Game of Fear

by Kabongo, Glede Browne

“He’s helping me figure out who it is before the deadline tonight.”

  “What if he can’t?”

  I sigh. “He will. My future is literally in Lance Carter’s hands. It’s obvious that this person wants to use me as his or her personal ATM. It won’t end with tonight. He or she will find a way to keep asking for more.”

  “I’m disappointed that you didn’t come to me for help. That cuts deep, Abbie.”

  “There’s no excuse for what I did. And I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  “Did you think I would judge you? You know I would never do that.”

  “I was desperate to be the girl you thought I was. The girl I thought you needed.”

  “You are. That doesn’t change because you made a mistake. That night when I met your family for the first time, you defended me to your dad. You wouldn’t let him run me over with criticism and disapproval. So why do you keep punishing yourself because of one mistake? You’ll make plenty in your lifetime. Are you’re going to freak out every time you do?”

  “I need intense therapy to work that out.”

  He chuckles. “Maybe you do.”

  “I wish Sidney had that and more,” I say. “Maybe she would still be with us today.”

  “You don’t know that for sure. Sidney was Sidney. If this is how she wanted to end things, no amount of therapy was going to stop her. But her parents are losers.”

  “The worst kind.”

  “What are we going to do about tonight?”

  “Pray really hard that Lance’s program works?”

  “I hate to even suggest it, but we may have to go to Kellogg with this.”

  “No way. I’m not giving up.”

  “Hear me out. The element of surprise may work in our favor. Whoever is doing this would never expect you to go to the Head of School. I can give you the money, but you’re right, it won’t end. You have to think about your safety too. We don’t know what The Avenger is capable of besides blackmail.”

  “My father went postal on Kellogg during that meeting. To go back and admit it was me, I don’t know.”

  “He has more serious problems. That’s your ace. If what Sidney says is true, that there’s a drug ring operating in the school, he has to investigate.”

  I know he’s right. When Sidney died, I told my parents they didn’t have to worry about this coming out. Now, I may have to inform them they have only a few hours to come up with an alternate strategy. Knowing Dr. Kellogg, he would turn every dorm room upside down until he found something. The implications are much bigger than someone extorting money from me.

  “I’ll check in with Lance in an hour, then call my parents.”

  “Cool. I’m here to support you. Whatever you need. For the record, I’m not mad that you turned to Ty. He’s a good guy.”

  “You had to get that in there, huh?”

  “As long as he doesn’t cross the friendship line, we’re good.”

  “That’s so sweet. You’re jealous.”

  “Yeah, I’m jealous.”

  “Don’t be,” I say stroking his face. “I’m all yours.”

  Someone interrupts our kissing. It’s Dan Cosgrove, Head Prefect, and Captain of the boy’s Lacrosse team.

  “Dr. Kellogg asked me to see if I could grab you before class starts,” he says, addressing me. “You weren’t at your locker. I figured I would try my luck here. He wants to see you in his office, ASAP.”

  “Do you know what it’s about?”

  “Dr. Kellogg never explains himself. You know that.”

  “Thanks, Dan.”

  I gather my bag and stand up.

  “You were so smooth just now, all casual,” Christian says. “You’re freaking out inside, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. What could he possibly want with me now? Unless that psycho sent another picture.”

  “Stay calm no matter what he says. Don’t answer any questions that might get you in trouble. Tell him you have nothing to say until your parents get here. With their lawyers.”

  “Right.”

  “Text me the minute you get out, and we can meet up here again. I might get yelled at for showing up late to my next class, but this is more important.”

  CHAPTER 40

  "Am I in trouble?”

  “Have you done something you should be in trouble for?”

  I can’t tell if he’s being serious or just teasing me. I sit across from Dr. Kellogg in his office yet again. I seriously need to break that habit. He takes off his glasses and places them on the desk.

  “Full academic scholarship to Yale. That’s impressive, young lady. Your entire resume here at Saint Matthews has been impressive. You make us proud.”

