Crux Year

Chapter Twenty-Three - Royal

I'm going insane.

Being trapped in this cell with no one to talk to is maddening.

Soon. They'll come for me soon.

My heart is in my throat as I pace the small room. It's completely dark but I've memorized the way and walk it without stumbling. Every small sound, I have a panic attack thinking Dad Vince is onto our plan and is going to stop me.

I come to a complete stop, sucking in a sharp breath.

Don't think about him.

But my mind ignores me. Flashes of a happy childhood flip by, lighting up the darkness around me. Dad Morgan made sure I was cared for and loved. And when Dad Vince felt like keeping up appearances, he wasn't so bad.

He's a monster now.

Whatever affection I had for him has shriveled and died. I'm disgusted by how horrible he's been to his own son.

Click.

All thoughts of my father take a temporary backseat as I listen for more sounds. Nothing. I'm about to try and get some sleep when the ground begins to shake.

Earthquake?

This time, the silence is penetrated by a deafening boom followed by the blaring of sirens. A red light turns on in the room, blinking over and over again.

They must be here.

A maniacal laugh bubbles out of me as I wait for the door to open. Heavy pounding of feet can be heard over the sirens. I take a step back, expecting to see Carlos. Instead, one of the guards, Derek, flings open the door.

"Let's go," he barks out. "I'm under strict orders by your father to—"

Whack!

Derek crumples to the ground at my feet. A hooded figure stands in the doorway holding a fire extinguisher. He drops the fire extinguisher with a loud clang before yanking off his hood.

I've never been so happy to see someone's face as I am seeing his.

Shay.

Rushing from the cell, I pounce on him, sending the two of us careening into the wall behind him. He cries out from the impact but then moans the second my lips find his. Our kiss is frantic and rushed and filled with relief.

He's here.

He said he'd get me out of here and he's making good on that promise.

"We have to hurry," he murmurs against my mouth. "There isn't much time."

I steal one more chaste kiss before grabbing his hand. He turns on his heel, darting down toward The Hold.

"No," I hiss. "We can't go back in there. There's no escape."

"It's how I got in."

I screech to a halt in front of the door, my skin already beginning to crawl from the memories of being there before. Shay turns toward me, cradling my cheek in his palm.

"Royal, you have to trust me, okay?"

Shouting behind us has me nodding. I follow Shay into the darkness, clinging to his hand. A light fills the space around us, shining on Shay's smiling face. Flashlight. I could kiss him again but there's no time. Together, we run down a series of musty corridors past many decrepit cells before we come to a steel door. Shay's fingers fly over a keypad that lights up at his touch, easily bypassing the code.