My heart beats faster—this is really happening. We enter the building from the back, where Danny has left the maintenance entrance unlocked. The hallways are dimly lit, with the emergency lights casting shadows along the walls.
“She’s probably in the main gym,” Jagger whispers.“That’s where she usually works out.”
We move through the corridors like we belong there, which I guess we do, having spent countless hours in this building, sweating through practices and conditioning sessions.
The sound of music echoes from the direction of the main gym—some pop song with a heavy beat. As we get closer, I can see the lights are on.
Jagger holds up a hand, motioning for us to stop. He peers around the corner, then looks back at us. “She’s doing yoga,” he whispers.“In workout clothes that should be illegal.”
Riven elbows him. “Focus.”
“I am focused.”
I roll my eyes but can’t deny the anticipation building in my chest. Part of me still thinks this is a terrible idea, but the other part is ready to see what happens.
“How do we want to do this?” I ask.
“Classic hunt style,” Jagger says. “Cut the lights, make some noise, and let her know we’re here. Then we chase.”
“And if she actually says the safe word?”
“Then we stop.” His voice is serious. “I’m not actually trying to traumatize her, Knox. Just give her what she asked for.”
Riven nods toward the electrical panel. “I’ll kill the lights. You two take opposite sides of the gym. When she runs, we move her toward the arena.”
“The arena?” I repeat, curiosity piqued.
“More space and places to hide,” Jagger explains, excitement radiating off him.
I position myself on the left side of the gym entrance while Jagger takes the right. Through the doorway, I can see Leila in the middle of the floor, stretching into some complicated yoga pose that makes my mouth go dry. She’s wearing black leggings and a sports bra, her red hair pulled back in a ponytail. She has no idea we’re here.
Riven gives us a thumbs up from the electrical panel. Then the lights go out.
For a moment, there’s nothing but darkness and sudden silence as her music cuts off. Then I hear her voice, confused but not panicked.
“Hello? Why did the power go out?”
Jagger makes the first move, scuffing his foot against the floor. The sound echoes loudly in the empty gym.
“What was that?”
I take a step forward, but I’m only a darker silhouette in the shadows, letting my presence be known without revealing myself. My heart is hammering so hard I’m sure she can hear it.
“Okay, this isn’t funny,” she calls out, but there’s something in her voice that suggests maybe she thinks it is—just a little.
Emergency lighting kicks in, shadowing everything in a red glow. We flick our masks on and that’s when she sees us.
“Oh, fuck me,” she breathes, and I can see her eyes go wide even from across the gym.
Jagger steps fully into view.“You did ask me to bring friends.”
She spins toward me, and I step forward again. Her gaze darts between us, looking for an escape route.
“Remember,”Jagger says,“you have a safe word.”
Then she runs, bolting toward the exit closest to me, but I’m ready for her. I move to cut her off, not touching but making it clear the route is blocked. She pivots smoothly, heading for the opposite exit where Riven appears.
“This way,”Jagger calls, gesturing toward the corridor that leads to the main arena.
