Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
We were just about to take off when I saw Max come out of his place and turn to walk towards his bike. I tapped Gabe on the shoulder and got off sprinting in the direction of Max. When I got close enough, I launched myself onto his back, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Max started to flip me off his back almost instantaneously, but I held strong, clinging like a monkey and started giving him big smacking kisses on his cheek. I made sure to put extra drool into them for good effect.
“You are such a fucking weirdo. I swear I don’t know how we’re related.” Max said shaking his head in exasperation.
Laughing lightly I let my legs and arms go, dropped to the ground, and took off running towards Gabe. He had his head back laughing when he noticed Max wiping the slobber off his cheek. Taking in his expression made my heart feel light. It wasn’t often that I got to see him smiling and carefree. He was always in such a dark mood, and it made me wonder about his past and secrets. I knew he would tell me in time, but for now, it still bugged the crap out of me not to know.
“He’s gonna repay you one of these days, and don’t come hide behind me when he does. I don’t want my ass kicked, please.” Gabe said to me.
He handed my helmet to me and then gunned the engine, taking off into the early morning air.
We arrived at the campus in record time. He pulled right up to the back doors of the gym, and got off. He pulled his helmet off, hooked it on the handle and then extended his hand to me. Grabbing it, I climbed off, and then did the same with my helmet. There were a few students milling around, and they’d all stopped and stared at Gabe. The girls were all glassy eyed while the boys were all looking at him with envious eyes. Guess riding a motorcycle made you popular with the jocks.
Gabe was oblivious to the stares. He was taking in the new security system, walking around watching while the cameras moved to different angles every thirty seconds. Grabbing my hand, he walked with me up to the gym door that now had a scanner to get in. He held out his hand and I gave him my school ID that was attached on a lanyard around my neck. He slid my card and the little light beside the panel glowed green. The door clicked open and we went inside.
“My office is –“I started to say when he interrupted me,
“I know where your office is, Em. I was the one who installed a lot of the security. There’s a camera in your office, by the way, so don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. On the other hand, if you do want to do something like that, let me know so I can pull up the feed. I have this all hooked into my phone, and it’s also fed back to the compound.” Gabe said as we arrived at my office door.
He used a code to get me into the door and closed it behind us. Surveying the office with critical eyes, he walked up to the window and peered out. Then walked back to the desk and pulled the desk drawer open.
“Your panic button is right here. If you even think you need to use this, use it. If you have a feeling that something is wrong, then use it. It’ll notify all of us, but it also sends a direct phone call to the KPD. Remember what we talked about last night. You do not, under any circumstances, go outside. You stay in your office or the training room. Don’t wander around. There’re plenty of students around here who would give a left nut to do something for you. Use it. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back around four to pick you up.” He said quickly before kissing me, and then exiting the office.
Shit.
Ω
The day started on a good note, but by the end of it my head was pounding, my back was aching, and I was in a foul mood. I still had two hours to go when I decided to stop for the day. I was tired of whiny kids not doing what they were told. They treated this as a teen hangout, and that was not what this place was. This was a place for healing and relaxing. One certain jock wasn’t taking the hint, and I finally called campus security on him to get him removed. Closing and locking the doors of the training room, I made my way slowly back to the office.
Pulling out my phone, I started to text a message to Gabe for a ride when I bumped into something solid. Looking up I spotted one of my favorite students. I started to smile at him when I noticed the deep regret in his eyes.
“What’s wrong, Kale?” I asked him.
Kale was of Native American descent. He had the coal black eyes, long black hair, and a wiry lean body. He would be gorgeous in another couple of years.
Kale took so long to answer that I started worrying that something was really wrong. Now he was looking down at his feet. Reaching my hand out, I grabbed his hand and gave a small tug.
“Kale?” I asked again.
His look told me he was agonized about something. Finally, he seemed to come to a decision, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a white envelope handing it to me. He pulled out a blue bandana and walked away. What.The.Fuck?
Opening the letter, I read it and then re-read it again.
Ember,
I know that you trusted me, and I wish I could’ve been worthy of that trust. I am the one who told the Blue Skulls about you. I didn’t know what else to do. They have my little brother; he’s only ten. Last week they made him help beat an old lady. I can’t get him out without getting back in myself. I never would’ve believed when I left them that they would recruit him. I got to get him out. I’m gonna watch out for you as best I can. I’ll give you everything I got when it’s safe. Forgive me.