Terror By Night

Chapter 21

Grit laughs huskily. "If I had a dime for every time I heard that... well, if people still used those, I'd be rich." Her grin is lopsided and the laughter in her eyes speaks of a mischievous mind stirring behind them.

I say with mild humility, "I didn't know I had a reputation." Secretly, I'm thrilled. I'd thrown my name at the gatekeepers, hoping that my suspicions would pan out.

"Oh, indeed you do," she answers. "Layken Prescott, the only person who could've put a dent into Xavier Ross's plan for high school domination."

My suspicions are confirmed. I hoped secretly if Xavier knows Grit, maybe he'd be my way in to see her. I'd been waiting for the opportunity to namedrop and win some trust with her. It'd been pure wishful thinking, and praying, that it'd work. As it turns out, he's spoken to her about me.

I suspect this might be the case based on what little I know about people with power. See, people in power like to have people in their pockets who have brains. It not only helps them keep their power, but it keeps potential rivals from getting ideas while they stay distracted. Which leads to the second thing; people in power need to know who their potential rivals are. Staying well informed is key to staying protected.

Xavier is either in her pocket, or her informant. I care the reason why only in whatever way it'll affect me and my friends. For time being, I won't focus on what he's doing with her. I'll happily take advantage of it though. Xavier's my golden ticket. Now, I just need to find a way to get her to help me. If she really can.

"Is Xavier a friend of yours?" I play ignorant.

She squints at me. I wonder how long we can play this game out. "We're acquainted."

"That's funny. I didn't think you went to our high school." I'm curious how much information I can get her to reveal about herself. The more you know and all that.

She lets her barrel laugh fill the confined space. "I haven't gone to traditional school in some time. But Xavier and I go way back." She quiets at once and stares me down. I suddenly understand why people are so intimidated by her. She has the gaze of a python, as though she's sizing you up to be her next meal. "Tell me Layken, what brings you to my humble abode today?"

I don't want to sound desperate. Desperate people always take whatever crumbs the master throws her way. Yes, I need her help and I'll probably have to perform some task to get it, but I won't be her lackey. "I've been thinking a change of scenery might be good for my health."

She measures me with a look. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"For the moment, I'm fine. But I feel a cold coming on." We are feeling each other out now. Neither of us wants to show all our cards.

"Colds can be dangerous in a place like this. They could turn into something bigger."

I decide I better get more to the point. "And contagious. I don't want my friends to get sick. I think we need to find a warmer climate."

"Ah," she nods her heads.

A loud beeping pulls her attention away momentarily to her many screens. It gives me the chance to work out my strategy. Step one, come up with a strategy. I'm not sure I can think of good enough one on the spot.

I take a moment to glance around the room. There are screens on every available surface. Each one is displaying a different section of the Refuse. Somehow, she's not only tapped into whatever security was around and already in the stadium, but she's hacked every kind of camera within the entire compound. We're talking atm's, traffic cams, individual security building feeds. She's managed to network them all right here. She literally has eyes everywhere. There's nowhere to hide. She saw me coming a mile away.