After hearing Christian's startling confession, Dr Thelma decided it was time to have a private conversation with his parents.

She took the voice recording home and listened to the pattern of his voice, over and over again. She fell asleep hearing the boy's tiny voice.

His story was so tragic and so believable. He looked like such a wimp that it wouldn't have been hard to picture him being bullied by a domineering sister. Even his father seemed like a big bully.

Whenever she played the voice recording, she kept feeling like she was missing something. She didn't know what it was but she could just tell.

For days, this thought plagued her. There was just something about the boy that didn't add up.

He had told the story with the right amount of sorrow and fear but Dr Thelma still didn't feel convinced that he was telling her the full story.

At the end, she decided to schedule a meeting with his parents for the next session. She sometimes liked to speak to them to see how much progress was being made.

Dr Thelma sat in her office, sipping her coffee when her receptionist announced an arrival.

A few seconds later, a knock was heard.

"Yes? Come in." Dr Thelma said.

Delilah, Christian's mother seemed so shaky and scared that Dr Thelma even considered recommending a psychologist for her.

"Hello, Mrs Roberts. It's a pleasure. Although, I was expecting to see your husband here as well." Dr Thelma said.

"He had other engagements. He sends his regards." Delilah shivered.

"That's fine. There are occasions where I like to involve the guardians in the sessions and this is one of them. I'd like to say I believe we've made a lot of progress so far." Dr Thelma said.

"That's great. I just want him to get better. I want us to forget about it all." Delilah didn't meet Dr Thelma's eyes.

"I'm sure you know that Mr Roberts came to my office during one of our sessions and voiced his disapproval." Dr Thelma said.

Delilah's eyes flashed with defiance.
"He didn't believe Christian needed therapy. He wants everyone to be as strong as he is but we aren't." She said tightly.

"How did that make you feel?" Dr Thelma asked.

"My husband and I don't agree on everything. I wanted my son to get help. Christian wanted to get help as well." Delilah said.

"He did? I thought the therapy was all your idea." Dr Thelma said in shock.

Delilah blushed.
"It wasn't, actually. Christian came to me and mentioned it but I'm sorry to say I brushed it off. I'm not really keen on psychologists—no offense."

"None taken. But if you weren't keen, why did you agree?" Dr Thelma asked.

"He started having nightmares shortly after. I couldn't stand how scared he was." Delilah said.

"Who recommended me to you?" Dr Thelma felt a sick feeling in her gut.

"Christian's always been such a self sufficient boy. He was the one who found out about you and said he wanted you to be his shrink." Delilah said.

Dr Thelma digested that. She kept feeling like she was still missing something.

"Has he spoken about what happened the day his sister...y'know? I know there's the whole confidentiality thing but you can tell me right?" Delilah asked suddenly.

"Why do you seem eager to know?" Dr Thelma asked.

"It's because of those kids! The ones who bullied my babies. They keep insisting that they didn't touch either of them. But my daughter's blood was on their clothes. Even the police are beginning to think they didn't kill her. They're even starting to think Christian did it. It's insane!" Delilah said.

"Is that so?" Dr Thelma asked.

"I believe it's the thought of them getting away with what they did that keeps bothering my baby. He breaks down whenever they try to make him testify. It's so sad. But I'm sure those kids did it. I'm sure." Delilah said even though the 'baby' was a 16 year old boy.

"Usually, grown ups don't notice but was there ever a reported case of bullying in the past? A case involving your son?" Dr Thelma asked.

"Well....no. But he could have been hiding it well." Delilah said.

"True. I appreciate you coming here to meet me, Mrs Roberts."  Dr Thelma said checking her watch.

"It's fine. Thanks for all your help. Is there anything I can do to help him in the mean time?" Delilah asked.

"He simply needs something to get his mind off what happened. I'm not sure school is the best option. Have you considered getting him another dog?" Dr Thelma asked.

"What do you mean?"

"A dog. A pet." Dr Thelma said calmly.

"Christian doesn't like dogs. He doesn't like animals." Delilah looked perplexed.

"Are you sure? He mentioned having a dog once and feeding birds." Dr Thelma said.

"You're mistaken. Caitlin was the one who had the dogs and fed the birds. She was so heartbroken when her little doggie died! Christian didn't seem to like the dog much and vice versa. They didn't get along." Delilah said.

"Is that so?"

"Certainly. Maybe it was just me. I have to get going now. I have a lot of chores to do." Delilah said smiling at Dr Thelma before she left.

Dr Thelma sat brooding in her office for hours after that. Nothing seemed to make sense again but she was sure of one thing.

Christian had lied to her.

But why?

Why did he keep lying?

It didn't make sense to her.

On her way home that Friday night, she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling in her gut. She knew there was something she was missing. A big clue that'd solve this entire puzzling story.

From what Delilah said, it was obvious Christian had lied to her about almost everything. He'd demonized his sister and claimed he'd been harassed by one of the students who he claimed were bullies.

