“Optimistic,” I said.
“Pragmatic,” he shoots back. “You know our Dean.”
“There’s something more here,” I insist, “I know it.”
“Let’s do it,” he sighs. “One, two, three!”
We both pull, grunting with the effort, and the concrete slab slowly swings outward. A light clicks on at the opening and there’s a collective yelp as we all shield our eyes.
“Well, damn it! This has been here the whole time?” Meiying snaps.
It’s a bunker, still concrete walls, but there are bunk-beds, shelves for food and books, a small stove, and even a separate bathroom.
“Pillows…” sighs Tatiana like she’s petting a kitten. “Oh! And changes of clothes!”
“Fuck that, there’s a toilet!” Jun says, “And toilet paper!”
“Most importantly, lights,” I said, finding a switch that turns on several more lightbulbs, illuminating the bunker.
“If this was a Leader’s challenge,” Tatiana said, kissing me, “you would win hands-down.”
“Who’s to say it isn’t?” Jun said.
Mariya pulls down a piece of paper tacked to the wall.
Dear students,she reads.
If you are reading this, clearly, you have found the bunker. There is a digital device with a countdown for the remainder of your stay on the shelf by the stove. Hopefully, you have found this sooner than later.
On the final day when we open the hatch at noon, I expect you to all be back in the pit, looking and smelling quite unpleasant, as if all your time had been spent there. You will never speak of this to another soul. If anyone else on campus ever finds out about this, there will be another collective punishment. It might involve my power tools. Govern yourselves accordingly.
Dean Christie
“Is it sick that I like her?” Tatiana asks.
“Well, we are at a college for criminals, sociopaths, and the occasional madman,” I said.
“I’ll be christening that bathroom now,” Jun said gleefully, slamming the door.
When the steel hatch opens, we’re all blinking up pathetically, dirt smeared on our faces, back in our smelly sweats, and racing up the metal rungs to leave the pit.
Nearly the entire student body is there, eager to enjoy our humiliation. Dean Christie has her arms folded, wearing one of her comfort over fashion pantsuits in black.
“Do you feel that you can stay in compliance with school policy for the remainder of your stay here?” she asks sternly.
“Yes, ma’am,” we all chorus.
“Very well,” she says. “You may return to student housing and take…” she gives a pointed sniff, “very long showers.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
In which there is so much sex.
Lany - XXL
Tatiana…
“Very long shower, accomplished,” Lucca says with great satisfaction, lifting me and racing into the bedroom, where I am thrown, flying onto his mattress.
