Chapter 31

King

“There’s nothing over here.”

I glance over my shoulder at Dylan who tosses something unrecognizable onto the ground, covered in ash and burnt to a fucking crisp.

“Well, fuck.” I shrug because I’m so stunned over what’s happening that I honestly don’t have anything else to say at the moment.

There’s enormous fire damage everywhere, and I feel fucking hopeless.

“I just wish there’s a way we can make this up to Krista...” I whisper softly and trail off.

“We will make it up to Krista,” Simon states with a burst of confident determination that makes even me feel a chime of hope ringing through my senses.

I give him a sorrowful smile. “Thanks, man. You can keep our spirits alive.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” Simon affirms as we fist bump.

The three of us guys are happy to volunteer with the supervising of the cleanup. I know, as well as Dylan and Simon, that Krista is overwhelmed and doesn’t need to see this devastation for herself any more than she has to.

It’s like opening a new wound and rubbing salt into it. We just don’t want to put Krista through that anymore because it’s up to us to protect her.

So far, I feel like we’re failing her because of all the incidents that are happening, but we can always prove our loyalty to her now more than ever.

I can only speaking for myself, but right now I’m more alert and cognizant of my surroundings. I’m here to play hard ball.

This time, I’m not going to allow another setback or backlash to slip past me. I’m like a guard dog, watchful in the day and night. Yes, now I have eyes in the back of my head, and I’m going to make sure whoever has done this will pay dearly.

Then, as if reading my mind, Simon syncs right up with my thoughts. “You know, we’re pretty fucking close to nailing this arsonist.”

“Not only that, but the evidence also points to one person who’s done all these sabotaging incidents,” Dylan points out.

“That asshole is going to burn just like this room,” I snarl, ready to contribute with my own line of vengeance.

“Hell yes, he is,” Dylan roars, agreeing with me as we all chant together.

“We won’t let this prick stand in our way!”

I’m feeling inspired, pumped, and ready to find and deliver justice for our dear Krista. I look at my two best friends, knowing they have the same outlook as me.

“The villain could be anyone,” I remind them. “A wolf in sheep’s clothing. They could be among us, posing as friends, staff, faculty, or students here at the university.”

“He’s right,” Dylan grimly agrees. “We can’t trust anyone.”

“We can trust each other,” Simon pipes up, trying to stay positive and not waver from our post of liberation from the chains of sabotage.

“Why don’t we stay here and cool off a little before we decide to run around blaming everyone we see?” I suggest.

We can use the quiet time to both process a new plan of operation, as well as continue to get the place in order, cleaning up as best we can.

“You want to know the worst part of it?” Dylan asks as he shuffles through the rubble on the floor.

“What?” I ask curiously.

“Well...” he begins. “The problem is, everyone else seems just as concerned as we are.”

“You mean among the faculty and staff?” Simon asks, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, exactly,” Dylan confirms with a nod. “It makes our job harder to discern who is at fault in this situation.”

“It has to be someone from the faculty though, or someone at the university who works or goes to school here,” I blurt out.

“How do you figure that one?” Dylan ponders with a furrow of his brow.

“Well think about it,” I say with a shrug, “who else would even know we’re doing this research in the first place? You know, it would have to be somebody who has insider information.”

“The man’s got a point.” Simon points a finger at me in agreement.

“It does make sense,” Dylan agrees. “It makes my fucking blood boil though.”

“I know.” I sigh and lean against a part of a wall that isn’t badly burned. “Whoever the traitor is, I can’t wait to get my hands on them.”

“Easy there, tiger,” Dylan says with a chuckle. “We should save that for the authorities.”

“It will be hard if I find out who it is before they do.” I crack my knuckles.

“To be honest, I’m a little freaked out.” Dylan laughs nervously.

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“Doesn’t all this shit make you even slightly paranoid?” Dylan states his case.

I take a deep breath and rub my tired eyes. “Yes, I feel the need to look over my shoulder every second.”

“That’s the definition of paranoia,” Dylan teases. “You’re right there with me.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of this mess,” Simon states.

“Are you speaking both physically and mentally?” I quip, laughing. “Whatever helps us dig out from disaster...” I trail off, suddenly feeling exhaustion from everything that’s been going on lately.

“I’ll second that,” Dylan sits down on a stool that’s unscathed.

At that moment, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I retrieve the device, pulling up the screen to see who’s interrupting our brainstorming, but at the same time, I’m grateful for the distraction.

“It’s Krista.” I look up with a bright smile at the guys who give each other a grin.

