Page 23 of Satan's Spawn

I hear her mumble the word “skank” as the sink water turns on.

A little harsh, but whatever, I don’t expect any less from people like this.

I exit the stall just in time to find her brushing fingers through her tangled hair, back to me as she swings the door open and exits.

Those two were made for each other. Obviously.

After a minute of cleaning my hands and drying them, I’m returning to the hall where I find Archer leaning against the far wall checking his watch.

He raises an eyebrow. “Get your answer?”

I pop my lips, not needing to say a word for him to know that I did.

“Is that Crayton’s girlfriend?” I ask as I reach him.

“Alexis?” he huffs. “She wishes. Crayton doesn’t have girlfriends. He’s…”

“A loner?”Like me.

Why the hell do I keep comparing myself to a dick head like that? Jesus.

An incredulous laugh follows my question. “More like a psychopath.”

I am definitely not a psychopath.

I shake off my momentary lapse of judgment as Archer checks his watch again. “Time for the second part of the tour, c’mon.” He waves me onward as he pushes off the wall, hurrying to the gym doors to open them for me.

6

BEX

It’s already noon and things are winding down as we approach the end of the tour. After two hours of sightseeing, speeches, and filling out some paperwork in the main office, the new students of Riverside Prep finally get to visit the dorms.

For some unfathomable reason, everywhere we went I found myself looking out for that Crayton guy. Wondering what other areas of this school he hangs out in or if he would end up popping up again to be one of the volunteers helping Archer out with the orientation.

Even though something tells me the only kind of tour that guy would head is one of his bedroom.

“Looks like you two are bunkin’ up.” Archer says over our shoulder as Hendrix and I look down at the paper stating the same room number.

One small mercy. Hey, I’ll take it.

“Oh, that’s fantastic!” Mom exclaims as we make our way down the single corridor attached to the female dormitory building. “You two will be roommates.” Her and June both squeal with excitement, so over the top you’d think they’re the ones who’ll be living together soon.

My elation comes in the form of a question as I look over at Hendrix next to me. “So…we do this together?” I half shrug, trying to put a little optimism out into the universe.

“Together”—she confirms with a pop of her gum—“but, bitch, you better not snore.”

The only inclination that she’s kidding is the small wink she shoots at me when Archer holds open a squeaky metal door. He insisted on leading the girls to their rooms and left the guys to another student here.

“Here we are, miladies. These are your quarters,” he says to Hendrix and I only, even though there are four other girls with us.

Stepping inside, we walk ahead first into a very impressive Victorian inspired lobby. Textured copper walls are dressed with ornate wood mirrors and metal sconces, all surrounding brown padded couches and hardwood tables centered around a wood burning fireplace. The vintage floral rugs matching the drapes are so clean I avoid stepping on them when Archer welcomes us inside the building.

It’s absolutely beautiful—then again, given what the rest of the school looks like, I’d expect nothing less.

“This is the common room, where a lot of students chillax on their off time. The steps are right here.” Archer points to the cherry wood staircase as he moves through the area with ease. We all do our best to keep up. “The elevators are straight ahead which take you up to the eighth floor so much faster, unless you’re looking to get in some cardio.”

We all follow behind him, drinking in the setup all the way to the elevators, which we take floor by floor so Archer can show us the entire dormitory. This included the public showers, the library, and the media room. When we reach the fourth floor, which happens to be where all of our rooms are, Archer has already gone through the rules and expectations living under Riverside’s roof.