Chapter 10 — The Wrong Trail
The next morning was warmer than usual, sunlight spilling into the classroom as Section E buzzed with its usual noise. Jay was flipping through her notebook when she noticed Keifer and Drake talking quietly near the door, exchanging glances with the rest of the boys.
Alys nudged her. "They're up to something."
"They're always up to something," Jay said.
"Yeah, but this time… they're trying to hide it."
Sure enough, when the bell rang, Keifer, Drake, and the rest of Section E slipped out together.
Alys smirked. "Round two?"
Jay sighed. "You're impossible."
"And you love it. Let's go."
Following the Trail
They trailed behind the group, careful to keep their distance. Keifer's laugh carried over the street, and Jay's stomach tightened in that annoying way it always did when he was in a good mood.
They turned down a quieter road. The further they went, the more Jay started to think this was a bad idea.
"Alys, maybe we should—"
Her words cut off when a black van rolled up beside them. The sliding door yanked open, and before either of them could react, two men jumped out.
Jay's breath caught. She recognized the face of the man grabbing her arm.
"Ram," she whispered.
The Van
The door slammed shut, the smell of gasoline and dust filling the cramped space. Ram's eyes flicked between them.
"Well, well. Thought you could tail your friends without getting noticed?"
Alys glared, twisting in her seat. "Let us out."
Ram laughed. "Not happening."
Jay's heart pounded, but her mind was already racing. She'd been here before — not this exact moment, but close enough to remember how fear could paralyze you if you let it.
She leaned forward suddenly, ramming her forehead into Ram's face. He cursed, clutching his nose, and in that split second, Jay shoved the van door open.
"Come on!" she shouted to Alys.
They jumped, hitting the ground hard. Jay's knees scraped, Alys stumbled, but they were moving — sprinting toward the main road. Shouts erupted behind them.
They didn't stop running until they reached a crowded street, lungs burning, adrenaline still roaring in their ears.
Alys doubled over, panting. "You're insane."
Jay was shaking, but she managed a grim smile. "You're welcome."
Neither of them noticed the way Keifer and Drake would look at them differently after this. Not yet.