'CHECKMATE'
Gabby's fingers flew over her keyboard, decrypting the files on Vince's phone. Each revelation sent her deeper into a web of lies, blackmail, and corruption that stretched far beyond campus borders.
She barely slept, surviving on energy drinks and determination. Her roommate, Zoe, shot her worried glances but knew better than to pry.
Three days after the clock tower meeting, Gabby's phone buzzed. Unknown number.
"Tick tock, little girl. Time's running out."
Keisha. Gabby's grip tightened on the phone. She'd been waiting for this.
"Name your game," she texted back.
The response came quickly: "Where it all began. Tonight. Come alone or lover boy gets it."
Gabby's heart raced. Was Vince in danger, or was this another trick? Either way, she couldn't risk it.
As night fell, Gabby made her way to the clock tower. She'd come prepared this time - a small taser hidden in her jacket, a burner phone with an emergency text queued up, and a USB drive with enough evidence to bury Keisha and her entire operation.
The tower loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Gabby took a deep breath and began to climb.
At the top, Keisha waited, a gun pointed at Vince's head. He was on his knees, face bruised.
"Well, well," Keisha drawled. "Look who decided to join the party."
Gabby's eyes met Vince's. He gave a slight nod, almost imperceptible.
"Let him go, Keisha," Gabby said, her voice steadier than she felt. "This is between us."
Keisha laughed, cold and sharp. "Oh honey, it's so much bigger than that. You have no idea what you've stumbled into."
"Actually, I do." Gabby pulled out the USB drive. "Names, dates, bank accounts. Everything. One click and it all goes public."
Keisha's eyes narrowed. "You're bluffing."
"Try me."
For a moment, the only sound was the wind whistling through the tower. Then, several things happened at once.
Vince suddenly lunged, knocking the gun from Keisha's hand. Gabby dove for it, but Keisha was faster. They grappled on the cold stone floor, each fighting for control.
A shot rang out.
Gabby felt a searing pain in her shoulder. She stumbled back, her vision blurring. Keisha stood over her, gun raised for the kill shot.
But before she could pull the trigger, Vince tackled her from behind. The gun skittered across the floor, coming to rest at Gabby's feet.
With her good arm, Gabby grabbed the weapon and aimed it at Keisha.
"It's over," she said, her voice shaking.
Keisha's face twisted with rage. "You think this ends with me? You have no idea who you're dealing with!"
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer. Gabby's finger tightened on the trigger.
"Gabby, don't," Vince said softly. "She's not worth it."
For a heartbeat, Gabby was tempted. But then she lowered the gun. "You're right. She's not."
As the police burst onto the scene, Gabby felt the adrenaline drain from her body. She swayed, suddenly lightheaded from blood loss.
Vince caught her before she fell. "I got you, G," he murmured. "It's over. You did it."
As paramedics swarmed around them and Keisha was led away in handcuffs, Gabby allowed herself to relax into Vince's arms. Questions still swirled in her mind - about Vince's true loyalties, about the bigger players Keisha had hinted at. But for now, she was just grateful to be alive.
The clock tower chimed, marking the hour. A new day was dawning, full of uncertainty but also possibility. Whatever came next, Gabby knew she was strong enough to face it.
And this time, she wouldn't be facing it alone.
