The Chase

THE CHASE

Bridger

S he's so fucked.

She never should have come back here.

Here at Arcadia, she'll never be safe, especially not around me. Yet, here she is, walking in the woods alone, as if she's fine to meander about.

Such a stupid risk, and for what…to smoke a joint?

What if I chased her through these very woods, brought a knife to that delicate throat…would she scream? The thought of that brings the most sinister smile to my face.

Colt sneaks around in the dense trees. She's touching them, almost like she's trying hard to be inconspicuous. Her body is too stiff, making it obvious that she's not supposed to be out here. The most obvious giveaway is her not-too-subtly shaking frame.

I could easily tackle her to the ground, take her like I've always wanted, but it's not part of the plan.

Something behind me distracts me, or rather, someone approaching.

"Ridge," Ross says hollowly. Out of all the members of Student Gov, he's the least obnoxious and most bearable. My eyes travel up his unkempt attire.

As usual, he's sporting ripped black jeans, tattoos peeking out of the sleeves of his t-shirt. In his two fingers is a joint, and he's lighting it while watching me.

"Let me guess, you're out here watching her?"

I narrow my eyes at him, wondering how easy it is to read me, or if it's simply patterns of behavior he's deduced.

Taking in a huff, it dawns on me that I haven't been watching Colt. If she sees us, she'll think we're stalking her— I am , but she doesn't need to know that.

"Silence, how quaint," Rossy mutters, his voice impatient and annoyed. "You'd think knowing each other our entire lives, we'd have some sort of comfort in that."

"What are you doing out here, Rossy?"

"He speaks," he jeers with a slow clap, his hands smacking together and spreading ashes from his joint. It's a surprise he hasn't burned himself.

"Don't be dense, what are you doing out here?"

"Wanted to see what Greenie is doing," he mutters, shrugging his shoulders. Rolling my eyes, I turn toward Colt's last location but she's gone.

"Fuck."

"What?"

"She's gone," I complain, brushing my fingers against my forehead, wanting to ease the tension. Walking toward her last location, yelling meets my ears.

"Who's that?" Rossy asks, and I smack a hand over his mouth, watching as three bodies run through the trees. Not one of them sporting bright green hair I could pick out of any place in the world. She's uniquely her, damaged, toxic, and all mine. But I know those three like the back of my fucking hands, and if they are chasing her, she heard something she shouldn't have.

When they pass, I go toward the place I know she has hidden in the past. Her and Cassidy's spot. Their safe haven. A place she doesn't realize most of us know about.

She forgets, Cass was our best friend too.

Anything she knows about him, we're all bound to know as well. If anything, we knew more, we were closer. She got the brotherly version while we got the side he refused to show her.

"Wait here," I demand, turning to Rossy once more. He's not excited, rolling his eyes and taking a long drag. My feet guide me to the little bunkered area Colt and Cass used to hide in, knowing she'd be near there.

Before I make it, a small body runs into me. It's her. Her distinct citrusy scent throws me for a loop. There's something sweet there that's also tart, like a piece of candy that starts out bitter and ends up being the best flavor.

"What are you doing out here, Colton?" I ask, my voice far too dark sounding. The guys call her Corpse, Greenie, among other things. Besides her being my Starless, she'll always be Colton. The girl who stole what little humanity was left in me.

Her eyes widen at my voice, her chin trembling with the fear that must be coursing through her. Does she think I'm one of the guys chasing her? It wouldn't be hard to confuse our voices.

"I just wanted to smoke a joint," she stutters, her voice a bit wobbly while her chest heaves. She's such a shitty liar. Always has been.

"Eavesdropping, perhaps?" I taunt, waiting for her to deny it.

"N-no."

I grab her hand, the one holding the joint, and pull out my Zippo. Flicking it, we both silently watch as the end burns. She brings the joint to her shaking lips, her eyes watching me intently. She's so scared and I can't say it's unappealing. It's the real her, not that fake-ass fa?ade she puts on for the world.

When she lets out a shaky exhale, the puff of smoke coming out all wispy, I grip her hand, using it as my own anchor. Then I bring the stick to my lips, brushing mine across her finger before taking a hit.

Her eyes widen, darkening, and it takes everything in me not to kidnap her, do whatever the fuck I want, and say fuck it all to the plans we have.

Letting it drop, she waits for my next words, as if I'm the one who decides every step she takes.

"You should be careful in the dark, Colton. Monsters don't mind kidnapping little things to use over and over again."

The voices that she ran from pick up again, coming closer. Her breath hitches and I cruelly smile down at her. "You better run, Colton. I won't stop whatever they want to do to you."

"Bridger," she gasps, her joint falling to the leafy ground as she trembles. "Please."

I give her a little shove, unwilling to succumb to whatever parts of me want to soften. "Run. Because once they catch you, I can't promise they won't fuck you."

"T-they wouldn't," she mutters, stumbling over the reality of it all. They would, they will, and I'll watch because I can't resist the show they'd put on.

