The Padded Room

Six Months Later

The San Francisco State Hospital for the Criminally Insane was not made of glass. It was made of concrete and padded vinyl.

Julian Vane sat in the corner of his cell. He was rocking back and forth. They kept him sedated, but the dreams still came.

The door opened.

"Visitor," the guard grunted.

A woman walked in. She was dressed in an impeccable black suit. She looked healthy, vibrant. She had cut her hair short.

Julian looked up. His eyes widened.

"Cassandra."

She smiled. It was a radiant, terrifying smile.

"Hello, Julian. I brought you something."

She placed a photo on the small table. It was a picture of the Obsidian House. It had been renovated. The black steel was painted white.

"I sold the company," she said. "Stock prices skyrocketed after the 'Tragic Widow' interview. I’m a billionaire in my own right now. I’m starting a foundation for victims of domestic abuse."

Julian clawed at the table. "Tell them. Tell them you're alive."

"I did," Cassandra said. "I told the world how I survived your attempt on my life. How I hid in the caves. How I came back that night to confront you, only to find you murdering poor Mara in a psychotic rage. I’m the hero, Julian. You’re the tragedy."

"You killed her," Julian hissed.

"Did I?" Cassandra leaned in close. "Veritas recorded everything. But strangely, the footage of Mara’s death... corrupted. Just a glitch. The police only found the gun with your prints and you screaming about ghosts."

She stood up. She smoothed her skirt.

"I kept the house, though. I re-wrote the code. It’s very quiet now. No music. No messages."

She turned to leave.

"Cassandra!" Julian screamed, lunging at the glass partition. "Let me out! You can't leave me here!"

Cassandra paused at the door. She looked back at him, trapped in his box, utterly defeated.

"Transparency is the ultimate luxury, Julian," she quoted. "And now, everyone can see exactly what you are."

She walked out. The heavy steel door slammed shut, locking Julian Vane in the dark, forever.