Page 2 of Betrayed

A blood-curdling scream shook the ancient windowpanes.

Logan grasped AJ’s hand. They climbed out from behind the junk and darted into the hall, where they dropped each other’s hands.

Staying close, they ran to the end of the hall; the doors to the giant lobby were propped open.

In the lobby, they found Kristen lying on the ground beside the wide staircase that led to the next level.

“What happened?” one kid asked.

Another kid ran to Kristen. “Are you okay?”

Kristen jumped up and let out an equally terrifying laugh. “Ha. Gotcha! And your flag! We win.”

Someone stomped up behind AJ and Logan and shoved them apart. Daryl. He barreled toward Kristen. “That’s just wrong.” He snatched her arm and shoved her against the dilapidated plaster wall.

Logan started toward him. He wasn’t going to let some jerk hurt a girl on his watch. But AJ gripped his arm.

“Leave him. He’s not going to actually hurt her. And she deserves a good smack for scaring everyone like that.”

Will came up on AJ’s other side and hollered at Daryl. “Leave her alone. We won fair and square.”

Daryl let go of Kristen and turned to Will. “Was it your idea?”

“Nope. I simply found it and tossed it to her. What she did when she reached base was up to her. Let’s play again. The night is young.”

Will, always the negotiator and fun-seeker.

Daryl leveled a glare at Will. “Same teams?”

“I don’t see why we’d mess up what works.” Will’s grin was stupid big.

Logan groaned at his friend’s gloating. “Whatever. Let’s play.”

Everyone scattered. As Will walked away, he slapped Logan on the back. “You two are just going to have to try harder this time.”

AJ squeaked a giggle.

Will turned back around and raised his eyebrow. “You weren’t even trying.” He shook his head. “I won’t tell Daryl; don’t worry.” Will left.

Logan started to leave the lobby too, but AJ grasped his arm and went up on her toes. In his ear, she whispered, “Find me in the attic.”

She bolted up the wide staircase to the next level.

His heart thudded against his ribs in reaction to the way her hips swayed with each step she took. His body urged him to chase after her, and all his self-control was required to keep himself from following her. Hopefully, he’d have enough left when he found her.

He dashed down the hall where the teams were fanning out, hiding their flags. He went straight for the stairwell at the end of the building. Up the rickety stairs and into the long hallway that stretched the length of the building.

Without a doubt, AJ had made it up here before he did. He only had to find her.

The attic was dark. The moon hardly cast any light through the holes in the roof. He didn’t want to turn on his flashlight. Sneaking up on her would be so much more fun.

If he could, he’d come up behind her, snaking his arms around her waist. But he had to find her first without her seeing him.

With careful steps, avoiding the creaking boards as much as possible, he crept along one side of the hallway. Of course he didn’t trust that she wouldn’t jump out and scare the pizza out of him.

At each room, he slowly peeked around the corner. Nothing but dilapidated furniture, cobwebs, and rotting boards.

Halfway down, and he still hadn’t found her. He’d need to change tactics.