━━━━༻ ♦ ༺━━━━ play 00100000 ━━━━༻ ♦ ༺━━━━

"What's this?"

(Y/n) felt something hit the tips of her fingers. It wasn't a common occurrence for her to check her mailbox, but after months of leaving it to rot, she decided it was a good time to finally check it.

It was empty, she saw, save for a slender white enveloped decorated with a slender, golden border. Across the front in elegant, metallic cursive was her name.

(Y/n) White, the envelope read. The (h/c)-haired girl frowned and closed her mailbox. "I'll be going now!" She called over her shoulder to the security guard. "Have a nice day!"

"You too, (Y/n)!"

She opened the envelope as she walked. There was no return address on it. All it had was a curious golden seal at the back she mercilessly tore into. There were two items in it, she saw as she waited for her bus. There was a crisp, folded letter and a tarot card. That puzzled her.

A tarot card? She raised her eyebrows and flipped it around for inspection. It was a slender, flat black card with golden designs etched into it. In little letters near the bottom of the card read "the hermit" in all caps. Near the top was the roman numeral for ten.

It's a really pretty card, she mused as she turned it around. An intricate golden outline of a hooded man holding a staff and a lantern stood on a cliff that hung precariously over calm waters. Small stars and clouds peppered the black card in uneven intervals. But why hermit? Is this a new form of bullying? I guess I'm a hermit for living outside the dorm...?

She didn't think much of it as the bus approached. Oh well, I'll ask the others later. (Y/n) got onto the bus and took her usual seat near the back. To her surprise—well, actually, she wasn't surprised anymore—Kieran was there.

He looked amused at something as he lounged in his seat with a hand on his face, one long leg crossed over the other. At her arrival, his smirk turned into a grin. "Nice to see your beautiful face first thing in the morning," he purred.

"First of all," she said as she sat down next to him. He didn't bother to shift over and give her space. Instead, he rested his arm around her shoulders. "Flattery doesn't work on me. Second of all, don't you live in the dorm? Why are you taking the bus again?"

The white-haired male shrugged. "Didn't want to go back after our date," he said vaguely. "Went places." He changed the subject. "Hmm? What's that you have?"

"Oh, this?" She remembered the tarot card and envelope in her pocket. A corner of it was sticking out. She showed both items to him. "I got it in the mail this morning. Kinda weird. You know what it is?"

Just briefly, his eyes darkened and his smile faltered. "I—well, sort of," he sighed reluctantly. Kieran's entire demeanor changed as he uncrossed his legs and ran a hand through his hair, a conflicting look on his face. "I...I didn't think you'd get one."

(Y/n) frowned and played with the card in her hands. "What do you mean? Is it something bad?"

"Bad?" He snorted. "That's an understatement. You'll see when we get to school."

Throughout the ride, he offered no other explanation and refused to answer her questions despite her advances. He sidetracked her with mentions of his pillows and flirty comments that made her smack him.

"Good luck," the white-haired male said as they departed the bus. He shoved his hands into his pockets and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He seemed to want to say something as he gazed hesitantly at the gates of the school. "You'll need it."

Is being vague and mysterious the new trend or something? (Y/n) stared incredulously at the white-haired male's retreating figure. First, it was zebra and now it's snowman. This is confuzzling. Whatever.

There were ten minutes before the school day officially began. Overjoyed that she had arrived early for once, the first thing she did as she climbed the annoying extra steps to the main entrance of the school was to find her friends. And find them she did. She half-staggered half-rolled towards them. They were gathered in front of the lockers of Winter Hall, their faces unusually grave.

(Y/n) let her raised hand fall. What's with them? Wait, maybe it's Yves-something's death. I can get that. "Good morning, peasants!" She greeted the group.

Jasper was the first to respond. His face fell as he saw her. "(Y/n)..." Carmen looked away and bit her lip. Isla was seen crying into Lucinda's shoulder, who's face was just as distraught.

Was Yves-something their secret friend? "Um, are you guys okay? Do you need anything?"

"We're not fine," Carmen said bitterly. "Because you're here, you've gotten one of these too, right?" She held up a familiar black card forcefully as one would with a razor blade. So this isn't about the murder?

