Guys, [as I wrote this chapter/AN] we got a release date for the TV show. I will definitely have a chapter ready for that date. Hell, I'll plan it after writing this one (along with an anniversary chapter) [which ended up being published before this chapter whoops].

This scene was originally in The Lost Student, but I changed the final chapters of that story at the "last minute" (I had all the time in the world) so now it's here.

As per usual with canon, this is some fake memory.

Story #48: One of the Worst Places to Third-Wheel (Wilderness School Edition)

Jason was naive to think that he was finally getting a good night's sleep at the Wilderness School. He's been here long enough to know that at any point where he feels comfortable, someone's jumping him. Even when he was in the shower, knowing to keep his guard up, he got attacked.

This time, he was too deep in REM sleep to fight back. He tried, though. The moment someone wrapped his head with a pillowcase, Jason threw his arms out in every direction. His elbows and forearms would contact flesh but not enough. His body would sometimes drag against carpet and tiled floors, and then he caught air the moment he wanted to scream.

His body thuds and no hands are on him. Jason scrambles, tearing the pillow case from his head. He looks up, blinking rapidly when light blinds his eyes.

Then he takes in his surroundings: he's sitting in a large box of some sort. Piper stands above him wearing a worn-out mismatched pyjama set with old moccasins. Leo is in a ratty shirt and long pants. He's wearing one sock with a hole in the heel and is currently poking at an opened panel on the wall with his Swiss Army knife.

Jason looks down at himself and he's only in pyjama pants. He has no shirt or shoes but immediately jumps to his feet.

"You were nearly knocked out," Piper says, grinning at him. "Leo and I were completely out."

Jason nods. "Where are we?"

"School elevator."

Jason notices all the buttons near the panel Leo's prodding in. No lights are flashing except the emergency ones which is how they could see each other.

"We have one of those?" Jason asks. He could've sworn they were only using stairs to get from floor to floor. Coach made them do laps on them once when it was oddly hailing. If it were only a 'small thunderstorm,' they would've been running there.

Piper shrugs. "Well, we're not allowed to use it."

"I just assumed it never worked and it looks like it," Leo says, stabbing the wires and gears inside with his knife. "It would've made a great panic room."

"How did we get here?" Jason asks. "I remember being ambushed in bed."

"Yeah, same," Piper responds.

Leo nods. "Me too. I bet they're onto us raiding their rooms."

"I think someone in this school is trying to kill us," Jason suggests. There have been too many near-death situations thrust upon them.

"I do think some kids are in here for that kind of thing."

"No, I think someone's out to get me. The showers, the field, here."

Leo laughs. "Welcome to the Wilderness School, again."

"I'm serious."

Piper puts her hand on his shoulder. "Jason, calm down."

Jason's breath is taken away. Piper's voice almost lulls him back to sleep again as all the stress and worry about his life is taken off his shoulders. When he looks at her, she's nearly glowing with her face nested in a cute bedhead as she smiles with only her lips.

Leo gags, taking Jason's attention. "Worst place to be the third wheel is an elevator. You know, other places get freedom days and we get going outside as a reward."

Piper snorts a laugh. The euphoric appearance vanishes in a blink. "Could be worse. We could be wearing ankle bracelets."

"The only schools who enforce those are the kids who get to leave the building for school or whatnot."

"Remember when Josiah showed up wearing one?"

Leo smiles, sighing nostalgically. "Paid me five candy bars to get it off him. I have it somewhere in my room, actually."

Jason shakes his head. They'll be stuck in here all night. "I'm getting out of here."

He steps forwards towards the door and grips the middle, trying to pry it open. He grunts, jamming his arm through once he has a small enough opening. Piper stands in front of him crouching and trying to push it open as well. Once they get the doors open, they nearly fall into each other as the car swings.

Wires snap. Their heads shoot upwards. Nobody moves.

Without another thought, Jason grabs Piper and Leo with an arm each and flings them out of the elevator. Once they are out, Jason leaps, rolling onto the ground and knocking them down like bowling pins. Before they get up, the elevator car snaps off its wires and drops into the shaft. The school nearly shakes as it crashes on the floor.

The three of them creep towards the edge and look over. They can't even see the remnants of the elevator. They wouldn't have survived that if they were still inside.

"You know, you may be onto something with them killing us," Piper mutters.

"Maybe me more than you two," Jason mutters.

Leo scoffs. "Okay, martyr. I'm hungry. I'm getting something to eat."

"Me too but I'll head back to my room and change first. Jason?"

Jason pauses before nodding. "Yeah, I'll just go find a shirt or something."

"Meet you all in the cafeteria."

Leo and Piper go their separate ways. Jason remains on the ground for a second longer, keeping his eyes on the elevator. They need to get out of here before anything worse happens to them.

Based on the title of this chapter, I should make this a mini series within the story. Leave me some ideas if you have any.