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Unsure if he’s talking to me or Riley, I answer, “Jagger.”
“Jagger Cole?” He huffs in surprise.
“Yeah. Is that a problem?”
His lips press together and his head draws back. “Just a little shocked you’d even talk to any of those guys, after what they’re doing to you.”
I’m not sure how much he knows, but it’s not like my encounters with the guys have been made public knowledge. Sure, the students here know I’m participating in the games, but they don’t know what went down with all of us. Unless there’s something I don’t know.
“Why do you say that?”
“My buddy Steven—”
I stop walking. “Did you say Steven?”
“Yeah. He’s the one who hooked me up with the booze.”
“Oh, hell no!” I kick up a chunk of snow, immediately regretting it as it rides up my pant leg. “You’re friends with that asshole? He’s one of the guys who kidnapped me.”
My chest caves in as I consider the possibility that Elias was also one of them. He’s a senior, though. He couldn’t have been, could he?
Riley steps to my side, looking at Elias with her hands pressed to her hips. “Did you know about this?”
Like a deer in headlights, Elias’s eyes widen. “I mean, I heard what happened, but I didn’t know until after the fact. It was a game, though. Gamesshesigned up for.”
There’s so much I want to say to defend myself, but I can’t, because the truth is, I did sign up for this. I can’t be mad at the boys who took me there. They’re just trying to get through this the same way I am.
“It’s fine,” I finally say. “Elias is right. It was a game.” I start walking again, but each step has the memories of that night flooding my mind. The feeling of being in that water, unable to see or speak. It could have ended so badly and it worries me for future participants in these games. Now I can see how some have gone missing or ended up dead. One small mistake can change the course of their fate.
“Scarlett,” Riley says, jogging to catch up with me, “I don’t think he meant it like that.”
“I know he didn’t, and I’m not upset.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Riley.” I chuckle. “I’m not mad. It’s a game. A game that will be over soon.”
She nods in response as we step onto the snow-dusted sidewalk. A gust of wind ripples through, and I hug my arms to my chest. “Damn. I wish they’d do this inside where it’s warm.”
“Where exactly did you say we were meeting Jagger?”
I look up at the building. “Up there.”
Elias winces. “Like all the way up?”
“Mhmm. I’m just not sure how we get to the top.”
Elias angles his head toward the side of the building. “This way. I think there’s a ladder on the back side”
“You didn’t mention we’d be on a rooftop,” Riley says, hesitation in her tone.
“It’ll be fine. It’s just a little climb.” We round the building, and sure enough, there’s a ladder attached to the building.
“Nope,” Riley says, “no way.” Her head shakes. “I don’t do heights and I certainly don't climb ladders.”
“Seriously, Ry? It’s not that far up.”
“It’s off the ground and that’s far enough for me to bow out gracefully with all my bones intact.”