"Yeah, I did." (Y/n) dug her card out of her pocket. "I got—"

"Wait," Jasper stopped her before she could show it to them. She watched him in confusion as he pushed her card back into her pocket. "You shouldn't show the other side to anyone, (Y/n). Not even us."

"Huh? Why not? What's happening?"

The navy blue-haired male only shook his head and turned around. "You'll see."

Seriously, now it's Jas too?! But it is weird...why is no one else here?

Winter Hall was unusually empty that day. Even when (Y/n) rolled through the other Halls, no one else was in sight. A few other people had gathered near them, but it was a pare comparison to how the hallways were like on normal school days. Fifteen—no, about thirty, she counted. There were thirty people including herself and her friends.

"Let's go," Isla managed to choke out. She wiped the running mascara from her face. "We can't stay here."

Lucinda nodded in agreement. "I'll go with you. Carms, you coming?"

The brunette stopped shifting from foot to foot and looked up. "Yeah...let's go. And you, Jas, (Y/n)?"

"You know groups of more than three is really pushing it," the male shook his head. "I'll stay with (Y/n)."

"Seriously, what's going on?" (Y/n) tried again. "Why aren't any of you telling me anything?"

"Because we'll just be wasting our breath," Lucinda said. "Not in a bad way. The...headmaster will tell you everything soon. Just meet up with Grayson and you'll be fine...I hope." With that said, the three girls were gone.

The (h/c)-haired girl looked around. "Where is Reese, anyway? And why are there so little people?"

"They'll explain everything in five minutes," Jasper said. "Grayson will be here soon. And I here Keller and the others are also coming."

"Campboy? Really?"

"Yeah..." For some reason, he didn't look happy as he said that. The male tightened his grip on his arm. "Now we w—"

"(N/N)!" A familiar energetic voice rose over the gloomy chatter of the others in the room. I'm going to bet my life savings I know who that is.

"Why do you have so much energy so early in the morning?" (Y/n) muttered without turning around. "How is that possible?"

"That's 'cause I'm Reese," the redhead said matter-of-factly. "Gooood morning, (N/n), Jas!" He drew out his words as he came to a stop in front of them. "What's up with this atmosphere? Is there a funeral or something?"

If only you knew..."I have no idea either," she admitted. "Apparently it's not about Yves-something's murder—"

"Wait, what?" Reese coughed. "Who got what now?"

"Yvonne," Jasper explained tiredly. "She was found dead last night on school grounds. It's all over the news. Your dad didn't tell you?"

The redhead shook his head. "My old man only told me to stay put in my dorm. I didn't think much of it. Anyway"—he turned to the (h/c)-haired girl—"Why's it so empty today? And I got this really weird letter in the mail. Didn't read it yet, but it came with a...what's it called, a taro card?"

"Tarot," she corrected him. "Taro's a plant."

"Same difference. What's happening?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, a voice blared from the speakers. "Good morning, Fortuna students and staff!" The announcer said. "I see all twenty-six of us has gathered here this fine morning. Very good."

That voice sounds familiar, (Y/n) realized. It was a masculine voice with a slightly raspy undertone to it. She remembered hearing it once at the orientation. The headmaster, maybe?

"Everyone, may I confirm you've received your cards?" The crowd, which were students and teachers alike, nodded. "Good. To all my transferees, you might be a little confused at what's going on." Confused? (Y/n) snorted. That's an understatement.

"But don't worry! I, your headmaster, will explain everything. Today marks the 26th anniversary of Fortuna's specialty, the Game of Fortune held once every few years. What is the game, you ask? Solve the riddles and find a certain card, and you win! Winners are granted special privileges by Yours Truly and allowed a wish of your choice. I will do anything in my power to grant it."

"This reeks of shady business," Reese whispered. "Why didn't we hear of this at the entrance ceremony."

She shrugged. "Then everyone would be fighting tooth and claw to get one of this card thingys if the reward is a wish."

"The rules are fairly simple," the headmaster continued over the speakers. "There are two kinds of players. You are the numbers. Your number is marked at the top of your card, from one to twenty."

"What are you?" (Y/n) nudged her red-haired companion. He showed her his card without hesitation. Reese had number six, the devil. "Ha, the Devil. They should've given you the Fool."

