You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. ~ C.S. Lewis

Cole's POV

I showered, and then we went back to Sydney's place so she could shower and change. Sydney makes sure to examine her motorcycle and mine for any trackers before we leave. I follow her down back roads and dirt paths until we arrive at an abandoned property. She instructs me to stow my bike out of sight in the tall grass.

She leads me into the basement where she pushes aside a cabinet and slips around the small spaces of old plumbing. Moments later, a hidden door silently swings open and I step into a small room.

"I think it was part of the Underground Railroad," Syd states while my eyes adjust to the dim lighting, "I've set up private wifi and began to take the necessary preparations for my plan."

"Plan?" I ask, before studying the small area. It's cluttered and chaotic. The walls are covered in images, maps, clippings, scribbled on post-it notes, graphs, and timelines—all connected with string. On a small table sits printer and a laptop that Sydney is currently clicking and typing on. The space is lit by battery operated lights, and there's a bottle of nail polich remover probably for it high flammibility, "How long have you been working on this?"

She turns to face me and her gaze steels, "Since the night that bitch gave me this scar and almost killed me."

"You're actually gonna try to end all of this?" I ask, shocked.

She nods with a wry smile, "Or die trying."

I turn back to studying the walls and notice each that they've been sectioned off in five parts for each member of the big five.

"What have you planned?" fear creeping into my voice.

She walks over to me and dark smile crosses her face.

"For each to suffer and die in the worst way possible, tailor-made for each fucker that made my life hell," she states, with malicious glee that makes me thankful I'm not her target.

"I've kept my eyes and ears open to figure out what each fears, loves, and hates the most to curate the most excruciating revenge," Sydney states casually, like she she was discussing her weekend plans, "A good majority of the trainees are on my side and I've turned most of the others by promising to use the combined wealth of the big five to fund a college education, trade school training, or monetary value of their choosing."

"Jesus, Syd. I never want get on your bad side," I shivered.

A cold smile twisted onto her lips, "Good, remember that."