Page 50 of Twisted Legacy

“That night. You say Holden didn’t hurt me and sound so damn sure about it. Were you there? Are you the one who hurt me and the other two watched?”

“None of us were there for your hazing, and if you’d go to those therapy sessions -I heard you’re skipping- maybe you’d be able to remember who was.”

“Fucker, I wasn’t hazed! I was beaten unconscious, my clothes shredded, and I was tossed in a grave; and if I don’t want someone digging around in my head, making me relive that it’s my choice!”

“It’s not a choice, it’s avoidance. You walk around here like you’re so goddamn tough, but you’re a coward.”

I’m done with this conversation. “Why are you even here? You’ve been vocal about how much you despise me from the beginning. If I tumble off this rock, that just gets me out of your hair.”

“I came up here because I’m not gonna let my friends fall into a guilt spiral because you killed yourself.”

I snort out a laugh. “Kill myself? If I truly gave a shit about anything you just said, I’d be more likely to killsomeoneelse. You know, like the people who wronged me.”

“Then why are you hanging upside down off the rock, knowing it’s nothing but jagged rocks and the ocean down there?”

“Because it’s fun.”

“Fun?” He shakes his head. “You’re out of your fucking mind.”

“I know, so leave me to my loopy thoughts.”

He jumps in front of me when I crawl back towards the edge. “Move, Pax.”

He doesn’t. He just stands over me with his arms across his chest, ruining my chill. Every inch of stress I just released into the air is back. I climb to my feet and descend my pride rock, stomping my way back towards my car. Now I have to find somewhere else to go, because he’s ruined this place just like Holden’s ruined the woods. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

Pax is less than a minute behind me. When he reaches the parking lot, I’m already in my car and gunning the engine. I shoot forward and he jumps out of the way to keep from getting hit. Big baby. I wasn’t even aiming for him. I cut my wheel at the last moment, the back end fishtailing around his precious ride and squeal out of the parking lot, enjoying the smell of the rubber leeching onto the asphalt.

The head Coxsucker interrupted me, but I’ve gained some clarity. Now I know what I need to do to clear my head. I need the feel of the wind, the spaceless-ness, and the speed. I don’t know why I didn’t think about this sooner. The best way to defy death and gravity and eliminate the chance of anyone being able to stop me is on a bike. And I know just where to find one.

I park my car in the student lot and casually stroll over to the private parking garage some of the students use. I refuse to pay an additional parking fee to park my car here. Someone should tell these idiots that just because some rent-a-cop sits in a guard shack watching security cameras, does not mean their cars are better protected from theft or vandalism. Anyone with half a brain would just do what I’m doing, and enter and exit through the back door.

I stop in front of the beautiful machine I’ll be borrowing this evening. Not using the front exit means it’s gonna take me a little longer to walk the bike up three levels and then through the alley at the end of the building, but it’ll be worth it.

There’s a smart key system on this bike. That’s convenient for me. Once I’m outside, I reach down and unplug the engine wire and let it sit for a few minutes, before plugging it back in, forcing it to cycle through a hard reset. I tap the app on my phone, letting it scroll through codes until it finds the correct one and pair it to my phone. Seconds later, I’m rewarded with a satisfying beep, beep. I press the button on the engine, and shivers run down my spine, as the bike rumbles to life. Voila! Time to peel out.

I kick my leg over the bike, adjust myself on the seat, and rev the engine. She’s smooth and shoots out of the last twenty feet of the alley like a dream. Purring between my thighs like a contented kitty. My ponytail flies behind me, swinging left and right as I zip in and out of traffic.

I whoop and laugh as I reach the open highway, and embrace the truth that’s settling through my spirit. I might be bruised, a little broken, and a whole lot confused about what’s happening in my life; I might be directionless at the moment, but I’malive.

* * *

Pax

It’s hard to comprehend what I’m seeing. The spot where my bike should be is empty. I wouldn’t have come down here tonight, but my mother called and said she wants to have dinner,tomorrow. Her request caught me off guard, and I couldn’t come up with a reason fast enough, to decline. Our last dinner, and my honey pot assignment was just two weeks ago. I wasn’t expecting another one so soon.

I needed to clear my head and thought a ride would help. Now I’m strung tighter than I was before. Heads are gonna roll, starting with the guard on duty.

Holden and Finn pull into the garage, their cars screeching to a halt behind me. I sent them both a text as soon as I saw my parking spot was empty. They thought I was joking, even though we all know I lack a sense of humor.

Their doors slam shut, and Finn’s mouth falls open as he approaches. “Holy shit.”

Holden whips out his phone. “Which one of the frats do you think did this?”

“I don’t know!” I snap. “It’s your job to find out.”

Holden makes a noise in the back of his throat. I wince, because he’s not the person I’m mad at. I need his help and things between us are already strained because of this Thea situation. I don’t agree with him telling her he was chasing her through the woods. Especially since she brought it up the other night. It’s something she can use against us. “Dude…”

Finn shakes his head, and points to the elevator. “Let’s just talk to the guard while Holden goes through the security cameras.”

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