Drop Dead Queen (Corium University Trilogy 2)

For a long time, I stare out into the never-ending forest surrounding us. My whole body is shaking from the cold, but I don’t care; I can’t go back inside. I don’t even know why, but something has my feet cemented to the ground.

It’s getting dark now. With the sun setting, the sea of trees turns into one shade of dark green. The sky becomes an ocean of deep blue with specks of white.

I could stay out here all night, but I know that would only make me end up at medical again. Scarlet would be worried, and my parents would be here on the next flight, maybe even demanding for me to come home.

Taking one more deep breath, I’m about to turn around and walk back inside when I see it.

A bright red flare shoots up like a firework. With wide eyes, I watch the bright ball light up the sky before fizzling into nothingness. For a moment, I just stand there, wondering if I really saw it or if my mind is playing tricks on me. That was the spot where I saw the helicopter go down. I’m sure of it.

Someone survived the crash. Which means there is a chance Aspen is still alive. It doesn’t take long for that new information to trickle into my mind. Spinning around, I run back into the tunnel, passing several guards on my way back inside. Each of them gives me a bewildered look. I ignore them all.

Taking the elevator down, I make my way to Diavolo’s office as fast as I can. His secretary jumps up, trying to stop me, but I drown her voice out and push her body aside. I storm into Lucas’ office and close the door behind me.

He looks up from his desk as if he is about to start yelling, but his features soften when he sees me. “Quinton, everyone all right?”

“I saw a flare,” I half yell at him, not wanting to waste any time.

“A flare? What are you talking about?”

“I was up on the helipad catching some fresh air. I saw a flare being shot from the same spot the helicopter went down,” I explain. “We need to send out a search party. Someone survived the crash.”

Lucas leans back in his chair. “Quinton, I don’t have another helicopter here.”

Bullshit. As if he doesn’t have a way to leave this place in an emergency.

“Then get one! Have one come from the airport. Or have the guards search by truck.”

“Why is this so important to you?”

“How is this not important to you? One of your students could be dying right now.”

“Aspen stopped being my student when she decided to leave. She’s no longer under my protection, nor is she my problem.”

If I wasn’t in such a hurry to find a way to get out there, I would jump over this desk and pound my fist into Lucas’ face, no matter who he is. Right now, I don’t care about any consequences. All I care about is getting to the crash site.

“Thanks for nothing,” I murmur, right before turning to walk out the door.

“This is not your fault, Quinton. You might not see it right now, but this is the best thing for you.”

Ignoring his words, I force my legs to keep moving. I don’t have time to analyze what he just said, but in the back of my mind, I already know it had more meaning.

The secretary keeps her head down and stays silent as I march past her once more. So do all the guards I pass on my way out. I head back to my room, hoping that Ren is not there because I don’t have time to deal with him either.

When I find our apartment empty, a flash of relief hits me. I quickly change out of my gym clothes into the warmest outfit I can find. Then I stuff a backpack full of essentials and strap it to my back.

By the time I’m ready and back in the elevator, a plan has already formed in my mind. When I make it to the surface this time, the cold barely registers as I sneak past the first guardhouse.

The second checkpoint only has one guard, who I easily creep up on from behind. He’s watching a movie on his phone, and I use his distraction to wrap my arm around his neck.

A moment later, he passes out, his body sagging to the ground. Kneeling beside him, I unhook the keys from his belt and grab the gun from his holster. I drag his body into the guardhouse, grab his phone, disable the intercom, and lock him inside.

It shouldn’t take him long to get out of here, but it will buy me a little extra time. I already know if Lucas finds out about this, he’ll stop me. Probably lock me up, too, just to prove a point. The worst part is that I know my father will be on his side. Fuck, probably my mom as well. She would rather have me locked up than out risking my life.