Page 91 of The Rat

Ollie pried the newspaper fromunder his arms, and Rory stared down at the table whereErica’s facehad just been.

“Car crash, three weeksago…”

“No, it’s rubbish. Some evilprank by someone inhere. There’s no way.”

“I’m sorry.”

Rory curled back his lip. “Don’tsay you’re sorry, don’t fall for it, it’s a lie. I don’t know who,and I don’tknow why, but this isn’t true.”

The coiling sensation around hisheart released, and a tidal wave of anger rushed through his body. She wasn’tdead, but someone wanted him to think she was. Someone got pleasureout of tricking him, deceiving him, and he wanted them topay.

“Come on, I’ll ask if wecan go back to the wing.”

“I don’t want to go back to thewing,”Rorygrowled, “I want to know what bastard has done this. Who the hellis trying to get to me?”

“I don’t think anyoneis.”

“Yes, they are!”

“Calm down, sweetheart.”

Rory forced a savage laugh. “Yeah, Ishould’ve guessed it was you.”

“Rory…” Ollie warned,grabbing hisarm.

“Me, sweetheart? It’s all aboutme.”

“Yeah…”

Rory launched out of his chairand rushed at Pauly. They tumbled to the floor, andthe classroomexploded into noise and chaos. Rory rained his fists down onPauly’s face, and he unleashed everything he had. The anger and theadrenaline surge kept his punches brutal, kept him focused on theman underneath him.

He couldn’t stop, despitebeing draggedabout, and struck by other inmates, he kept swinging his fists, andhis legs, whatever connected with the evil people that tried toremove his heart. Pauly and his group of bandana-wearing inmates,they must’ve been behind it, and Rory was going to punish them all.He wasn’t the only one fighting. Teddy and Sebastian were with him,and the guards ran forward, adding to the brawl.

Arms closed around Rory anddragged him back, out of the madness and the violence, but theycouldn’t save himfrom his own whirling mind.

“Enough, Rory, stop.”

He struggled free. “No.”

He went for Paulyagain—Paulyon the floor not moving, Pauly covered in blood. Pauly who hadsomehow faked a newspaper article to destroy him. Pauly who wasn’tgoing to get away with it.

Guards slammed intoRory with riotshields, and batons struck him. He weakened, and the fight left himas quickly as it had come. They dragged him out of the room, downthe corridor, down endless dark tunnels until he ended up in aconcrete box on his own.

Only then did he scream. Screamuntil histhroat spasmed with agony, then he fell silent.

****

Rory had his hands on the table, and forthe first time, they were cuffed. He stared at them instead oflooking at Hamish.

“You didn’t tellme.”

“We thought it was for the best.”

Rory tipped his head back andreleased a laugh. It hurt his throat and crackled as itleft him, andhe closed his eyes and relished the throb of agony.

“You didn’t tell me mysister had died.”

“You were doing so well. Ididn’t wantto—”

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