“I don’t know.” River’s words rush out of his lips as he tugs me closer to him. “Maddy, look at me.”
It takes a lot, but I manage to focus on him.
He carries my gaze, his hands finding my cheeks again. “Nothing will happen to you. Finn is part of it, so I’ll get some answers from him.”
I suck in a deep breath then release it. “I can’t believe Finn is a part of that.” Finn, the guy who’s been nothing but nice to me.
“My father pressured him into doing it. Please don’t judge him, Maddy.” His eyes plead with me to understand.
“I get it—my father’s fucked me up, too.” The wind picks up, kicking leaves up and away and whisking the dirt around.
“We should get out of here,” River mumbles, frenetically energy practically humming off of him.
I nod, but part of me doesn’t want to leave the shelter of the bleachers. River must be on the same page, because when we reach the edge, where we have to step out into the open, he hesitates. Then he sticks his head out and peers left and right before snatching my hand and leading me out of our safety net.
The air is silent and offers a drop of comfort as we pad back to collect our stuff. Then we silently make our way back into the academy building. We’re quiet not because of awkwardness but mostly out of fear that we’ll be heard by those lunatics running around with a knives.
After what feels like an eternity, we finally make it to the security of the hallway that leads down to my dorm room. The corridor is empty except for the occasional wanderer, and one really drunk guy who’s skipping and singing in a pitch that resembles the noise the malfunctioning security alarm was making earlier today.
“Do you think they’ll come for me tonight?” I finally sputter the words plaguing me like the impending flu.
River stiffens but shakes his head. “I don’t think so.” But then he hesitates. “Maybe, and please don’t get the wrong idea about this”—he looks me straight in my eyes as we continue to slowly make our way to my room—“but maybe you should stay at my place tonight.”
I instantly shake my head. “Do you know what’d happen if anyone saw me either going into your room this late or leaving in the morning? Besides, you can’t protect me forever.”
He sweeps his fingers through his hair. “I know that. But if you stay tonight, you’ll be safe long enough for us to get more info from Finn.”
“What if he won’t tell us anything?”
“He will.”
“How can you be so sure?” I question. “I already tried to ask him a few questions about this library incident, and he shut it down every time.”
“Because he was being cautious.” He glimpses around then leans toward me. “He’s well aware of what I told you tonight. Plus …” He trails off, his attention shifting ahead. Not that there’s anything there but an empty hallway lit up by faint lighting and a few glittering chandeliers.
“Plus what?” I hedge with my arms crossed.
He exhaustedly sighs. “I’ll tell you later, when we’re in my room.”
“Who said I was going?” I question as we stop in front of my dorm room door. “I never agreed to that.”
“Maddy,” he starts, leaning against the wall beside my door with his arms folded across his lean chest. “Please consider doing it. At least until we talk to Finn. We can wait up for him, if you want, and then if he tells us it’s nothing, I can walk you back to your dorm.”
I want to deny his offer—this is the sort of stuff that starts rumors. But what if I stay the night in my room and I’m woken up by a group of guys hazing me? I could report what we overheard, but I know firsthand how well that stuff goes down—more than likely, I’ll be called a liar.
“Fine,” I agree with annoyance not directed at him but at this crazy-ass society who thinks I’m worth targeting for their weird hazing.
I dig my phone out of my pocket and unlock the door, highly aware that my compliance has alleviated some of River’s nervousness.
“Thank you,” he tells me quietly as I push open the door.
“Don’t thank me.” I step over the threshold. “You didn’t do anything but try to help me out.”
He follows me into the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. I strip off my jacket as I walk into the living quarters. A lamp is on, offering a trickle of light, and I set my jacket on the arm of the sofa.
The place is quiet, making me wonder if Lily’s asleep or out.
I twist to River. “What about Lily?”
