::::::::I really do deserve more credit

        for not acting on the evil,

       twisted thoughts that run

       through my head daily.::::::::

I rubbed my hands, again and again until I felt the skin tearing. Not quite enough to calm my nerves, my heart was literally throbbing out my chest.

I'm a professional, people have expectations from me- Just how many times had I repeat these words in my mind? I wanted perfection. Perfection was white, just like the color in dad's old lab coat. No mistakes, no complaints, an easy life. I just needed to follow it's right directions. Every single thing is always planned beforehand, even our date of death that's what he used to say.

The tall, pale nurse cleared her throat, hitting her long, noticeably decorated nails on the waiting table, the sound almost echoing through the hallways filled with emptiness. I narrowed my eyes, lifting my gaze to her dull face.

''Mr. Daver if I'm right? Please follow me, patient 9 is expecting you'' She murmured in a mundane manner, her heels making small noises as she walked away. I was expected to follow her, although had I the confidence? I wasn't gonna face a regular patient, no, far from it. The problem wasn't exactly physical, only the mind was peculiar, but that was the less horrifying way to put it. Human mind is like a clock, of course it's indicator can be changed to our desires, but normal people would leave it to show the right time without turning it around unnecessarily. Normal people don't have the appetite of a killer.

Our little amble came to an end once we reached the 'gates' to the room the unstable patient was expecting my appearance. I'm pretty sure he wasn't really interested in the whole procedure, 'expecting' was just a figure of speech. The most possible scenario was that he wasn't even thinking of himself as mentally deranged, why would he want to change in the first place?

Her slender hand, slowly turned the handle but at the last minute I grabbed her wrist, stopping her from pushing open the metallic door. Her face crunched up in disgust, removing her arm from my light grip immediately. She probably thought I was a freak, sending 'daggers' with her eyes. ''You fucking jerk! I'm fed up with all of you!'' She yelled, stomping away and pushing down the nearby trashcan. I simply affixed my glasses, deciding to ignore her tantrum. Judging from her reaction, she probably had many problems going on with her superiors. Either way, now I finally had my 'alone' time to relax before I proceed inside since the scenery was already quite depressing.

I swallowed hard, finally finding the courage to do my job. I wasn't incompetent nor a coward and I wouldn't turn into one. Not today.

However, when I entered the room, the first thing I saw was a small white table with two empty chairs on each side, not a person, moreover not my patient. I sat patiently in one of the chairs, waiting for him to arrive. To be truthful, I felt kinda relieved that I had more time to think over my 'plan'. It was 50/50 I was gonna either succeed or totally fail.

The sound of footsteps set me on alert. I fixed the tie on my suite and cleared my throat. I had to look presentable and intimidating enough, I had to show him that I wasn't gonna get anything other than what I wanted. The truth. I wasn't gonna disappoint the people that put their trust on me, I would prove them that I was equally good or even better than my father. I couldn't fail. Not now that they finally accepted me.

The door swung open, revealing an FBI guard, which for some reason seemed to be rather irritated. He pushed roughly a taller, blond man, forcing him to sit on the chair from the other side. There was a strange spark in the man's light gray eyes, something that made him seem like an honest person, despite being a killer. He just stared at me in silence, without turning his gaze away for a single moment, not even after the loud sound of the door after the guard pushed it closed.

I opened clumsily my black briefcase, taking out a single pen and my lucky notebook, thinking about what was more appropriate to ask first. I wanted to take my 'answers' without making him feel like I was violating his privacy. I cleared my throat and my gaze connected once again with him. I had to be brave and diplomatic.

''It's nice to meet you patient 9. I'm doctor Daver and I'll be in charge of you. Well, for this year at least...'' I say, trying to detect any flaws out of nervousness in my voice. 9's lips curled slowly, creating a somewhat 'mocking' smile. I felt a shiver run up my spine. I was ashamed, that even for a second I almost lost my confidence.

No, I was a professional and there were many of them that I cured before. But then again, my instinct screamed that I was fooling myself. This was no normal man, for a patient that is.

Seth Coldstone.

6'5 feet tall, twenty eight years old, accused for murder of twenty four males and eight females. His reason questionable, claiming it was out of pure boredom. He was known as the mutilator due to the missing body parts of his victims.

That was the only words from the report that remained in my mind. He was going to be a difficult one.

''So, tell me 9, I heard you used to live in Michigan, why did you move to New York?'' I ask. He smiled wider, his eyes seeming to scan my face for any sign of something. If I had to guess that would be fear. He wouldn't win.

''Seth. That's my name 'doctor'. Let me see those plump lips of yours pronounce it'' His voice was like a velvet, kind of husky, the sort of voice you'd hear from an actor. Well, technically speaking he was one, being a predator such a skill is always needed.

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat ''I'm very sorry, but i cannot grand you that request. Such familiarities are unnecessary'' I say in a muffled voice. This was humiliating.

He moved his chair closer to the small table, raising his eyebrows. ''I'm offended, didn't you come here to learn more about me doctor?'' He asks, his previous smirk not leaving his face for a single second. Something about him told me he was pleased with my reactions.

''That's right, but i don't get how calling you by your code-name affects that'' I utter, hoping that i was somehow proving my point. I swear, his eyes were almost planting holes in my body.

''But... In order to learn about me, we have to be 'familiar' '' He frowned, his chin resting on the table when he lowered his head.