I'm willing to give it a try – is what I said 3 days ago however, it's easier said than done…

I've always been a person that worries.

I worry about even the most insignificant of things, but coming face to face with an A class murderer would give anybody a good enough reason for worry.

A new lab coat was handed to me and I was separated from the rest of my group. Rick and Lauren were assigned to the other group and I don't know what happened to Mr Aceberg, but I couldn't hate him for what he did…because I could somewhat understand why he did it.

Jeff is a killer.

He doesn't care for the feelings of others.

He doesn't feel the same things we do, but that's exactly what I'm so curious about.

Sure, it may be explainable by science, but surely he must also have a conscience. I want to understand why…and how he reached this point.

And now, I've been given the chance.

Mr Owen and I entered a dimly lit room.

It was a medium sized room with a long dark brown table in the middle and two chairs on either side like something out of a detective movie.

''This is where your discussions will take place for the time being as the usual room is not available just yet'' Mr Owen informed and I nodded in understanding.

Probably due to all the blood…

One of the chairs was much sturdier-looking than the other and appeared to be attached to the ground. It also had lots of belts fastened to it.

I concluded that is where Jeff will be sitting.

Mr Owen handed me a notepad and placed a hand on my shoulder.

''I'm glad you decided to do this. Just remember, there is no pressure. Jeff does not see us as people, to him we are in his own words, lab rats. So please don't take whatever he says to heart and do what you can to follow the list of questions I've given you'' he encouraged me.

''Where will you be?''

''I, along with a couple other members of the staff will be in the room next door. There is a camera and a microphone monitoring your exchange, if anything goes wrong I'll be back.''

I heard noise come from outside the room.

''They're bringing him here. Don't worry and do your best'' Mr Owen squeezed my shoulder for the final time and then walked to the door.

He's so caring...like a father figure.

He opened the door and soon enough Jeff was led into the room with two nurses holding him. His eyes instantly found mine with an unblinking stare, but this time I held his gaze.

''Jeff this is OC. She doesn't officially work here, but has agreed to see you. Since this is your first session together you will only be given 30 minutes. I hope you keep your word Jeff…'' Mr Owen introduced while the two nurses secured the said man to the chair.

Having to wear a straitjacket all the time looked painful. I wondered what he does when something itches...

There were also no bruises on his face, he appeared to have fully healed from the incident with Mr Aceberg.

''Ok. We will be leaving the two of you now. Take care'' Mr Owen said and all three professionals exited the room.

I was left alone with him.

Calmly, I sat on the chair opposite of him and stared at the first instruction.

Session Number #1.

Step 1 – Introduce yourself.

I cleared my throat ''my name is-''

''-I know'' he cut me off.

''Ok. I'm uh...17 years old and currently I study psychology'' I tried.

He didn't say anything.

Ok! That's that!

Next!

Step 2 – Ask him/her to introduce themselves.

''So, can you tell me a little about yourself?'' I asked.

It felt so extremely awkward, like an interview.

''I'm Jeff and I like carving beautiful smiles into the faces of ugly lying shits" he said and I wished he was being sarcastic, but that wasn't the case...

You don't hear that everyday alright…I was tempted to ask what that makes him since he also has a smile carved into his cheeks, but decided against it…

''How old are you?''

''22''

Ok! Now we're getting somewhere!

''When is your birthday?''

''Don't remember.''

''…''

Step 3 – Ask him if he has any hobbies.

I...got the feeling that he kinda already gave me the answer to that, so I'll tell him about mine instead.

''I like reading books and drawing'' I said.

''And I don't care.''

''. . .''

Step 4 – Ask him if he likes animals.

What the hell!? What even are these questions!?

''Do you like animals?''

''No.''

Well this is going greaaat so far!

Step 5 – As-''And you?'' he suddenly spoke.

He asked me a question!

I assume he's referring to whether I like animals?

''Yeah. I-I suppose I do" I stuttered and lowered my notepad giving him 100% of my attention.

Maybe we'll finally get somewhere!

He tilted his head and his smile widened.

''Really? And yet you have no trouble living your life knowing that they are killed all around you every day. Caged and beaten. Slaughtered and eaten. By the very beings you pretend to care so much about. So tell me...what's the difference if I do it to you? Why can't I slaughter those I consider to be animals for my own enjoyment?''

''Because-''

''-Because humans aren't the same as animals? But can you really say they don't act like animals? Can you really claim your purpose isn't to eat, shit and fuck? Just like an animal.''

''…I can't. But that doesn't mean we deserve a painful dea-''

''-And yet pigs do?''

''Pigs can't talk. They don't feel the emotions we d-''

''-So it's ok for them to be butchered for meat?''

''N-no! That's not what I meant!''

''Do you really believe that there is a single human out there that isn't selfish? You people live your lives only truly caring about your own fucking safety and yet you pretend to be above the likes of me. It's disgusting.''

''But-''

''So then tell me, why do you condemn my actions as wrong? There is so many of you! What's so wrong about killing those that only waste space? I'll tell you…it's because you fear it will happen to you or those you think you love, but deep down you don't really give a fuck about strangers…as long as it doesn't happen to you-'' that was it!

I jumped up from my chair dropping the notepad and slammed my hands onto the desk.

''YOU'RE NOT LETTING ME SPEAK!'' I screamed ''STOP GUESSING MY THOUGHTS!''

He simply stared at me, unphased.

''You asked me why you can't slaughter those you consider animals…but assumed my answer would be something I wasn't going to say!''

''Then please…enlighten me...why can't I dispose of all you pieces of shit!?'' he growled.

''It's not about why you can't do it because you can! It's about why you shouldn't! And my main purpose isn't to eat, shit and f-f-fuck! It's to live!'' I screamed and hot angry tears started rolling down my cheeks.

I understood that I was getting way too worked up, but he is wrong! He completely contradicts himself! Everything he says is wrong!

And yet…is it really...?

Deep down I couldn't deny that I was scared. Scared of someone causing me physical pain, scared of those that think differently than me and scared of loss, but still…

I had to tell him what I believe!

''You are the weak one here! It's easy to cause someone pain, but much harder to stop it! Going by your own logic we are all liars and pretenders so we should just start killing each other to make things better? That makes no sense! If you truly believe what you say, doesn't that make you no better than us?'' I took a deep breath.

I wasn't done yet!

''If everyone started thinking the way you do, there would be no reason left to live, so if you truly think people are selfish and worthless, then why are you still here causing others pain!? I-if you can't fake love, then GET LOST!''

Suddenly, Jeff erupted into loud high-pitched laughter and started squirming around in his chair.

''Y-you! YOU JUST TOLD ME TO DIE! The innocent little princess told me to go die! AHAHAHA!''

Blood started flowing from his mouth. The stitches were probably coming undone from all the laughter.

I took a step back, taken aback by his sudden outburst.

I didn't know what to do.

Fortunately, Mr Owen burst through the door just in time followed by the two nurses.

''That's enough for today! Take him away!'' he ordered.

The nurses obliged undoing the belts and grabbing Jeff from both sides. With a lot of effort they managed to drag him toward the door while he thrashed around in their grasp, laughing like a maniac.

I stood there watching the commotion until I realized…I had made a mistake.

I played right into his hands…