Mason’s eyes went wide as he stared at Hans. What Hans had just said kept replaying in Mason’s mind, digging up memories he had pushed aside, ones he had barely thought of in years. Hans leaned forward, studying Mason’s face with a satisfied look.
"Does it spark something in your memories?" Hans asked, his gaze felt like it was cutting right into Mason.
Mason’s throat went dry, and he swallowed hard, feeling his hands clenching around the table. The pieces slowly clicked into place, one after another, until they formed a picture he hadn’t even known existed until now. He remembered a young boy at the front door of his childhood home, nervous and hopeful, asking for his mother. And now, sitting across from him was that boy. "You’re that boy...?"
Hans watched Mason stay quiet with a smirk, savoring the moment. He leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "I didn’t understand it at first, you know," Hans began. "Why the woman I thought was my mother treated me like... like something she regretted. There was no love, no warmth, only resentment." His eyes flashed with pain for a second, but that was quickly turned into a cold stare. "And just when my father, wasted, was on his last breath, he finally spilled the truth. Everything."
Hans’s face briefly showed sadness, and he quickly blinked, trying to wipe away any trace of vulnerability. Mason watched him closely, catching the way Hans’s jaw tightened and loosened as he talked, like he was struggling to contain all of the emotions he’d kept inside for too long.
Hans looked away, lost in a memory that hurt him."The truth that Margaret Caldwell is my mother," he said, bitterness thickening his tone. "And yet, like any kid, I held onto this ridiculous hope that maybe my real mother would be different. That she’d look at me and... and see something worth loving."
Hans let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head as if mocking himself for ever being that naive. "So, naturally, I did what any kid in my position would do. I went looking for her."
Mason kept his eyes on Hans, but he remained silent, struggling to process it all. Hans’ lips turned up in a bitter smile as he watched Mason’s reaction, clearly loving the power his words had over him.
"Did you know what I got when I finally found her?" Hans’ voice turned even colder, as he spoke with a haunted look in his eyes. "I got a cold shoulder, that’s what I got. She told me I was nothing but a mistake." Hans’s hands balled up into fists on the table. "She said I was a mistake, Mason. She said it like I was some inconvenience in her life, something she wanted to erase."
A mistake... Mason couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
"A mistake!" Hans suddenly yelled, slamming his fists down onto the table with enough force to shake it. The noise rang through the room. The officers around them moved slightly closer, alert and ready in case Hans lashed out. But Hans simply leaned back, breathing hard as he continued. "Do you know what that does to a kid? Being told by your own mother that you never should’ve existed?"
Silence filled the room, and it was clear everyone was uncomfortable after what Hans had said. Hans let out a bitter laugh, but it felt empty and lifeless. "She told me she only had two sons, and I wasn’t one of them. She looked me dead in the eyes and told me that."
He turned his glare to Mason. "I had to survive on the streets by myself, Mason," Hans continued. "I did things... things I doubt you’d want to hear about. Things to survive, because that’s what I had to do."
Hans leaned forward, squinting at Mason with disgust. "But I came back. I gave her another chance. I thought maybe she’d change, that maybe... maybe she’d see me differently." He let out another humorless laugh. "But nothing changed. And that’s when I knew. I knew it was time to end everything. Her life, her family... all of it."
Mason’s heart dropped as Hans’ words hit him, and he felt a chill ran down his spine. He looked at Hans, his face going pale as horror started to creep in. "You... you killed my family?"
Hans burst into a cold, mocking laugh, keeping his eyes locked on Mason. "Yes, Mason. They’re all gone. And you? You were lucky because you weren’t there."
A wave of anger washed over Mason, and he jumped up from his seat, fists tight as he approached Hans. "You...!" But before he could move any closer, two officers stepped forward, placing firm hands on his shoulders, pulling him back.
Hans laughed mockingly as he watched Mason struggling to break free from the officers’ grip. "Oh, don’t worry, Mason," he said, his voice teasing. "It’s a good thing you weren’t there. On second thought, I can make sure you experience what I went through—what it’s like to have nothing, to feel totally alone."
He glanced over at Ellen, a sly smile creeping into his gaze. "And I see you’ve got someone now, someone you care about. Don’t get too comfortable." He leaned back, smiling as he saw how his words affected Mason, who had stopped resisting, his face showing both shock and anger.
Mason’s fists were shaking, breathing heavily as he glared at Hans with nothing but pure hatred. "You’re... you’re insane," he muttered. Ellen’s hand gripped his arm tightly, her face pale as she stared at Hans before quickly looking away.
The officers stepped forward, sensing the tension reaching its breaking point. "Alright, time to take him back to his cell," one of them said, moving toward Hans.
But before they could drag him away, Hans leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Mason’s with a creepy smile. "Enjoy your time with her, Mason," he said. "While it lasts."