  I almost fall out of my seat. I can’t believe it. Is this the same man who wanted to toss me out of school not too long ago?

  “Thanks, Dr. Kellogg. It means a lot coming from you.”

  “I wanted to apologize to you for the way I behaved the last time we met. I should have trusted what I know to be true about you.”

  “You had a job to do.”

  “That’s right. However, I want to be clear. I’m not apologizing for bringing you and your parents in here. I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t. I only wanted to say that I rushed to judgment based on questionable information.”

  His praise makes me feel all kinds of guilty about making a stink when he initially hauled me into his office. What was I supposed to do? Confess and watch my life crumble because of one bad judgment call?

  “I’m sure my parents understand your actions, Dr. Kellogg.”

  His gaze is relaxed, and all his pearly whites are visible. Shocking. He must be having a great day.

  “I brought you in here for another reason.” He picks up a cream-colored monarch envelope from his desk and hands it to me. I reach over and take it from him.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Shepard found this amongst Sidney’s things. They’re hoping she explains why in this letter to you. It may help them heal from their terrible loss.”

  I look down at the envelope, thick with a smooth, creamy texture. My name is written in bold, sweeping strokes in heavy, black ink. Sidney never did anything halfway, even in death. “Thank you, Dr. Kellogg.”

  He nods, and I get up to leave. As I turn the doorknob to exit his office, he says, “Good luck at Yale, Abbie. Don’t forget to come visit us.”

  I promise him I will and shut the door behind me.

  Fourteen and a half hours until deadline. I send Christian a quick text letting him know that things went okay with Kellogg. I head to the chapel right out of my psychology class. Two students are already present, but they occupy the back rows. I plop my bag next to me, rip open the envelope, and begin to read from the matching paper inside.

  Dear Abbie,

  If you’re reading this, it means I’m gone. I bet you’re wondering why I did it, why I went the cottage cheese route. You want to know why I’m writing to you when even God knows I hate your stupid guts. This may sound strange to you, but you’re the only person who gave a damn. When you said my parents let me down, and they should pay for letting him ruin my life, I wanted to punch you in the mouth. When you told me I could get better, and I shouldn’t let him win, I wanted to believe you because you’ve never lied to me. But I’m not strong like you, Abbie. I was just good at faking it. I didn’t have the strength to fight both him and my parents. They would never let me go after him. Even if I did, I would end up right where I am now, totally wrecked. Don’t feel bad for me, though. This way is the best way. I’m doing it my way.

  For what it’s worth, I believe you, about the stalking. Sometimes the people closest to you don’t always have your back. And one more thing, Ms. Goody. You fell hard for Christian, didn’t you? The bad boy you swore wasn’t good enough. I still hate you for stealing him from me, but the truth is he wanted you so bad. Barf. Anyway, I’m out. Don’t cry too hard, hypocrite.

  Hating your guts for eternity.

  Sidney Bailey Shepard

&
nbsp; I close the note and place it back in the envelope. Time slips away from me as I sit, unable to move. Was I surprised she wrote me what amounts to her suicide note? Yes. But that was Sidney, always keeping me off balance. I’m intrigued by the comment about people not always having my back. What did she know? What was she trying to tell me?

  My phone pings, a new text message.

  CHRISTIAN:

  Are you okay?

  ABBIE:

  I’m fine.

  CHRISTIAN:

  What did Kellogg want?

  ABBIE:

  Felt bad about accusing me of cheating. We’re good.

  CHRISTIAN:

  Are you sure?

  ABBIE:

  Yes.

  CHRISTIAN:

  I’m worried about you.

  ABBIE:

  I’ll be okay. You’ll see.

  I glance at the digital clock on my phone. Time to resume my school day, as if it’s normal when it’s anything but. Fourteen hours until deadline. I’m tempted to call Lance again, but I squelch the urge.