"Well, they should've given you the bully," he scowled.

"That card doesn't exist, pink marshmallow."

"Again, don't call me that!"

"In this game, you will no longer be referred to by your name. You are the numbers and will be called such. Your goal is to find the tarot cards scattered across the campus. All of them are inside the building, of course. The second type of player is called the faces. They each have a special goal."

(Y/n) raised her eyebrows. "So this is like a giant scavenger hunt?"

"Looks like it."

"Six of you are the faces. They are assigned a special role from the following: the Cleaner, the Tracer, the Fixer, the Seeker, the Tuner, and the Maker," the headmaster explained. "Cleaners, as you know, do exactly what their role tells them to do. Fixers will find and punish rulebreakers; you know you are one when you receive the Judgement card. Tracers are allowed to use the surveillance cameras; that's going to be very useful later in the game. It'll do you numbers good to ally with them.

"And then there's the Maker. The rules of the game stay constant every year, but the Maker's allowed to create one rule they're exempt from. I'm eager to see what rule this year's Maker comes up with. Next is the Seeker. Numbers, do everything you can to avoid them. They win by eliminating as many numbers as they can out of the game.

"Lastly, there's the Tuner. Numbers, they're your only ally. Their goal is to eliminate the faces. The more faces they take out of the game, the more points they rack up to victory. Simple? Good." There was the sound of a clap. "Keep in mind that every single person on campus is a player. Teachers are included. Each card you find will give you a special benefit or message; faces are also allowed to use them. You aren't allowed to share them, however.

"Once you find the final card, bring it straight to my office. And remember to keep your devices on you at all times! The Maker will be releasing his or her rule shortly. Now, without any further ado, best of luck to this year's players. Let the 26th Game begin!"

As soon as those words came, the lights flickered out. (Y/n) could suddenly hear the scuffling of shoes as people began running. What's happening?! She instinctively went towards the nearest wall, not wanting to be run over. Whatever was going on, she decided it was a better idea to wait out the worst and begin moving once the coast was clear.

"This way!" A hand grabbed her wrist and began pulling them into a run towards a direction she could not see. Reese?

"Where's Jas?" She called over the sound of stomping feet as they ran.

"I'm not sure. He said he has experience with this wannabe scavenger hunt, so he'll be fine."

I just hope he has enough air purifier, the (h/c)-haired girl thought dryly. I can imagine him running around spraying Febreze at anyone who comes near him.

They ducked into an empty classroom and shut the door. "Okay," Reese said as he slid down the door and took a seat on the ground. "What the hell is going on?"

"I dunno, I came to school today and some people looked like they were about to cry. If the winner of this game thing can get any wish they want, how is it a bad thing?"

"Maybe in the past, the winners made really bad wishes," Reese suggested. "Like, I don't know, everyone must wear pink on Wednesdays?"

"Let's not with the Mean Girls references."

"Fine. F*ck me gently with a chainsaw."

"Reese!"

The redhead laughed and evaded her attacks. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" He sobered and sat back down. "Anyway, if we won that would be pretty cool. The headmaster didn't say only one person could win, so let's work together, 'kay?" She nodded. "Let's go over the rules then."

He pulled out his phone and opened the notes app. "Okay, so—holy sh*t, is it just me, or is my signal terrible today?"

(Y/n) took out her device. "Bro, they jammed our devices," she glared at the barless space at the top of her screen. "I guess I can see why they did that. So, what were the rules again?"

"Classic (N/n) to forget it," he snorted. "The old guy said there were two sides, I guess. The 'numbers,' which is us, and the 'faces.' That's a really stupid name to call them but whatever." He made two columns on his screen. "Our goal is to find a certain card. He didn't even tell us what it is though, but since he mentioned solving riddles, the clues will probably tell us eventually."

"He also said there were many cards," she added. "And they come with benefits and stuff. I guess it's like free key passes we hand to people and they give us stuff? How long are we going to stay here anyway?"

"I don't know, but it might be for a while. Now about the faces, there's six of them. The Cleaner cleans, which is really dumb. Imagine getting that card."

