After wasting about 5 minutes by standing around doing nothing I decided to listen to Mr Owen and return to my room, but not before grabbing some food.

It took me longer than usual but, I managed to locate my room.

Although I felt paranoid the entire way...as if somebody had been following me.

For the next 3 hours I occupied myself by eating, reading and noting down today's events.

I was certain of one thing though…Jane definitely knew Jeff and it's very possible that she holds important information on him.

I leaned my back against the wall and looked up at the ceiling.

This means that...to find out I'll have to stay in a room alone with Jeff and survive.

What if I don't get so lucky this time?

Maybe it would be wiser to refuse and forget all about this?

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock. Slowly, I climbed out of the bed and trotted towards the door.

As expected, Mr Owen stood there wearing a slightly troubled expression.

''OC. I need you to come with me please'' he said in a hurried tone.

''What's wrong?''

''I promise I'll explain everything, just come'' he ushered me and I did as asked.

We arrived at the place where I held my previous discussions with Jeff, only this time I was led into the neighboring room.

The room was small and dark, but filled with TVs which monitored the exchanges happening in the next door discussion room.

Two other adults wearing lab coats stood up and greeted me.

They all looked stressed as if they'd just been through an argument.

''What's going on?'' I inquired.

Mr Owen gave me a grave look.

Something was clearly off.

''Before that, have you thought about Jane's offer?''

''Yes, I have and I think…well h-honestly I don't know'' I sighed twiddling my fingers.

I really didn't want to disappoint My Owen, but this was just too dangerous...

''Nobody can blame you if you refuse, though I ask that you hear one more thing before you decide. Jeff has assaulted staff numerous times and caused multiple permanent injuries. This one instance he had somehow gotten hold of a syringe during an injection and stabbed it straight through a nurse's neck. Fortunately, she survived the attack however, he poses too much of a threat and has shown no signs of any improvement during these two years. We were informed that if he hurts another member of the faculty his treatment will be cut short and he will be executed…Jeff himself of course, is fully aware of this.''

''I see. So you're saying it's unlikely that he will attack me during our discussion then?''

''No, I am by no means trying to convince you to do it or suggesting that there's no danger. I'm just saying that this may have been the reason why he let you go the first time, I can't guarantee a second time though...''

I nodded.

So...he will be executed…

''However, I must also point out that what I said to Jane wasn't a lie. Jeff does not hesitate, but he has changed these past few days. I've followed his progress from the very beginning and I dare say he appears to be interested in you.''

My stomach fluttered at the words.

''W-what do you mean?''

''I'm sorry'' he laughed ''let me rephrase that. I believe he is finally taking an interest in what we or you in particular have to say. Whether that is due to something you've done or not I'm not sure, but I am sure that what we are seeing is a change in his behaviour. Two weeks ago it would've been impossible to engage in any sort of conversation with him, but now he even initiates interaction himself!''

The two other professionals in the room nodded in agreement.

I looked over at one the TVs to see Jeff sitting from many different angles. He was still strapped to the chair and an professional-looking elderly man was sitting opposite of him. They appeared to be talking, but I couldn't hear what they were saying.

It was really hard to believe that I had been sitting there talking to Jeff too.

Do I really want it to end here? . . .

. . .No.

''I understand. I'll do what I can'' I finally decided.

''Great! I'm glad... Jeff is actually next door right now talking to Sir Canndlecove, but before we plan our strategy there is one more thing you need to know'' My Owen mumbled scratching his head.

''What is it?''

''Remember Mr Aceberg? All this time he was being held in one of the spare bedrooms. We asked him to remain there until authority arrived to take care of the situation and he appeared to have no problem with it but...I was recently informed that he is nowhere to be found. We are on the lookout and I don't believe he poses any danger to us, but just as a safety measure I thought you should know that he could be somewhere in the hospital. He also is aware of every room number and camera location which makes him that much harder to locate.''

A cold shiver ran down my neck.

Hopefully, he isn't planning to go on a revengeful streak or anything.

"Police should be arriving in two days which is when I believe your visit comes to and end as well?''

I gave an affirmative nod. Only two days left...

''Anyhow, we should focus on the situation with Jeff first. I don't want to put you in any danger OC, but…Jane will be brought here and you can decide for yourself if her terms suit you.''

After approximately 6 minutes Jane arrived.

Her hands were handcuffed in front of her.

Mr Owen proceeded to discuss her offer with her.

They came to an agreement that if I stay in the room alone with Jeff for 10 minutes with his straitjacket off and come out alive she'd reveal every single detail about how she met him and all she knows about him.

My Owen tried to argue and stated that 10 minutes hardly make her sound confident of Jeff's inhumanity, but she refused to bargain any further.

