Chapter 14 #2
I slipped under one of the tables and drew my knees up to my chest, trembling as the adrenaline rushed through my veins.
As I sat there huddled under that table, I could hear the gunfire just outside the door, and I was completely terrified.
I had no idea who was doing this until I heard a voice come over the school intercom.
Bile rose to my throat as I listened to him say, “You did this, Kiersten. You’re the one who was so fucking hard-headed. You’re the one who made it difficult.”
It was the same words Drake had said to me the other night at the gas station. I thought it was just an odd coincidence until he continued, “You just had to give me a chance to talk to you, but no. You were too fucking good for me...”
I had no idea how he’d gotten access to the school’s intercom, but I didn’t take it as a good sign.
To get there, he would’ve had to have gotten past not only Braylon, Timms, but Widow and his prospect Jackal, and that thought terrified me.
I was frozen with fear. All I could do was sit there and listen to Drake’s insanity.
“That was a mistake that’s going to cost you dearly. ”
As I sat there in the pitch dark, I thought about everything Drake had just said and was riddled with guilt.
I should’ve known that there was a reason why he’d shown up at the Manor looking for me that day.
He was getting a lay of the land which explained how he knew exactly where to go to get to us.
He must’ve used the fire as a decoy to lure us away just long enough to get inside.
I just didn’t understand how he’d gotten past all the security cameras.
Not that it mattered now. He and his people had infiltrated us, and it was my fault.
I’d tried to be careful and watch my back, but clearly, I’d failed miserably, and now, everyone at the Manor was paying for my mistake.
The thought consumed me with regret as I listened to Drake growl, “I know you’re here, Kiersten.
I know you can hear everything I’m saying.
Come out of hiding, or I’ll put a bullet in your buddy’s head and finish him off. ”
“No! Don’t!” Braylon shouted. “Stay where you are!”
“Either come out, or he’s as good as dead. It’s your choice.”
“Kiersten, don’t!”
There was a loud burst of static, and then the microphone clicked off, leaving me spiraling with doubt.
I knew I couldn’t just sit there and let someone I cared about die—even if it meant putting my own life in jeopardy.
I took a deep breath, trying my best to calm my racing heart, then forced myself out of my hiding place.
With Braylon’s gun in hand, I started down the dark aisle of the classroom.
When I made it to the door, I eased it open and stepped into the foyer.
I’d only taken a few steps when I spotted Widow across the hall.
His weapon was in his hand, his finger on the trigger, and he had a fierce expression on his face.
He saw me, but he didn’t speak. He simply shook his head, warning me not to go any further.
I knew he was trying to protect me, but I couldn’t stop. I had to do something to help Braylon, so I mouthed, “I have to help Braylon.”
He shook his head once again—more sternly this time, but I didn’t heed his warning. Instead, I continued forward and prayed I could get to Braylon before Drake did something we’d all regret. Cautioning me yet again, Widow hissed, “Goddamn it, Kiersten. Don’t take another step.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to do something.”
“Jackal is headed that way. Just go back and hide like Braylon told you!”
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I just can’t.”
Without giving him a chance to say anything more, I rounded the corner and continued towards the office.
I kept Braylon’s gun at my side, trying my best to conceal it as I made my way towards the office.
When I made it up front, Braylon was no longer lying on the floor.
All that remained was a small pool of blood which only added to my terror.
I made my way over to the office door and stepped inside, only to find that the room was empty.
I knew they were just there. Knowing they had to be close, I opened each of the closets and the private bathroom, but there was no sign of Drake or Braylon.
I was standing there wondering where they might be when Jackal came charging into the room.
While he had the same intense expression, he and Widow were polar opposites.
Where Widow was older with a beard and a tall, muscular build, Jackal was young and handsome with light, golden blonde hair and a slender frame.
Without saying a word, he raced over to me and tossed me over his shoulder, then charged out of the room.
In a blink, I was face down on the foyer floor, and Jackal was piled on top of me.
I had no idea what he was doing until a loud explosion erupted from the office and debris flew through the air.
I realized then that Jackal was using his own body as a shield, making sure I wasn’t harmed in the explosion. I laid there for several moments, thinking he’d move once the dust settled. He didn’t. In fact, he remained perfectly still even when I whispered, “Jackal... Jackal?”
He didn’t respond, so I shifted his weight to my side, then slipped out from underneath him.
As soon as I’d gotten to my knees, I spotted the large shard of glass centered like a large knife in his back.
I knelt down and gave him a slight shake as I cried, “Jackal? Jackal, are you okay? Please be okay...”
“Sorry, Kiersten,” Drake sneered. “But I don’t believe he’s gonna answer.”
I looked behind me and found Drake standing above me with his gun pressed against Braylon’s head.
There was another man standing behind them—his weapon was also drawn and pointed directly at me.
I looked down the hall, searching frantically for any sign of Widow, Timms, or Duggar.
Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found.
I glanced up at Drake as I asked, “Why are you doing this?”
“You left me no choice.”
“What the hell does that even mean?”
“You came into my territory—the one I’d been running for years, and like it was yours for the taking, you started selling your dope.” His eyes were full of anger as he glared down at me. “I didn’t say a fucking word. I let you steal my customers, my money, because I thought we had something.”
I had no idea he was selling marijuana. Nor did I know that he knew I was selling it.
I was completely stunned by the revelation.
I was even more stunned when he shook his head and growled, “We could’ve had it all.
We could’ve joined forces. With my goods and yours, we could’ve made this our city.
But you were too fucking stubborn. Now, I’m taking over, and it’s all going be mine... ”