Due to some personal health issues, the update for Vice Virtue will unfortunately be delayed. I hope to complete it by the end of this week, but in the meantime, I wanted to leave you all with something...

This hidden game scene is written in wake of the conversation between both Torin Bulregard & Larson Beckford Jr. Which takes place in the Book 1, Prologue of “Vice Virtue.” Following the line; 

“A team, I'm giving [Y/N] a team…”

Serenity, Private Psychiatry Practice.

Dr Torin Bulregard's Office…

Tori’s POV

“Will that be all?” Lars asks, lifting his arm up slightly to peer down at his expensive, name brand watch. The question draws my attention to the office clock, hung against the spotless ivory walls…

It’s certainly getting late…

“Yes.” I answer, turning my gaze back to the glacial figure before me.

Lars nods, “Then, I’ll take my leave.” Standing, he adjusts his dark tailored suit, quickly I rise from my seat to see him out. Saddened by his upcoming departure…

It’s a shame that our meetings only consist of work and the well-being of his only child.

“Torin…” Lars pauses on our way to the door.

I blink up at him, craning my neck to peer into his icy pupils, compensating for our vast height difference.

“Yes?” I ask hopefully…

Desperately wanting the man before me to ask to discuss another topic, wishing to spend more time in each other’s company. Confined to the quiet safety of my well furbished office…

Unfortunately, nothing but a silly pipe dream…

And something vastly out of character for a man such as Lars.

“I want you to know that I do in fact appreciate all of your hard work.” He states calmly, his words are warm but the look on his face is anything but…

Regardless of my quiet disappointment, a shy smile dances on the edge of my lips…

It may not be what I had hoped for…

But none the less…

I appreciate his praise.

“Thank you.” I breathe out, feeling like a child again…

All those years ago…

When Lars first took notice of my “stellar” work ethic, far beyond that of my younger years.

The very moment when he first complimented my intelligence and acute attention to detail. 

Those days…

Those wonderful years…

Where he was just….

There.

Lars’ steely gaze passes over me in cold observation…

“But I have to ask…”

“Hm?” I tilt my head in curiosity, urging him forward...

Despite the inordinate dread creeping up my spine…

“Yes, please continue.”

Lars’ steely gaze sharpens, latching onto my timorous ocean blue eyes…

“Do you feel guilty?”

The unexpected question hits me like a ton of bricks, causing a pitiful bubble of laughter to rise from the back of my throat…

“You mean do I feel ‘guilty’ about backstabbing my childhood friend?” I start.

“The same ‘friend’ who entrusted me with their deepest, darkest secrets. Who used to seek solace in my presence when we were children, their confidant.” 

I can’t help the humourless chuckle that seeps out of me. “A ‘confidant’ who ironically runs to divulge their very nightmares and everlasting trauma to the last person they’d want on earth to hear about it…” I rattle off sarcastically, trying to keep my tone in check.

It's not his fault that I’ve become a ‘backstabbing snake’…

“Of course not.” I answer back stiffly, rolling out the tension in my shoulders.

“It’s as you said, [Y/N]’s feelings are irrelevant. Respecting their wishes falls short to the consequences that would follow.” 

Tilting my head higher, I look up at the older man with conviction. 

“So, ‘no’ Lars, I don’t feel ‘guilty’, not in the slightest. Rather, I’m doing my part, plain and simple.” I respond with surety of my wicked ways…

“Besides…” I trail off. Siezing the moment to speak my truth…

A sad, mocking smile arises, taking hold of my entire face…

“You’d just replace me with someone else to get the job done anyway.” 

A quiet moment passes between us at my accusation…

Causing a wave of anxiety to slowly overtake my body…

Wanting to consume me…

To swallow me whole…

As my mind recalls memories from the past…

That day…

The last time I was together like this with both my mentor and saviour….

The prolonged silence that suffocated the otherwise spacious room…

The eerie quiet…

Shattered by the shallow, sporadic breathing of the body lying next to me… 

The piercing pain…

The haunting screams…

The broken moans…

The carnivorous lust for-

“You haven’t changed.” Lars declares, thankfully relinquishing the hold of my demons from the past…

If only for a moment…

I blink out of my stupor, taken aback by the sudden statement.

He doesn’t see me any different from the past...?

A light wave of nausea rolls off me in waves at the thought…

“You’ve always been smart, Torin. I’m glad to see that has remained the same.” Lars continues…

Am I dreaming…?

I watch in wonder as Lars’ eyes soften ever so slightly, almost invisible to the naked eye…

A silent victory, I would have sadly missed if I were not standing close enough to take notice…

If I wasn’t watching him so intently…

As always…

“Good night, Torin.” Lars bids me a pleasant ‘good night’, patting my slender shoulder with his large palm…

All too soon, he leaves my office…

Yet, in a shameful attempt to ensure the moment lasts…

I follow him out…

Chasing the subtle softness in his otherwise frigid gaze…

Thump…

Only to be met with the dark shadow of his large silhouette, as Lars smoothly makes his departure out of the building…

I watch him with bated breath, until I can see him no more…

Again, asking myself the same sickening question from all those years ago…

One I have repeatedly asked, since I was but a child…

Searching the dark confines of my mind for an answer…

Only to be met with heavy silence…

………………………..

Lars…

Am I…

‘Special’ to you again…?