Page 130 of Psycho Pack

Drugs wearing off, but still there.

Watch my other brother's shoulders slowly relax.

He keeps looking over at me.

Looking at Valek.

Then looking at me again.

The silence stretches between us.

Not comfortable.

Not yet.

But getting there.

Maybe.

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Thane asks.

Meet his eyes.

What? I sign.

"The treatment they offered," Thane says.

His dark eyes are serious.

I shrug.

Could make me look worse,I sign back.

"Maybe," Thane admits. "But it might make the scars less painful. That would be worth it, wouldn't it?"

Touch my face through the scarf again.

Not sure.

Don't think it would be.

"Ivy would think so," Thane continues, his voice dropping lower. Gentler. "Trust me, she'd rather you feel better. She doesn't care what you look like, and I think you know that, too."

I want to believe that.

Small part of me does.

I care,I sign pointedly.

"You could eat without it hurting so much," Thane adds.

My hand freezes in Valek's hair.

How does he know about that?

Have I been that obvious?

"I notice things," Thane continues. "I see how you flinch sometimes when you swallow. You won't eat around anyone else, but I'm sure that isn't any easier."