SIX YEARS AGO,
MAY 24th, 2014.
GREENWOOD MIDDLE.
I sit at my desk, not paying any kind to what the hell my English teacher is yapping about.
I look tiredly at the clock.
Ugh...thirty-five more minutes of pure torture.
I swear my brain is rotting.
If only my dad would allow me to fucking drop out.
I hate school with a fucking passion.
I draw in my notebook rather than writing notes, drawing pictures of multiple doors.
Big doors, medium doors, small doors.
Doors that lead to every single one of me and my stupid eighth grader problems.
As I shade them I hear someone clearing their throat.
I look up and make eye contact with Mrs. Bitchluck.
Her name is Mrs. Butchluck but I'm sure you get the joke...right?
"Daisy...what're you doing?! Why aren't you paying any attention?! Your grades are dropping tremendously in this class and now I see why! You're drawing doors in your notebook! This is English, not art class, Miss Saunders!"
I tune out her annoying voice, rubbing my temples while she continues to go off on me.
By now all the students are watching curiously with wide eyes.
Don't snap, Daisy. You're okay.
You're not okay.
I throw my notebook at her, holding my head in my hands.
"Leave me alone! Stop! Shut up! Dumb blonde bitch!"
She gasps as does everyone in the room, pointing at the door before shaking her head.
"You awful girl. Go to the office, now!"
As I walk by, Stellina grabs my hand.
"Are you okay...?"
I pull my hand away, frowning.
"I've been better."
I walk out of the classroom, gripping tightly onto my notebook.
As soon as I get into the hall I breakdown crying, inching slowly towards the front office as some of the other students stare at me strangely.
I open the door, approaching the front desk.
Miss Jessica immediately stands up, hurrying around the desk and pulling me into a small hug.
She squats down to my level, wiping tears from my eyes.
"Oh no, my love, what happened?"
"I...I snapped at her..."
I get out between choked sobs, and she sighs.
"Mrs. Butchluck, right? I got a call that a student was coming down here. I didn't think it would be you! You never get into trouble with that class...what happened?"
"I got distracted and was drawing in my notebook when she came over. She just kept going on lecturing me and I just kinda snapped, I guess... "
"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry."
Miss Jessica stands up, bringing me behind the desk with her.
She sits me down on a chair next to her, continuing to type on her computer.
"You can stay here with me until third period if you'd like?"
"Yeah...that'd be cool."
Miss Jessica nods, and I resume doodling in my book.
A few minutes later the door opens, and I hear footsteps.
"Uhh...excuse me, ma'am?"
Miss Jessica looks up from her computer, pulling down her glasses to survey the girl.
She smiles warmly, shutting her laptop.
"Hello, dearie! What can I do for you?"
"Hi...uh...I'm new here...and um...I was told to come here for my schedule."
She smacks her forehead with a small sigh.
"I'm sorry miss, I'm just a little nervous."
"Aww, I know that feeling. New school and new people, right? I felt that way when I first came here as a guidance counselor! My name is Miss Jessica, and you must be?"
"Jessalyn Maxine Vanderbilt. I just go by Max."
"You have a beautiful name! Okay...so at the moment it's in the middle of second period, and you have history with Mr. Law, okay? He's a really nice guy, and I'm sure you'll make some friends! Come to me if you need anything, and his room number is 234! To get there just take a left down this hall, he has a very decorative door."
She hands Maxine a printed piece of paper.
"And this is your schedule! Enjoy your first day, Max!"
Her cheeks flush and her hazel-gold eyes sparkle.
"Thank you, Miss Jessica!"
Her eyes snap on mine for a second with a curious look before she walks off, turning her head back one last time with a slight frown before walking away.
I frown as well.
This Max is definitely hiding something that's worth finding out.
*****
THREE HOURS LATER, MATH CLASS.
I sit at the back of the classroom, continuously glancing up at Max.
I examine the soft shape of her face, her dimples when she smiles all innocently and cutely at Mr. White, her short brown hair that fades to a more auburn shade at the bottom, then her hazel eyes with the golden specks.
The perfect girl.
