Page 37 of Rat Race

“Really,” I said and placed my palm on the scanner. “Let’s just say you moved me.”

Cam hesitantly put their hand on the other sensor, and the wall melted away right in front of our eyes.

“Thank you,” they whispered as we both stood upright. My heart began pounding in my chest. They looked at me like I was some type of savior. The power of that made my head spin.

I leaned in close, smiling up at them.

“I think I deserve something,” I teased. “After all, I’m the only one who can help you achieve those big dreams of yours.”

The way redness spread across their face and neck caused something to flip inside my stomach.

All the madness of what happened earlier in the maze was gone. Hiram and the girl he killed were but a passing spec of dust. Unimportant if not a bit annoying. Even if only for a moment.

All I wanted was to see what other reactions I could pull from them. See what was hidden behind that front of theirs.

The thought almost made me pause.Natalie.Her name was Natalie. The girl who fucked over my entire life yet somehow she had been replaced by the Weston.

I can’t even bring myself to care.

“Cam?” a voice called from the open doorway.

I didn’t look to see who it was, but I did catch the pure joy on their face as they took in the newcomer.

Joy that should have been reserved for the person who was helping them win.

I gritted my teeth, my gaze following Cam as they pushed past me to greet the newcomer.

I paused, taking her in. She wasn’t just any random runner.

It’s the bitch in the dressing room!

“Aubrey, this is Ella; Ella, Aubrey. We met when we were running?—”

“How are you even alive?” Ella asked, bewildered. Even though she was rude enough to cut Cam off, they didn’t seem to mind. Cam let out a laugh and slapped their hand on her shoulder.

The personal nature of their interaction had me gritting my teeth.

I literally just saved your life and you’re chatting up other girls already? And that bitch in particular?

“You didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?” they asked and continued walking down the new hallway.

Ella looked at me, surprise flashing across her face, before something like hesitancy followed it.That’s right. Think twice about your place here.

But there was something else odd about her. The look on Ella’s face told me that shehadthought they could get rid of them that easily.

Hm.

I followed behind Cam, sending a glare at Ella.I would be the one helping Cam with their dream.Andtheydidn’t feel right to me.

A ping from my tracker had me looking down.

Vic_Official:Don’t Trust. Danger.

Vic. Why risk sending me this message?

I quickly hid it and watched as the two walked ahead of me. I trusted Vic enough to tell me the truth about my party, but the issue was…

Who exactly was the danger?

---