''Well…I guess that's that. What do you say OC? The last word is yours'' Mr Owen asked.

I looked back at the TV.

Jeff's ghost white form rippled within the screen.

How I wished I could've reject Jane's proposal…there were only two days left before my departure and this was by no means an intelligent decision, but I wasn't going to lie to myself any longer.

I want to see him again...

''Let's do it.''

Another 15 minutes passed.

Mr Owen appeared to be delighted with my decision and he briefly ran over all sorts of safety precautions that I should be aware of.

He also handed me a pepper spray 'just in case'.

I listened attentively though I was beginning to feel really anxious.

This could go extremely wrong…

''-I believe that's all there is to know. Just try not to say anything to purposefully provoke him and I'm sure it will turn out well'' he finished giving my shoulder a light pat.

I placed the pepper spray in my coat pocket and made my way toward the door, but before my hand could grasp the handle Jane spoke up.

''I gotta admit, I didn't think you'd do it. I must say I'm impressed by your…'bravery'. Too bad this is the last time we'll see each other'' she spoke with a sly smile on her face.

A dreadful feeling twisted my stomach and for a second I almost lost my nerve, but before I could back out I was escorted outside by Mr Owen.

He walked with me and we stopped right outside the next room's door.

''This is it. Just imagine that he is still tied to the chair. With luck he'll never even move from it…there are guards outside after all'' he pointed at a heavily armed guard standing nearby.

His words did very little to comfort me, but there was no going back now.

If worst comes to worst I'm sure I can buy myself a minute or two, I'm not completely useless at fighting after all.

Let's just hope that won't be necessary.

. . .

Mr Owen left and I lightly knocked on the door.

Not expecting a response I slowly opened it and walked inside.

Jeff was sitting in his usual chair staring right at me and Mr Canndlecove was gone...as was Jeff's straitjacket.

His arms freely rested on top of the table.

An A class criminal. . .

. . .was in no way restrained.

I did a double take on my stupidity before cautiously approaching the chair to sit down.

''Oh? No greetings this time?'' Jeff cooed ''could it be that there's something…frightening you?''

He raised his arms and stretched cracking his back in the process, as if to emphasize his point.

I sat down, cleared my throat and began flipping through the papers on my notepad.

''Well…I'd be lying if I said no. I'm nervous, but I hope that this will not spoil our discussion. I actually have a personal question for you today.''

He bent his head to one side ''really now? Go ahead then.''

I considered him.

He appeared to be in a calm mood today and I hoped he'd stay that way for as long as possible.

''Actually, I was wondering why you wanted to hold these discussions with me in the first place. Why me, why not someone else?'' I asked trying to sound as neutral as possible.

Jeff took a sharp breath making me jump ''you know, that's what they always say…'why me'…I never quite understood the question myself.''

I immediately realized that he was referring to his victims and glared at his amused looking face.

Not a hint of remorse...

Sicko...

What happened next made me freeze.

Without a single care, Jeff stood up and walked towards one of the cameras in the upper corner of the room.

I sat as still as a brick, watching his every move.

He shifted his weight from one foot to another staring right at the camera.

He was unexpectedly tall and his legs were really long. It would be a safe bet to assume his entire body was athletic too.

Probably from avoiding capture for so long...

I wondered how and where he hid all that time. What did he do? How did he survive?

His life must've been completely unimaginable to someone like me, who grew up within comfort and safety.

...This was my first time seeing him stand as well.

Apart from in my dream that is- - - -

My body instantly flushed from the memory.

I slapped my flaming cheeks feeling like an utter idiot.

Snap out of it!

Jeff whipped around and I instantly straightened my spine gawking at him as if I'd been caught with my pants down.

After a short awkward pause, he began walking toward me.

I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Upon reaching the table, he placed two fingers on top of it sweeping them along with him across the smooth wooden surface.

Closer and closer…

He was a foot or two away from me when his hand flew up from the table and landed on the top rail of my chair.

He walked around, standing right behind me and gripped the other side of the chair with his free hand.

About 4 or 5 minutes had passed since I'd entered the room, there was no way Mr Owen would interfere.

I'll need to handle this situation myself!

My hand traveled to my pocket and clutched the pepper spray. I had no idea what to expect though...

I could feel a force pull my weight backwards.

''Do you remember what I told you before?-''

He kept pulling the chair downwards. Its front legs parted from the floor and my feet dangled in the air.

The gravity shifted until I was practically lying on the chair instead of sitting on it.

Jeff leaned over.

His face emerged right above mine.

Raven hair tickled my cheeks as he stared down at me with an unblinking gaze.

It was so disturbing and yet so...close.

''-I have other plans for you…'' he purred with a wide cheshire grin.

Only a hands reach away...

. . .