I sketch her in my notebook, adding even the smallest bit of freckles that dot her nose and cheeks, the frequent pinky shade they have to them.
I tilt my head, looking back up at her.
Perfection.
****
After about fifteen minutes out teacher let's us have our free time to do work from his class or different classes, or simply just hang out and chat.
That's why I like him.
Max sits still at her desk, seemingly focusing greatly on a piece of paper in her hand.
I decide to approach her.
I shut my notebook, holding onto it as I slowly approach her, sitting on the chair across from her.
She's drawing as well...but she's drawing...me?
"Hello!"
She looks up, instantly flipping the paper around.
She gives me a small smile.
"Max, right?"
"Yes...I don't believe I ever caught your name?"
Her voice is one you could listen to forever, soft, gentle, and welcoming.
I smile back.
"Daisy."
She nods, pushing her bangs from her face.
I think a moment before saying something.
"What're you drawing?"
"Y—uh just someone."
I don't bother to mention that it's me.
"Cool. I like drawing too."
"Really? Can I see what you've done?"
"Well sure...it's not much though."
Maxine smiles gently.
"I'm sure it's great."
She watches as I open to a page with a girl looking into a mirror, the reflection being of someone completely different.
There's writing on the mirror:
The Devil was an angel once...
Maxine gasps a little.
"It's...it's beautiful, Daisy. Really."
"Thank you...thank you so much."
******
FOUR MONTHS LATER,
AUGUST 30TH, 2014.
MAXINE'S HOUSE.
"I'll be right back...I have to use the restroom."
I nod as Max leaves the room, moving my head towards her sketchbook.
She's never shown me what was really inside.
By now I had the thing in my hands, opening to the first page.
Me.
The next page.
Me.
The next page.
Me.
And the next. And the next.
Me, me, me.
I immediately shut it, a cold feeling running down my spine as an envelope falls from it, a few Polaroids scattering out.
I pick a few up, gasping slightly.
Me sleeping.
Me walking home.
Me sitting in class.
Me, me, me.
The last one is the fro t of my house, shrouded in darkness.
Life is strange.
Is the caption.
I stuff the photos back in the envelope before shoving the envelope back into the sketchbook.
The weird thing is...I don't feel scared.
Not that much.
Max comes back in the room, and as soon as she looks at my face, her eyes fill with some emotion and a frown creases her lips.
"You saw the book, didn't you?"
******
THREE YEARS LATER,
NOVEMBER 3rd, 2017.
GREENWOOD NATIONAL AIRPORT.
I watch Max as she's headed towards the plane with a miserable look.
I run full speed through the airport.
I can catch her.
I can catch her.
I will catch her.
I run to a halt, grabbing her arm and pulling her backwards.
Her face is tear streaked with mascara running down her cheeks.
"Daisy?!"
"Don't leave, Max, please!"
"I have to. I was called for the army."
"You might die out there—I can't—I can't lose you, Max! I can't let you go!"
She pulls her arm from my limp grasp, silently sobbing as she gets pulled by her father onto the plane.
"Goodbye, Daisy."
******
FIVE MONTHS LATER,
APRIL 8th, 2018.
It's been five months since Max was taken away to military and army camp.
I haven't seen her...I haven't heard from her.
And no matter how much I try to forget her?!
I just can't.
Wherever you are, Maxine Jessalyn Vanderbilt, please come back. I can't go without you.
******
APRIL 9th, 2018.
GODLUCK MILITARY CAMP AND BASE.
I crumple up the fifth letter I've tried to write.
She doesn't miss me.
She can't miss someone who basically stalked her...right?
Right.
But I just can't get the girl out of my head.
"Max?"
I turn my head, shoving my notebook in a drawer.
"Hey, Iris..."
She approaches me, and I stare blankly at the desk in front of me.
"You good?"
"No."
"You still miss her...don't you...?"
"Too much."
Iris lifts me up, pulling me closer to her.
She leans to whisper in my ear.
"I can make you forget."
******
(MAX'S POV)
TWO YEARS LATER,
MAY 10th, 2020.
DULCE MENTAL HOSPITAL.
