Page 56 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

Ihead inside as Ali leaves, hidden by my centurion mask and shrouded in the dark cloak and hood. I stop outside River’s cell and he doesn’t even glance up. Something has broken him. It’s evident from the slump to his shoulders and the way his fingers are tapping on the ground and I wonder if it had anything to do with what Luca said to him when he led him away.

I decide to speak to Luca first and head off in search of him. As I enter the chamber, they are finishing up with the final Twist ceremony and, as the challengers leave, I move beside him.

As the chamber empties, we remove our masks and Jesse groans. “Man, that was hard tonight. I’ve stood here for three hours already and I need a beer, and fast.”

He nods at me. “Are you coming?”

“Not until I’ve dealt with River.”

“Fuck, I forgot about him. Is the poor bastard still locked in his cell?”

“Yes, and he’s no poor bastard, Jesse. He deserved every minute of his imprisonment for what he did to Autumn.”

“What did he do?”

Jesse is curious, and I growl. “He raised his hand to her and that will never be okay. He intimidated her and didn’t accept her decision, and now he must understand that what he did was wrong.”

“What are you gonna do?” Santi adds as he joins us, and I turn to Luca.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I could use a hand in dealing with this shit. What about you, Luca? I’m sure you’re no stranger to situations like this.”

Luca nods. “I’m in.”

Jesse groans. “How long will it take?”

“It’s okay, Jesse.” I shake my head. “Go back to the house with Santi. Your job here is done.”

“Are you sure? I’m here if you need backup.”

“No. We’ve got it covered.”

Jesse glances at his phone that has lit up like a firework.

“Fuck!” He rakes his fingers through his hair and sighs heavily.

“Trouble?” I ask, knowing who it must be, and he turns off the phone and pockets it with an impatient scowl.

“Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow. I’m heading home for a beer and–” He hesitates before sighing, “Well, a beer anyway.”

He jerks his head toward Santi. “Are you coming?”

“I’m in. My throat is so dry, it thinks I’m already dead. As Frankie said, my job here is done.”

“He was referring to me, asshole.”

“I took it as a collective statement. Isn’t that right, Frankie?”

Santi doesn’t wait for an answer and hangs up his mask, saying over his shoulder, “Make sure the torches are extinguished. We don’t want fire to destroy the dungeons before The Claiming starts again next week.”

“Are you taking part this time – both of you?”

I regard my friends because last semester they didn’t want to chain themselves to one woman, and Santi laughs out loud. “Fuck no. My position hasn’t changed. If anything, you’ve left the field wide open for me to play in. I’m pissed at you for declaring yourself officially single, Frankie, because now they will only have eyes on you.”

“Nothing has changed.”

I have the guy’s attention.

“Cassie is still my girl and we carry on as before.”

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