Page 39 of They Will Fall

I hesitate, feeling like I'm forgetting something, but when she sets the hat on my head and slips the sunglasses over my ears, I think I’m all set.

“Oh,” I begin, spinning around to face her, but before I can finish my sentence, she closes the door. “What kind of food are you going out for?” I mumble to myself sarcastically.

Guess it’ll be a surprise. I’m so hungry, I’d eat damn near anything at this point.

My walk down the hall is a quick one, and fortunately, I didn’t cross paths with any students. I push open the door to the girls’ showers and poke my head in. “Hello?” I call out.

“Hello,” someone shouts back over the sound of running water.

“Just seeing if anyone is in here.”

“Someone is. Just me.”

Not saying anything else, I hurry past the sinks, down to the row of showers, and slip into the first one, yanking the curtain closed before I undress.

The minute the hot water kisses my skin, I feel the tension unravel in my knotted muscles. I’m not sure if it was wrestling around with those guys in the woods, beating the hell out of the trapdoor, or screwing Maddox—twice—on the cement floor, but my body fucking hurts.

My fingers run through my knotted hair and I lean my head back, closing my eyes.

This will all be over soon.

Even if I do get taken in due to my involvement in the governor’s murder, I’ll plead my case and I have a good shot at winning. It’s easy to prove what a psycho the man was. Especially when I know Neo and his sister, Maddie, will vouch for me.

As for the other murders—I didn’t kill anyone else. I shouldn’t be scared because I had absolutely nothing to do with the deaths of those other guys. I’m innocent and I’ll do everything in my power to prove that.

As I try to relax in the shower, I start to realize just how much I miss my guys. Maddox, Ridge, and even though I don’t want to admit it to myself, Lev.

Lev might not be mine, but it still feels like there is a string attached between us, pulling us together like a moth to a flame. I can feel it in my gut. There has to be a reason he did what he did. I’m still angry, but I have a feeling once I hear his side of the story that anger will subside.

Once I finish my shower, I reach outside to where the towel hook is. “Son of a bitch,” I grumble. I forgot a towel.

With no other option, I use my dirty shirt to pat myself dry then hold up the clothes Temper gave me.

Black leggings that look two sizes too small. Fortunately they’re stretchy so I manage to squeeze into them. And a solid black crew-neck sweatshirt that hugs the hell out of my tits.

Once I’m dressed, I slide the old flip phone from Scar in my bra for safe keeping, then I slip on the hat and glasses and sneak out of the bathroom. My bare feet pad against the worn carpet in the hall as I walk briskly back to Temper’s room, carrying my dirty laundry and the ugly old coat I hope I never have to wear again.

Stopping at her door, I look both ways, making sure no one is coming as I knock my knuckles to it. To my surprise, it pops right open.

“I’m back,” I say, eyes skimming the small space. “Temper?”

I close the door all the way and go inside. She must not be back from getting food yet.

I decide to make myself comfortable on her bed, but not too comfortable. As tired as I am, it feels weird lying down in a stranger’s bed. It’s crazy how we just met an hour ago and I already feel so comfortable with her. Like she’s an old friend who has my trust.

Twenty minutes later, she’s still not back, so I lean to the left, allowing my body to drop into the plush mattress.

Before I know it, my eyes are closing.

“Shit!” I jump up from a dead sleep.My heart races, and my chest tightens as a wave of panic washes over me. It's an awful feeling, as if I missed something really important. But all I've missed is time. Time that I should be using to search for Lev.

I take a deep breath and try to shake off the feeling, but its hold is strong.

One glance at the clock on Temper’s nightstand sends me into a full-blown panic attack. She should have been back by now. Every place on BCA grounds is within walking distance of only ten minutes tops.

It’s been over an hour since I returned from the showers. My air supply feels restricted, like a tight hand is around my throat. There’s an immense fear inside me that something happened to her. That somehow I dragged her into my mess.

Where the hell is she?

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