Romance

KANE
This isn’t the first, the second, or even the hundredth time I’ve faced such a scene.
It won’t be the last either.
But it never manages to penetrate me. Not the screams, the gurgling of blood, the stench of fear mingled with the absolute realization that they’ve fucked up.
And that it’s the final time they’ll ever fuck up.
“Listen…listen…please hear me out…” the vice-chancellor, Fred, begs on his knees, his belly bulging from between his shirt’s ripped buttons, his ugly purple tie tight, turning his face red.
Jude, Preston, and I asked Fred to join us for a ride after school.
He smiled with delight, thinking we were presenting him with an opportunity. It’s not every day that a mere vice-chancellor gets a private meeting with three Senior Vencor members who’ll become de facto Founder members as soon as they graduate.
And Fred, like any Vencor member, knows that only we who are born i

DAHLIA
Months.
It’s been months of constant, careful plotting, thorough calculating, and painstaking patience.
Months.
And today’s finally the day.
I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans as I park my bike in a parking space and power walk through the dimly lit streets. I actually followed Kane’s advice and came in my most relaxed outfit—a plain gray T-shirt and my comfiest sneakers that are slightly beat up.
If I said I wasn’t scared, it’d be a flat-out lie.
I’ve only heard rumors about Vencor’s initiations, and they all mention a grueling interrogation process, having to endure physical and mental tests, and being stripped bare of one’s humanity.
But they all remain rumors.
No one but Vencor members know the truth.
Despite the slight tremor that invades my limbs and the heaviness in my steps, no amount of fear will deter me from bringing Violet justice.
Violet and I aren’t blood-related, bu

Megan is actually a local to Stantonville and could’ve gone to SRC, but she purposefully applied for a scholarship here because, in her words, “This place is the shit. Aside from their famous hockey program, SRC doesn’t have much to offer.”
The Stanton Wolves are the Vipers’ biggest rival. Both teams are known to produce the best NHL players, and their ‘Cold War’ games are easily the highlight of the college league.
Despite Megan not being massively interested in hockey, she was brought up surrounded by these two legends, so she knows more than the rumors I’ve heard and what my technical research can produce.
“I didn’t go for anyone,” I say to keep up the conversation. “He was generous enough to let me take a fan selfie after the game.”
She shifts her attention from the mirror and hikes a hand on her hip. “You’ll sit there and tell me with a straight face that you don’t want to be anything more than a fan?”
I spin my fountain pen between my fingers but remain silent.
“That’s what I thought,” she says with a gloating facial expression, then looks at the mirror again to pat her red curls. “Better not get your hopes up. He’s top of the food chain, as in royalty, in this college, town, and world. People like you and me don’t mess with people like them and get out unscathed. So lower the standards…unless you only want to fuck him? In that case, get in line. I’d let that man throw me around like I’m his puck. I heard from an acquaintance of an acquaintance that he has a huge dick to match the energy.”
“Megan!”
“What? Gotta do my research before opening my legs. And I just did yours, too. You’re welcome.”
I laugh despite myself. “What else do you know aside from rumors about his dick size?”
“That’s all I need.” She side-eyes me. “That’s all you need as well if you want to stay out of trouble.”
“I just want to know my chances.”
“You have none. Those people who live up the Hill only get into relationships with each other, marry each other, and produce little minions like themselves who’ll repeat the cycle all over again. We’re outsiders, D. Outsiders get no chances.” She looks up. “Dear God, in the next life, I want to be reborn as a rich man. Amen. Hold on. With a huge dick also. Big amen to that. No pun intended.”
“So outsiders get no chances, but fucking is okay?”
“Hell yeah. Fucking is harmless fun. Anything beyond that is not. If you want to be super realistic, you’ll get a better chance fucking that manwhore Preston—who accepts all girls’ advances—than Kane. Hell, Jude might be easier to fuck than Kane. It’s hard to get that man excited about anything other than hockey. His hookups are few and far between. Either he’s training to be a monk, or he has one hell of an NDA in place, because all the girls want a piece, but few have managed to get it, and those who did don’t talk about it.”
Fucking Kane is the last thing on my mind right now. Okay, not really the last. I’d be lying if I said I don’t find him hot. Under different circumstances, I’d be open to some harmless fun like Megan, but with my situation, I need something deeper.
A lot deeper.
“Have you ever been to Ravenswood Hill?” I ask. “You know, to snoop and see how they live.”
“Hell no. This pretty head.” She motions at her face. “I want it kept on this pretty neck. Thank you very much.”
“Is it that dangerous?”
“Fuck yeah. Listen. I know you’re probably one of those students who loves the thrill of secret worlds, haunted houses, and enchanted forests, but this is not a horror movie. Those who’ve dared to go close to the Hill have disappeared without a trace. Don’t become a statistic.”
I already have. I have nothing else to lose.
But Megan is right. Going to the Hill just to snoop without any entry or escape plan in place is just asking for death.
That’s why I thought the best way would be to achieve entry through the team.
Megan sprays a cloud of perfume before she leaves, attempting one final time to invite me to the latest ‘sick’ party. However, she gives up when I tell her I’m studying tonight.
At least, that’s what I intend to do.
I find it hard to focus and barely finish reading a case study for ethics.
My phone lights up and I check it to look at the pictures Megan’s sent of ’what I missed.’
The pen nestled between my fingers stills and drops on top of my textbook when I find a DM from @kane.davenport.
KANE
Are you free tonight?
My heart thunders so loudly, I can hear it in my ears as I type: Hi! Yes.
Then realize it sounds too desperate, so I delete it.
ME
Why?
The initiation is tonight. In two hours.
Oh God.
That came sooner than I expected. I didn’t think I’d get a save-the-date card or anything. But a two-hour notice?
I’m not even mentally prepared.
Will you be there?
Yes. Where?
I’ll send you a location. Be there in an hour and a half.
Okay. Thank you.
I think the conversation has ended as he sees my text and doesn’t reply, but then a single word appears on the screen and my heartbeat quickens.
Dahlia.
Yes?
Red. Say that word now and this nightmare won’t happen. If you don’t, you won’t have a chance afterward.
My eyes fly over what he’s written again and again. Just like when he learned about my interest, he’s offering me a way out.
But he doesn’t know that when my mind is set on something, I won’t stop until it’s done.
Someone in Vencor was behind my sister’s attack and subsequent coma. I lost my only family because of them, and I won’t rest until they’re six feet under. Hopefully, after they suffer.
So no. Even if I’m going to die, I won’t take the out that Kane’s offered.
I like that he’s putting the option on the table, though.
I’ll be there.
There’s a long stretch of silence from his end before he sends one final text.
Dress comfortably. It’s going to be the longest night of your life.

KANE
This isn’t the first, the second, or even the hundredth time I’ve faced such a scene.
It won’t be the last either.
But it never manages to penetrate me. Not the screams, the gurgling of blood, the stench of fear mingled with the absolute realization that they’ve fucked up.
And that it’s the final time they’ll ever fuck up.
“Listen…listen…please hear me out…” the vice-chancellor, Fred, begs on his knees, his belly bulging from between his shirt’s ripped buttons, his ugly purple tie tight, turning his face red.
Jude, Preston, and I asked Fred to join us for a ride after school.
He smiled with delight, thinking we were presenting him with an opportunity. It’s not every day that a mere vice-chancellor gets a private meeting with three Senior Vencor members who’ll become de facto Founder members as soon as they graduate.
And Fred, like any Vencor member, knows that only we who are born into the four founding families are granted the Founder position. So we’ve always held monopoly on th

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