I run into the trees, hearing their running footsteps behind me.
"Jessalyn! Get back here!"
I continue running, tuning out their yells.
I can do it.
I can make it.
I run as far as I can, until I trip over a branch and fall face first into a pile of wet mud.
Gross.
My short hair gets drenched by it, and I lift my head up as I hear a small giggle.
"Sweetheart, you just face planted in mud!"
I roll my eyes, smearing the mud from my face with a gag.
"Nice of you to point it out. I noticed."
"Come with me, child."
I frown as I lift myself from the cold ground.
Through the mud in my eyes I can see a fair woman.
"Why would I do that, ma'am?"
"Suit yourself. Get caught by your nurses and go back into the mental hospital for all I care."
My eyes widen.
"I don't want to go back!"
"Then I'd suggest you come quickly, Jessalyn."
*****
The dark haired woman brought me back to her home, which was very large and Victorian styled.
She introduced me kindly to a young man named Silas, who she said would be helping us out.
She also informed me that her name was Lucinda. Lucinda Alma Millicent.
I now sit on an armchair, both Silas and Lucinda sitting across from me.
"What is it?"
"Max, darling, would you do me a favor?"
I nod eagerly, feeling a strong connection with her.
Like a mother I've never had.
"Good girl, would you kindly be my assistant?"
I nod without hesitation and Lucinda smiles.
"Thank you, dearie. We have a person we need to you keep a close eye on."
"Yes?"
"Great...her name is Daisy. Daisy Marie Saunders."
******
PRESENT DAY,
DECEMBER 1st, 2020.
THE ABANDONED WAREHOUSE.
5:56 AM.
(DAISY'S POV)
Max looks back at me, first with a frown but then a small smile, her shaking hand reaching up to take my face, I find myself slowly leaning into her touch.
"Max..."
"Daisy. I...I missed you so much...I...I didn't know what to do without you..."
I try to hide my initial shock, staring into her eyes.
The eyes that are no longer filled with happiness, but mystery, misery, and fear.
She reaches out further to me when Lucinda drags her backwards, watching as Max falls with a small thump onto the floor.
Her eyes widen, moving to Lucinda who has a stone cold expression before moving to me.
She back away slowly, standing up and maneuvering semi behind Lucinda as she was before.
Lucinda rolls her eyes.
"Enough of this shit, you two. I'm here for a game plan, not a fucking lovey dovey reunion."
She pauses, turning around.
"Silas! Come out here, boy!"
"How many times, Lucinda, do I have to tell you to stop calling me boy?! I'm not your child."
His voice projects from the shadows, and I see his silhouette lounging in a chair lazily.
"But you act like it, hothead. Come."
He stands up, rising to his full height and emerging from the shadows.
Silas walks past Max with a small grin, before walking to the front with Lucinda.
They both tower over me as I sit on the ground, looking up at them.
"What is the fucking meaning of this?!"
I glare at Silas, who shrugs nonchalantly.
"The point was to get you over here."
Lucinda smacks his chest and glares down at me.
"Shut up, woman. I'm not done yet. As I was saying, you're here for a purpose, little mouse. A big one at that."
"What kind of twisted plan are you trying to get me into?"
"Oh, a twisted one, honey. One that little old you can't get out of."
She grins wolfishly and I stare at her.
Lucinda backs up a few paces, clapping twice.
A screen turns on, video footage to be exact.
As I look closer it's of the house I live in with everyone else.
Max shies away to the corner, seemingly upset.
Lucinda points at it with a grin.
"As you can see, child, this is your humble abode."
She stares impassively at me, before continuing.
"But not so humble. As you will now be aware of, I have cameras everywhere over there. I can see what you are doing and when you are doing it. Along with every single person in that house at the moment. I know when Dylan gets ready and takes selfies of herself at exactly 1:30 PM everyday. I know how Salem sneaks into the bathroom and shoots himself up with heroin everyday at 3:40 AM. I bet you didn't know that one. I also know how Jaylen and Jayden go down to the basement every night to torture a group of five people down there. I know everyone's secrets, everyone's schedules. And while I was studying each little thing they did, I became aware of something."
