Page 2 of They Will Fall

CHAPTER1

MADDOX

I re-readthe text that was sent hours ago as we struggle to keep warm in Lev’s old cabin.

Campus Alert: Shelter-in-place. Homicide suspect at large.

“We can’t stay here forever,” Riley says through chattering teeth. “It’s…it’s so damn cold.” She drags the words out as if each one is momentarily frozen in time. Ridge pulls her closer, holding on to her so tightly, the Jaws of Life couldn’t pry his arms away.

It’s unreal how quickly the weather changed. A couple days ago, we had clear skies and tee shirt weather. Now, fluffy white clouds cast shadows over the mountains, threatening snow.The air is cold, below freezing, and it’s only going to get worse since we’re smack in the midst of an arctic storm that’s rolling through. Fortunately, we’ve got the cabin for shelter, even if there is no heat or electricity.

I watch Ridge and Riley. Listening to their conversation while gnawing on my fingernails like they are my last meal. And they could be. It’s a great possibility because everyone knows Cade is dead. They don’t know I did it, though—that I killed him. According to my father, The Elders think it was Riley who took his life. Eventually, the truth will come out because there is no way in hell I’d ever let Riley go down for what I did. Then, my life will be over. I’ll be banished, a Punisher will be assigned to me, and any chance at having a normal life will cease to exist. Every chance encounter, he’ll be there, ready to make my life more miserable than the day before.

I killed a member of The Society.

An innocent man.

I’m screwed.

But if I go down, I’m taking Lev with me. All the time we thought it was Cade who snuck in her room, sexually assaulted her, then killed Zeke. Turns out, the real assailant was living under our thumbs the entire time.

I’m not sure where Lev is right now. No one knows. And I really don’t give a shit where he’s run off to. At least, not yet. I’ll find him when he’s useful to me.

Riley, Ridge, and I have been hiding out for nearly twelve hours. It’s now eight o’clock in the morning and we should all be heading to our morning classes, but classes were canceled for the day and the shelter-in-place rule is still in effect.

Ridge and Riley dozed off for a couple hours, but I haven't slept at all. It’s damn near impossible when my mind is running rampant. I’ve got no fucking idea how this shit is going to come together. We’re all out of our league on this one. Should have just left well enough alone. Fuck me. Fuck all of this.

There’s one option. I could fess up. Just open my mouth and let it all come out.

‘Be a man, Maddox. You’re a Crane, and Crane’s don’t cower.’That’s what my dad would say right now. He has this way of making me feel as if I can conquer anything. Now I’m starting to wonder if it was more of a curse than a blessing.

In this case, the wisdom of his words wouldn’t be directed at me confessing the truth. They’d be telling me to keep what I did to myself. I’m not him, though. This is my chapter—my story—and I'm writing it my damn self.

Wonder what dear ol’ Dad is going to think of me once the truth about what I did is brought to light.

“We’ve gotta get the hell out of here,” Ridge says as he emerges from beneath the blanket he’s huddled under with Riley. His bare chest is exposed because his main focus right now is keeping his angel warm. I get it. I want her warm, too. But I’d rather her be safe, and he’s been going on and on about how we need to leave the cabin. I beg to differ because leaving means the risk of getting caught, and once she’s caught, it’s game over.

With his legs still kept under the floral-printed fabric that looks like it’s hasn’t been washed since the late nineties, he runs his fingers down the side of his face. Stroking his chin, he stares off into the air. His eyes glaze over for a moment as he speaks his thoughts into existence. “We’ve got no food. There’s no fucking heat in this place. Hell, we can head back to Glendale, if needed. We’ve still got the lease on the apartment. No one will even consider looking for Riley there.”

“It’s too risky,” I tell him from my seat at the kitchen table that's pointed in their direction. I lean forward, my elbows pressed firmly to my knees. “The campus, and surrounding areas, are swarming with The Elders right now. Everyone is looking for her and this is the last place they’d think to search.” An idea comes to mind that has me on my feet. “Lemme go get food. And more blankets. Anything we need to hole up in here a little bit longer until this is all settled and her name is cleared.”

Ridge tosses the blanket off him aggressively and gets to his knees. “And who the fuck is out there trying to clear it?” he shouts. “No one! Not a single fucking person, so it’s up to us! We’re not doing her any good here.”

“Would you guys quit it?” Riley jumps in. “Stop talking as if I’m not even here. I’m right fucking here!” She places an arm on Ridge’s shoulder, pulling him back toward her, though he resists and continues to scowl at me like I’m the enemy right now. “Ridge is right. We can’t stay here forever, but I can’t stand the thought of either of you going out there and facing repercussions for being with me.” She chokes on her words as they slip through her damp lips. Her eyes are downcast and she speaks softly. “Maybe it’s best for all of us if we part ways for a while. Just until this is over.”

My heart pangs with remorse. I get to my feet and move to sit behind her. Taking her hair in one hand, I move it to the side so I can press a warm kiss to the back of her neck. “There isn’t a chance in hell we are leaving you.”

She turns her head to look at me as I run my fingers down the sleeve of her hoodie. “It’s not safe for you guys. I don’t want your names connected to me in any way until this is over.”

Ridge scoots closer, his hand now resting on her leg overtop the blanket. “We are connected to you, Angel, and I don’t give a fuck who knows it. Consequences be damned, you are stuck with us.”

Massaging her shoulders, I speak tenderly in a way that I hope calms her nerves. “Right now, our whereabouts won’t be questioned since we’re on lockdown. Everyone assumes we're in our dorms. We’ve got time.”

“He’s right. We’ve got some time,” Ridge reminds her. “No one will suspect we’re with you, and if they do, then fuck them. None of us are guilty. We didn’t do a damn thing wrong.”

I look at him, wondering if he truly believes the lies he’s saying. “Not a damn thing, huh?”

He scoffs. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

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