I grab my worn hoodie from the back of a kitchen chair, and scoot outside. I look both ways down the hallway, seeing no one. I scurry down the stairs and open the door. I peek out—there are students everywhere. This time of day, there shouldn't bemany people outside. It’s twilight hour, the sun just starting to go down. That doesn’t bode well.
Making sure I blend in, I work my way through the courtyard. It's utter chaos out here. There are people fighting—boys and girls. Over by the fountain, people are openly fucking. There's yelling and cursing all around me.
I see guys heading into the woods, dragging a girl by her hair. She’s screaming, trying to get out of their grasp. I pause for a moment, pondering if I should go help. Shaking my head, I know I can’t.
I continue on, to the admin building. Going inside, there’s even more insanity unfolding. I see only students—no adults. I cut over and go to the staff area. Looking into Augustine’s office, I see it’s empty—though there’s still blood everywhere. It's been completely destroyed. Totally ransacked. Furniture upended, art ripped from the walls.
Heading back out into the main part of the admin building, I see that students are everywhere, some carrying weapons, eyes looking for violence to unleash. It's complete anarchy. I spot a couple of students off in a corner huddled up, starting small fires.
I shake my head and keep going, looking into the teachers' offices. It's all the same. Ripped apart—every one of them.
I turn around and check out the classroom area, students combusting there en masse. The classrooms are full of debauchery. Sex, blood, orgies—it looks like a scene from a cheap porno, or something.
I leave that area fast, not wanting to get involved. I'm aiming for the art wing, where Ghost’s secret room is located. That's when I see him. Purge's motherfucking father is here! And he’s not alone. He's surrounded by his guards, and his next-in-command.
I practically run to the end of the hall to make sure I’m out of sight. Ghost's secret room is untouched. The door isn’t open, so I'm assuming it hasn’t been found. The art rooms are also untouched. This is promising. This is the exit I was considering for our escape.
I hold my breath, waiting to be sure Purge’s father doesn’t come this way. After a minute, when no one comes, I crack open the door and look outside. There aren’t many people around. I go out the door, beelining for the medical and gym buildings. The med building is trashed. There are students in there towards the back scurrying around. I stay in the shadows, seeing a secret room with the door wide open. I get a bit closer to see what they’re doing. It's a medication storage room! They're stealing meds. Fuck. Me.
I race over to the gym area. The pool has people fucking in and around it; it looks like a big orgy. I turn and leave, checking out the cafeteria next.
It's insane in there! Food is being stolen and hoarded. Fistfights break out over it. I back out quickly, knowing I need to get back to Harris's—it’s too risky for me to stay out here any longer.
I decide to skip the girls’ dorm, and rush back to the boys’. I skirt past random students milling about. Weirdly, people seem to be skipping the boys’ dorm. Thank fuck.
Letting myself back in to the apartment, I go straight for the kitchen. Harris is buried in the documents, brow furrowed as he studies everything. Purge is at the computer, as always.
“Harris! It's fucking insane out there. No sign of any adults. People are fighting and fucking. Most everything is ransacked. They’re stealing meds, unsurprisingly. Augustine is gone, but the blood is still there.”
“Take a breath, Frost.”
I gulp some air and start again. “Purge, your father is here. I saw him stalking the admin building, with his second and a multitude of guards. I did check the art wing, and it’s untouched. I don’t think anyone found Ghost’s room. I think that exit may be the way to go.”
Purge bursts from his chair, shouting. “My father? With his second? Fuck, this is really fucking bad, man! For him to show up himself with an entourage, he must know we at least suspect the truth. He’s probably out for blood. Our blood!”
I pale, understanding completely. Bratva don’t typically go around in public with their second. It usually means shit is tits-up.
“I need to call Jax immediately,” Harris declares. “I’ll step away for a few minutes, Purge.”
He doesn’t respond, typing fast on what looks like on the dark web. I clap him on the shoulder and go to sit on the sofa. It's a waiting game now. I hope we can pull this off, all while keeping Killer and Valley safe.
Phoenyxx
I was shamelessly eavesdropping again. When Frost blew in looking sick, I knew it was something bad. Valley is trembling next to me. I've got to toughen her up for this.
“Val, bestie, I know you’re scared. But in order to get through this, and out of here, you’ve got to thicken your skin, girl. We need badass Valley for this.”
“I’m sorry, Nyx, I am. I’m so worried about Bry! He's all I can think about I am getting him out—even if I have to do it myself!” Her spine straightens, and I see her slide her armor back on. “I’m willing to take out anyone in our way. You're right. I have to stuff the fear back. Thanks for being honest. Love you, babes.”
I side-hug her. “There’s my girl. I'm petrified, too. Losing is not an option. We have to somehow not only find our way out but get into The Morgue to get the others out of there, on the way.”
“We’ve got this! We have those six buttfucks, plus your swoon-worthy Doc, and the hottie Jax.”
I crack up, loving this girl more every day. “What you said.” I hold my hand up for a high-five.
She giggles and slaps my palm. “You're not as socially retarded as you used to be!”
“Oh my God!” I laugh harder, hoping I don’t pee my pants. “We’re unbeatable, you and me.”