"They would, and you'd enjoy it, wouldn't you? The chase, being wanted by so many of us. You'd spread your legs and let them have their way with you."

Her eyes darken once more, the same glimmer that was there when I touched her fingers.

"Where is she?" one voice rasps, angry and insolent. I know that voice, I know he's waited to have his turn with Colton. Her face flickers to the direction of the voice and then back to me.

"I lost her in the trees," another says, voice ragged from running, I'm sure.

She turns to me once more, but I've already started backing away. With a little wave, I smirk, letting that warranted fear come back to her.

Without another word, she takes off, and just like I knew she would, she heads directly toward them. Poor little Colton was never good at navigating herself to safety.

I give her thirty seconds, give or take, before I'm heading in her direction to hunt. A loud screech has me grinning from ear to ear.

"There you are," Rossy says, slapping my shoulder. I shrug off his hand, not stopping my pursuit. "What are we doing?"

"Me? I'm hunting my things."

"Your…things?"

"Thing, singular, is more accurate."

"Do I want to know?" Rossy asks, his eyebrows raised. My lips tilt, unable to stay flat when I think of finally having Colton.

"I think if you can catch her first, I'll be nice and watch. But if I catch her, she's mine, and maybe you can hold her down for me while I finally make her mine."

His cheeks redden with my insinuations. Rossy has always had a one-track mind, and this is his favorite tune. "After you, Ridge."

I start with a slow jog, and then her yelling gets louder. Oh, yes. She's fighting this. "Stop! Leave me alone!"

She screams while I follow the sounds, Rossy behind me. His thrill for the chase doesn't match mine at all. He's curious, but I live for this.

"Oh, Corpse ," Lux's singsong voice fills my ears, exaggerating her pet name. I knew he'd somehow find himself out here. I bet Jordan and Ten will also be out here somewhere.

"Leave me alone!" she hollers back, probably too freaked out to realize who is chasing her. She doesn't know us like she thinks she does.

Soon, she will.

Soon, she won't have a choice but to join us.

We're her undoing, after all.

Colt

Don't overexert yourself.

Yeah, my ass. My heart hammers as I rush through the trees, branches crackling around me. Sweat falls from my hairline, down my face, and shit, taking those couple hits have also put me in a stage of exhaustion.

Why do I always find myself risking my life because of these stupid guys?

" Oh, Corpse ," a very familiar voice yells, making my skin crawl. Fuck, it's really close to me.

"Leave me alone!" I scream, my throat raw from all the heavy breathing.

But it's too late.

I'm always too late.

A force slams into my back, forcing me onto the ground, and the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. The impact of my chest hitting the ground isn't pleasant, but I struggle against the weight above me, wriggling to get free. As soon as I do, I don't look back, I just stand and run.

Again, I'm tackled.

"Fuck!" I complain, my body feeling so close to collapsing.

"Please keep wiggling that perfect little body, Corpse. Makes my dick hard."

"You're fucking disgusting," I retort, not even seeing who has said the words. Struggling against the person holding me down, I kick and punch aimlessly.

"Shit, she got my ribs!" a very familiar voice sounds out, and I move until I can see above me.

"God, she's so hot when she's angry," Rossy muses, his dark eyes twinkling. I flip him off, then snap my teeth at the hand nearest me.

"What do you want?" I hiss, wriggling beneath Lux's and Rossy's hold.

"Technically, Ridge got you first, it's his choice," Rossy says nonchalantly, shrugging. The snick of a knife opening has me seeking out the origin.

When I tilt my head back, exposing my throat, I see him. Bridger . My darkest night, the one who always hurts me most.

His body falls as he lands on his knees, his favorite blade in his hand. He's twirling it, his lips tilted with amusement.

"Been waiting a long time for this," Bridger says, pressing the tip of the blade into his finger. A drop of crimson bubbles up and I glare at him.

"Get bent," I growl, my body wanting to shut down now that the adrenaline has worn off. He brings the blade to my exposed flesh, tracing the tattoo there with the non-sharpened side.

"Be careful, Starless, might find yourself covered in my favorite color." I stick out my tongue and he leans down, biting it with anger. "Tastes like bad decisions."

"What do you want?" I push, wanting this to be over. The weed I wanted to smoke was not worth this hassle.

"Just want to make you bleed a little," he taunts, his eyes darkening in kind. I writhe against Rossy and Lux and kick out, hitting Rossy's leg. He falls and Lux topples with him.

Before I can push them both to run, that knife—bladed side this time—digs into the sensitive flesh of my throat.

"Don't act like being beneath me isn't exactly what you wanted, Starless."

I let out a puff of air, he's not wrong. A year ago, I'd have begged on my knees to be beneath Bridger Clemonte.

"Fuck you, Ridge ," I hiss, using the name he hates to hear from me. His eyes narrow, and the smirk that was there slides off his face. In replace of it is a sneer. He drags the knife down the front of my top, slicing the fabric as if it means nothing to him.

