“No. Well, yeah. I guess so.”
“People only see the painting you show them, Scar. They don’t know what it took to create it.”
Jagger once said something similar. How every student at this place is creating a beautiful picture for everyone to see while using another person’s blood on their canvas.
Makes me wonder if some of us are using our own blood.
After a long walk with small talk, and Neo being an ass, we finally emerge from the tunnel.
I’m surprised to see the sun setting behind the trees, and it has me wondering what time it is.
As if he read my mind, Crew says, “Dinnertime. I’m fucking starving.”
“Well,” Riley hooks her arm around me, “I’d say we could all catch dinner at the dining hall, but this little moment of truth doesn’t mean I like you all.” She’s referring to the guys, and I’m already impressed with her forwardness. It’s been creeping up more and more lately and now I’m about to see just how badass my best friend really is.
“Good,” Neo pulls on his helmet, lifting the visor to speak, “because, once again, we don’t like you either.”
Neo’s the first to leave, and when I look around, I realize there are two other sleds here. “You got it back?” I ask Crew.
“Yep. All fixed. Wanna ride?”
I bite the corner of my lip, looking from him to Jagger, unsure how to respond without hurting anyone’s feelings. “Go with Crew,” Jagger says, patting the seat behind him. “Riley, hop on. I’ll give you a ride.” I toss him his keys and he catches them midair. This sweet gesture on his part makes my stomach flutter because it’s obvious he’s trying to be fair. Crew, on the other hand, is definitely going to take a bit before he willingly shares my time.I get it, though. Our situation isn’t normal.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up to the house, and I’m surprised to see that Riley is still on the back of Jagger’s sled. I thought for sure he was dropping her off at the dining hall.
I question her with a look and she throws her helmet at Jagger, then jogs to me through the snow. Her arms hug her chest and her hair flaps under the hood of her sweatshirt. “Holy hell. It’s cold out here.”
“I’m actually super impressed you’re wearing a hoodie. It’s so…not you.”
“It’s hideous, right?”
“No,” I chuckle, “it’s warm.” We start toward the house, and I ask, “What are you doing here, anyways? I thought you were going to the dining hall.”
“Jagger thought it might be a good idea if I come back and we go over some of the stuff I learned in the past twenty-four hours. He also thought it might be good for me to check on you. Make sure you’re not weirded out too much.”
“Jagger is a smart guy.” We head to the door as I continue to talk, “I’m definitely weirded out. It’s hard to picture you as anyone but quirky Riley. Let alone, a spy.”
Riley laughs. “A spy?”
“Well, yeah. That’s pretty much what you are, right? A spy for The Elders?”
“I guess so. But, I’m still in training. And I’ve fucked upa lot.Wouldn’t surprise me if I don’t get promoted to a Guardian. In which case, my dad might disown me.”
“Really? Why do you say that?”
Riley takes a serious tone, which is odd for someone so buoyant. “It’s in my blood. We come from a family of Guardians.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure you’re doing the best you can.”
“I’m not so sure about that. If I were doing the best I could, I would have solved this mystery by now.”
“For what it’s worth, we’ve all been trying; yet, he’s still out there.”
“But what kind of Guardian will I ever be if I can’t even catch this stalker, who leaves traces of evidence everywhere he goes?” She shakes her head, brushing it off. “Doesn’t matter. One way or another, he’ll be caught. Let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here.”
“Yeah.” I look down at myself. “Yeah, I could really use a shower.”
Riley chuckles. “Still can’t believe you even thought I was capable of being the BCA Stalker.”