One of them calls for help, as I’m pulled out of their grip, slamming into something that rolls me into the building. My chest heaves with shallow breaths. I feel like I can’t get enough air. Something slips over my face that feels hard and smells of plastic. Air blows at me as cool hands move down my skin.
“We’ve got you.” A faint voice says, while a needle jabs into the crook of my elbow. I begin convulsing, my eyes rolling back into my head as my limbs lock up.
I feel their hands roll me onto my side, before I slip into unconsciousness.
ChapterTwo
EMMET
SONG: I’LL BE GOOD BY JAYMES YOUNG
My head is spinning. Blood trickles down my face from an open wound hidden behind my hairline. Salem’s screams ring in my ears, or maybe that’s just from getting hit as the cave was coming down.
Fuck.
The headmaster.
I need to destroy any evidence that links me to all this shit. I’d already wiped the emails between us in preparation for today, but I’d neglected to erase the security footage and discard the USB that could be directly traced back to my family’s company. That damning proof would have me locked up faster than the flick of a lighter.
No amount of my dad’s sway would be able to save my ass from cold hard evidence. If I can get to it in time, it will be my word against theirs. And people fucking know better than to try and mess with my family. Fucking try to come for me.
I stumble up the path that we’d just come down. Fuck. How long ago was that?
What time was it?
The sky looks ominous as angry black clouds roll in from the ocean threatening to unleash a downpour. A stark contrast from the bright breezy day it was earlier. I rub at my chest.
Did it work?I frown, the motion of my forehead muscles pulling down sends a sharp pain ricocheting throughout my skull. I blink forcefully through the pain, breathing deep. In through my nose and out through my mouth until it passes.
My fingers dig into the branches as I stagger onto the side of the path. I steady myself as my vision swims. My surroundings move even when I don’t. My mind starts to work overtime, my thoughts coming faster than I can process. I need to grab the USB from the headmaster’s house and that thought is the only thing spurring me on. Giving my body motivation to keep moving one foot in front of the other up this godforsaken hill.
With a destination in mind, I scramble up the rocky terrain. It’s taking every scrap of energy I have to keep myself upright. My head feels heavy on my shoulders, and I want nothing more than to lay down and make this dizziness desist.
I’d left Pierce, Salem and Lukas to the destruction and I felt that familiar tingle of Envy coating my body. I breathe a sigh of relief. The little fucker was still in there. Salem must have opened the veil.
I muster up what strength I have left, more determined than ever to get rid of that evidence.
I wasn’t going to go down for things that had been predetermined before we were even born.
Deals had been made. Our very existence used as a bargaining chip. We all had a role to play, and I knew mine.
I crest the top of the hill, running past the house, and see Skye pacing through the window. I lean against a tree to catch my breath. She’s obviously frustrated. Phone in hand as she attempts to connect.
I check my watch, remembering that I’m wearing it.
8:16 am.
I have less than fifteen minutes to get to the headmaster’s house and destroy the evidence. I know returning back to the fraternity house isn’t an option right now. I’d need to hop on the next ferry out of Possession, laying low until I figured out a plan. Salem and the guys would be fine, but I couldn’t stick around to have them turn on me. They’d probably try to kill me in my sleep if I stay.
No, I need to get myself some security if I plan to ever come back here.
I take off running, pushing all of my strength into my legs to get the fuck off this island, far away from Hell House and its demons.
ChapterThree
SALEM
SONG: LEGENDS NEVER DIE BY LEAGUE OF LEGENDS, AGAINST THE CURRENT