He continues his descent to my skirt, tugging at the hem. "Not going to fight back?"

I spit at him, not knowing what to say.

Should I? Probably. But they'd expect it.

Once my skirt is down my legs, he's splitting my fishnets. Then the buckle of his pants is shaking. Am I really doing this?

He leans forward, sniffing my throat where his blade still sits. "You smell like mine, Colton."

"I'm not," I whisper, thinking of how much I want this guy and hate him. What if he's the reason for Cassidy's death? I can't prove it, but this whole group of fucks have given me nothing but reasons as to why they're a part of something bigger.

"You are. Give in, Starless. Let me fuck that pretty pussy."

"What do I get out of it?" I bargain, wondering if giving in will get me a step closer. Maybe it'll get me the answers I seek.

"My cock, like you've always wanted," he taunts, nipping at my chin.

"She wants something more substantial," Lux adds, his fingers still digging into my arms. "Give her what she wants, Ridge."

My eyes flick back to Bridger's and decision flickers there. "Let me inside you, Colton. Then I'll give you the answers you seek."

Can I trust his word?

No.

Do I have much of a choice? Also, no.

I nod, and he huffs a pleased sound. Then he's widening my thighs. "Keep them spread."

I sigh and widen them, wanting this over with. But instead of sinking inside me in the way I thought he would, he leans down, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

His tongue darts out and flicks the piercing on my clit, and I can't help the little whimper that leaves my lips. Fuck. I did not think he'd go down on me.

With malicious intent, his teeth grip the ring and tug. I let out a little yelp that turns into a moan, his tongue circling the swollen flesh.

"God, he's really good at that," Rossy praises, his fingers massaging the tender places he's been holding. Lux hums and I can't deny them being here, holding me down, isn't appealing, because it is.

Bridger doesn't listen to them, he just goes to town, making my back bow up from the ground. One hand presses on my lower stomach while the other slides two fingers inside me.

"Fuck," I hiss, so fucking close. He continues his assault, pressing deeper into me as I fight for any type of control.

"Shit, she's shaking. Do you like that, Corpse? Having his mouth tongue-fuck that pretty clit?" Lux's gravelly voice fills my ears as he leans forward, nipping at my lobe.

Chills break across my face, my body trembling, ready to crest over. Bridger lifts from my cunt, his eyes darkening with desperation. "Come for me, Starless. Coat my tongue with that sweet cream."

He latches back on, pressing his fingers against that fleshy part inside me, and I'm a goner. My eyes roll back as my orgasm hits, making my legs twitch and shake. The guys let me go as I pull on Bridger's hair, forcing him to finish.

My chest rises and falls as I pant and instead of letting Bridger get the better of me, I reach for his discarded knife, and then rush him.

Bringing the blade to his throat, he smiles. That fucker smirks as if I've given him a gift. I reach behind me, unbuttoning his jeans, and then reach for his erection.

Pleasure paints his features, and I want to be mad but he's covered in my release and it's far too appealing to witness.

Pulling him out of his boxers, I lift up and slide down his length in one go. His eyes roll back, his body shuddering as I take all his choices like he took mine. I hold the blade steady, already seeing crimson streaks from my movement.

He doesn't complain, but his smirk is replaced with an expression full of pleasure as I ride him. The guys are grunting from behind me and I just know they're getting off on this.

"You always take control from me, now it's my turn to have fun," I moan as he hits the perfect spot inside me.

"Do whatever you want to me, Colton. You'll still always be mine. Mine to fuck, mine to torment, mine to keep."

Oh fuck .

He means that. His eyes leave mine, but his hands go to my hips and he slaps my flesh down onto his so much more aggressively than I intended.

"Now take this cock like the good little slut you've always been, and coat my cock with your cum."

"Bridger," I hiss, my body shaking from the spot he keeps hitting inside me.

"That's right, Starless. I'm yours. I'll always be fucking yours," he hisses and he's rutting into me harder than I thought possible.

"Now, come for me, sweet girl. Give me your screams."

I hiss, moaning on top of him, the blade leaving traces of red across his throat. Neither of us pull back and then he's grunting and pressing a thumb to my clit.

"Come for me."

I bring my other hand to his thumb, pressing harder and screaming out my release while he huffs and grunts out his own.

Behind me there are two distinct voices and their happy sounds of release. I rise off of Bridger, pointing the knife at him.

"This isn't over, and you haven't won."

"Who said this was a game, baby?" Rossy muses from behind me.

"You've walked right into our trap," Lux adds.

"You're ours," Bridger says, gripping the knife from my hand.

"Fuck you all."

Bridger lifts his shirt from his body and pulls it over my head. "You will, and we'll enjoy every second of it."

Glaring at them, I lift a finger, realizing there's blood there.

"Welcome back to Student Gov, Corpse."