"The janitor must be overjoyed right now," (Y/n) said dryly. "There's also the Fixer who fixes stuff. Rulebreakers. I don't even know the rules."

"They're probably going to send it to us by our phones," Reese suggested. "They turned off the wifi and jammed the signal so we can't contact each other, but they can contact us."

"Freaky."

The redhead continued typing. "Okay, there's the Tracer who can use the cameras. We could use that to find the cards or steal them from someone who has them."

"Don't forget the Maker," she said. "They can make a rule they're exempt from. Honestly, that's kind of a lame role. But if we team up with them, it would be really useful."

"Yeah," Reese agreed. "There's also the Tuner. They're supposed to get the faces out, so they're good...but then we have the Seeker."

"So now it's a cross between hide-and-seek and a scavenger hunt?"

"They're supposed to tag us out, I guess. As long as we avoid them, we'll be fine." He pocketed his phone and stood up. "Well, let's get moving and find the others. If we all find cards and group them together, we can all win." He extended a hand out towards her.

"Sounds like a plan." She took his hand gratefully and he pulled her up. "But then why can't we all work together? There's twenty of us—well, twenty-one including the Tuner—and only six of the faces. And only the Seeker's really on the bad side. The Fixer's like the referee. I don't get it."

Reese shook his head. "If things were as simple as that, we wouldn't have any wars. Have you seen the movie The Platform? If everyone took only what they needed, no one would starve. But there are greedy people and people who don't want others to have a wish. What if someone made a wish that countered yours?"

"Fair point. Then we can't all win." She sighed. "I hate competitions. I prefer to just lie down and let my team do the work...but this is an individual game. Can I just give all the cards to you and call it a day?" She was about to throw her tarot card at him until he gripped her hand, stopping her.

His face was unusually serious as if he knew something she didn't. "Remember what the headmaster said? You can't share cards. That card was sent to you for a reason, so it belongs to you. You'll probably need it later on."

"It's not sharing if I give it to you. But fine, I'll hold on to it." She retracted her hand and pocketed the black card. "That way if someone robs you they'll only get one of them."

"Hey, why do you assume I'm the one who's going to be robbed? People cower under the face of these guns." He flexed his arms and patted the limb. "Pure beauty, I tell you."

Someone get this kid help. "Har har, very funny. I'm laughing."

As the two spent their time laughing and joking around in the room they were in, the others were on the move. The faces had been chosen and the numbers have been searching for the cards with relatively high success. They spread from the Winter Hall to the other three halls, setting up their bases.

It would be a long game, they knew. It wouldn't last just for a day. And with limited provisions in the cafeteria...everyone knew if they didn't hurry up and find the card to win, a fight would break out.

Everyone, it seems, but the transferees (Y/n) White and Reese Grayson.

They didn't understand just what the Game of Fortune was, and that mistake could cost them dearly.

It could cost them their lives.

AUTUMN:HALL ━━━━━༻ ❀ ༺━━━━━ ѕtυdєηt ¢συη¢ιℓ яσσм

The student council room was a large one, resembling a suite more than an office. When one walked in, tall glass windows lined the entire wall facing them, opening up over a scenery of bright skies and a lawn intricately decorated with fountains and bordered by a ring of trees.

Beige armchairs were gathered around a coffee table in this autumn-themed room, with bookshelves lining the walls and cabinets overflowing with files. There was a long, mahogany desk at the center of the room near the windows, not facing it. Books, papers, pens, a mug, and a laptop was organized neatly on the wood. There was a bulletin board on one wall with countless charts and graphs pinned onto it.

The armchairs were occupied. A silver-haired male lounged lazily in his seat, the picture of a king on his throne as he played with a couple of cards. Another leaned against the wall, his eyes hooded and brow furrowed as he tossed a pair of keys up and down in his hand. A golden-haired boy was standing before an easel, his brush readied with crimson paint. But his canvas remained blank, and he made no move to paint.

And there, behind the forboding table seated an icy cold male. He was shifting through his papers, but he looked unusually distracted.

Kieran was the first to break the silence. "It's the 26th year, huh?" He murmured as he shuffled a deck of tarot cards. "How many years has it been since we last played?"

