The Shrink Program

PART FIVE

"But I actually have better things to be doing right now, so please let go of me."

The first thing I saw was the smile.

The amused eyes that met my own.

All in the same face as the person standing before us.

Twins.

"Ah, so it does speak. I was beginning to wonder." The brother holding me murmured, watching me curiously as I glared up at him.

"Though I thought you would start crying or something. Isn't that the normal thing children do?"

My eyes narrowed in irritation.

"Would you rather it if I cried?"

"Perhaps." The boy mused, looking up at the sky. "Alex always reacts in the same way, and Olly never bites, but you..."

He looked back down at me with a cheerful smile.

"... Seem like you would be a fun one to torment."

Though I'm sure it wouldn't show on my skin, I felt myself grow pale.

I had faced bullies in the past. This was different...worse...

The same sort of person I am.

"And you accuse me of not being normal... " I murmured, scowling back coldly. "Manipulation and petty distractions. If you weren't so emotionally stunted, you'd be able to comfort your brother the traditional way, rather than resorting to such obnoxious tactics."

The Jerk's eyes widened in surprise.

I blinked.

"Just saying."

In the following silence, both brothers stared at me. When they eventually spoke, it was at once.

"...Creepy... "

"...Cool!"

I hissed in surprise as I was suddenly pressed into a bone-crushing hug.

Emphasis on the bone-crushing.

So much for scaring him off with psychology...

"... Alan, put that thing back where it came from... Or so help me... " The grumpy brother began only to cut off with a squawk when Alan shoved me towards him.

"Quick! Quick! Do Alex!"

"What!? No!" Alex yelped, actually backing away.

I sent a wary look over my shoulder at Alan.

"I'd rather not."

"I'll leave you alone if you do. "Alan promised, gaze sincere.

" Hey... "Alex said, starting to sound nervous as I slowly turned to look at him.

Thinking about it.

Face red, the moody twin crossed his arms threateningly.

"Stop pointing that thing at me, Alan! Or I'll... "

"Guilt," I announced flatly, meeting the horrified eyes of the older twin brother. "Self-loathing. Loneliness. Anyone can see that you're miserable. That you make yourself miserable by focusing on nothing but regret." I lowered my gaze to the ground.

Alan asked me to do this... Said it was cool...

What an idiot.

"No wonder your brother can't interact to you honestly. You're an emotional Vampire. Any love offered to you is returned with despair."