I stare at her in pure disturbance.
"What?!"
"How each and every one of you have something awful to hide. And I've also figured out how to use that against them! I can use Salem as an example. If someone so happened to find one of his heroin needles right now," she clicks a button and the camera switches to Roxie in the bathroom searching through drawers for something. "Then everything would go wrong."
I watch in horror as she opens one drawer, jumping back.
She looks back, pulling out a needle.
Her eyes roam around, and they catch directly on the camera.
She frowns, and just as she seems like she's about to do something Lucinda switches it again.
The camera is black now, and Lucinda looks at me with a smirk.
"Even when some people are being...faithless?"
My face pales as she clicks another button, and the camera switches to a blue and black room, where I can clearly see Zane making out with—with Jayden?!
My heart breaks into a million pieces.
No...it can't be...
I stare in horror, and Lucinda changes it back to Salem in the backyard getting something from a man in all black.
I move my eyes to hers, tears welling in my eyes.
I let out a choked sob, holding my head in my hands.
Lucinda makes a mock sad face.
"Boo-hoo, baby. Did you think he loved you?"
She walks over to me, lifting my chin up with her index finger.
I nod slowly, and she grips harder on my chin.
"Trust me, I know what heartbreak feels like. Don't let it turn you weak, darling."
Silas leans against the wall and Max sits ruefully next to him, playing with the rabbit mask.
She's distracted.
She crouches down, cocking her head to the side.
She smiles wryly.
"Don't let him get in your head, Daisy. Don't let him do this to you. You will show him heartbreak, honey. And you will get your revenge on the bastard."
"What?!"
She laughs as she walks away, back to the other side of the room.
"That's when the next part comes in."
Her eyes move slowly and unblinkingly to mine again.
"The murdering."
******
(ZANE'S POV)
Thirty minutes earlier...
I now sit bored my on the couch, scrolling through Instagram on my phone.
I get a text notification from...Jayden?
I open it, my eyes widening a good bit at the video she sends me.
Holy shit.
The video starts playing when I open her contact, her doing some weird things while in a very revealing little outfit with a black cowboy hat and a blue whip.
It immediately shows she's texting, and I get a message.
Oops! Wrong person...😏
I respond.
Most definitely. Don't do that again. My eyes are burning.
She responds with a picture of her flipping me off.
I text back whilst rolling my eyes.
Hoe.
Rude! I hope you're talking about the fucking gardening tool, mister...
I go back to Instagram, sighing when she calls me.
"What do you want, bitch?"
"To apologize. That obviously wasn't meant for you...but if you watched it I wouldn't be mad."
I roll my eyes.
"Stop bothering me."
"I won't until you come up here."
"Why?"
"I don't tell my secrets..."
"Fine."
I hang up the phone, standing up before stalking up the stairs to her bedroom.
I turn around, my eyes catching on a small black camera.
Weird...
I shrug, knocking on her door.
"You in there?"
"Yep!"
I open the door, seeing her laying upside down on her bed with a black knife.
I make a strange face at it and she tosses it.
"Hey!"
She sits up, smiling extra wide.
"Why're you in such a good mood?"
Jayden shrugs.
"I don't know!"
She stands up, walking closer to me.
Way closer to me.
So close that she's now pressed against me.
"Have you missed me?"
She suddenly goes flirty mode on me, smirking.
"Umm...I just saw you a few hours ago? So not really."
She laughs.
"No, silly. Did you miss my touch?"
She runs her hand down my chest and I stare at her weirdly.
"I'm not entirely sure what you're doing at the moment, Jayden. It's maybe just a tad bit strange."
"Don't act like you don't love it, babe."
She pushes me into the wall, stroking my jaw with her index finger.
"I missed your hands on my body, Zane. So fucking much."
I look down at her.
"Jayden...what're you—"
"Shhh, big boy. Kiss me."
"What—?!"
She pushes her lips hungrily against mine, pulling me closer to her.
"You don't know how much I missed this, Zane..."
I feel her smirk against my lips.
"It's all going to plan so far, Lucinda."
*******
(DAISY'S POV)
6:04 AM.
