Page 111 of Web of Lies
“Yeah, everything seems clear, quiet,” Zepp says, making me swallow hard.
“Quiet? Like—the couple down the hall has stopped—quiet?” My eyes drift up to meet Seger’s worried eyes from behind me.
Static meets my ears, followed by the frantic clicking of computer keys. “Zeppelin,” Seger hisses, clutching me tight.
“I—what couple?” he hisses back, frantically typing now. Panic roars through my veins. How could he have missed them? They were loud, like echoing throughout the school loud. I run my palms against my leggings, wiping the built-up moisture off.
“For fuck’s sake, you didn’t hear that whole‘There’s people getting it the fuck on down the hallway’ conversation?” Seger hisses, lowering his voice as best he can.
I walk toward the computer, checking the percentage, breathing a short breath of relief. “It’s at ninety-eight percent, and it’s almost done copying everything.” Seger swipes a hand down his face, pacing in front of the large wooden desk.
“This shit stress is going to put me in an early grave, I swear,” he grumbles more to himself than anyone else. A crease forms in his brow, body, turning rigid.
“You’re the one who encouraged this.” Zepp bites back, still typing. “You need to move, both of you, NOW!” Zepp’s voice pierces through the Bluetooth piece like a siren sounding.
His screams jump-start the chaotic rhythm inside my chest, spiking my adrenaline. My brain yells at me to move, move, move, but I can’t take my eyes off the status bar on the download. I’m frozen like a statue, staring at the download like I might encourage it to work faster.
“The-the download! It still has just a little to go,” I hiss, staring at the dark blue line displaying ninety-nine percent.
Come on, come on, come on! If I take it out now, this will all be for nothing. Nothing will transfer over until it’s at one hundred percent and final. We won’t get the files we need or think we need if it doesn’t hurry.
“Forget the fucking USB, Kaycee. We need to leave. Now! He’s our eyes,” Seger grunts, stalking towards me with a fire burning in his eyes.
“No,” I say, ripping my wrist from his grip. “We need this, we took the risk, and now we need to see this through.” I bark back, determination coursing through me. There is no way Seger will drag me out of here willingly without the USB.
“Fucking stubborn ass woman.” Seger grinds his teeth, jaw ticking. Placing his ear against the cool wood of the door, a frown appears across his lips.
“Headmaster Shaw exited a classroom down the hall from his office. He is on his way towards his office. Please, for the love of everything, Kaycee, LEAVE!” Zepp’s voice elevates higher and higher with every demand, frantically begging me to get my ass moving. But I can’t, I must finish this.
“Too late,” Seger growls, staring daggers at me. If looks could maim, I’d be dead on the ground after a thorough beating. His eyes dance around the room.
A dark shadow falls over the glazed glass of the office door, outlining Mr. Shaw’s ragged form. Keys jiggle on the outside of the door, scraping against the knob. I snap my gaze towards the computer, still copying the contents over to the USB. Come on, come on, come on—I think to myself, as one-hundred percent pings on the computer. Finally! Perfect timing!
Seger pulls me away from the computer just as my hand snatches the USB and pulls me toward the small closet door he peeked in earlier. He picks me up and rushes me inside, slams my body against the wall, and covers my mouth with his hand. We breathe heavily in the confined space, his body pressing against mine—chest to chest, nose to nose. The closet is full of school supplies: papers, pencils, and notebooks line the shelves.
“In any normal circumstances, I wouldn’t complain about this,” Seger says with fury roaring to life in his eyes. “But I’m seriously going to bend you over my knee when we get back to your apartment. I swear to all things holy,” he whispers straight into my ear, making a cool shiver shimmy down my spine.
“Promise?” I whisper against the palm of his hand. Seger groans and curses under his breath, trying to stay as quiet as we can.
“Luke, listen—yeah—she’s on board again.” Shaw says as he comes in and paces his office, oblivious to the break-in, with his phone pressed against his ear.
Thank God he is too distracted to see his computer is awake and lighting up the office. He turns the lights on, leaving us in the dark of the cramped supply closet. Seger presses his body into mine more, leaving me even more breathless than before. If the adrenaline from almost getting caught didn’t make me antsy, having his body against mine did more. I strain my ears, trying to catch his words. Luke? Who’s Luke?
Shaw grumbles, throwing himself into his chair. “Not that big of a sacrifice,” he chuckles. I wish I could see him, see his expression because it sure would help a lot.
Seger’s face contorts. “I uh—think we caught one half of our fornicating couple,” he grumbles directly in my ear. I nod, agreeing with him, seeing as his palm is still pressed into my mouth.
“Everything’s still on track on my end and yours?” He asks into the phone, probably nodding his head a few times. I wish I could amplify his phone call and hear what the other person had to say. I need to invent that technology.
“And Death?” He asks, filling the silence with his breaths. “And Famine? Yes—I understand. Well—yes—I get it, Jesus, Lucas, I understand. Don’t talk to me like I’m some untrain—oh fuck you too.” He raises his voice again, slamming his fist onto his desk.
My entire body jumps against Seger’s at the loud crack of the wood, and I’m half thankful Seger kept his palm against my mouth, muffling the squeal slipping out.
“Everything is fucking under control,” he seethes into the phone, slamming his fist once again. “Everything is still on track. They’re getting what they want when they want it, aren’t they? Exactly so it’s fine. Fuck them. Do you think it’ll stop it? No—it won’t. Fine. I’ll talk to you later, you dick. Love you too.” Shaw takes a deep breath, rising from his desk. He tucks his phone into his pocket, turns off the lights, and leaves the room with a bang.
Seger eases his body weight off me, but I pull him back. Holding up a finger, I point to my ears, and he nods in agreement.
“You’re in the clear. He just walked out of the damn building,” Zepp finally says in our ear with a loaded sigh. “I-what did we just hear?” he asks us while I stare up at Seger, who shrugs his shoulders.