  CHAPTER 41

  6 hours until deadline

  Lance’s program isn’t ready yet, and I’m officially freaking out in my room. To add to my stress, there’s no guarantee The Avenger will call me before 11:00 p.m. in order for the plan to work. I don’t have a way to provoke her into calling me. Once she realizes I won’t pay up, will she send the incriminating photos right away or wait until the morning? Will I have to implement Plan B and ask my parents to wake up Dr. Kellogg in the middle of the night for an emergency meeting?

  My phone rings, and I grab it off the bed. It’s Lance.

  “Please tell me it’s ready.”

  “Sorry, Mama. It’s a complicated process, and I’m encountering some issues that could take a while to resolve. We’re six hours out, and I don’t know if I will have it ready in time.”

  I whimper into the phone.

  “Look, I’ll do what I can. I haven’t showered or eaten since I took on this project. My teachers will believe me when I tell them I’ve been sick because I’ll show up to class with bloodshot eyes.”

  “Please know that I appreciate everything you’re doing, Lance. I’ll find a way to pay you back.”

  Two hours later, I look over the speech I’ve written. I can’t walk into Kellogg’s office and throw myself on his mercy without a plan. My debate team skills will come in handy. I’ll keep my points short but compelling. I have to grovel with dignity.

  I find Mom in the family room, curled up on the sofa with her iPad, and the earbuds in her ears. Miles is over at a friend’s house and due to be dropped off soon. She takes out the earbuds as I approach.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks. “Please have a seat.”

  I prefer to stand. It’s best to get it all out. “There’s something about the photo I didn’t tell you, something that’s been going on for months, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier, but I thought I could handle it on my own, and now I may not be able to, and it involves you and Dad, too, and I know I’ve let you down, but the person who sent the—”

  “Abbie, slow down, catch your breath,” she says.

  I almost had everything out before she interrupted me. Now I have to go back to the beginning.

  “Now, pace yourself and breathe. What is it? What’s been going on for months?”

  I open my mouth, and nothing comes out.

  “Sweetie, you’re scaring me.” She swings her legs off the couch and sits ramrod straight.

  “Um… I….”

  My phone rings. I reach into the pocket of my sweatshirt. Lance. It’s time. Four hours until deadline.

  “Mom, I forgot I was supposed to meet my lab partner at the school library. I have to go.”

  “Fine. What were you about to tell me?”

  I stick the phone back in my pocket. “Just thanks for being cool about the whole ugly Adderall episode. Dad, too. I’ve been stressing out about it for months, how much I disappointed you guys.”

  “Everybody makes mistakes. Next time, come to us first instead of trying to cover it up. That only leads to deeper trouble.”

  I meet up with Lance in the student lounge. Three and a half hours until deadline. Dinner in the dining hall is over, and the lounge is busy. No one will pay attention to us. I approach where he’s seated at the far corner. He has a good view of the entire space. I take the seat across from him.

  “Is it a go?”

  “Only one way to find out. Give me your phone so I can install it.”

  I hand him the phone, and he explains what he’s doing.

  “The program is on this Micro SD card,” he says, holding up a device that looks like a flash drive. “The program will download to your phone from it. Once the download is complete, I’ll remove the card, and then comes the big test.”

  After he removes the card, he explains further, “I’ll call your phone and then hang up. A code should appear in your incoming call log. Send a text using the code. I’ll call you again, and it will activate the program. I’ll step out of the room, and you should be able to hear me and any surrounding noise because the external microphone will be turned on.”

  He calls and hangs up. Just like he said, the code appears in the incoming call log. I’m excited, agitated, and hyper, like someone on caffeine overload. He steps out of the room after I send a test text message to the number in the log. I listen. I hear nothing at first, just dead air. Then I hear him whistling. Success!

