Page 48 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

The dark soul who lit my spark and blinded me to anyone else – even Jack. He was a force I couldn’t ignore if I tried and I don’t regret my decision. The only trouble is – he might and tonight could be the end of Frankie and Cassie and then what?

It’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth and I’m uneasy.

“I know one couple who will definitely twist.” Siri says with a giggle.

“Autumn Cavill would be a fool to stick with River Callahan.”

“But will she be strong enough to voice it?” I remind her and she groans.

“If she backs down I will pull them apart myself. That girl owes it to herself to catch a break.”

I sense trouble ahead for Autumn and am grateful Frankie has it covered. When I asked him about it he reassured me that Autumn would be protected under the rules of the game and if River has a problem with that he will enjoy a dark date with Frankie to discuss the matter.

“You know, we’ve been through a lot in these woods.” Siri remarks with a wistful expression. “I’ve loved every minute of it though.”

“Me too.” I remember back on the excitement of last semester when we solved the mystery of Abigail’s disappearance. Then I was taken and all hell broke loose. Even now I have nightmares of being dragged through that tunnel and what may have happened to me if Frankie hadn’t found me.

“Are you okay, honey?” Siri’s voice cuts through the gloom and I take a deep breath.

“Of course. I just want to get this over with so we can carry on as before.”

We reachthe iron door and a prickle of expectation passes through me when we come across Ali, dressed as a centurion, holding a flaming torch as he guards the door.

“Get into your couples.” He says with a sinister dark edge to his voice and I swallow hard.

This is it. The moment of truth.

We are the first to enter the Twist ceremony as we were the first to take the challenge and lining up behind us are Siri and Jack, Kennedy and Amos and River and Autumn. Abigail and Ben never got their chance when it exploded into shit but he entered the challenge a few weeks later and will be a little way behind us.

Frankie takes my hand and squeezing it gently, whispers, “Are you ok, Cass?”

“Of course.” Even now, standing here hand in hand, I want more. I always want more from Frankie and yet he keeps his emotions checked so I never really know what he’s thinking. I suppose that’s what makes me nervous and I wonder what the outcome will be when we kneel before the master of the ceremony in a few minutes time.

We make our way inside, this time holding hands, unlike last time when I entered with Siri, the masked Centurions staring out ominously from their cells as we passed. Tonight, they are empty and the only centurions are the ones on duty. Ali at the door and Santi inside. I believe Jesse and Luca are acting as security.

We make our way silently into the chamber where Santi is standing tall, dressed as a centurion before the stone altar. Torches blaze beside him, the atmosphere tense and as we approach, he says abruptly, “Kneel before me.”

We do as he says and Frankie drops my hand which doesn’t reassure me but I’m guessing that’s one of the rules I never asked about. It may be a few months since we knelt at this altar, but they have been the best months of my life – so far, at least.

Santi growls, “You have returned to the chamber to pledge your truth. There is one decision to make and I must ask if you have made your choice.”

Frankie’s voice rings out with a deep, “Yes!”

I catch my breath and nod. “Yes.”

Even though it’s Santi standing before us he is still intimidating as fuck in the centurion mask and robe and my mouth dries as he says in a deep authoritative voice, “If you decide to stick, you stand together against the wall to my right while you wait for the rest of your challengers to make their decisions. When every couple has chosen, you leave together. If you decide to twist, you leave the ceremony as single. You may sign up for the next available challenge if you wish, or return to normal life at Rockwell as a single student. Do you understand the rules?”

Frankie replies loudly, “Yes.”

I catch my breath. “Yes.”

Santi turns to me first. “Cassandra King, what is your decision? To stick or twist with Frankie Majerio?”

It shouldn’t bother me, but something spears my heart as I say firmly, “I choose to stick.”

Santi nods and turns to Frankie. “Cassandra King has chosen to stick. If you decide to stick, you leave together. If you choose to twist, you both leave as single students.”

It’s as if time stands still as he completes his sentence.

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