Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (read with me .TXT) 📗

built. If this is an ambush of some kind, each of us could take this kid on a bad day. He lifts a flashlight, shining it on his baby face. He can’t be older than a freshman. “Come with me.”

Dixon and Marek’s feet move forward, while mine stay stuck to the ground. Palmer twirls, breaking Marek’s hold on her hand. She rises on her tiptoes to be eye-to-eye with me, holding onto the front of my shirt to keep her balance.

“Whatever it is, Breaker, don’t stop until he does,” Palmer whispers. “He’s going to try to goad you, outsmart you. Don’t fall for it. Be smart.”

“I’m going to be okay, Palmer.” I lower my lips to her forehead.

“You have to be. There’s no other choice.” Palmer lowers to her feet and takes Marek’s hand once again.

I follow the four of them inside the building. Everything is dark except for the beam from our leader’s flashlight and the moon outside the large windows. Sports trophies and academic accolades line the hallway walls.

Around the second corner, the kid stalls at a door, pinning himself against it. “Welcome to hell.” Without any instructions, he opens the doors wide.

Inside, it’s nearly pitch black, making it hard to see.

Side by side, we enter, slow and hesitant. The slam of the door behind us startles me. The room is silent, with not a sound escaping a single living thing.

We aren’t alone, though.

When one of our five senses is taken away, like our vision, our other senses compensate for the loss. Right now, I feel heat bodies produce.

Without warning, a light appears from down the hallway. I cover my eyes with my arm, blocking the abrasive shine. That isn’t the problem, though. Within the light is a familiar face, one I haven’t seen in almost two years. You don’t typically forget taking a girl’s virginity.

“You are here to complete a task,” Madison says. Her words are cold, so unlike her.

The light goes out, and another beyond her flickers on. This girl I don’t recognize.

“If you don’t complete the task, there are consequences,” she instructs, then her face goes dark.

With the absence of light, electricity cycles through the room as if it’s gaining strength from the anticipation of what’s to come. I rock back and forth, fully prepared for anything Tripp may have in store for me tonight.

A bright spotlight shines, illuminating Tripp on a platform above us. This tool is a whore for theatrics, wearing the universal outfit of a rich prick. Who the hell rocks khakis anymore? He jumps down a step, slowly making his way to where we are. As he moves down the stairs, the lights shift with him, casting an eerie spotlight on him and the area around him.

Hidden in the shadows is quite a crowd.

“Oh, I can see your wheels spinning, Davenport. Your curiosity is running on high alert, wondering what I have in store for you.” He takes a couple of laps around our small group, making a show for his audience.

“We get it, Tripp.” I shake my head, annoyed I’m even entertaining this. “You’re in charge here. Spill the details or I’m out.”

“You don’t actually think I believe that, do you?” He holds out his arm, gesturing for someone to join him. Someone shoves Delaney into our little group. “After all, a man who wants something bad enough is willing to do anything, right?”

With every passing glance, Delaney’s eyes torment me. She’s afraid to lock herself into my stare. Does she know what his plan is? If she does, what does that mean?

“Get on with it, asshole.” I circle my finger in the air, hoping he’ll rip off the bandage and expose his plan. Every second that ticks by, the more uneasy I feel.

“Okay, so here’s the deal. Tonight is our annual Flashlight Party.”

“What the hell is a flashlight party?” Palmer blurts.

A sly grin forms on Tripp’s face as he moves towards Palmer. Marek, Dixon, and I block his way.

“Don’t ever look at my girl like that again, or I’ll rip your fucking throat out.” Marek bares his teeth, and Tripp’s response is a manic laugh.

“Oh, protective, I see.” Tripp glances to his side and smiles sadly at Delaney. “Too bad Breaker wasn’t more protective of my Laney, or else he wouldn’t find himself here tonight.” His eyebrows bounce up and down, his annoyance plain to see. “Anyway, if you must know, the Flashlight Party is exactly how it sounds. The only light is from the flashlights we’re given. Consider it a regular party, just in the dark.”

“What’s the point?” Dixon groans. “Sounds pretty fucking dumb to me.”

“The point is, somewhere in this room, Breaker’s darkest secret is hidden. Could be anywhere. Could be with anyone.”

“And how would you know my darkest secret, DuPont?” I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see my aggravation. The longer I look at him, the more nervous I become. A lump in the back of my throat forms, and a shiver runs up my spine. Every one of us has secrets. Most of them stay hidden. The slightest possibility he knows something is not a chance I can take.

“I guess that’s for us to find out in a couple hours. If you don’t find it, this whole room, along with the rest of the world will watch a live feed, and everyone will know what Barrett Davenport is capable of.” Tripp grins wildly, thriving off the echoed glee coming from around the room.

What I’m capable of? What the hell does he think he knows about me?

“Okay, Tripp. I’ll play your little game.” I shrug off my jacket and hand it to Palmer. “You say I have two hours. What are the rules?” My confidence is a total façade. He wouldn’t drag me here if he didn’t have something.

Tripp advances to me, the microphone in his hand keeping us from touching. “The gauntlet has no rules. Please, feel free to partake in any of the extras placed around the room. Drugs are in the