Page 174 of Satan's Spawn

I look around the literal cave we’re standing in, the tracks under our feet stretching into the unknown.

It’s creepy, but it’s empty of any Riverside students besides us, so to me it’s a win.

Stevenson hands Hendrix the same beer they have stashed in one of the coolers lining the walls of the cul-de-sac we’re huddled in.

“So this is it?” Hendrix asks, seeming very underwhelmed. “This is the Pit?”

“It’s part of it.” Stevenson grins at her. “There’s a huge opening down the tunnel this way.” His head juts to the nothingness that is before us. “It’s an intersection that leads to several different corridors going further into the city. Some even lead to the subways.”

“This looks like a place serial killers take their victims before killing them.” Hendrix takes a sip of her beer. “Or buries them after.”

“Shit, anything’s possible.” Stevenson blows out a breath. “The Pit’s been around since the eighteenth century. Who the hell knows what really went on down here.”

I stare blankly at my beer, not in the mood for conversation, especially ones as grim as theirs.

“Hey,” Felix calls out to me quietly. “You okay?”

I give him my best fake smile. “Yeah. Totally awesome.”

He looks between Hendrix and Stevenson, then says, “C’mon, let’s go for a walk. Seems like you can use an ear to vent to.”

I shake my head when he grips my arm gently. “No, really, I’m okay.”

“Okay, no problem.” He holds up his hands, probably afraid he went too far.

I’m about to apologize about my candor when something Stevenson says makes Hendrix laugh, the both of them in deep conversation about some new Netflix documentary. I look on, wishing I could feel as free as them at this moment.

Maybe Felix is right—getting these feelings off my chest can help, and then we can attempt to have fun like they are.

I say “we” because any sane person knows the last thing a teenage guy wants to do is listen to boy problems from some girl. Which is even more of a reason I appreciate Felix’s attempt to make me feel better.

It’s more than Crayton’s ever done for me.

“You know what?” I perk up. “A walk down a sinister tunnel sounds great.”

Felix nods, his mood already brighter as he reaches out his hand for me to take. “Let’s do it then.”

I take his hand as he mouths off to Stevenson that we’re gonna take a walk and for him to take care of Hendrix.

“Bee.” Hendrix reaches for my hand. “Where you going?”

I squeeze hers. “Just for a little stroll, it’s fine. Have fun. Stevenson seems really nice.”

Hendrix bites her bottom lip, trying not to seem obvious as she mouths, ‘I know, right’.

I nod enthusiastically, whispering, “Exactly, have fun. I’ll only be a few feet away.”

She seems skeptical, but ends up letting go, respecting my decision. But then Stevenson says something else about this show that makes her chuckle, falling right back into the conversation.

“C’mon, she’s in good hands.” Felix tugs me, his voice like a soothing balm to my pain. “So are you.”

This is the first real smile I offer him since he found us in the bathroom, and I don’t even realize we’ve started moving until a shadow forms over his face. “Thanks so much for being a good friend to me.” I tell him, and truly mean it.

I don’t know why everyone seems to put Felix down the way they do, he seems to really care about his friends.

He waves me off. “Psshht. It’s not all selfless. You’re fun to be around. Add on a gorgeous face like yours? I’d be stupid not to take advantage.”

To take advantage, the idea of how many times Crayton’s done just that makes me inwardly laugh at myself. I was such an idiot to keep trusting him.