I intend to return exactly the same way.
“You know, I first came here to prove myself.” Kade scoffs at himself. “I was chasing after Hudson’s ass like a dog with a bone. All I wanted was to compensate for every shortcoming my father threw in my face.”
“You saved us all, Kade. Don’t forget that.”
“I’ve brought us right back to our deaths. This is my biggest failure.”
“You kept us alive,” Hudson grumbles from the driver’s seat. “We’re not going to second-guess the progress we’ve all made since leaving this place. Not to get emotional and shit, but I’m proud of us all.”
Phoenix savours a final cigarette out the window. “Blackwood broke our spirits, but it couldn’t break our family. Two years ago, I never expected to find a life worth living without drugs.”
Hudson snorts. “I had no intentions of ever leaving this place, three-year program or not. There was nothing in the world that was worth living for.” His eyes meet mine. “Or so I thought.”
Staring at Blackwood in the distance, Seven’s voice is filled with a warmth that I never thought possible. “Jude came here looking for his life’s purpose. I lost myself along the way, but after six years, I think I’ve found it at last.”
The last member of our group is listening in thoughtful silence. Eli’s wrapped in the same Bring Me The Horizon hoodie he wore when we first met. Then, it was shielding his face from the world and all its terrors. Now, the hood lies back. He has no headphones in. His gaze is clear, firm, unafraid.
“T-Twelve years,” he stutters, his voice evening out. “I couldn’t s-speak when… came here. Not fucking perfect, but… seen outside w-world now.” He smiles to himself. “Scary… but b-beautiful.”
Our hands link over the console. I take a moment to meet each of their eyes. My guys. My family. There was a time when I was determined to run far, far away from them. Fear and hatred ruled my life, leaving no room for hope.
“I came here to die,” I say with a headshake. “Blackwood was supposed to be my way out. I never expected to find a reason to live, let alone five fucking reasons.”
Another hand lays on top of mine, then another. One by one, we all link up, holding on to that final scrap of rebellious hope. None of us will leave this place in cuffs. It’s always been ride or die with us—get on the train before it runs you the hell over. I can’t love any other way.
This is our last stand, together.
Six misfits against the whole fucking world.
Regardless of what happens, what a tale it will be.
“Nobody gets separated,” I remind them all. “We go in together and we leave together, even if it’s in body bags. I won’t see any of you behind bars. We take Bancroft out, no matter what.”
Checking weapons and smoothing our casual outfits, the moment of judgement comes. Hunter, Enzo and Theo wait outside in all black, looking far too much like the spooks they relentlessly train. We’re going to stand out, but none of us give a flying fuck.
“Wait,” Phoenix blurts. “I, uh. Shit, I’m not gonna beat around the bush. I fucking love you guys.” His grin is so much like the cocky bastard that first greeted me. “That’s all. We can go now.”
Hudson wraps an arm around his neck and messes up his bright-blue hair. “Naw, Nix is getting all soft and weepy. Shall we feed him to Incendia first? Get it over and done with?”
“Dammit,” Seven curses. “I was planning that for you, pretty boy. Quit stealing my ideas.”
The look Hudson sends him is full of challenging heat.
I stifle an eye roll. “Come on, horny assholes. Let’s go die in style.”
The car park is packed full of expensive sports cars and far too much money for me to stand. We’ve arrived fashionably late, so the event should already be in full swing. I can’t help but feel slightly sick as we begin the long walk up to Blackwood’s gates. I never thought I’d come back here.
By the time we reach the grandiose reception building, cloaked in thick ivy and lit by the full moon hanging overhead, my nausea has been replaced by stone-cold fury. Hunter flashes the invitation and we’re barely given a second glance by the security detail.
They’ve been briefed to expect us.
Bancroft wants his crown jewels back.
Inside, I glance around the familiar reception area. The smell of fresh paint permeates the air from the recent reconstruction. New brocade wallpaper meets identical mahogany panelling to the old entrance. Tasteful artwork, antique vases and gilded mirrors add to the opulence that once turned my stomach.
I feel no different now.
It will be my pleasure to watch it burn all over again.
