Page 2 of Fixate

I stare at her, frowning. “Why’d you have to go and jinx us like that for?” I joke.

Selene shrugs. “You mark my words… the sun is shining, making it harder for the guards to see because of the glare. Everyone feels morerelaxed… it’s the perfect storm. If I were to incite a riot, today would be the damn day.”

I cross my legs on top of the table and smirk. “Are you planning on inciting a riot? Do I need to prepare myself?”

Her eyes flick past me, a scowl shifting on her face as she stands abruptly. “Maxxy, drop!” she yells.

I don’t hesitate, my body slamming to the table and rolling to the side, falling off the edge onto the concrete, which knocks the wind from me.

Alina, a woman who’s had a problem with me since I arrived, slams her fist into the table right where I was. Her head snaps down to the concrete, spotting me, and I move to jump up as the loud buzzer sounds through the yard. The guards scream at everyone to get out of the way.

Alina takes off after me as I scurry on my hands and knees to escape her. Unfortunately, she catches me, reaches down, grabs me by my jumpsuit, and hoists me up, slamming me back down on the table right when Selene tackles her off me.

I pant as the inmates around us break into full-scale madness—a yard riot now taking place.

I turn to see Selene being punched in the face by Alina. Shaking my arms out, I race forward with my shoulders forward and tackle Alina in the ribs. She lets Selene go with a huff, falling to the concrete. We roll, Alina pinning me to the cold concrete and punching a fist squarely into my face. My eyes roll as she pulls a shiv out of nowhere, but I shift as she thrusts it forward to stab me.

Somehow, I have found the energy to wrestle with her.

Selene rushes over, trying to get between us, but I grab Alina’s hand, my strength overpowering hers. Then I manage to turn the shiv in her hand and thrust it back on her, hitting her right in the breast. The bitch screams in pain.

My eyes widen with fear as Selene reaches out, taking the shiv from me, and shoves Alina off. She falls beside me onto the concrete clenching at her wound as the guards finally take control of the situation unfolding.

My hands visibly shake as Selene holds the shiv, then she bends down, looking into my eyes. “Hey, hey… look at me, ladybug. I stabbed Alina, okay? Do you hear me? Maxxy!Do. You. Hear. Me?” Selene shoves me forcefully, bringing me back into the now.

The guards grab us both, and I nod as they shove us face-first into the concrete, their knees on the back of our necks.

Jesus Christ.

I have no idea what the hell just happened or why Selene wants to take the fall.

We were about to be released from this hellhole in a week or so.

But I just stabbed Alina—so I am positive that will add time to my sentence.

I can’t stay here without Selene as my backup.

There is no doubt I will be dead in a week.

Maybe that’s why she took the shiv from me?She knows she’ll be okay here, but I won’t.

Selene’s letting me walk, doing the time for me.

I let a tear fall down my cheek as I watch them drag Selene off to solitary, my entire body a quivering mess.

She’s going to be locked away during my last few days here.

I’m probably never going to see Selene again.

How can Ieverthank her?

What kind of person does it make me to allow a friend, a protector, to take the fall?

I have no choice.

I have to do what’s left of my time.

I have to leave.

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