THE HEROS OF GODOLKIN | GEN V AND THE BOYS FIC |

7.

Minutes after Tek Knight left Indira's office, Claire walked briskly through the hallways of Godolkin University, her mind racing. Tek Knight's words had rattled her more than she'd expected, and all she wanted to do now was get back to her dorm and process everything. But as she rounded the corner toward her dorm, she spotted Cate, and something was clearly wrong.

Cate's usually calm demeanor was completely shattered-she was speaking so fast that Claire could barely understand her.

"Slow down, Cate. What are you saying?" Claire asked, a confused expression settling on her face.

"Sam's going to kill Cardosa! We have to leave now!" Cate finally managed to get out, her voice trembling with urgency.

Claire's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she nodded, quickly making her way to the parking lot where Andre's car was waiting. It was already packed-Jordan, Emma, Marie, and Max were crammed inside, with Andre behind the wheel. Claire slipped into the backseat next to Max, who was staring quietly out the window, lost in thought.

The car felt cramped with tension. As Andre drove, Jordan sat in the front seat, giving directions to Sam's hideout. The hum of the car engine did little to break the palpable anxiety filling the air. Claire glanced over at Max, who hadn't said a word since she got in.

"It's been two days," Claire whispered, careful not to break the heavy silence too abruptly. "How are you?"

Max sighed, his expression softening as he turned to her. "Could've been better. I wish you were at the gala."

Claire frowned slightly. She had been planning to attend, but something had come up. "I'm sorry. Something... came up," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Max's eyes darkened slightly. "You said that the night we hung out. Are you trying to avoid me?"

The sharpness in his tone surprised her. "No... I-" She began to explain but was abruptly cut off when Cate, sitting in front, turned around, her eyes locked on Max.

"Max, go to sleep," Cate commanded, her voice firm but eerily calm.

Max's eyelids fluttered shut as he instantly slumped back in his seat, unconscious. The suddenness of it startled everyone else in the car.

"What the fuck?" Marie blurted out, her eyes wide.

"Why did you do that?" Jordan asked, their voice hard with suspicion.

Cate ignored them, a sly smile creeping onto her face as she turned to Claire. "You're welcome."

Claire forced a smile, though she couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in her gut. "Thanks, Cate."

The rest of the car ride passed in tense silence. When they finally arrived at Sam's hideout, the group quickly piled out of the car, their footsteps hurried and anxious. The building was eerily quiet as they entered, the sound of their breathing the only thing cutting through the silence.

Andre was the first to spot Sam. Without hesitation, he used his powers to fling a nearby refrigerator across the room, slamming it into Sam and sending him flying into the wall.

But Sam wasn't down for long. He shoved the fridge aside with ease, his eyes wild with fury. "You!" he roared, pointing directly at Andre. "I escaped, and you caught me! You're one of them!"

Andre's hand went up in a placating gesture. "Sam, we didn't know who you were then. Let us help you now."

"You're all fucking puppets!" Sam yelled, his voice cracking as he got closer to the group.

Cate stepped forward, her voice soft but urgent. "Sam, let us help you."

Sam's rage flared. "No! You are *not* touching me again, Cate! Get the fuck out of here!"