Page 59 of Fight or Flight
“Could be as simple as locking the room down so we can’t escape until someone lets us out,” he continues. “Or it could be as nefarious as triggering something meant to hurt whoever is unfortunate enough to fuck up while trying to get control of the room.”
“And how confident are you that you’re not fucking up?” Jax asks calmly.
“Confident enough.” He slips the last loose wire into a slot on the motherboard and steps back as the panel lights up. “Here’s hoping I didn’t just kill us.”
My chest squeezes with fear, and my heart skips a beat as the board flickers with red and green flashes that seem to be coming from both little lights on the motherboard and sources underneath it. But before I can freak out, there’s a loudclick, and a paperback-sized section of the wall next to the door slides open, revealing two buttons: one red, and one black.
“And that’s how it’s done.” Jace slaps the black button in the newly opened panel. “Who’s your daddy?”
“Definitely not you,” Killian says with a smirky smile. “But good job on the not killing us thing.”
“I’m amazing,” Jace says with fake seriousness. “And totally your daddy.”
Killian starts to say something but is cut off when the door pops open and Jordan, Nico, and Axel step inside.
“Not bad,” Jordan says as Axel closes the door behind him. “That’s a new house record,” he adds as Axel pushes the red button.
“Record?” I ask.
“So thiswasa test,” Jace says, but there’s no boasting or pride in his tone.
Jordan nods. “And you passed with flying colors.”
“Go us,” Jax says dryly.
“How much did we beat the old record by?” Jace asks.
“The previous record was more than triple your time,” Nico says, a slight undertone of bitterness in his voice.
“That was your record, right?” Jace grins shamelessly.
Nico nods curtly.
“Has anyone not been able to figure it out?” Killian asks curiously. “Like what happens if they can’t? Is there a time limit, or do they just keep trying until you take pity on them and let them out?”
“The test is designed so peopledon’tfigure it out,” Jordan says seriously. “There’s a time limit of two hours, as well as several obstacles that have been built into the room that are designed to go off the closer to the deadline you get.”
“But why create a test that people aren’t supposed to pass?” I ask. “Why set people up for failure like that?”
“Because the test isn’t just to show your ability to work as a team or to see if you can decode the clues that would have been revealed if you hadn’t flown through it the way you did. It’s meant to show us how you react under pressure and how you deal with failure.”
“So we both passed and failed the test?” Jace asks.
“Essentially.” Jordan shoots him a knowing look. “But that’s not surprising. We knew you guys would figure it out, considering the particular skill sets you have. We just thought it would take longer.”
Skill sets? Does that mean the rumors I’ve heard about the Hawthorne cousinsaretrue?
“Was Jace right about the booby traps?” Jax asks.
Axel nods. “None of them are actually dangerous, but they’re designed to test your ability to stay calm under duress, so they’re dramatic and make you think you’re in danger.”
I sneak a quick look at Jace and the others. Am I the only one who thinks this entire situation is ridiculous and unnecessary? I know the frat is steeped in stupid traditions, but testing the future leadership in a booby-trapped panic room is insane, even for the Rebels.
None of the other guys seem all that bothered, and I return my attention to Jordan.
“The other reason we called you here today is because there’s a situation you need to be aware of.” Jordan fixes his gaze on Jax. “How much have you told him about what happened with Myles and the Kings?”
“Nothing.”
