The Pawn and The Puppet (The Pawn and The Puppet #1)

by Brandi Elise Szeker

Before we go in,” Suseas exhales unsteadily. “I must ask again. Are you absolutely certain you desire to meet this patient?” I resist the urge to twist a strand of hair between my fingers. “Because, to be absolutely frank… I wouldn’t wish this encounter on my worst enemy.”

“You will find yourself going mad in this room, Miss Ambrose. He has a way of snaking around inside your head. Don’t be fooled; this is all a part of his game.”

I’ll tell you what”— he sets down his plate, running his hand over the lining of his jaw—“when this game is finally over. I promise you will know everything I know.” “That’s a big promise.” “Fortunately for you, I don’t break promises.” “Says the murderer… having an identity crisis.” I smile.

Isn’t that grand? All of us, together, outside of the asylum?” It sounds similar to being waterboarded.

“If I’m in the mood for food poisoning or the electric chair, I’ll stop by.”

Laughing is hard when you’re always fighting the urge to keep from crying.

“If you’re going to be stupid, then I want you to be stupid with a good right hook.”

Fair enough. Although she's being stupid for you

“Wait, you want me to be the attacker?!” I take a step back. “I thought we were trying to avoid poking my eye out?”

I. Want. To. Die. I’d prefer death just to escape this moment.

Thank you, Ruth. Maybe you are an expert at flirting.

The thought of living and him not being on this earth anymore is unbearable.

Everyone I’ve ever loved—all gone—all chose to leave.