Page 49 of Web of Lies

They stare at me with their brows furrowed in confusion. “Wh-what are you going to do with it?” Zepp asks, nodding towards Carter’s phone nestled in my pocket, along with his keys and wallet.

Eh—they don’t need to know I took everything while Carter distracted himself with his nonsense threats and name-calling. I even got my phone back too. I’m surprised I pulled it off, anyway. My first-time pickpocketing and all. Of course, much like lock-picking, the internet had some interesting tips on stealing items without the victim feeling it. But if they saw, who else did? Looks like I’ll be six feet under before I know it. Damn, what a way to die at the hands of—

“Kaycee,” Zepp says through a sigh, getting my attention again. “Do you ever focus?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

I shrug. “It comes with the territory, but yes, I focus. And to answer your other question, whatever I damn well please,” I say it like it’s no big deal, but I’m itching to get back to my apartment.

The fact is, I can’t hack phones unless they’re in my hands and beside my trusted friends, my computers. So, this will be an interesting night. I can check his phone logs, see who he has “family meetings with”, and maybe see if he’s the ringleader of this whole situation.

“You know it’s almost impossible to get into those without a password if that’s what you’re thinking,” Zepp says, taking a step back from my hand pressed into him.

“Almost,” I say, a smile pulling at my lips.

His eyes widen a fraction. “Almost,” he agrees with a small shrug, walking to lean against the sinks on the opposite wall.

“Fucking seriously?” Seger looks back at his brother with wide eyes, gesturing towards me. “You’re seriously just going to… fucking let her walk around with all that? He’s going to fucking mutilate her.” Seger’s voice echoes off the bathroom’s disgusting, grimy walls.

“It’s her funeral,” Zepp says, stroking his jawline. “Nothing we can do.”

“Fucking seriously?” Seger shouts now. “Look at her, we can just turn her upside down and fucking shake it loose.” I frown at the thought of him turning me upside down, my skirt over my head, and the contents of my pockets falling to the ground.

“I’m right here,” I drawl. “And I’m not giving it up, so just don’t say anything, and we’ll be peachy.”

“P-pee-peachy?” Seger screeches, throwing his arms around like a fucking drama queen. “Fucking peachy, right, right? Well, when you turn up fucking missing, don’t say I didn’t fucking warn you. And you? Fuck you!” He shouts, marching towards the bathroom door, unlocking it, and raging out of the bathroom altogether.

The door slams shut with a defeating thud. I look over at Zepp, who promptly rolls his eyes and sighs. “Is he always so dramatic?” I tilt my head to the side.

Zepp lets out a small laugh. “Yeah well, comes with his territory, I guess.” I snort at his response and head towards the door.

“So, you’re going to work your way into it?” He asks, pushing off the sinks.

I grin, looking over my shoulder. “There’s no work involved, just uh—you know—”

“I won’t tell a soul.” He shrugs again, walking towards me. His fingers brush against the door handle and he looks down at me. “But my advice? And I’m being very serious here, don’t let him find out you took it. He’s not named Cruel Carter for nothing.” The door bursts open and I shuffle out, trying to dodge the odd stare of the guy who walked in on us.

“Zepp?” I look over to Zepp who walks beside me, but not too close.

“Yeah?” he asks quietly, looking around towards the other nosy students.

“Thanks,” I say with a curt nod. I need all the allies I can get.

“Yeah—stay out of trouble,” he says, using his long legs to carry him down the hallway and out of sight.

“No promises,” I mumble, walking to my discarded books on the ground. They kicked them about, probably bypassing students. My books ended up halfway down the hall, but at least they’re still here. I pick up my last book and a white piece of paper falls to the ground.

Roses are Red

Violets are blue

You had your chance

Your coffin is ready for you

The games will get worse

The punishment harsh

I will paint my hands