"Murdering?!"
"Yes! I know it sounds insane, but think about it! Me, you, Max, Silas, and two little surprises, isn't it perfect?"
"Someone else?"
"Yes. We have two more spies in your house. You'll meet them soon enough."
I frown, and Lucinda smiles.
"This is where our plan comes in, okay Daisy?"
I nod slowly, and she claps.
"I knew I could count on you, this is why I chose you! But enough with that. Our plan is to make them think you disappeared and were kidnapped by a different side, when in reality you're with us! I'll have you meet two more people, and they'll be helping orchestrate this whole thing. All you have to do is cooperate with us and all will be well. We won't hurt you if we don't have to."
"Hurt me?"
"Yes. I wouldn't want to do that.
Lucinda sighs.
"I'd like you to meet someone before we do anything else. Langston?"
A tall guy comes out, with black hair and bright green eyes.
Hold up.
That Langston?!
His eyes snap on mine as soon as he comes out.
"Daisy?!"
"Langston?!"
Lucinda claps.
"Hilarious! You already know each other. He is our lovely gunman. Helps us with the weapons and the sneaky stuff."
She taps her chin.
"Hmm...now...will you be able to do something?"
"I'm already stuck in this so go ahead, throw me something new."
Lucinda grins.
"Loving the attitude. I'll have your new partners talk to you about it. Max? Emerson?"
Max comes back, and a guy comes out.
The guy grins at me wolfishly, before turning to Lucinda.
"You didn't say the girl was going to be hot..."
Max smacks his arm.
"Lay it off, okay? No one likes to be hit on by you. You're weird."
"It's a joke. If you didn't remember I'm fucking gay, bitch. And says the girl who's goes by the name of a rabbit in a TV show."
"Hey! Max and Ruby wasn't that bad!"
He rolls his eyes and when they realize I'm staring they both awkwardly smile.
"Jessalyn. But I like Max. You know me already."
"Emerson. I just go by Emerson. We both know you have no fucking clue who I am."
He lifts me off the floor, holding his hand out.
I take it, and he firmly shakes my hand.
"I've been an agent for Lovely Lucinda for around eight years now...since I was sixteen."
Lucinda rolls her eyes before shooting us with her hand.
"Lovely Lucinda my ass. Get out of my sight."
Emerson and Max hurry me out of the room, and I halt in my tracks.
"Where are we going?!"
"The training room. If you're going to be working as an agent you need to act like one."
Emerson coughs.
"No offense girl, but you're really outta shape."
"Wow. Thanks." I pause before continuing. "What did she want you guys to tell me?"
Max nods.
"Ohh, I forgot about that. Lucinda is planning a huge mission a few months from now, which is part of her plan. We just need to train you for it."
I shrug.
"Fair enough."
They both pull me into a room with multiple targets, and multiple guns on the table.
"I assume you know how to use a gun, right?"
I nod, and Max hands me a gun with a smile.
"Show us what you've got!"
"Okay..."
I load the gun, aiming with one eye closed before letting it go off, watching as it hits the target right in the center of its head.
"Better than I thought...but would you be able to use that against your hot boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend—?" I turn to Emerson. "Are you talking about—"
"The hunk with the green hair? Yes. Love him."
"Oh...he's not my boyfriend."
"Mm...that sucks for you. If you don't turn him into your husband I'll take him any day, boo. No hesitation."
I blink a few times.
"I don't think he's into guys, Emerson. No offense."
"None taken. I can make him like guys."
Me and Max start laughing.
Emerson rolls his eyes.
"I'm serious. Now you obviously know how to use a gun..."
He smirks.
"But do you know how to fight?"
******
FIVE YEARS AGO,
APRIL 15th, 2015.
MAX'S HOUSE.
After school me and Max walk back towards her house, and when we get there we both gasp.
There are police cars.
Everywhere.
There's also caution tape surrounding the whole property, and my eyes catch on blood.
Lots of blood.
Then two bodies.
"Oh my lord..."
I say, turning to Max who's already gone.
I see her bolting down the street, all the way over to a young policeman.