  It’s 8:00 p.m., three hours until deadline. The lounge will close in an hour. The earlier crowd has thinned out, down to a couple of die-hards with their noses in textbooks. Lance offers to stay with me, but I convince him to leave. Christian sends me a text to check on me. I assure him I’m fine, and it will be over soon. I tell him the program works and convince him it’s not a good idea to come hang out with me. I have to do this alone.

  At 8:30 p.m., The Avenger still hasn’t called. I remove my sweatshirt and place my phone in the front pocket of my jeans. I put my hair up in a hurried ponytail to get it out of my face and off my back. My eyelids are sweating too. I cross my arms and start to pace.

  At 8:50 p.m., my phone rings. I carefully extract it from my pocket and answer.

  “Do you have my money?”

  “It’s not yet 11:00 p.m. Calm down. Why so anxious? You didn’t call me before the Black Friday drop.”

  “I wanted to tell you don’t even think about shorting me. Every single dollar of the full hundred grand better be in that bag. No excuses.”

  There’s desperation in her voice as if her life depends on everything going smoothly tonight. What’s different about this drop? Not that I’m complaining. I needed her to call to set this trap in motion. The cocky girl I’ve come to know has disappeared, replaced by someone who is genuinely frightened. “You’ll have your money. You’re too clever for me, anyway.”

  “Are you giving up?”

  “No. I’ll play your game until I catch you.”

  “Dream on, Abbie. Just make sure you’re not followed. I’ll be watching from a safe distance.”

  She hangs up.

  I crash into the chair I occupied earlier. My limbs are weak. I pull up the call log. I take a minute to calm my frayed nerves. I send a text message to the code that appears in the log. This allows the program to download to The Avenger’s phone, giving me access to his or her external mic, just like it did when Lance and I conducted the test. The lounge closes in less than ten minutes. My head feels like it’s about to explode. I sit still and press the phone close to my ears.

  “Don’t touch it. How many times have I told you not to touch my stuff?”

  “Chill, dude. Stop leaving your crap all over the place; then I won’t have to move it.”

  That’s all it took for my world to shatter.

  Part Ten

  A FAREWELL TO FRIENDS

  CHAPTER 42

  I run as fast as my legs can carry me, out of the main building and tow
ard Westman Towers. It’s dark. I’m not familiar with the terrain at night, but my rage spurs me on. I continue my breakneck speed, ignoring the burning in my chest and my tiring legs. I thunder into the lobby and don’t even slow down to acknowledge the stunned prefect manning the desk. I take the stairs two at a time.

  When I arrive at my destination, I pound on the door, my breathing loud and angry. He opens the door, and I barge in. I barely notice the look of surprise on his face. He closes the door behind him. I’m hyped up on pure adrenaline, but I need my breathing to return to normal, so I can speak. We just stare at each other. All the stress and rage and fear of the past several months crash into me all at once. I pounce on him and start hitting him, punching him, biting him.

  “Stop hitting me!” he yells.

  I won’t be deterred. The betrayal is excruciating and raw, a raging fire out of control.

  He dodges a few blows, but I’m too blinded by rage to anticipate his next move. His hand lands in the middle of my chest, and with one powerful shove, I stumble backward and run into the desk near the window. For the first time since I barged in, I realize his roommate Daryl is absent. One brief exchange between the two of them gave me my life back.

  “Why, Trevor? Why did you do this to me?”

  He stands in the middle of the room, his hands shoved into his pockets, showing no remorse or guilt.

  “I like you, Abbie. A lot. But there was something I needed badly, and you were the only person who could get it for me. Your secret gave me the leverage I needed to accomplish my goal.”

  “So, this is about money?”

  “Well, yeah. I needed money, and you could get it for me because you wanted to protect your secret. It’s not complicated.”

  My head spins. So many things don’t make sense. “Your parents are wealthy.”

  “That’s the thing,” he says, pacing the small space. “The parents cut me off. People were breathing down my neck, people who could do bad things to me if I didn’t pay.”

  “You’re a gambler?” I ask, the question barely registering in my brain. “You extorted money from me to pay off gambling debt?”