Page 31 of Fragile Facade

“Fucking ungrateful assholes,” Director mutters. “Sit down.”

Ghost sits with Krypt, as far away from me as he can get. Kyd not-so-casually stands at Axel’s side, making sure Monster isn’t closer than he is, and the rest of us settle in around the lab.

Axel turns his attention to Ghost. “The contacts are being studied, thank you.”

Ghost nods. “They knew really detailed shit about us, too. Details that aren’t common knowledge. Knew I was Vile.”

Director and Axel share a look. “Means there are more of them in town. They could be townsfolk, planted here years ago. We have no real idea when all this started.”

“We’ll uncover them,” Glitch says. “I’m tracking everything and making a list of people who are new to town within the last two years.”

“Make it five years,” Axel suggests.

Director brings our attention back to him. “Death Row is damaged. Death Mark needs a lot of repairs. Remi’s at his shop with the Carson boy right now, working to board up the windows.”

Menace’s eyes turn dark at the mention of Cain Carson.

“Neon Demon is better off, but still has a lot of damage, and that whole section of the street needs to be mended. The fire department was quick to ensure the fires didn’t spread, but the damage is still extensive. We’ve got crews working on it, but Vile House needs to stand with Moros to show support and aid. We’ll go in shifts, but at least one of us needs to be present to put everyone at ease. The locals know Reaper Corp came, but the state of Misfit Hall is unknown for now.”

“What do they think?” Ghost asks.

“They think Reaper Corp took over Misfit Hall and Vile House was there to save them. The Misfits have a bad reputation now, and that won’t do us any good in the coming months. We need to be united.”

“Where’s Yates and his dipshit kid?” Seven shakes his head. “They been found yet?”

“No,” Director says. “Few neighbours saw them running through the streets after the explosions on Death Row, but don’t know where they went. We’ll find them.”

“And the state of The Misfits?” I ask.

“Lockan Tate is rallying them,” Director looks at Glitch because Lock is his… family. “A change is coming, boys. We need unification with the cults and crews in town, and step one is allying with The Misfits. We need to take a vote.” He looks at Glitch still. “To reveal who we are or to not. The Misfits aren’t going to trust us if we remain behind our masks.”

Glitch looks away, not wanting to be the one to make that decision. He’s the only one of us with good parents in town. They don’t know he’s Vile, but they’re good people who own the only butcher shop here, and he still gets along with them well. Lock is his brother, in a sense, and they’re friends, but Glitch has always had to keep the secret from his family.

“No,” Ghost snaps. “We aren’t revealing who we are to all of Moros. It’s the secrecy that keeps us in power.”

“Agreed,” Ransom says. “It won’t benefit us if the whole town finds out.”

I nod. “The masks are a part of Vile House, and if we lift them now, everything will change.”

Ghost scoffs at me, shaking his head. “Figures.”

“The fuck does that mean?” I bark at him.

“Killian Hallows is a fucking nobody, so of course you want the mask. Can’t fucking live without it.”

I stand, ready to fuck him up and put him in his place. That’s goddamn rich coming from him, the guy who weaves illusions and glues himself back together every time a new piece breaks off. Menace stands with me, eyes on mine as a reminder to calm down.

“Don’t,” he says, hand on my chest. “Riot.”

I glare at Menace, trying to find my footing. Ghost laughs from across the room, and every part of me bristles. Menace grabs my jaw and forces me to focus on him, and right at that moment, Ghost’s laugh dies and turns into a snarl. Yeah, fuck you, Ghost. You’re just as twisted as I am. Possessive and fucking brutal, and a hypocrite like none other.

“My god, boys,” Director sighs. “Settle down before I send you to solitary to settle down.”

Menace smirks at me, pushing me back onto my chair.

“We won’t reveal ourselves to the town,” Director continues. “But if we’re going to form an alliance with The Misfits, we need to think about unmasking as a show of trust.”

“If Lockan takes over, we set a meeting with him and unmask only for him. And only those of us who are comfortable with it.” Ransom looks at everyone. “I’ll do it if no one else wants to. It only has to be one of us.”