We Are Monsters by Brian Kirk Page A

darkness and stars, distant planets and foreign galaxies. There was no sign of the sun.
    They sat and Angela sighed. She scanned the room and then propped her elbow on the table and placed her chin in her hand.
    â€œLook, I’m sorry. It’s been a shitty couple of days. It’s just—”
    â€œHard when I’m away,” Alex said, smiling.
    Angela gave him a mock look of impatience.
    â€œCome on, you can admit it,” he said, teasing. “You missed me.”
    â€œNo,” she said. Her legs were crossed and her top foot began to tap the air. “You just always pick the worst time to take off.”
    â€œWhat a coincidence. It couldn’t be that things just happen to run smoother when I’m here?”
    Angela cupped her hand to muffle her voice. “It’s gotten worse,” she said.
    Alex leaned forward. “Eli?”
    She nodded. A crease formed between her eyes and her brows came together. “The new forensic patient, Crosby Nelson, who you were supposed to meet with, by the way, was admitted this week. Eli met with him instead, and there was some sort of an altercation.”
    â€œJesus, what happened?”
    â€œEvidently Crosby got down in some sort of a football stance like he was going to charge him. One of the orderlies stepped in, but Eli ordered him off. He played chicken with him, or something. I don’t fully understand.”
    Alex barked laughter. “Wait. He did what?”
    â€œI’m telling you, I don’t know. I came in after. He… I guess he pretended to play football with him.”
    Alex was all eyes. He shook his head. “That’s crazy. So what happened?”
    â€œThankfully nothing. Somehow he got Crosby to settle down. The orderly’s pissed, though. He wants to file a complaint.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œThe big guy, Devon. Which is another thing. He had a run-in with your brother. Jerry bit him.”
    â€œChrist, this week has gone off the rails.” And that doesn’t even account for my failed test trial or my wife’s dead dog.
    Angela nodded. She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms.
    From the hallway behind her an orderly pushed a supply cart with a squeaky wheel. From farther down came a deep howling, as if from an angry primate. Alex looked over his shoulder and frowned at the painted wall.
    â€œThat’s why I wanted to see you first thing,” Angela said.
    â€œWell, my first priority is Jerry. Have any charges been filed?”
    â€œNo. There’re some discrepancies surrounding the story. A groundskeeper, a friend of your brother’s, is apparently saying that Devon used unnecessary force.”
    â€œYeah, Jerry’s not violent. You know that.”
    â€œI know. But his condition is just so unpredictable.”
    â€œWell, he’s on the wrong medication. I need to talk with Eli about that. And Crosby. I’ll need to visit with him too. What’s his schedule?”
    â€œWe have a therapy session later today. Can you make it?”
    â€œSure.” Alex checked his watch. “Anything else?”
    â€œWhat about Eli?”
    â€œWhat about him?”
    â€œThe review meeting is coming up. I’m worried.”
    The far hall filled with the sounds of shuffling feet. Two female orderlies came bounding around the corner, preceding the patients into the recreation room, with bright smiles fixed to their faces. They turned and began greeting men and women as they walked in, shouting in cheerful tones.
    â€œCome on, y’all! Good morning. Good morning. Y’all want to play some games? Let’s play us some games, y’all! What do you say?”
    Alex stood and rapped his fore knuckle against the top of the table. “That’s Eli’s problem,” he said. I’ve got enough of my own, he thought as he walked away.

Chapter Nine
    What Randall Rothschild missed more than anything was music. He had lost all his