Page 9 of They Will Fall

There’s only one option. We have to get the hell out of Boulder Cove. I don’t care if we have to run forever. If it means she’s safe, then so be it.

The cabin comes into view and I breathe a heavy sigh of relief as I jog up to it. My boots thud against the wood steps and I rip open the door. “Riley,” I holler as my eyes skim the small space. “Maddox.” I slam the door closed behind me and let the bags fall from my arm, hitting the floor with a gentle clap. “Where the hell are you guys?”

Rushing to the bathroom, I quickly fling it open but come face to face with disappointment when I see that it's empty.

With a quick glance into the small bedroom, I search for any sign of life. The blanket on the bed is rumpled, but the room is empty.

I walk back to the middle of the cabin and tip my head back, peering up at the loft. Light streams through the small window revealing nothing but decade-old cobwebs.

“Riley,” I shout louder, but I get nothing in response. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, knowing it’s a risk to turn it on, but I’m hopeful I’ll have a message from one of them. If I see that I do, I’m tearing Maddox a new asshole for sending it in the first place. We can be traced and our phones are the easiest way to do that.

It takes a second to power on, and once it does, I swipe out of all my notifications, missed calls, and text messages, searching for two names in particular. But there's nothing. Not a single call or message from Maddox, Riley, or even Lev. I immediately shut it back down and stick it back in my pocket.

Pulling open the front door again, I step outside, leaving it open behind me. My eyes dart around the property, hoping to see a trace of them.

But, they’re gone.

CHAPTER4

MADDOX

“How much farther?”Riley asks as we continue down the trail. She ducks her head, dodging a branch, while hugging tightly to the navy blue coat that hangs off her shoulders. I found it in the closet at the cabin. It’s a man’s coat and based on the faint musty stench and the amount of dust on it, it’s been hanging in there for years. It’s keeping her warm, though, and that’s all that matters.

“About another mile and we should be there.”

“And you’re certain no one will find us here?” she asks the dozenth question since we started our trek an hour ago.

“We’ll be safe there. I promise.”

Riley has no idea where we’re going, but I’m certain once we arrive she’ll know exactly where we are. All members who graduated from BCA know about the tunnels. They run underneath The Academy's property, with many entrances and exits. Of course, students frequent them because they’re full of mystery and nostalgia, but there’s a spot, in particular, no one inhabits. That’s where I’m taking Riley for the foreseeable future.

Riley’s foot slips out from underneath her as she steps over a half-rotten log on the trail, and my arms sweep out catching her fall. “Jesus,” she gripes. “It’s like a tornado ripped through these woods.

“You’re not lying,” I tell her. “Doesn’t look like there’s been much foot traffic on these trails in a while.”

Her feet slow and mine do the same to keep going at her pace. “You’re sure we’re heading in the right direction?”

“Absolutely,” I tell her, scouring the area nervously, hoping like hell I’m right.

It’s been four years since I’ve been out here and I’m starting to think me and the guys were the last ones to take this path, considering how overgrown it is. Now that I think about it, that might actually work in our favor. The less people that know this area, the better.

A few minutes later, I see what I’ve been looking for. A smile grows on my face as I take Riley’s hand. “This way,” I tell her, pulling her with me as I pick up my pace.

It’s an old cabin that’s been here since before my grandparents’ parents’ time. Probably even before their parents, too. While it’s similar to the one we were staying in that Lev owns, this one is different because of the shelter underneath. What’s even more compelling is the history of The Blue Bloods that’s found underground. Maps, pictures, and letters dated back to the beginning of our times as The Society.

It’s also been fenced off to keep students out, and if any are caught out here, they face expulsion from BCA. It’s privately owned by a member now, though I’m not quite sure who.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been here,” I tell Riley. “I can’t believe this place is still standing.”

Riley pushes herself up on her tiptoes to steal a glance at the old cabin sitting a few hundred yards away.

She stops moving and tugs back on my hand. “No, Maddox.” Her face pales as her fingers tighten around mine. With a trembling voice, she whispers, “We have to go now.”

“Baby,” I say softly as I step in front of her. My hands glide to her waist. “What’s wrong?”

Shaking her head, she chokes on the words as they come out of her mouth. “We can’t be here.”

I chuckle in response. “It’s fine. The guys and I used to come here all the time. I know they’ve closed it off since then, but no one lives here, and no one visits.”

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