Page 77 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

Why am I so nervous?

We are gathered in the kitchen of Willow Tree House to discuss tonight’s Claiming challenge.

Cassie and Siri, along with Kennedy and Autumn, called a council of war to brief us on what is expected. Imogen, me, and three other girls are waiting to learn what will happen later this evening.

Kennedy pours wine into the glasses and grins. “Dutch courage. You’re going to need it.”

Serena, one of the other challengers gasps, “This is seriously fucked up. What happens if we are, um, claimed?”

Kennedy laughs softly. “That depends on who claims you.”

Autumn shivers. “I should have known what River was like from that first moment with him.”

We wait for her explanation.

“He caught up with me in the tunnel and grasped my ankle hard. I squealed, and he was brutal with his words.”

“What did he say?” I ask, curious about the entire challenge.

“He told me I was his now and I would do as he says or face the consequences.”

“That’s hardly hearts and flowers. Wow, a million red flags would have waved at me right then.” I say with an incredulous sigh.

“I didn’t think much about it because, well, I liked him. He was the guy I wanted, and I thought it was just part of the challenge. He dragged me through the tunnel and it hurt a lot. It’s not exactly comfortable down there and I had many scratches on my skin to prove it.”

Imogen’s eyes widen in horror and I reassure her. “Jesse won’t do that—if he’s the one who catches you, that is.”

“How do you know he’s taking part?” Serena asks and I shrug.

“Lucky guess.”

The fact none of the other challengers know who will be taking part adds to the mystery. However, I know my brother and he always has a plan, and I’m guessing that saving his best friend is high up on his list. I wouldn’t put it past him to have arranged this all around Jesse claiming Imogen and for me to crawl out of the tunnel to safety, single and alone.

I turn to Cassie, who is watching thoughtfully. “Has he said anything to you?”

“No.” She shrugs. “I tried to get the information out of him, but he kept on telling me it was business.”

“That figures.” I chuckle softly. “It’s always business with him.”

“I think you’re right about Jesse, though.” She adds. “Frankie is worried about him and has been for some time.”

She turns to Imogen. “He comes with a lot of baggage, and I’m not sure you deserve that.”

They have obviously spoken at length about this, judging from the message that passes silently between them, and Imogen shrugs. “I like him. I can deal with baggage—we all drag some of that and it shouldn’t define us.”

My respect for Imogen has grown tenfold this week and I will be keeping a careful eye on her in case she’s struggling. I am protective of people I care about and she had proven to be a good friend to me. Along with Siri and Cassie, I couldn’t have chosen better and Kennedy has been a great help too. I consider myself lucky to have fallen into their friendship group, despite the fact my brother is also part of it.

Imogen glances at Cassie. “Tell us what we can expect.”

Cassie nods and smiles at Siri. “You enter the dungeon through the main door. Then bypass the cells where the centurions are locked in their individual ones as they watch you pass.”

“Fuck!”

Molly, one of the others taking part, pipes up. “That sounds creepy as fuck.”

“It adds to the excitement.” Siri adds and Molly raises her eyes.

“You think?”

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