I stay locked in a silent stare down with Luca as I tell Brooke, “You said he wouldn’t be here.”
Brooke mummers, “Sorry, I didn’t think he would be here.”
Micah passes us each a beer when he returns. “Drink up. The fun is about to begin. Seven minutes to go.”
I turn, taking a few gulps from the longneck before I ask, “What’s happening in seven minutes?”
“The only game worth playing.” Micah clanks his bottle against mine; his lips still curved in a sly smile as he takes a drink.
“Sounds like I’ll need another beer for that.” I finish most of the one in my hand and Micah passes me another.
“Is Cain not coming?” Brooke asks, motioning to where Remy and a few guys I recognize are walking up.
“Nope. He doesn’t want to play.”
Minutes later, several phones ding with alerts. Micah pulls his phone out and stares at the screen as he states, “Ascend if you dare. Climb to the highest peak of the wooden coaster then face your fate with your ally. Pick wisely, for your fate will forever be tied to theirs.”
“Wow. Totally ominous,” Brooke quips.
“Come on, ladies. Up for the challenge?” he asks, shoving his phone back in his pocket before he downs the remainder of his drink.
Brooke sips hers in answer.
“You’re scared.” He teases her then looks to me. “How about you, Ivy? Too scared to accept the dare?”
“No. It’s stupid and trivial.”
“Mercy is anything but trivial.” Brooke shifts uneasily as she stares up at the old wooden coaster that appears to be barely staying upright. “I don’t want to play.”
“At least go to the top and see what it’s all about,” Micah pleads.
She thinks on it for a few seconds, then asks me, “Will you come with us?”
“Why not,” I reply and follow as Micah leads the way. I’m more than aware Luca is joining in on the quest. Butmy attention moves to where we’re trekking up the path, the wooden boards creaking beneath my feet.
Every so often, I feel a twinge of unease in my gut. We’re about halfway up with Remy in front of us when he starts dramatically stumbling and wobbling like he’s losing his balance. “Y’all feel that? It’s swaying. I bet it’s gonna collapse at any moment.”
“Stop it, Remy,” Brooke shrieks as she clings to what’s left of the handrail.
“Just ignore him.” I tell her and take a few more steps. It does feel unsteady, but I don’t think it’s on the verge of giving out. “The bones are fine.”
Brooke asks, “And if they’re not?”
“Then we die,” Micah answers.
Brooke turns to slap his arm and yells, “Shut the fuck up.”
The guys keep poking at her, and she keeps giving them the reactions they’re aiming for until Remy asks me, “Aren’t you scared, Walker?”
I don’t answer him, but I’m not scared to die. Looking out over the landscape as we reach the top, there’s a clear view of New Orleans lighting up the night sky in the distance as we stand on the wooden coaster concealed in the shadows.
“Now what?” Remy asks as Micah looks at his phone. “Time to face our fate with an ally.”
“What the flip does that mean?” Garrett asks.
“Look at that.” Brooke motions to a cable attached to the rail a few feet away that disappears into the darkness. “No way. I’m not doing that.”
It takes a second for me to see what she’s pointing at. There’re harnesses laying in a pile nearby.