Even the sound of her name has such a perfect ring to it. We find ourselves feeling joy in light of destruction and of smoldering objects all around us.

“Is she calling you?” Simon asks.

“No.” I shake my head and glance down at my phone. “She’s texting me.”

“Well, enlighten us, loser,” Dylan teases and flicks a pen at me. “What’s she saying?”

I read the message that pops up in a little bubble on my iPhone.

I’ll be at work shortly, wait for me.

Panic rises in my belly. “She wants us to wait for her. She’s coming to the university.”

“No!” Dylan shouts.

Simon looks worried. “Can we stop her?”

At the same moment, Dylan and Simon’s phones ding in their pockets. In unison, they pull them from their pockets and look up at me.

“You guys got the same message I just did, didn’t you?” I say, fearing the worst.

“Uh-huh.” Dylan nods with confirmation.

“Yep.” Simon sighs and leans back in his chair.

“Well that’s just great.” I laugh sarcastically.

I love Krista and all, but we don’t need her to be stressed out any more than she probably already has.

“If she comes in here and sees this mess, do you think she’ll panic?” I ask the guys.

Simon shrugs. “I mean, she’s pretty strong. She might be okay with it.”

“That’s true,” Dylan concurs. “She’s tough.”

“Well I suppose we have no choice but to wait for her here then,” I state and find a place to sit on the ground that’s not messy.

My phone buzzes again a few seconds later. Simon and Dylan’s phones follow suit.

Meet me in the faculty room in an hour.

I glance at the guys, and we nod.

“Well, we might as well get to work while we wait,” Dylan says and begins tossing rubble to the entrance where we’re leaving a pile of things to help the firemen and waste management when they come by later to dispose of the trash.

“I’m right there with you, buddy,” I tell him and get to work myself.

* * *

I glance at my watch. “Come on guys, it’s time to get moving.”

“Has it been an hour already?” Simon looks puzzled.

“Yep, we need to hurry to the faculty room, so we aren’t late for Krista. If we aren’t there when she arrives, she might think the worst.”

“I have to say I can’t blame her for that.” Dylan chuckles as he walks over some trash to meet me and Simon by the exit door.

“Well, here we go,” I say with chagrin as we file out together and walk silently down the hall, trekking to the thankfully undisrupted faculty room.

I’m the first one to arrive in the room, which is empty. There’s no sign of Krista anywhere.

“That’s odd...” I glance around the room.

“What is it?” Dylan pushes past me and walks into the room. He looks confused and calls out, “Krista?”

“She’s not in here,” Simon notes as he moves past us; he’s the last one to enter the faculty room.

The guys and I exchange a look, then I glance down at my phone.

“No messages,” I state.

Dylan and Simon both look at their phones at the same time while I patiently wait, hoping that maybe they have a message from Krista that’s come through.

They shake their heads regretfully. “Nothing on our end either.”

“Damn.” I run a hand through my hair and start pace.

I walk to the window and glance outside. It’s a beautiful, bright, and sunny day.

“Krista wouldn’t just not show up without calling or texting us first,” I say.

“It’s not like her,” Simon agrees in a hushed voice.

“Do you think something’s wrong?” Dylan’s voice is high with alarm.

Simon raises his hands to calm him. “Let’s not think the worst just yet.”

“Why don’t I try to call her?” I offer. “Maybe she’s stuck in traffic or something.”

“Good idea,” Dylan agrees and sighs with relief. “I’m sure that’s all it is.”

He then waves his hand dismissively, as if he’s trying to convince himself more than me or Simon.

The phone rings for what seems like an eternity, then cuts to Krista’s voice mail.

“Hi, it’s Krista. I can’t get to the phone right now, but please leave me a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

Her voice sounds chipper, and it gives me an eerie feeling. I hung up without leaving a message, then turn to look at the guys to tell them the bad news.

“She didn’t answer.”

“Shit!” Now even Simon, the optimistic one in our group, paces the floor. “What are we going to do now?”

“I don’t know...” I shake my head.

It’s not like Krista to not answer her phone, especially during these dire and distressing times.

“I hope she’s not hurt,” Dylan says.

“I have an idea,” I say, feeling a boost of confidence. “Let’s go walk around the campus and see if we can find her.”

“Yes!” Simon shouts. “I’m sure she’ll turn up somewhere. She’s got to be around here.”

“Let’s go,” I direct. “We’re wasting precious minutes the longer we sit here.”

As a trio, we go on the hunt to find our beloved Krista.