by Linda Kage
Next to me, Tess fanned her face and leaned more fully against Jonah before saying, “That was so romantic.”
Beck tightened his arms around me as if he knew I was about to burst. But how could I not? He loved me. He really, freaking loved me.
I turned into him abruptly and buried my face in his chest to hide the flow of tears. He kissed my forehead and smoothed my hair, and I knew that no matter what happened, everything was going to be okay.
Beck loved me. There could be no doubt about it now.
“That really burns my ass,” Sam growled, startling me from my mini meltdown. “I can’t handle people who lie to save their own butt, especially when that lie hurts others. I wish there was some way to…” Her words faded off as this strange expression filled her face.
“What…?” Frowning, I glanced to everyone else, since they seemed to know her better than I did. “What’s she doing? What does that look mean?”
Jonah grinned. “It means she has a plan.”
“An evil genius, probably not fully on the up-and-up plan,” Logan added.
“Oh, no.” Sam held up a single finger. “It’s not my plan. It would be totally wrong and unethical for me to come up with such a plan as this.”
“It’ll be my plan, then,” Beck immediately claimed responsibility as he shifted her way, eager to hear more. “What’s the plan?”
“Well…” Sam paused a dramatic moment to gather her thoughts. “I can’t have any part of it.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Paige assured. “We’ll take care of the dirty work.”
Sam winced. “But none of you should have a part in it, either. If any of you are caught tampering with school equipment—”
“This is for Bailey,” Tess cut in. “It’s worth it.”
Sam cringed, still hesitant. But then she sighed and said, “Melody works for the university’s Admissions office as a campus tour guide, right?”
“Uh…” Beck shook his head, his expression completely blank. “I have no idea.”
“The answer is yes, yes, she does.” Sam gave a satisfied grin. “After you told me about her, I looked her up. And it just so happens one of her stops on the tour is the human health department, where…” She cleared her throat and pressed her hand to her chest, “I just happen to volunteer as a counselor over their grief group. So I know for a fact that Deb, who gives the health department’s presentation to new student recruit tours, only talks for a couple minutes before she pops in a video and leaves the room. Meaning, if someone—a person’s who’s totally not me, because this isn’t my idea at all and probably shouldn’t be any of you either since it could get all of you into trouble—were to replace that video with something else…” She glanced meaningfully in my direction, it’s possible the truth about Melody could get out without anyone accusing our Bailey here of, you know, peeping tom things.”
My eyes widened. “Oh my God,” I whispered, gaping at Sam in awe. “You are so diabolically brilliant; I think I just fell in love with you.”
Sam laughed, then blushed and self-consciously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Well, thank you,” she demurred, only for her gaze to seek Beck. “But it’d be even better if the idea could bring everyone to justice, not just the people in this room who were wronged.”
I glanced at Beck, wondering what she was talking about. At first, he squinted, clearly not understanding either. But after a moment, his gaze cleared and eyes widened. “You mean…?”
Growing somber and sympathetic, Sam met Beck’s gaze and nodded. “I do. I think this just might help her a lot.”
Chapter 36
BAILEY
I tugged the hood of my sweatshirt more snugly around my face and kept to the rear of the group as Melody began the tour, introducing herself. Then I shimmied my phone from my front pocket and opened it to look up the picture Beck had given me of Daylon Raider. After I scanned the high school seniors gathered with their parents in front of me, my pulse began to kick into high gear.
He’s here, I typed before hitting Send to the group. We’re a Go!
My phone vibrated about five times simultaneously as I stuffed it back into the front pocket of my hoodie, probably everyone telling me good, and now to get out of there because my job in Operation Truth was complete. All I was supposed to do was ensure Daylon Raider was part of the tour. Then I was supposed to evacuate.
Except running wasn’t in my blood today. I had to stay and see, to watch everyone get what was coming to them.
We’d worked all weekend, scheming and planning, working through alternative after alternative to get everything just right. Four days later, Monday morning, and our plan was coming to fruition.
“Alright then.” Melody clapped her hands to gain everyone’s attention. “If you’ll move this way, we’ll visit the McCuffrey Hall, the science center first.” She traipsed over the campus lawn, leading us like a mother duck with her younglings and talking about the type of tree we passed. Not once did she mention this was the very ground where a crazed gunman had killed nearly a dozen students a year before, or that it was between this building and the next—Jamison Hall, the Art Department—where he’d finally killed himself.
She was kind of a sucky tour guide if you asked me.
I yawned inside my hoody and kept out of sight in the back as we moved through the science building, then the art building, then the food court.
After two more stops, and my feet aching from so much stupid walking, we finally, finally made it to the Human Health Department.
And just as Sam had described it, Deb the Human Health spokesperson led us into a room with a huge projection screen hanging down in front of one wall. After we all sat, I grew a little more ill at ease because Melody remained standing next to Deb as she addressed us. If she looked at me, really looked at me, she would recognize me.
I slumped lower in my hair, cringing when my phone buzzed loudly in my pocket. At least it felt super-loud.