He looks up from his notepad, frowning.
"You can't be at the crime scene, ma'am. Where are your parents?!"
She shakes her head softly, sprinting past him before he can do anything and under the caution tape, tears running down her face.
"No..."
I hear her heartbreaking sobs.
She grabs onto her mother's hand, then her father's, shaking her head.
"No, no, no...they can't be...you...you can't be dead!"
Three police officers run over to her, picking her up my the arms and dragging her backwards.
I watch in horror at her blood soaked hands and tear streaked face.
"They can't be gone!"
She's hysterically sobbing, and the police officers try to calm her down as I frantically dial my father's number.
"Dad?!"
"Daisy...are you having fun at Max's house?"
"N-No...d-dad...t-they're dead...it's a whole crime scene, they're trying to calm Max down..."
"What?! Honey...I'll be right there!"
He hangs up the phone, and I run closer to Max and the policemen.
One pulls me back.
"Where are your parents, sweetie?"
"M-My dad is coming...what's happening?! What happened?!"
"We got an anonymous call to come to this address...and when we came we saw them on the floor. We suspect it's a murder but we cannot disclose personal information about that. Is that your friend?"
I nod eagerly, and he sighs.
"I'm so sorry...does she have anywhere to go? If not she can sit at the police station until we find a place for her."
I shake my head rapidly.
"She can stay with me."
Max is still sobbing by the time my dad pulls into the place, climbing out of the car and running over.
He looks panicked, seeing Max sobbing next to one of the offices and me just standing in shock.
I run over to Max, grabbing her hand.
"It's going to be okay, Max. I promise. You can stay with me for now, okay?!"
"O-Okay..."
I hold onto her tightly as we get into my fathers car, driving away.
The whole ride to my house she's been staring at her hands.
Bright red.
Cakes in blood.
Once we get to my house we go up to my room, Max dead silent.
I walk over to her, plopping down on the floor next to her.
I hold onto Max tightly, frowning.
"How can I help?"
"I don't know...you just being here is enough."
I smile softly, feeling her tears drop onto my leg.
"I'll do anything I can."
I sigh.
How can I help Max...when I can't even help myself?
*******
(DYLAN'S POV)
One day.
Two days.
Two weeks.
Three weeks.
Three months.
She never came back from the store.
Daisy's been missing for three whole months.
Where did she go?!
Is she even alive?!
I'm scared shitless.
I'm mortified.
I've never been able to sleep soundly since.
Where is she?!
Daisy...wherever you are...please come back.
******
(MAX'S POV)
I'm glad to finally say I got my Daisy back.
My beloved Daisy.
And she did miss me...which makes me feel all the more better.
I haven't been this happy in a while.
I have everyone I need...even if it's in captivity working as an agent for Lucinda.
*******
(LUCINDA'S POV)
Oh, how everything is going to plan!
And if it continues to go this way, everyone will be dead in less than two weeks!
Which for me, is pretty good news!
And the more Daisy is here as well, the more I realize I did a damn good job.
Too bad none of them know what's coming next for them...
It'll be a surprise!
A deadly one too...
*******
THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER,
FEBRUARY 27th, 2021.
LUCINDA'S BASE.
We all sit in Lucinda's living room.
By us all I mean me, Silas, Max, Emerson, and Langston.
Lucinda stands in front of us all with her hands clasped in front of her.
"Now that we all are trained and understand what's going to happen, are we ready for instruction?"
We all nod and she smiles.
"Great."
Lucinda turns to the board, pointing at a photo of six people dressed in black with black masks on.
"These people have been going around town, and doing my job for me. Which I'm not a fan of. That's why to fight we're going on a mission to ultimately disturb their mission and kill them. Simple enough?"
We all nod.
"Okay then. So Langston, you're out weapon handler and getaway driver. Emerson, you're in charge of the bombs and that shit. Max and Daisy, you two are actually going to do the killing, while Silas will be lookout."
Emerson rolls his eyes.
"And what're you going to do, bitch? Sit there and act like a pretty princess?"
"Yes. And help if I need to. Next time you call me a bitch I'll chop your head off. Be careful what you say to me."
