Chapter 25

King

While sitting stagnant at the cabin, stalled with the broken-down car, there’s a potential for the mind to naturally drift, wandering and digesting the happenings of the day while it unwinds.

I’m normally calm and resourceful, so while Krista naps in the background, Simon plays on his phone, and Dylan looks out the window, I do what I do best.

Think.

The first thing that’s fucking peculiar as shit is the fact that all these unfortunate series of events keep unfolding, and we have no idea why they’re happening or who’s to blame.

Just think about it for a second. It doesn’t make any fucking sense.

We’re running into nothing, but there are problems left and right ever since we started the research. And I’m beginning to suspect that these trials are not only related but also being done on purpose.

I know, you probably think I’m crazy or just imagining things, but in all honesty, it doesn’t add up. And when I gather the hypothesis in my mind—because deep down I’m a nerd—it’s the only probable theory I can come up with.

I’m not just assuming this conclusion out of nowhere. Ever since Simon called Dylan and me the other day, stating that the papers I compiled are missing, my suspicion peaked like an intuition of chills prickling on the back of my neck.

Then, let’s backtrack for a recap on the other problem that halted us in our tracks, just when we were ramping up with savvy ideas.

Yes, that’s right. I’m referring to our first ill-fated problem of the lights.

Are you really telling me that they just got ‘chewed out’ by rats?

Sure, I might be inclined to believe that load of bullshit if it was the only derailment we faced. Together with the tires being slashed and the papers that are conveniently missing, something just doesn’t add up.

I glance over at Krista, who’s stirring from her nap on the couch. I don’t mind driving through the long, winding back roads later, if we ever get to that point.

There’s something fucking peaceful about being on the open road that gives me a sense of freedom mixed with pleasure, like my own little private mental slice of heaven.

It sucks that we’re stuck here, trying to devise a plan to get the hell out of dodge while there’s still daylight.

As if reading my mind, Simon nervously chimes in, breaking my thoughts, “It’s going to be dark soon. What the hell are we going to do? We’ll have to stay another night.”

“Let’s try not to relinquish control here,” I remind him. “We’ll figure something out.”

“Why don’t you call the closest auto shop?” Dylan suggests to Simon. “It’s your cabin.”

“It’s my parents’ cabin,” the latter grumbles.

“Does that mean you don’t have a fucking clue what goes on here? You said so yourself you come here all the damn time!” Dylan shouts, sending Simon into a tailspin, and they bicker back and forth.

“Stop fighting!” I yell and hold up my hands to hush the two idiots.

Now Krista’s rousing and blinking at the three of us, a look of perplexity on her face.

“What’s going on?” She stretches and rubs her arm. “Are we going to get the tires fixed?”

I run over to stand above her on the couch. “Of course, sweetheart, we’re taking care of it. Don’t worry your pretty little head,” I coo at her, and her face flushes with relief.

“Oh, great,” she says with a sigh. “Thank you. I would seriously be so freaked out right now if you guys weren’t here.”

That’s the moment when Simon, Dylan, and I exchange a knowing glance. Krista needs us, now more than ever. It’s our job—no, scratch that—our duty to swoop in and protect her and be the heroes that save the day.

“I’m going to call the auto shop,” Simon tells us.

“Thanks, buddy.” I toss him a smile, then warmly glance at Krista. “See, things are looking better already.”

A few minutes later, Simon emerges from the kitchen with a grin on his face.

“Good news?” I ask him.

“The best news we could ever hope for,” Simon chimes happily. “The auto shop’s only a couple of miles away. They’re going to send a car to pick us up, as well as a tow truck. They said they can fix us up with new tires within the hour.”

Standing up, I clap my hands as Krista jumps up and down with excitement.

“Thank god,” Dylan says as we high-five each other.

“Well, we just sidestepped a land mine,” I joke, and Krista laughs.

“I’ll take good news wherever I can get it,” she says pitifully.

I feel sorry for her in that moment because I know her spirit’s ready to work hard to get her research completed.

“Well, the good thing is the bags are still outside.” Dylan points to the door and chuckles. “Should we just wait outside for the tow truck and the pickup to get here?”

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” I shrug as we all walk toward the door.

“Not to mention, whoever slashed our tires might steal our bags, too,” Simon, the compulsive worrier of the group, states.

We walk outside and notice that the daylight’s fading fast.