Finally, thank God, Deb announced she had a video for us to watch, and after she started it, she moved to the door where she turned down the lights and then slipped silently from the room just as the usual beginning started that she was used to seeing.
I breathed out a breath, glad she hadn’t stuck around, while the rest of me tightened with anticipation. This was it. It was going to happen right now.
I glanced Melody’s way where the glow from the screen splashed perfectly across her face so I could gage her expressions. She looked completely bored, her arms crossed over her shoulder and her back propped against the wall. She had no idea what was about to happen.
Two rows in front of me, Daylon Raider looked equally bored, slouched low in his own chair where he was flanked by both his parents.
I have no idea how Paige’s fake email invite to him had coaxed him into coming to campus today and taking this very tour, but I loved her persuasive skills.
“We at the Granton Human Health department are committed to providing services for all students in all manner of health needs,” The voice over began as the screen panned from the entire campus and on to this building, “ranging from your physical to mental to emotional well-being. Our clinic provides medical, dental and women’s services for either walk-in or appointment visits, along with a twenty-four hotline for therapy and counseling, plus in-house along with volunteer psychologists willing to work with students one-on-one or in group sessions.”
This is where the video changed from the original beginning to our happily tampered-with portion. The voice-over changed from a male to female (Tess’s voice). And the scene moved from the building to one of the rooms inside the health center.
Melody didn’t seem to notice as she yawned and checked the time on her phone.
“One of Granton’s Crisis Counselling sessions for raped and sexually abused victims would be particularly beneficial to your very own tour guide, Melody. Melody Fairfield, that is.”
At the mention of her name, Melody perked to atte
ntion, shoving away from the wall and shrieking, “What the hell?”
A shocked murmur spread through the group.
Excitement raced through me. I sat forward, as the screen stopped zooming in on a group in the middle of having a meeting to a picture of Melody’s face we’d taken from her Facebook profile.
“Melody was raped right here on campus at a fraternity party on the night of November Eleventh.”
Slapping her hands to her face, Melody slowly began to back away from the screen as if it were suddenly toxic.
“Or at least, that’s what Melody claims,” Tess’s disbelieving voice continued. “But if you’d like to see what really happed to sweet, innocent Melody on the night of her quote-quote rape, just stick around. We actually have a video of the event, and we’d be happy to show you the truth.”
“Oh my God, oh my God! No! Someone turn this shit off.” She rushed toward the podium computer stand and grabbed the mouse to end the presentation. But someone—ahem, Paige and Logan—had already been in here to change the setting so that she needed a password to get in to the video controls.
She did not know the password, even though I did. It was IAmALiar.
Clueless, she screamed and pounded on the mouse, getting no results, while the video on the wall turned to my homemade peepshow.
“Oh my God, Beck! Right there. Right there,” her voice squealed through the speakers, making the real her slam her hand to her chest and gape in horror.
All the parents in the group gasped and tried to urge their high school children to stop watching, even though most of the high school students whooped and cheered. A couple of them pulled up their phones and began to take a video of my video. I’m pretty sure one guy was even live-streaming it to his social media account.
“It looks like maybe Melody Fairfield needs a bit of a lesson on what rape really is.” Tess’s voice reprimanded as she continued. “That’s why we here at the Student Health Services center are more than willing to educate her. You see, Melody dear, rape is not when your boyfriend catches you screwing another guy, and you lie and tell him you were forced so you don’t get into trouble. Rape is where you tell the boy no, and you’re not a willing participant. Rape is when you really are forced. Like sixteen-year-old Brittany Hilliard. Now Brittany really was raped this summer by Daylon Raider. And it just so happens Daylon is in the crowd with us today. Why don’t you stand up, Daylon, and show yourself, so Melody can see what a true rapist looks like.”
Daylon’s father surged to his feet, fuming. “What the hell is this? What’s going on here? I will sue this entire school if you don’t shut that video off right now.”
“After Brittany told him no and tried to struggle to get free from him, he pinned her down and held his hand over her mouth as he forced his body into hers.”
The screen flashed to a picture of Brittany, pale and cowering in a sweatshirt with her wet hair plastered to her head. But the centerpiece of the photo were the bright purple bruises on her neck, arms, and face.
“Brittany was raped. Melody was not. Brittany still wakes up screaming from the nightmares she has of him covering her mouth and cutting off her air flow. She’s been admitted to a mental health facility twice since the attack and cloisters herself in her room when she’s home. She’s also dropped out of school and stopped talking to her family completely.”
Pictures of Brittany before and after her attack flowed across the screen. It was obvious, she’d been completely scarred by what had happened.
“Melody, on the other hand, still attends class and leads tour guides, smiling and happy, as if nothing bad happened to her. Because nothing bad did happen to her.”
Before Tess’s voice could continue, Daylon Raider kicked the computer’s mainframe, sending wires and sparks flying. The video on the projection screen went dead and the room fell dark.
A few people screamed. Chaos reigned as a mad scramble toward the exit ensued. Amidst the fear, some laughed and some demanded an explanation.
Suddenly, the lights popped on as Deb flew into the room, crying, “What in the world is going on in here?”
I decided that was my que to leave.