"Yada-yada."
She shoots him an icy glare.
"Well, if Emerson's done being a little bitch then you guys can go get ready. If you aren't in the car at 11:00 sharp I'm leaving you behind. Have fun!"
She leaves the room, and I release a breath.
"Okay...here we go."
******
After about twenty minutes, we're all in the car ready to go.
I'm a little nervous.
Never mind that.
Extremely nervous.
Something about this hat doesn't seem right.
At all.
Langston drives us off towards the abandoned military navy base, and I just about die inside when we hit the road.
Max lays her hand on mine.
"Are you okay, Dais?"
"Uh...yeah...fine."
She gives me a look.
"I know you well enough to tell that you aren't fine, Daisy. What's bugging you?"
"This whole mission thing...I have a bad feeling."
"We all do with this stuff. And me and you have a huge job tonight, I'd be nervous as well."
I nod, resting my head against her shoulder.
"Thanks for that."
"Any day."
*****
After about twenty minutes we arrive at the place, cold wind hitting me from all angles.
Rain drizzles lightly from the sky and I release a heavy breath.
Here we go.
Dark clouds loom in the sky as everyone moves to their places, me and Max stealthily running behind a large concrete building, armed with guns and sharp knives.
"You ready?"
I here Lucinda's voice in my ear piece.
"Yeah...pretty much. Are they here?"
"We're a few minutes back, we just saw a white van pass by. I'm pretty sure they're there."
I here a loud crash.
A bomb.
"They're definitely here."
"Alright. Stay silent. Good luck you guys."
I tune out her voice, breath hitching in my throat as I hear footsteps and laughter.
Then a female and male voice.
"Dude, they're here, right?"
"Probably, Dyl. Maybe we just have to set off a few bombs for them to come out."
The woman giggles and me and Max jump behind a small stone wall.
We watch as they both walk past, and I resist the urge to gasp.
"Dylan?!"
She stops, grabbing onto the guy's arm.
"Salem...you heard that right?"
"What?!"
"Someone said my name."
"They probably didn't, Dyl."
"Okay..."
She looks over to where I am, pulling her mask back over her face before dragging Salem along.
They're the people in the black masks?!
What the hell is going on?!
I need answers.
And I need them now.
I jump up, and Max grabs my hand.
"What're you doing?! Get down before they see you!"
"I...uh...I have to go!"
I hear Lucinda's voice through my ear piece.
"What the hell are you doing?! Get back down before someone sees you you fucking idiot! You better not mute me, bitch, if you do I'll—"
I mute her, running out into the now pouring rain.
If Dylan's here, that must mean—
I hear four loud gunshots, ducking just in time to miss four flying right over my head that nail into the wall.
"It's one of them! Get her!"
I hear a family's voice, and when I turn my head over my shoulder for a split second I see a large Afro of red and yellow hair.
Roxie.
I run out of the way, sprinting until I dive behind another solid wall, my breathing going ragged.
Oh no...what the fuck is happening?!
"Hey."
I jump, flipping my head over my shoulder and seeing two glowing eyes, an orangey hazel.
"What the—"
"You must be the person I'm looking for...the person with all this 'hype'."
His voice is deep, and all his face is hidden besides his amused eyes.
He has a hood over his head so I can only see a single loose strand of hair that fell out.
Green...
My face is covered too, gray eyes filled with worry.
"Who are you?!"
"Oh honeybun, I don't just expose who I am to youngins like you!"
"Youngin?! I'm about to turn twenty one."
"A little baby. Aren't you cute."
He peaks his head over the wall, seeing Max and Emerson fighting Salem and Dylan.
"We don't have to fight, boo! We can hook up instead! You're hot!"
Emerson starts yelling all kinds of thing at Salem who's not having it at all.
The guy fully stands up, stretching to an incredible height.
He offers his hand which I take, before dragging me further away from the chaos.
The masked man pulls me aside, trapping me against the fence.
I stare incredulously into their eyes.
Hazel.
So familiar...
As soon as the person pulls their mask off, I almost let out a shriek when he shushes me.
"Zane?!"