The Game - 19. Chapter 19

Shaun was unusually subdued when he went back downstairs. His mind was racing. He was stunned. By the transformation that had occurred, and even more by the way the entire conversation had left him feeling. Lily picked up on it straight away.

“What’s wrong? Is Daniel okay?”

“You could say that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That means that the Daniel I have just had a...er... very enlightening conversation with is not the one we have been taking care of for the past three weeks.”

“So he’s shaking the drugs then?”

“He’s shaking a lot of things.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s got so far under your skin or do I have to guess?”

“I bet you couldn’t guess.”

“So tell me.”

“Alright.. . it’s just.... it’s just a bit... a bit embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing? What are you on about?”

“It’s just.... just that.... he was... was kind of.... different.”

“Shaun... I know you... I know that look and I know that tone. We have been friends for a long time and I really, really hope that they don’t mean what I think they mean.” Shaun bowed his head and plucked randomly at his guitar. “Shaun?”

“Look.... I know... alright I know.... and I won’t.... I wouldn’t... but.... but... ah fuck. I’m only human Lily. I mean.... come on... you’d have to be dead from the waist down not to at least think about ...”

“Shaun... don’t... don’t even think about it. Daniel’s a patient. He’s ill. He’s vulnerable and, if this craziness is even half true... he is even more vulnerable than we thought. Just because he is clearer and more focussed does not mean that he’s in control of his thoughts or him emotions.”

“Oh, he was in control alright. He was very much in control.”

“Shaun... it might seem that way but....”

“Lily, I am not going to do anything unprofessional or unadvised. I have already told him to stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Flirting, that’s all... he was flirting with me. I told him it was unacceptable and he should stop but.... I mean... fuck... it shocked me how very difficult it was to do that. There was part of me that almost..... so very nearly..... I mean I have to admit... how could I not... I have had... thoughts. I mean who wouldn’t look at him and wonder what it would be like to kiss him?”

“Okay... I admit, it has crossed my mind. Like you said, I’m human, but nothing more than an idle day dream. I would never have done anything about it.”

“Neither did I! Nothing was further from my mind... not then but he... he... he wanted a smoke so I rolled him a cigarette....”

“You did what?”

“I know... I know... but... I don’t know, there was something.... Lily wait until you have spoken to him before you censure me. He is not the same person.... in so many ways. He is strong and sure and confident. We shared a cigarette and he blatantly flirted with me... but not because he was trying to feel secure, or because he was trying to gain control or feeling vulnerable... fuck that’s the last thing he was... it was because it was amusing him... he was playing with me. I have never experienced anything like it... never felt so....so....”

“Be careful Shaun. This is... dangerous. The whole thing is dangerous. If what Ben said is even near the truth then we are all skating on thin ice and tomorrow.....”

“Tomorrow we have to hand him over to the Professor.”

“And deal with what happens afterwards. You can’t let yourself get too close to him. Tomorrow he’ll... he’ll be.....”

“I know. The thing is Lily... the THING is... it’s too late. I already am too close.”