“We’ll probably have to drive home in the dark,” Simon complains.

“I don’t mind driving,” I state with confidence. “I can dodge the deer like I’m playing Super Mario or something.”

“Don’t get all old school on us,” Dylan teases.

“I love Super Mario,” Krista says and points at him. “Don’t hate.” Then she gives me a sexy wink.

A few minutes later, we hear the crunch of tires on gravel as the tow truck pulls up.

“They’re here,” Krista squeals with delight and grabs her bag.

“Here, let me get that for you,” I tell her and swoop it off her shoulder.

“You’re so sweet.” She gives me a soft kiss on the cheek that makes my cock rouse in my pants.

It’s too fucking bad there’s no time for that now, and we all file into the car and head to the repair shop.

* * *

“Alright, gentlemen and lady. You’re all good to go.”

The repairman named Larry hands me the keys, and I thank him gratefully.

“You’re a real lifesaver,” I tell him and give him a firm handshake.

“Be careful out there on the road. Those deer like to be friendly.” Larry tips his hat and walks back inside.

Simon gives me a mocking, smug look as if to say ‘I told you so.’

I merely roll my eyes and start walking toward the car.

“Come on,” I beckon to them. “It’s already past seven o’clock. We won’t get back to the city until after dark now.”

“I’m sorry all this is happening,” Krista says regretfully. “I feel like it’s all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault, baby,” Dylan whispers to her, consoling her as she climbs into the seat beside him. “We’ll figure out what’s going on.”

“I hope so,” Krista mumbles and stares out the window.

I start the engine and pull out of the shop. “If we’re lucky, we should get back to the city around midnight.”

“If we’re lucky,” Simon inflects on the word.

“Don’t be so doom and gloom,” Dylan argues.

“You guys better not bicker back there like school kids,” I warn them.

I already have a massive headache from all the stress of today, but I’m trying not to let it show because I don’t want Krista to become uneasy.

We ride most of the way back in silence while everyone else sleeps. I focus my eyes on the road, trying not to drift off as well. I’m tired, but in the back of my mind, I’m still haunted by the fact that someone’s out to get us.

A few hours later, I pull up in front of Krista’s building.

“We’re here,” I state, and everyone looks up.

“Thanks for getting me home safely.” Krista gazes lovingly up into my eyes.

“You’re welcome.” I give her a warm smile and stroke her cheek gently while the other guys hug her goodbye.

When Krista climbs out of the car, she gives us a little wave, which we return with our own goodbyes out the window.

I wait until she’s safely inside her building before driving away.

“I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed tonight,” Dylan mentions and chuckles while stretching his arms and legs from the long road trip.

“Me, too,” I admit, and then I pull in front of his building next.

Dylan opens the door to exit the vehicle, but I hold him back. “Hey, Dyl, you got a sec?”

He groans and sighs dramatically. “Dude, it’s after midnight. Can’t this wait?”

“It won’t take long.” I lick my lips and flash my eyes back to Simon, too.

Simon throws his hands up. “Okay, what is it that’s so important it can’t wait until tomorrow?”

“Okay...just hear me out, alright?”

Dylan and Simon exchange a glance.

“Alright,” Dylan states wearily.

I throw an idea out there into the wind. “I think some of the unlucky circumstances we’re facing right now are related.”

“Related?” Simon furrows his brow in confusion.

“Yes,” I say. “Think about it. It makes perfect sense. Somebody’s out to get us.”

“You believe that we’re being sabotaged by someone?” Dylan asks.

“I do.” I nod assertively.

“Who would want to stop our research?” Dylan asks innocently. “Do you think it’s somebody on the faculty?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “I want to find out, though.”

“It makes sense,” Simon agrees. “Three things in a row seem awfully suspicious to be coincidental.”

“I mean, I could be wrong,” I say, “but I think it’s worth checking into.”

“Absolutely.” Dylan nods and glances between Simon and me.

“We should plan something,” Simon offers.

“Yeah, devise a way to catch the perpetrator in the act,” Dylan adds with excitement.

“I’m glad you guys agree with me.” I give them a tired smile. “Why don’t we go home now to get some rest? And we can execute our plan in the morning.”

“I like the sound of that.” Dylan climbs out of the car. “We’ll be able to think more clearly with fresh heads, too.”

“See you guys tomorrow,” I call out to them, ready to defend Krista’s research no matter the cost.