Page 78 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

It makes us laugh as Siri takes over. “You then enter the main chamber where another centurion is waiting. The master of the ceremony. He places a hood over your head and spins you around, disorientating you, leaving you to find the tunnel on your own.”

“So we could be fumbling about in the chamber when the centurions give chase?”

Grace, the final challenger, scoffs. “That’s hardly fair.”

“Have you met my brother?” I chuckle and the girls groan.

Cassie interrupts, “The other girls help guide you before it’s their turn and when you crawl through the tunnel, you reach an apparent dead end. When you hit the wall, grope to your right where there is a loose stone that you can pull away.”

“I’m not freaking Hercules.” Molly gasps and Siri laughs out loud.

“It’s on a spring and glides like silk against the ground. When you crawl through, you can stand and find yourself in another smaller chamber where five tunnels spin off from it.”

“There is an iron door where another centurion will be standing. He will point to the tunnels and you are to choose one. Four lead to a dead end and one to the river.”

“So we crawl inside and wait for whatever centurion claims us?”

Grace exhales sharply. “Fuck. What if I don’t like the guy?”

We all gaze at Kennedy, who faced that same predicament and a soft smile lights her face. “My advice would be to go with it and give him a chance. You can always twist at the end of the semester if you want rid.”

Cassie laughs softly. “Or if you want to commit outside of the challenge. Things worked out well for me and I’m with Frankie because I want to be and not because of the challenge.”

I smile at her softly because I love how they fit together. She is perfect for Frankie and he knows it. I’m aware he was concerned about her relationship with Jack and used the Twist ceremony to test their relationship. It worked. Cassie wants Frankie more than she wants Jack which set him free to be with Siri, who I’ve never seen happier.

Siri nods. “When they catch up with you, they cuff your wrists and ankles and drag you back along the tunnel to the main chamber.”

“Will it hurt?” Serena asks, her mouth dropping open.

“It’s uncomfortable, but unlike River was, the guys are usually careful.”

Cassie nods. “Their job is to protect you and commit to you. Your comfort and happiness is their number one priority and should be yours, too.”

Grace’s eyes shine. “I love the idea. I’ve struggled so hard to meet anyone who doesn’t merely want a few fucks, and then tomove on with someone else. I’m bored with the games. I want stability and if a like-minded guy chooses me, then why wouldn’t I give it a shot?”

Molly nods. “Same, which is why I have a question.”

Cassie smiles. “Go on.”

“Why the fifth tunnel? Why enter the challenge if you want your freedom and what happens if you do make it out?”

Siri chuckles. “It’s happened. Both Cassie and me were determined to make it to the other side. Our participationwasthe challenge. If I escaped, I would be free to enjoy college life without my cousin making it difficult for me. Cassie was entered for obvious reasons, but she wanted to prove she was better than Frankie.”

“I lost.”

The other girls laugh, and Cassie grins.

“I’m not complaining, though. Things turned out well for me.”

“So, what happens if you do find yourself outside?” Serena asks and Siri shivers.

“I had that experience. You must swim the river to the other side, where another centurion is waiting. If you are caught before you reach the other side, you have been technically claimed.”

“Do any make it across?”

Serena’s eyes widen and Cassie shakes her head. “No.”

The room falls silent and Kennedy says loudly, “So, those are your choices. My top tip is to wrestle that hood off at the earliest opportunity. It helps give you an advantage.”

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