Page 42 of The Prom

We are making our way down the tunnel shrouded in our black hooded robes, the gleaming gold masks hanging from our fingers. It’s a relief not to wear them unless needed and I can’t understand how the guys manage to chase their prey wearing this immovable object.

“I like it this way.” Is his only reply and Summer turns to me and grins, the whites of her teeth gleaming in the darkness.

“So, how long do we have to stay there?” Summer grumbles and Frankie sighs.

“As long as it takes. Just enjoy the peace and quiet; you’ve got the easy job.”

“Unless someone crawls out of the tunnel and falls into the freaking river.”

I laugh softly as Frankie replies, “Then it’s a nice night for a swim.”

“If you imagine I’m going into that cesspool, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“What would we do if somebody does—go in I mean?” I ask, and Frankie shrugs.

“Say a prayer. How do I fucking know?”

“That’s your plan? Seriously, Frankie, God won’t help you. You’re too aligned to the other side to ask for his help.”

I chuckle softly as Frankie sighs in exasperation. “It’s happened twice since we started running these challenges. Siri attempted to swim to safety but was injured, so Jack helped her. Then there was Karen, and Jesse used the boat to bring her to the other side. She never fell in though, just stood on the riverbank and yelled for help.”

He adds, “But if you’re worried, there is a lifebelt a few steps away.”

“But the river is wide. How the hell do we throw it that far?”

Summer is ever practical, which is a great character trait of hers. She plans absolutely everything down to the last detail and Frankie groans. “Honestly, Summer, I haven’t commissioned a freaking risk assessment for every dumb fuck who falls into the river. They know the score and wouldn’t be in it if they didn’t want to be claimed. It’s in the fucking title. The Claiming. If they find themselves on the edge of the riverbank, they mostly crawl back inside, anyway. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Well, if they do, you’re facing Principal Constable to explain it.”

Summer huffs and it strikes me how long Frankie’s challenge has remained undetected from the teachers. It’s astonishing really because if they were aware of what went on under the tunnels of Rockwell, I’m guessing this challenge would be banned.

We reach the end of the tunnel and I note some trees at the entrance. As we pass through them, I’m amazed to find we are standing a short distance away from the edge of the river.

“Well, fuck me.”

Summer gasps and Frankie hisses, “Can the language, sis. Anyway, my job is done.” He says over his shoulder, “I’ll send Luca to get you when it’s ended. Enjoy an hour or two of conversation. I’m guessing that’s all that will happen, anyway.”

As he leaves, Summer groans. “Just our luck to get the boring job.”

She stares at the mask in her hand. “We should probably put these on. Though why we should is a mystery, because we’re alone out here.”

I stare around me at the darkness and shiver. “But what if someone comes past?”

“They won’t.” Summer shrugs as she pulls on the mask and I must admit it’s intimidating as fuck.

I do the same and we giggle as we regard one another and she points to the bank by the river.

“Let’s make ourselves comfortable. At least I brought supplies.”

She chuckles as she reaches inside her robe and drops a small rucksack onto the ground, and proceeds to pluck two beers from inside.

“A party for two.”

I grin as I hold the beer to my lips, the mask cut away at the mouth, enabling me to drink it.

“This is weird shit.” Summer giggles. “I must admit, I love how powerful I feel in this disguise. I could be anyone.”

“True.”

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