PESTILENCE (Eli):
Come out, come out, wherever u are
DEATH (Luke):
If you make us hunt you
You will be caught
PESTILENCE (Eli):
And punished
WAR (Caden):
By all of us
FAMINE (Jack):
Last chance, sweetheart
DEATH (Luke):
Answer
They don’t seem to know where I am, but that doesn’t stop the prickle of fear creeping up my back. It’s not like I’m impossible to find. They’ve just never looked before.
The door to the classroom doesn’t have a glass window in it like some do. They could be out in the hall right now. How hard would it really be for them to find out my schedule? These aren’t regular students. They have access most don’t. My throat tightens and my palms grow clammy.
It’s fine. I’m fine. So what if they find me? What’s the worst they can do? Scold me? We’re at school and teachers are everywhere. I’m safe here.
My PB&J isn’t settling right, so I put the other half back in my bag as I glance at the door. Okay, I need to think ahead. Is there anywhere to hide in here?
Shit, hiding sucks, but I got damn good at it over the past years.
The kiln room in the back doesn’t lock, but would add another door between me and them. Besides, they won’t tear through the entire building for me. I’m not that important. They have to eat too. They’ll just realize I’m not worth it and give up.
PESTILENCE (Eli):
Ticktock, kitten
Eli can suck it.
“I could report them.” I stand and look at Kenz.
Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. “Are you insane? Do you know what they do to people who take things to the principal? You think they’re bad in school? They’d be all over you outside of school.”
It wasn’t even a good idea. I know better than that.
“I don’t know what to do.” I press my fingers against my temples. I can feelthemlike an ache behind my eyes. “This is so wrong. What the hell am I supposed to do?”
Kenz shakes her head. “I’d say screw the first guy you see, but I think that’d get you in more trouble. Unless that guy is a horseman.”
“There has to be a way out of this.” I look at the door. How long do I have until they find me? What do they mean by punishment?
I know what they do to guys. There’s a reason Caden walks around with busted knuckles. But it’s not all violence. No. Luke is cool and conniving. He can break someone with just a few words. They’ve ruined lives with a few choice rumors. Still, it’s not all beatdowns or gossip.
Humiliation. As public as possible. I’ve heard whispers but, besides freshman year, never saw them in action. That might be the worst part. I don’t know how far they’ll go. My stomach churns.
