Page 53 of Terror Tuesday

He’s had every opportunity to end me...So why am I still alive?

“We need to know, Miss Cardell, if you haveanyideas on where Hunter Remington or Bryce Holloway are.Beta Kappa Etamust be represented during these proceedings. And we’re worried that…they could have been some of the first victims.”

The entire room turns to me. My jaw unhinges, but no words come.

Aiden answers for me. “I think my sister is in a bit of shock. Could we just?—”

“I don’t know.” Finally, I’m able to project my voice across the room. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. We broke up, and he hasn’t messaged me. I saw him last Saturday, and that’s it. That’s all I know.”

My father tilts his head, staring me down.Please, Dad. Don’t figure this out.

After several minutes of murmured speeches I can’t follow, President Harvey gains everyone’s attention once more.

“We’re all clear on the details, then?” His deep brown eyes find me until I shiver all over under his scrutinizing gaze.

Like a robot, I repeat the words I just heard. “Yes. Sudden meningitis outbreak. All five presented symptoms. They declined rapidly. We lost them too soon.Omegahas been quarantined for the weekend, and all other girls will be monitored. Free tests for everyone on campus. Anyone with symptoms should report to the clinic. Silent vigil on Sunday to mourn our losses as a community.”

One of the board members coughs softly into his fist, avoiding my eyes. Another scribbles something meaningless in the corner of his planner. No one speaks up. Not one asks a single question. Everyone here knows it’s complete bullshit. But they don’t care.

Or, they’re trying to survive.

As the meeting adjourns, my brother turns toward me as Dad approaches in two steps.

“Are you okay?” Aiden asks again as my father gathers me in his arms and then leads me from the room.

“Not here. Come outside, you two.Now.” His instruction is fierce, and his eyes dart among the crowd with suspicion.

We don’t speak as we hurry across campus toward the administration buildings. In a shadowed alley, Dad turns me and cups my face in both hands, piercing his gaze through mine. “My daughter, youtellme if something is going on.Please.”

The way he says it breaks my heart, and tears fill my eyes. Aiden looks both uncomfortable, glancing toward the end of the alley, and like he may be ready to kill someone.

I shake my head in his hold. “No. Nothing is going on…not that I know of.”Not yet.Unconfirmed. But possibly.

Dad looks as if he doesn’t believe me, and that hurts worse than anything. He gathers me into a tight embrace, my head resting under his chin. I feel his heart through our chests as it beats hard.

“You’re my secret weapon. Heart like roses. Mind like steel,” he whispers. With one last peck on the top of my head, he says, “I love you. When you’re ready, you come find me. I don’t know how to drag this out of you, but I’m here. And Iwillprotect you.”

But I can’t protect them if I talk…

Aiden snaps his intense gaze over to me, as if offended that I have been holding a secret from him.

The real reason I keep it all inside is fear. A stroke of terror at the shame that would fill my father’s eyes once he realizes how tainted I am. How Reggie stole his little girl’s purity. Ruined me. And my future chances for pure love. I can’t disappoint him in that way.

If there’s one thing Representative Blackwell taught me, it was silence.

I’ve been conditioned to choke on the truth rather than let it escape.

“There’s nothing to…” I let the words trail off. It’s obvious neither believes that.

My brother drops his voice to a growl and glances between my father and me. “President Harvey made me turn over the footage from Tuesday night… Stated no one was to watch it and I was to say that it was corrupted.”

I swallow roughly. “Did anyone see?”

He snorts. “Henry, Bo, and Duke were busy with…something else and got distracted. By the time I became aware, one of the enforcers watched my every move. I only caught a glimpse of what was on it.” His blue eyes widen as we wait for him to tell us. “A masked man scoping out the doors was all I saw.”

“Were you able to get a backup made?” Dad asks through gritted teeth.

Aiden shakes his head with a bit of shame. “No. And to recover some footage like that after the enforcer destroyed therecordingsandthe cameras... I just don’t see us getting anything back.”