Marc extends his hand to his office whilst laughing cheesily. I offer a small smile, nodding politely whilst moving to the guest seat.

"I'll get us both a drink. Tea still fine?"

I nod at him with a forced grin.

"As long as I'm not going to get yelled at for doing well."

My words are slightly more rude than I intended them to be, but you try being yanked from the movie you had been wanting to see all week!

".. haha, fine. I promise. OK, I'll be back shortly."

And off he goes to find either the canteen or the kitchen; why he doesn't just use the machine at the end of the hallway is beyond me. Oh, maybe he's getting me that slice of cake other graduates have mentioned in the past. No doubt it is a carrot for further good behaviour.

My mind drifts again as I wait. There is just the clicking of the clock.

The Terminator of all things, how cool is that?! The last time it was on was nearly a year ago, and listening to the guys back then rave about it drove me nuts. I wasn't in much of a mood to socialize back then. Admittedly, the others weren't much in a mood to invite me because of that, either.

That adjusted a bit as of late. Not yelling at people helps. No longer beating them up as much as I can get away with during PE class is also something that helps us get along. In the end, we're all quite similar, so we know when to forgive and wh...

My thoughts have taken me deep enough to not notice that the phone has been ringing right in front of me. Damn geezer. Can't he come back to shut that thing up?

It rings once more. RRRRRRRRRIIIIiiiiiiiiii~~~iiiiinggggg~~~!

Whomever it is must be desperate. After six rings, it should be obvious there's nobody in the building, right?

Maybe I should answer and take a note. Or just stall them until he comes back.

But what if that gets me in trouble?

RRRRRRRRRIIIIiiiiiiiiii~~~iiiiinggggg~~~!

Oh, screw it. I'll go deaf if I don't answer it.

I answer it, knowing it to be a mistake.

"This is Cain. Marc is currently not here. Please wait a while or try ag..."

"NIIIIIIII-SAN~~!"

The excited yell nearly blasts out my eardrum. Good gr... wait, was that Setsuka?

".. Setsuka? Really?" My voice is shaking a little - that is weird.

"ARE YOU OKAY? YOU SOUND A BIT ILL. I'VE BEEN DYING TO TALK TO YOU. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? I DID NOT WAKE YOU UP, DID I?"

The more she rambles on, the more I feel myself grinning. She always babbles like that when she's excited.

"No no. I'm fine. Great even, hearing you. Just really surprised. I wasn't expecting you to call right now."

How do I manage to sound this calm? I don't know. She's not blaming me for anything, I think. She sounds too excited.

"I WASN'T EXPECTING TO HEAR YOU EITHER RIGHT NOW! I WAS GOING TO BEG YOUR THI.. THEPA... THERAPATEACHER TO LET ME TALK TO YOU! I HAVE MISSED YOU SO MUCH."

Oh, right. Marc... I find myself standing up without a second thought, stretching the cord of the handset to its fullest limit as I close the door and slip the lock in place.

It's been one whole year. Talking with her is worth any punishment I'd get for this!

"I've missed you too. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for you. Was it very hard for you?" My voice lowers a bit, trying to elude being overheard in case that sneaky therapist returns.

"NUH... nuh uh. Oh, right."

Her voice lowers considerably in volume, approaching the 'conspirational whisper' level. Judging by her response, she probably got prodded by someone to lower her voice.

Wait..! Does she even have permission to call me? They didn't want us to talk, right...?

Meanwhile, she's been babbling. Dear god, what did I miss?!

".. er name is Jenny. She's the best and coolest sister I could have. She snuck me the phone and number so I could call!"

Ah. The sister. She's got one of those now, doesn't she? It doesn't matter. She called me! There's no beating blood and birth!

"I am glad she did. Make sure you thank her properly, okay?"

"Oh I will. It's her birthday tomorrow. I'll think of something to give. HmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm..."

A smile slips onto my expression as she thinks out loud. What was a years worth of nervousness about her response has now turned into the most comfortable feeling.

"Give her one of your drawings. She'll like it, I am sure."

I feel like I sound a bit cheesy - does she still draw as much as she used to? One year is like a life time...

"Oh. I can. Good idea, nii-san! I'll make one for you too. A late birthday gift! And maybe another one for Christmas, too!"

Unable to help myself, I burst out in laughter. I missed her birthday. Did she get my card, even?

"Did you get my card?"

"Mhmm. I did. I was so happy! Those bunnies were nice! I thought I might never see you again because you wouldn't come by or call!"

"Of course I'll come see you. Once I finish my therapy, I'll come visit you. Maybe live with you, if they'll let me."

A part inside of me is already pondering what I ought to do if they don't let me. There is no way I can let them separate us again.

Wait, we're not really re-united to begin with. Damn it, now I'm getting angry again.

"Okay. How about you, Nii-san? Are your grades good? Mine are. I wanted to be as smar-"

I blink once before I realize I'm listening to the bleeping of an ended call. What? No no no. I stare at the phone in utter panic. She's gone again. No no no no no NO NO!

I'll call her back! .. or not, I don't have her number. DAMN IT.

Suddenly, it strikes me that she might call back, and with the fury of a thousand suns I smack the receiver back onto its base.

Please, Setsuka, call back.

I stare at that telephone. Why does it feel like ants are crawling over my skin? I'm itchy. So damn itchy.

Call me back. Please! God, I beg you...

Time passes, but no returned call. CRAP.

My mind cannot help but wander. She's still fine, right? Or is she getting a beating? She didn't sound afraid.. but maybe I just didn't hear it...!

Come on, Setsuka... call me!

Then... knocking.

"Mr. Heel, if you are finally done talking with your sister, would you unlock the door please?"

GOD-$ #$ #$-DAMNIT!