Page 11 of Betraying Bexley

She shrugged. “Not sure. She’s quiet. She has a stutter like I said, but she’s smart. She likes numbers. I guess it’s why her father uses her. Much past that...” Bronx shook her head. “Not sure. She’s content to listen more than she is to talk. I mean, I can see why, but.”

“We’ll get her to talk.” They turned down the hall and Alé came to a stop. “Did you hear something?”

Bronx turned and walked away from him. She put her ear to the door where she stood, and her eyes went wide. She motioned for him to hurry. “Sounds like someone is being hurt.”

Alé pressed his ear to the door. His eyes narrowed. It was fifty-fifty. He could pretend like he opened the wrong door if nothing was wrong and apologize. Then again, if it was the right room, he could help. Bronx was right, they needed to integrate into school life if they were going to fit in. He turned the handle and yanked the door open.

Shock filled him. Valerie had something in her hands, he couldn’t quite make out what though, and she was swinging with it at someone on the floor. The soft sobs of the person on the floor drew his attention. He couldn’t see who it was clearly due to a small countertop/shelving area, but he also caught a glimpse of Marybeth videoing the attack. Then as if in slow motion, the object in Sasha’s hand came into focus and horror filled him followed closely by rage. The bitch was beating Bex with her leg.

“Hey!” His gaze caught Bex’s pleading brown eyes. Blood trickled from the healed cut on her lip from the last beating she’d taken. “What’s going on in here?”

Bex had been right about one thing. The school belonged to Marybeth, The Bitches, and the All-Americans. They could make or break anyone who stepped through those doors it would appear. She motioned for them to get out of there. “L-leave. I’m g-good.”

“The fuck you are,” Alé snarled closing the door behind Bronx. “Bronx.”

“On it.” She slipped the butterfly knife out of her jacket pocket. How she’d been able to carry it into the school, he didn’t know, but he’d been grateful she had it.

Bronx flicked her wrist and the knife flew open and into place, exposing the sharp edge of the six-inch blade. “Which one of you want some.” She edged toward both girls. “Stay still Bex. I got you.”

Valerie laughed. “Looks more like I’ve got her.” She held up Bex’s prosthetic. “If you come any closer, I will end you.”

“Doubt it,” Bronx replied. “You won’t say shit about what happened here. We both know if the truth got out, your life would be over. I bet mommy and daddy would send you to some all-girl’s school away from everyone and everything you love.”

Valerie curled her lip in disgust. “We were only having a little fun.” She dropped the leg with a sickening crunch. Whatever was used to put those legs together was probably fucked up.

Alé joined Bronx and picked Bex up along with her leg. He hated touching her, especially when he didn't know what hurt or what they'd done to her. The girl winced, trembling in his arms. She closed her eyes, turning her face away from him. He glanced down at her leg and sucked in a breath. Not only was it bruised from those stupid bitches hitting her, but it was also red and swollen. There were sores as well too. He glanced at Bronx who'd kept her attention on both girls.

“I got her. Let’s go. She needs help.” Alé started for the door.

“N-no. I c-c-can’t.” Bex swallowed hard as the tears began to flow.

"You need to. You've been beaten pretty bad." With a cursory glance, he couldn't tell how bad it was, but she had a nice bruise forming on her cheek under her eye and her left arm appeared a little deformed. He was afraid to open her shirt because if anything Bex seemed to be the kind of girl who enjoyed their modesty and he wouldn't violate that.

“W-work. Have to g-g-go.” She didn’t even try to squirm out of his arms. She lay limply there, broken and battered.

“Yeah, not happening. Bronx?” He had to keep his anger in check. If he unleashed the fury curling through his system, he’d be the one in trouble—prison trouble—because he’d give Valerie and Marybeth a taste of their own fucking medicine.

“Here.” She caught up to Alé and grabbed Bex’s right hand. “Girl, if you wanted our attention, you didn’t have to go through all this. You had it this morning.”

“D-d-don’t tease m-me.” Bex’s cheeks turned a soft pink color.

“I’m not,” Bronx said. “Doesn’t matter now. You’re safe.”

“Go tell Mr. Aquino. I’ll see if I can phone Noah. Maybe he’s not too far from here.” The weight in his arms became heavier and he stopped. “Bex?” Her chest rose and fell. “Shit. I think she passed out.”

Bronx pressed her fingers to Bex’s neck to check her pulse. “Steady. I think you’re right.”

“We need to get Jacolbi, Alex, and Eito too.” Alé’s footfalls quickened as the front of the school grew near. “Think you can handle getting them?”

“Yep. I’m on it. We’ll meet you at the car.” Bronx went back to Mateo’s classroom while he kicked open the door and stepped out into the chilly early winter air.

Shit, he hadn’t been prepared for anything like this. He didn’t even have blankets in his car or a first aid kit or one of them fancy go-packs Noah carried with him everywhere he went. The only thing he had on his side was the fact he parked close to the front of the school. If they had to bug out in a hurry they could. He fished his keys out of his pocket and shifted Bex’s slight weight so he could unlock the door.Fuck, Bronx was right. Bex has lost weight.

After laying her on the backseat, he got in and started his car. He cranked the heater up, even though it would blow cold for a while then he slipped his phone from his back pocket and dialed Noah. It rang twice before the guy answered.

“How far from the school are you?”

“Not far, why?” The snap of seriousness in his voice, centered Alé a bit.

---