Page 12 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Your assignment,” he paused to nod.

Once.

Twice.

A conversation, in any capacity, with the man responsible for my brother’s incarceration filled me with unbearable rage. The hammering of my heart couldn’t be managed, slowed, or halted. Thankfully, concealment was my superpower.

“It was the most interesting, well-written, and informative of all the papers I’ve received since taking on this course. For the first time in three years, I learned something from a student. I’m impressed. And, this isn’t the first assignment you’ve turned in that has left me in awe.”

“Thank you.”

“I won’t hold you up, but I wanted to tell you to keep up the good work. Law enforcement needs sharp investigators like you on our team. Your attention to detail is–stellar. Hell, if I’d had you on my team just a few years ago, I would’ve cau–”

“Goodnight, Professor.”

The fifteen hundred words we’d been tasked with writing about the supposedly anonymous, infamous case against Chemistry Childers ended with over five thousand words. Information was redacted and names were replaced with aliases’ but I was no fool. They were silently hunting the names onThe Grey Listand secretly requesting the help of students to give them insight into their next steps.

Fresh eyes.

Sharp minds.

If there was any truth to the wordsProject 184had just spoken, he was aware of his impending death. In more words than necessary, I explained why their interest in the case was comical becausethe people they were hunting had become the huntersthe second they were made aware of the government’s intentions. The day they rejoiced for dismantling an empire, or so they believed, was the day they became prey.

“You should sit in the front. Participate in class more. We could use your insight.”

“The only insight of mine that matters is when a grade is involved. I won’t do your job for you, Professor. That’s not why I’m here. Besides, I’m not being paid.”

Not by your agency, at least.

He nodded as I passed him. Words threatened to spill from the folds of my lips. There weren’t many things in life worse than the swallowing of words for someone who barely had any to share. Anxiously, I took the first step up the aisle that led to the door.

Don’t.I chastised.

Rugger!

I turned around, facingProject 184. His eyes were trained on me. His brows were raised in anticipation. He was intrigued. He was enamored. He wasaroused.

“And, of course, that which was shared in the assignment. Take heed.”

“Noted.”

Hard head. Soft soil.

Breaking ground with Range would be pleasurable. I made a mental note to remind her an additional shovel was needed and my company wasn’t up for debate when the digging began.

“See you Thursday, Ms. White.”

I kept my eyes trained on the door as I exited.

Impressive.His words stuck with me.

My resistance. My strength. The breath in your lungs. That’s what the fuck is impressive.

Crimson-colored blood blurred my vision. Saliva pooled in my mouth. My thirst had announced its presence and water wasn’t thick enough or pigmented enough to quench it.

Soon, Rugger.

I stretched my legs one in front of the other on the way out of the hall that held five other classes. When I reached the parking lot and the night air brushed against my skin, I released the breath I’d been holding.

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