But just as I ducked out the back door with a family of three—the mom and dad trying to shield their daughter form the nearby rapist—I glanced back just in time to make eye-contact with Melody.
Shock marred her face just as she pointed my way. I gulped and rushed through the door.
Oh, crappity, crap, crap!
This could be bad. If Melody knew I was behind this—
Well, duh, she had to know I’d been involved in some way; it had been my freaking video of her with Beck on that screen. I could totally get into trouble for interfering with the campus tour, scaring off prospective students that might’ve actually been interested in attending Granton, and tampering with Human Health Services’ property.
Oh, hell. Why hadn’t I thought of just how much trouble I could get into?
And it really seemed like it’d be worse if I was caught actually at the tour. Crap. Why hadn’t I listened when everyone had told me to skedaddle? I suddenly knew why they’d wanted that.
Hurrying from the building, I waited until I’d reached the History department before I glanced behind me. I wasn’t expecting Melody to actually follow me, so I nearly pissed myself when I caught sight of her exiting the building behind me and frantically glancing around as she talked on her phone until she spotted me.
When she started after me, definitely zeroed in on me, I whirled away and took off running.
Shit on a monkey stick, I think she’d just called in reinforcements. I ran faster.
Reaching the edge of a building, I veered around a corner, still running full out. I started to race toward the other end so I could turn again, but my pace was already lagging.
Unfortunately, I think Melody was more inclined for this running shit than I was, so when I passed a side entrance of the building, I darted inside. Glancing over my shoulder as the glass door slowly swayed shut behind me, I saw she’d turned the corner and had spotted me entering. So either I needed to get lost in here, or I needed to find another exit and make a mad dash for my car.
I have no idea what she thought she’d do when she caught me, but I really didn’t want to find out either. She’d ruined Beck’s life and gotten me fired from my job; her evil powers sure seemed limitless.
Since speed of escape wasn’t my strong suit, I hurried up the first set of stairs I saw. They were padded with carpet and made my flight quieter, which I totally appreciated.
Once I was on the second floor, I searched for the first bathroom I found, and pushed my way inside.
My breathing was harried and heart was racing as I locked myself in a stall and sat on the toilet, fully clothed, before pulling up my phone and sending out an SOS to the group.
Good News: The plan worked beautifully. Bad News: Melody saw me and chased me to the Science building. Oh, and she called in some kind of reinforcements, I’m pretty sure. So I’m hiding out in a bathroom on the second floor for a bit.
My phone immediately buzzed with replies.
We told you to leave BEFORE the tour! That one was form Jonah. He was so concerned about my welfare, the big jerk.
Which bathroom? I’ll be there in a second.
At least Tess had my back.
Logan and I will look around for Melody.
And so did Paige. Damn, I had the most awesome best friends ever.
Beck, however, didn’t answer, which made me frown. What the heck was he doing? My life was in danger here and he was, what, out getting a slushie or something? Humph. Some boyfriend he was.
Not that I was really in danger. At least, not at the moment. I’d probably be screwed once school administration got hold of me. But whatever. It was worth it to get both Beck and his sister a little bit of justice and truth.
“Are you sure she came up here?” a familiar voice asked as the outer door to the bathroom came open, making
me lift my feet up and tuck my knees to my chin so this stall would look empty.
“Where the hell else would she go?” Melody huffed. “She’s too fat to keep running for long.”
Hey. Rude much? I scowled at the stall door, so badly wanting to snarl, I totally could’ve kept running if I’d wanted to, bitch.
I just hadn’t wanted to.
The room grew quiet. Scarily quiet. I think they’d discovered me. I could picture them dorkily outside my stall, making hand gestures to each other, indicating I was in here.
My phone shook in my hands. I was about to tell my cavalry it was too late; I’d been discovered. But at the last moment, I didn’t. I swiped into my camera mode and set it to Video. On purpose, this time.
Suddenly, the door to my stall burst open and would’ve smacked me in the legs if I hadn’t already tucked my knees up to my chin.
I screamed and dropped my phone.
In front of me, Chase the fake cowboy, lowered his boot. My mouth gaped open. Had he really just kicked my freaking bathroom stall door open?
“I could’ve actually been going pee, you know,” I charged, scowling at him.
He reached in, grabbed my arm and yanked me from the toilet. I yelped from the pain, surprised. The bastard nearly tore my arm out of its socket and I didn’t have time to catch my footing so I pretty much skidded out on my knees.
“Hey…” I tried to smack at him with my free arm to no avail.
Anger and indignation was replaced with fear when he grabbed my hair and yanked my head back, forcing me to stare into his livid eyes. “I told you to stop messing with my sister.”
Oh, God. This wasn’t playtime anymore. Shit had gotten real.
I gulped, straining against him but unable to break free.
“Tell her to stop messing with me first,” I had the gull to reply.
His face went angry-red. When he lifted his gaze to his sister as if seeking instruction, she ordered, “Slap her.”
His hand swung out, cracking against my cheekbone. I cried out from the shock and pain, totally not expecting that.
But what the hell? These psycho siblings were totally fucking crazy.