She needed to talk to him anyhow

I walked over to him. "What are you doing?"

"Tessa, what a delightful surprise. Nothing concerning I mind you, just trying my hand at a little challenge," he said while still focusing on the lock. "What can I do for you?"

"Are you lock picking your own door? Oh and I just wanted to make sure I got my prize for the date," I said.

"Yes, I saw you passed with flying colors. Just let me know when you want to cash the prize," he said. "And yes. I am trying to pick my own lock."

"Why?" I asked. It was strange. I hated this man. I wanted to hurt him but... he was just so chipper. It felt so... weird. It made me think he was a psychopath but no wait. The **** calm feeling? I was feeling calm. Did that make it harder for me to hate him?

"As I said Tessa. Just a challenge," he said with a smile. "Just as I challenge my students. I challenge myself."

I felt... so detached. Like I was watching a movie or playing a videogame. My body was exhausted and my mind **** calm. I just felt... no need to leave. I sat in a chair next to him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Tessa," he said laughing a bit. "You have been doing nothing but asking me questions. But yes. I am your teacher. I am always going to answer your questions to the best of my ability."

I smirked. "You just made a promise. I might be able to use that against you."

"I didn't have a choice. I am compelled to be honest remember. Plus, that is the point, to give you advantages. It's odd to see you saw calm," he said.

"That's your fault," I said. "Seriously though. Why do you do this? To all of us? What did I ever do to deserve it?"

He set the lock pick down and looked at me. "Let's go get something to eat. I know a good place."

"Why not," I said. Wait. Was that... weird? It should be shouldn't it? Logically I just wanted to punch him or run away or cry or maybe all three. Maybe now that I was calm, they all seemed so pointless.

He ended up taking me to a fancy restaurant. It had a huge aquarium in the middle of the place. He pointed to it. A waiter was looking over to Samuel. He nodded and dropped a fish into the tank. A moment later it was dashing off and eventually caught and eaten by another bigger fish.

"What did the small fish do to deserve it?" he asked.

Oh. A metaphor. "Nothing. It just was unlucky. So your saying. I'm just unlucky? Food to the bigger predator?"

"I must say I like this more pacified Tessa. All the brains, none of the punching," he said. "You missed something." He pointed to a tube. A small tunnel that led to a smaller tank. The predator fish couldn't make it over there.

I laughed. "So that's if I win. You know that comparing me to a fish is a bit dehumanizing?"

He shrugged. "Humans find themselves to be so special," he said. "I don't get it. I'm not special. I have physical and mental needs and I sate them, indifferent to the cost. I am no different than a the big fish, hunting. Except my game is a bit more complicated."

"You make it sound like you're more a **** of nature than a monster?" I said.

A waiter came to speak to us. "Welcome to Alice's restaurant We have just about everything."

Samuel ordered a chef's salad. I ordered a hamburger.

"I am more of a **** of nature, whether you accept that or not is up to you," he said.

Those words. I felt a fire lighting in my chest. Wait, the calmness was wearing off. I clenched my fists.

"Interesting. Gonna go and storm off now?" he asked.

I wanted too. Why was I here? Having lunch with a psychopath anyhow! Wait, I remembered. I... wanted help. The rage in my chest was making it harder to think. I had to make a choice and fast. "I want help. Will you help me?" I felt tears sliding down my cheek.

He touched my hands. "Of course Tessa."

I jerked my hands away. "I... your lying. You could end this whenever you want."

He nodded. "That would make me a lair Tessa. Your losing your calmness. It was helping you. You were so close to the right answer Tessa. Trigger it to come back."

"You're asking me to brainwash myself! If you think that is helpful. Why don't you just do it. Why make me?" I asked.

"Because it was always your choice. Every action. Every struggle. Every act of defiance or pettiness. They all have hurt you. Right now you have two choices Tessa. Give into it or don't. I would never dream of taking that from you. It would make this moment so meaningless if I did."

That... word. That one word and I would be calm again. I might enjoy this lunch that way. But... was that the right move? I wanted so deeply to get my autonomy back! I had only made this situation worse for myself. The fire was growing stronger in my chest. I dug my nails into my palm. He was right. One way or another. I had to make a choice!