The Challenge | BOOK 2

12 - High Rise

We meet some more new characters in these next few chapters. I hope you're excited. I also hope you grow connections with the characters just like I do.

Sorry about the gap between updates. I've been swamped!!!

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I woke to an empty bed on the dreadful day that I didn't want to be alone. I dragged myself out of bed and I trudged down the hallway where I met with Bodie and Gwendoline in the kitchen. There were two small suitcases on the kitchen table.

I raised my eyebrows at this as I felt Jenny push past me. I turned my head, watching Ezra race after her. She grunted when he reached out to her and slapped his hand away; his face flashed a look of hurt for only a moment.

"I'm doing this to protect you! It's what will keep you safe!" Ezra said quickly. Jenny ignored him as she grew a hard look on her face. She opened the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of water and then moved past Ezra.

What the hell?

"What's going on? What's with the suitcases?" I asked, looking around at everyone. They snapped their eyes up to meet mine. Gwendoline looked a little shameful, whilst Jenny looked damn well angry.

"Ezra is making us leave. He's sending us away for a few days," Jenny spat out. She walked out the room and passed me, heading back down the hallway.

"What? Leave? To where?" I rushed out. Bodie sighed softly. 

"It's a full moon tonight, Ali. Ezra and I both don't want Gwen and Jenny here when the attack takes place. It's safer to keep them away for a few days until things die down," Bodie explained. I stared at him quizzically.

They were doing the right thing, but I felt more than guilty. They were being sent away because of me. The rogues were only attacking because of Henry's orders to kill me.

"They're going into town. Ezra booked a nice hotel for them to stay in for a few nights," Bodie added. I nodded slowly.

"They both don't want to go," Ezra growled out. He crossed his arms as Jenny rushed past me again. She tossed her hair up into a bun and grunted.

"I think it's a good idea. You guys aren't safe here," I said. Gwendoline and Jenny both groaned loudly.

"Who cares? We're in this together, aren't we? This is a team effort," Gwendoline hissed out. Bodie packed his hand on the small of her back.

"Not the point. I don't want to drag you guys down with me. If one of you got hurt... it would be all my fault," I said. Gwendoline rolled her eyes at me.

"Fine. We'll go. If no one wants us here, we'll leave, right now!" Jenny finally yelled out. I saw the hurt in her eyes. I knew she was just annoyed that she was being made to go.

She knew why we wanted her to leave.

Gwendoline and Jenny grabbed their bags. Bodie kissed Gwendoline goodbye, and Ezra tried to reach out to Jenny, but she only dodged him.

I sighed and watched them leave. Once they were gone, Ezra huffed. I rubbed my eyes and pushed my hair back into a ponytail.

"I think you two should go with them," I said to them both. The more I thought about it, the more I didn't want anyone to be around me. I didn't want anyone getting hurt because of me.

Especially Bodie and Ezra.

"To hell with that! I'm not going anywhere," Bodie growled out. I looked to Ezra, to see his reaction. He clenched his fists and drew deep breaths to try and stop himself from getting angry.