Frank’s eyes traveled back to his cuffed hands. He let out a weak cry, “D-dectective, I don’t wanna go to prison.” His voice trembled and his body shook in fear. He sniffed, “Everything I’ve done was for him. He helped me, you know? He beat the shit out of Nixon when he saw him raping me during school.” He cried, “He was the only one who showed he cared.”

Ray tucked in his lips, “Frank, I want to help you.” He leaned in a bit, “Your parents did not come but they agreed to allow you a psych evaluation from our office.” He gave Frank a reassuring look, “Everything will be okay.”

Frank was left alone again. He could feel his own jaw tighten. A psych evaluation? What would that determine? Frank could feel his body steadying a bit. When the door opened, he quickly looked and saw someone he was not expecting. The guy looked so illuminating, Frank was expecting someone as bland as the room. The stranger smiled, “Hello. My name is Dr. Stump-but you can call me Patrick.” He sat on the empty seat and took out a notepad. He gave Frank a small smile, “Tell me somethin about you, Iero.”

Frank’s cheeks flushed pink, “I-I don’t know what to say.”

Patrick pulled out a pen from his pocket, “Well, let me ask you a few questions then.” He asked, “How old are you?”

Frank didn’t know what Patrick’s game was, “I’m 17.”

“Frank Iero the 17 year old.” He giggled lightly. He looked at Frank, “What makes you happy?”

“Gerard.” Frank paused soon after, realizing how quickly he answered the question.

It didn’t seem to affect Patrick who was smiling and writing down Gerard’s name on his notepad. He asked not looking up from his notepad, “What makes you sad?”

Frank didn’t know what but something inside him had completely burst. He cried out with tears coming down his cheeks, “Abandonment, neglect,” He was crying in cuffs, looking down to his lap.

Again, Patrick did not seem affected. He casually wrote down the words and asked, “What makes you angry?”

Frank’s eyes jolted open, “Nixon, my parents,” He tightened his jaw, “I’m so tired, I just want to sleep.”

Patrick set his notepad and pen down before grabbing a folder. He pulled out some photos. He quietly set a picture down of Mikey in front of Frank. Frank scanned the picture, “Mikey,” Was all he said. Patrick stared at Frank before placing a photo of Nixon on top of Mikey’s photo. Frank looked up to Patrick and angrily said, “What are you trying to do?”

Patrick did not reply. His facial expression was empty as he set a picture of Gerard on top of Nixon’s. Frank’s body warmed up. He was shedding tears again, “Gerard ..” He leaned his forehead on the image, “I miss you so much.”

Patrick smiled a bit. He placed a photo of Frank on top of Gerard’s. Frank stared at himself. He looked away, “What’s your deal?” He asked Patrick.

Patrick replied, “We’re done here.”

Frank’s eyes widened, “Wait what-”

Patrick didn’t give him the chance to talk. He walked out of the room, leaving the images of the people Frank knew. Patrick stepped outside of the room to meet with Ray. Ray asked, “So? What’s your analysis?”

“Based on his emotions and response to the images, he’s filled with hatred. He really is a disturbed child.” Patrick scrunched up his nose, “There was only two people who set him off-Nixon and Gerard. One is already dead but Gerard is still alive. He has abandonment issues so he wouldn’t dare try to let go of Gerard so easily. Gerard is a trigger.”

Ray looked at Frank, “What’s lowest possible sentencing I can negotiate?”

“A psychiatric hospital until he gets better and 8 years probation-oh, and a restraining order for Gerard.”

Ray sighed, “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. As for the Way brothers, are you willing to give them an analysis as well?”

“Of course,” Patrick grinned, “It is my job.”

---

Mikey bit his bottom lip. He can sense Patrick staring at him from across the table. Mikey muttered, “Are ya gonna say something or what?”

Patrick smiled, “What were your feelings toward Frank and Gerard before the incident?”

“Uh, well, I always had a crush on Frank and as for Gerard, he’s my brother. I love them both.”

Patrick hummed, “Do you?”

Mikey paused, “What do you mean?”

“From what Gerard has said to Detective Toro, you were willing to defend Frank at any moment. And he also said you shut the door, allowing Frank do what he wanted to Gerard,” Patrick raised a brow, “What if Frank raped him? Beat him? Killed him? It doesn't sound like you love your brother after all."

“Now wait a goddamn minute,” Mikey shouted, “Frank wouldn’t do that. First of all, he loves me and wouldn’t jeopardize our relationship by hurting my brother-I trust him. Secondly, he wouldn’t hurt Gerard in the first place. I’ve seen how he looks at him ..” Mikey lowered his eyes, “I’ve seen how Frank melts when Gerard touches him or gives him the smallest attention ..” Mikey broke out of his trance and yelled, “Frank wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone without being triggered.”

Patrick leaned in toward Mikey and quietly said, “You’re doing it again. You’re defending him.”

Mikey’s body cringed. He realized Patrick was right. Mikey’s eyes watered until he cried out, “Ohgod, help me,” He wept as Patrick picked up his things and left out of the room. He shut the door behind him before facing Ray, “He has stockholm syndrome alright.” Patrick tucked in his lips, “This is nothing new but reports show that 73% of victims show no compassion for their captors.”

Ray replied, “Looks like Mikey was one of the unlucky ones.”

“It’s treatable.” Patrick said, “So he is lucky afterall.”

---

Gerard’s fingers twirled together as Patrick laid eyes on him. Gerard said, “For a guy who looks like a sunflower, you’re very quiet.”

“Sunflowers can’t talk.” Patrick replied.

Gerard gave a small snicker but it quickly ended. He crossed his arms across his chest and started to comfort himself by rubbing his arms. Patrick noticed it. Patrick asked, “Cold?”

Gerard shook his head, “Scared .. I feel alone.”

“Nothing therapy and medication can help.” Patrick asked, “What are your feelings toward Frank?”

Gerard growled, “He’s crazy.”

“No compassion?”

“Barely. He raped me, hit me, and kidnapped me and my brother. I hate him so much but I know he’s sick. The tiniest things make him trigger and they all involve me .. it’s scary. All I did was help someone and this is what I’m getting in return.” Gerard muttered, “I’m never trusting anyone again.”

“Never? That seems excessive.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Gerard whimpered, “Am I going to prison?”

“Prison? Not likely.” Patrick stood up, “I’ll see you soon.”

When Patrick met up with Ray outside the room, Ray said, “Why did you say that? We can’t promise anything.”

"Frank’s mental state, Mikey’s stockholm syndrome and Gerard’s anxiety along with trauma-I won’t allow it.” Patrick hummed, "The court date is next week and before then I want to give them each an hour therapy per day. Where will they be staying?"

"They'll all be separate. Each of them will be living in a house far from one another under the supervision of officers. In this small town, there isn't enough room to be putting them behind bars."

Patrick nodded, "Seems risky but it's a good choice."

"Stump, whatever new information you receive for the case no matter if it's their mental state or something to do with Nixon, you are to report it to me."

"No problem, boss." Patrick grinned.

Notes

xo