Page 14 of Under the Lies

And I don’t know what to make of that.

How to feel.

Do I still want to belong in a place I hate so much?

I just want to find out where I belong.

If it’s not in the place where I was born, then where is it?

A commotion at a nearby table draws my attention away from such a lackluster poker game.

Shouts ring out, chairs clamor to the floor.

“Ohmygod. They’re here!” Brin whisper-shouts in my ear.

What? Who?

“Look!”

I follow where her finger is pointing and feel my eyes bulge, my skin grow cold.

Greeeaaat. On the journey here I was mentally preparing myself to see Noah, a small, sick part was even hoping, but in all my prepping I hadn’t thought to account for the others.

His friends.

Reeve, Thea, and Gabe are surrounding the nearby table that’s playing baccarat. Casually I slip behind Brin, like her small frame can hide me. Several inches separate us in height, even in heels.

Three out of the Fearsome Fivesome—a nickname I coined for them back in prep school—are present.

There’s Reeve Morgan with the top hat, no shirt and purple paisley pants, he’s easily the most chaotic of the group. An artist soul and fighter’s temper, spilled gasoline waiting for a match. He holds a cane with a hawk’s head handle like a weapon as he stares down a younger man.

Next to him is Gabriel Ruiz, quiet and reserved. Understated. Always with a novel or book of poetry in his hand. The thinker. Rumor is he collects just as many virginities as he does first editions. Like Reeve, Gabe watches the younger man with a glare.

He cracks his neck and I can hear the pop from here. I recoil, always hating that sound.

On the other side of Gabe stands Thea le Veck, a boisterous free spirit and unapologetically herself. The youngest of the group, she’s often underestimated when her wit and brain is sharper than any weapon. She smiles at the man, but it’s not sweet as she runs the back of one of her fingers down his cheek.

What is happening?

I recognize the man they stand in front of. His name is Henry Porter and he was in the same year as me in school. He was always the runt, the outsider. He floated under everyone’s radar.

Until now.

The whole casino falls quiet. Waiting, watching.

But the three of them remain silent.

Henry does nothing. He doesn’t cower, he doesn’t tremble, he faces them head on. A bead of sweat trickles down from his temple, the only sign of his nerves.

They haven’t even glanced my way and I’m nervous. Nervous for what they can do.

“What do you think he did?” I whisper to Brin.

I feel more than see her shrug. “Nothing good.”

Well obviously, Brin.

Reeve tears his gaze away from the frozen man to stare across the room. I follow and see where the ruthless leader of the Fearsome Fivesome is stationed.

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