If Christian had lied to her before then he could lie to her again. She didn't trust him one bit.

When she closed from work for the day, she went straight home. She didn't notice the person in a red hoodie standing outside her home.

She went to bed and forgot about her puzzling client.

********************************************

The next morning, Dr Thelma slept in her home, stretching lazily. It was Saturday and she wanted to get as much rest as possible.

She didn't get up from bed until it was afternoon time. She fixed herself something to eat then brought in her mail.

Dr Thelma switched on her TV to watch the local news while she checked her mail. There were a lot of bills to be paid and letters to be replied. There was one letter in particular which looked strange.

It smelt faintly of gasoline and wasn't even stamped. Her name was in front of the envelope so it cleared any doubt in her mind about whether the contents of the mail was for her.

She flipped it over cautiously wondering who had sent the mail. As she did, she became aware of what was being said on her TV.

"...also on today's headlines. A tragic explosion occurred in a home located on the Eastern side of town. It began in the middle of the night and wasn't discovered until dawn. The entire house was destroyed. It has been confirmed that at least two people died in the explosion."  The news anchor said.

Dr Thelma paused and increased the volume of her TV.  Her heart began to hammer hard in her chest. In her head, she already knew what had happened but she still wanted to believe it wasn't possible.

"The police and firemen say they have no leads as to what happened but a source tells us that it was not an accident. There were reported cases where people around could smell gas and it has been alleged that a faulty kitchen socket sparked which led to this fatal occurrence. This is the second time in a few months that tragedy has struck the illustrious family of Engr. Charles Robert."

Dr Thelma saw some pictures of Mrs Roberts and her husband on her TV screen. She was stunned when she realized she had seen the woman the previous day.

"What is even more astounding about this is the fact that their 16 year old son, Christian Roberts was nowhere to be found. This is the same family who recently experienced the tragic loss of their daughter to alleged bullying. We do not know if the boy was in the fire or what really happened that night. We shall give more update...."

Dr Thelma switched off her TV after that.

She was breathing hard and fast. Her chest felt tight. She couldn't believe her ears.

How could this have happened?

What on earth had happened?

What she heard wasn't as terrible as the typed letter on her lap. It read:

I figured out that it wouldn't take you long to piece the puzzle together. You're a smart woman which was why I fell in love with you in the first place. I'm pleased to know you'd be the first to know my story.

Death is a beautiful thing, isn't it?

It was so easy acting the role of the troubled teenager when indeed I was the one behind my sister's death. I planned it methodologically but the only thing I didn't account for was possible witnesses. It was a pity those stupid kids saw me when I did it. That was my only mistake. I failed you then, didn't I?

I've always liked the idea of hiding behind a mask. No one even suspected I could have killed her except you. I knew you'd be smart enough to tell I was putting up an act.

In case you haven't figured it out(or if you're showing this to the cops who aren't half as sharp as you are), I'll spell it out in simple terms.

I killed my sister, I killed my father and I killed my stupid bitch of a mother. It was so much fun and so fascinating. I'm proud that I was able to carry it off to the last letter. I wish I could tell you how I did it but I'd like to keep somethings secrets. I wouldn't want to lose my charm.

As for motive? There are quite a few. I don't know. I guess I'm just crazy. Killing them was the best thing I could ever have done. It is what you should have done to your family.

I also did it for you. I'd noticed you for years and read several of your books and articles of psychology. It's easy to say it was love at first sight. I wanted to plan it all perfectly so you could see just how smart I am. We would be a perfect match, right?

By the time you're reading this, I'll be long gone but I still intend to come back for you. We have a lot to discuss so don't get yourself killed before then. There's no point trying to run because there's no place you'd go to where I wouldn't find you. That's how love works.

It was a pleasure meeting you Dr Thelma. You are a woman of remarkable beauty and intelligence. I fall asleep each day dreaming about kissing your beautiful lips and running my hand through your hair. You're so cold and so smart.  It's so sexy!

Remember when you once said you'd like to know the real me? Well, here I am! I'm just a crazy kid who likes torturing and killing things.

Life is a story and death is the end. I like knowing that I ended three stories before I left. It makes me feel amazing. I hope to end even more stories in the future.

It's a pity I'm underaged. I've admired you for quite a while and I'm pleased I got to meet you in person. I wouldn't have minded being your lover. Perhaps in a few years, you'll also come to love me. I'm willing to wait.

~C.

She trembled in shock. She couldn't believe what she had just read. At that moment, everything suddenly made sense.

She remembered the way he had spoken about books and creating an alternate world. She had known he had lied to her and he'd chosen her to be his psychologist just so he could brag about murdering his entire family.

Christian Roberts was a psychopath.

She stretched out her hand for her phone to call the police but she knew the boy would be long gone before then.

#MenteMelan🖤💀