Lucien
Robert Hogan III, federal prosecutor for the Second District, strides through Whitlow State Hospital, cocksure and arrogant. He’s here to take custody of Lucien Speck. Lucien butchered his family and has been a resident of Whitlow since just before his tenth birthday.
Hogan stares out a window in Chief Physician Dr. Russell’s office. “I’m taking him,” – Hogan pauses and turns to Dr. Russell – “and you can’t legally stop me.” Hogan’s an asshole, but he’s good.
Dr. Russell is incandescent now. “You can’t take him! He’s a ward of the state!”
“He’s 18 now. He’s mine!”
“Lucien is an important patient. We get esteemed doctors from around the world. Diagnosed psychopath at 10. He’s exceedingly rare. There’s so much we still don’t know.”
“I’m sorry I’m taking your prized patient, Dr. Russell. I’m sure the next kid to chop up his family will be all yours. Now,” - another stone cold prosecutor pause – “I want to meet my prisoner.”
“You want to meet him?” Dr. Russell lets out a sardonic laugh.
Dr. Russell summons an orderly. “Put Lucien in the playroom.” Then, quietly, “No straps. No sedation.”
Turning to Hogan, “He’ll be ready in just a moment. Do you want to change into protective gear?”
“I can handle myself. Thanks anyway.”
“As you wish. Out these doors, to the left. The orderly will let you know when Lucien is ready. I’m going to observe your interaction with Lucien from in here, on the monitors.” Smiling, “Always something to learn.”
“No teary-eyed good-bye for your psycho?”
Minutes later, an orderly nods and Hogan enters the tiled ‘playroom’. “What…the…fuuuck?”
Lucien sits, unmoving, looking at the floor. His long hair hides his face.
Hogan squashes his fear. The moment of weakness gone, he walks across the wet floor to where Lucien sits. Hogan squats and tries to see Lucien’s face.
“Listen, you fuckin’ freak. You have these doctors fooled with your psycho bullshit. I’m not so easy to fool. I’m putting you on trial for murder. You’re gonna rot in jail, then you’re gonna rot in hell.”
Instantly, Lucien’s hand grabs Hogan’s throat. Ringlets of blood form around Lucien’s fingers where they dig into Hogan’s flesh. Hogan clutches Lucien’s wrist. Lucien uses his free hand to grab Hogan’s hair.
Lucien opens his mouth wide and bites Hogan’s face, his teeth sinking into the flesh on either side of Hogan’s nose. Lucien’s mouth clenches, tearing Hogan’s nose and half his face off. Lucien bites again and shreds Hogan’s lips. Hogan can only thrash around, the pain searing his face and head. Lucien’s fingers and thumb, like talons, penetrate Hogan’s throat, crushing his larynx.
Lucien releases Hogan. Hogan, on the floor, writhes in pain. His fingers touch his cheek bones. Blood soaks the floor.
Lucien sits back, his face and hands drenched in blood.
Dr. Russell stares at the grainy picture on the monitor. He turns to an orderly and sighs. “Dear me. It appears our guest may need medical attention.”