Dead.

My ass was beginning to lose blood circulation, so I got up. There wasn’t much room to walk around in, but I managed to walk around the table a few times before sitting back down. I was exhausted due to the fact that bags were forming underneath my eyes, and maybe walking around wasn't such a good idea. I kicked up my feet onto the table, and leaned my head back. My eyelids were getting heavy, and just about when I felt myself dozing off-the creaky door had opened.

“Wake up, Iero!” Toro’s voice called, making me jump in my seat.

I wiped my eyes, letting them adjust to Toro. I mumbled, “I’m tired, Toro.”

He didn’t reply as he grabbed a chair that was handed to him, placing it on the other side of the table. He pulled out a green folder, before scattering the papers that were inside onto the table. He placed his fingers onto one of the papers, “You were born on October 31st 1981.” He dragged the paper near me, showing me my birth certificate.

I shrugged, “Uh, okay…”

Toro glanced at me before pointing his finger onto another paper, “This is the report of animal abuse when you were 08. You tied your dog up, wrapping a wire around his neck and squeezed it deep into skin. Your parents, who passed away recently in a fire, reported it as an accident by a child. Though, others suspected you did it on purpose.”

I did do it on purpose. I was young, and very curious. I knew at a young age if I committed murder I would get away with it-but I also knew targeting a human would be a too much of a big risk. So my dog, Chapy, had to be my little guinea pig. I got away with it, but my parents knew what I had done on purpose. They had told me, “You’re crazy...you’re too young to understand...but you’re just like your cousin.”

I understand now.

Toro pointed at another paper, “This is your family history. Your cousin, who murdered your parents, was reported as a psychopath.” Toro retrieved his hand, “Iero, even if everyone is still debating, it is said that maybe this illness is genetic.”

I looked at him, “Debatable. It’s controversial.”

Toro didn't blink, “I’ve been up for hours...looking at yours and Gerard’s files. You have a very sad background, and I empathy you.” He paused, “You cousin had no reason to murder your parents...you were very young.”

His words echoed in my head, and my stomach twirled. I felt sick hearing him talking about my mom and dad...mommy and daddy. The flames rose high, and I was meant to die too. But at a young age of 10, I didn’t even panic. I crawled my way out of my window, knowing fresh air was outside. When my body fell out of the 04ft window, the fire burning from inside the house had reflected my eyes.

Toro continued, “You were brave to pass through the forest to your far neighbors.”

The scene of me breathing heavily, running through the forest ad passed my mind. I was running away from the fire, knowing I couldn't do anything about the cries of my mom and dad burning.

And I cried in front of Toro. I hadn’t cried for a very long time. So when the tears had fallen, it surprised me. I looked up to Toro, and snarled through my cries, “Shut up.” My teeth had tighten immensely, “Shut up you fucking pig.” I added, “I don’t need your empathy.” Anger and sadness didn’t feel like a great combination. I hated every aspect of emotions. I’d rather be an emotionless robot again, fooling myself that I had no emotions.

Toro pointed to another piece of paper, “This is you when you were 11. You were sent to live with your aunt. She died a few months later, breaking her neck when she "accidentally" fell down the stairs.” Toro’s voice became more aggressive, “Did you push her, Iero?”

I did. I did push her. She was old, frail, a fucking bitch. She wouldn’t let me eat ice cream before bed-I hated everything about her. She hit me a few times, so I took the chance to push her down the stairs. And it worked. She’s dead. And I remember being so happy. I lived alone after that for a few months until I was dragged to a group home until I turned 18.

Toro pointed to a plain image of Amber, “She was violated and stabbed multiple times,” His anger was showed in his voice, “Did you kill her, Iero?”

I paused-I knew what he was doing. This was a way to get a confession. He was trying to break me down mentally, admitting my mistakes. My hands wrapped into a fist, and I felt so used, “You don’t care.” I said softly, but he did not hear. He didn’t care about me, he cared about his fucking confession.

He gained some respect from me in all honestly.

But not a confession.

I shook my head, “No. I didn’t.” I looked at him, my tears had stopped, “I don’t even know who she is.”

Toro locked his eyes with mine. He didn’t respond in any way as he gathered the papers, placing them back into the folder. He said softly, “You win this time, Iero. Don’t expect a win everytime.” He warned, “I'm determined to expose you and Gerard."

Notes