Chapter 3

"Come on, sissies," I whispered, leaning forward. "You've seen a dead body before."

Shelton grabbed my arm. No!

I glared at him. What? Afraid it's booby trapped?

It's a dead body! Leave it alone! Hi now.

Jeez, guys. I shouldered Shelton aside. I wanna investigate.

As I neared the bundle, my hands went on autopilot. I pulled up my gloves and carefully began unwrapping the bundle, hands shaking. Brace yourself. Brace yourself. Brace yourself.

I looked up and saw three pairs of wide, yellow eyes staring at me. What? I thought.

Tory... Your hands.

What? I thought crossly, looking down at my hands.

Holy crap.

Long, twisting wolf claws extended from my fingertips. My jaw dropped. I'm... I'm more of a wolf now.

Your teeth!

The warning from Hi made me stick my hand in my mouth, groping for whatever had happened in my mouth.

Bad idea.

Something sharp sliced through my glove and cut my skin, leaving behind a bloody gash. I just stared at it, dumbfounded, the rusty tang of blood in my mouth. Surprisingly, it tasted good.

What is happening to me?!

"Let's get out of here."

Someone grabbed my arm, and we sprinted out of the lab.

I let myself be dragged, the shock of the previous events crashing down on me suddenly.

SNAP

I blacked out, flare gone.

…

The cloaked figure giggled to herself as she watched the little freaks run out of the lab- a high pitched, piercing sound that penetrated the deep foundation of Building One itself. She held up a bloody hand, clutching the shining object tightly.

She had their secrets.

She had Karsten's USB.

Another cackle sliced through the air around the hooded figure- she was no fool, like Anthony "Gamemaster" Goodwin. He was only playing a little game, unknowing of the player's special abilities.

But she had a few abilities for herself.

The figure shrieked in delight as her eyes turned lime green and long, wicked claws extended from her fingers. Her head was full of new, relished wisdom. It was all a mere side effect of a feline disease that she had tinkered with. Why, she practically had the world in her hands!

This was a serious game...

and she would win.

…

"Wha happa?" I groaned as I opened my eyes.

"You blacked out."

I swiveled my eyes in the direction of the voice. "Ben?"

I could barely make out a nod in the dark. By the gentle bobbing of my surroundings, we were in Sewee. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks as I realized my head was in Ben's lap, and I tried to pull away.

Ben caught my head and pulled me back, one hand on Sewee's steering wheel-thingy. A few strands of hair fell in my face, and Ben brushed them back gently. "Shh," he whispered. "You've been through a lot. Go to sleep; I'll wake you when we reach Morris."

I grinned waywardly and snuggled closer, eyes closing.

…

"We're here."

I raised my head blearily to find Hi staring at me, an amused look on his face.

Blarg.

My cheeks flushed, and I scrambled away from Ben.

"He did that!" I said quickly, shoving Hi aside.

"And who let him?"

Shelton. I groaned and face-palmed, shimmying away from the boat. "Out. Now."

Hi and Shelton just smirked and skipped away together.

Grr.

Ben helped me up and handed me my backpack.

"Bye," I said awkwardly, hurrying away.

Why did life have to be so confusing?

…

"You up?"

I groaned and punched my pillow. "Yep," I lied groggily. Last night's events had taken a toll; less than 4 hours of sleep couldn't be good. Ugh.

"Hurry up," Kit called up.

I sighed and rolled out of bed. After a quick glance in the mirror, I plodded to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I quickly rinsed my mouth with mouthwash and splashed water on my tired face.

I ran a brush through my hopelessly tangled hair and changed into a green tank and denim shorts, then strapped on a watch and hurried downstairs.

Kit was waiting with a burnt piece of toast and butter.

I scarfed it down and slipped on some sandals, then grabbed my backpack, lunch, and hurried out the door.

I leaped onto the bus as the doors closed and slid into a seat next to Shelton.

"Hi," I said.

Shelton nodded and leaned back, bobbing his head to some unknown beat sent to him through some gray earphones.

I rolled my eyes and rested my head against the bench as the bus lurched into motion.

…

"Anyfin new?" Hi asked through a mouthful of sandwich.

Shelton and I both shook our heads in unison.

"You get caught?" I asked.

"In the hall. However, I was going away from the bathroom's general direction, so Mom just assumed I was going to the bathroom," Hi replied with a shrug.

"My parents are both sound sleepers," Shelton snorted.

"Kit's a sound sleeper, too," I said.

The fain smell of some pricey perfume distracted me.

Crap. It was the Tripod.

The Tripod was the three popular girls- Madison Dunkle, Ashley Bodford, and Courtney Holt. They were the "Rich Girls," always up-to-date on fashion. They hated me. Especially Madison.

"If it isn't the boat kids," Ashley sneered, flipping her black hair over her shoulder in a snobby attempt to show off her diamond earrings. They must have cost as much as my townhouse.

"How's your little expelled friend doing?" Courtney sneered, ice-blue eyes narrowing.

I stiffened, and before I knew it, Courtney was doubled over, gasping and clutching her midriff.

"What did you do to her?!" Madison squealed, jumping back and almost slamming into Ashley.

"I taught her some manners," I growled, standing up.

Madison scowled at me. "Oh? You want a fight? I'll give you one." She paused, then squealed. "Chanceeeeeey! The boat kids wanna fight!"

My heart caught in my throat as a muscular, well-tanned figure stepped out from behind a tree, accompanied by three hulking goons.

Crap.