"Maybe five," Jaehyun said quietly. "I don't remember." As if his limbs were attached to a puppeteer's string, he let his arms fall as he stared at the blank easel with pity evident in his scarlet orbs.

"We were no longer contestants when the game proved too easy for us, year after year," Tristan mused as he leaned his head against his hand. "Who is it this time, Matthews?"

The black-haired male shifted slightly in his spot leaning against the wall. His hands froze. "You should already know, Knight."

"As I do every year," he confirmed. "But that wasn't my meaning. Something's different this year. Why are you here?"

"Can't we be here, Trish-chan?" Kieran purred. "Can't we visit our almighty student council president from time to time?"

"I do not possess enough fingers to list the number of times you've skipped our weekly meetings, vice president. Perhaps I can show you with an abacus?"

The white-haired male grinned darkly. "How infuriating~"

"I can say the same of you, Fujikawa." Tristan turned towards the blond who still stood unmovingly before a blank canvas. "Especially you, Kim. You've never shown any interest in the student council before. So why now?"

"Don't play dumb with me," Jaehyun hissed, his grip tightening on the paintbrush. His back remained towards them, his shoulders trembling slightly. "You know why, Tristan. You know everything that happens in this school. So"—there was a faint crack as a splinter ran across the polished wood of the brush and dug into his hands—"Why didn't you tell me?!" His movements were jerky and aggressive as he whipped his brush across the canvas, smearing a blush of bloody scarlet across the white like an open, bleeding tear in pale flesh.

Tristan pushed his glasses up his nose. "I do not understand what you are referring to—"

"Yes, you do!" The boy snarled, throwing his brush into the water. "Why didn't you prevent her from being chosen?! You should have the power to, Tristan!"

Even the most docile of people will become a vicious beast when provoked, the blue-haired male observed with the slightest hint of amusement in his frozen eyes. "I am open to discussion when it comes to my choices, Kim, but only in a civilized manner. You know perfectly well the Game is not something I have full power over."

"But you can still influence it! In the 25th game, you were able to pull him out before he was chosen! So why didn't you do it this time? You know what she means to me!"

"You and your foolish sentiments," Tristan sighed, his lips curling in disgust. "Must I remind you who we are? We are different from the rest. You cannot expect to be able to play at being friends for long, Kim. Either she will betray you or you will her."

"I have to agree with Jay-chan on this one," Kieran spoke up suddenly. He let the cards fall from his fingers and onto the uncarpeted floor, making no move to pick them up. "I prefer to have my koneko-chan back in one piece."

Tristan frowned. "Since when did you care about others, Fujikawa?"

"I prefer to have more toys," he purred. "The more the better. It makes things more interesting."

"Although I admit I have my issues," the blue-haired male muttered. "You are far worse. I see your tastes still haven't changed."

His smile grew wider. "And I see you're the same too, you masochist. Even daddy issues over there is better off than you."

Leon's eyes snapped up. "I f*cking dare you to say again," he snarled, peeling himself off the wall. "Say it."

Kieran held his hands up, his smile unchanging. "No need to get all physical, Leo-chan. But am I wrong?"

"You f*cker—"

"I will no tolerate any horseplay in here," Tristan interrupted. "Matthews, sit back down." The black-haired male balled his hands into fists and reluctantly threw himself into a nearby armchair. Kieran looked on with a sneer.

"Ever Trish-chan's little dog, are y—"

"Fujikawa," Tristan set his papers down. Although the action itself was gentle, the sound it created as enough to stand out over the unsettling atmosphere of the room and draw the other three's attention. "Enough. It is unlike you to come here in the first place, let alone care about the Game before."

The golden-eyed male slung his arms on the back of his seat. "Just get to the point," he yawned lazily. "There's nothing we can say that you don't know, so get on with it." His eyes flickered to the boy near the windows. His grip had loosened on his art instrument and he was gazing down at the splintered ends, a small smile on his face.

Kieran's smile faltered and his face soured. "You give me the creeps."

Jaehyun looked up and merely smiled, the sight strangely unnerving. "I take that as a compliment." The other male snorted and looked away.

"The circumstances of this year's Game is strange," Tristan began. "Especially since it's the 26th game. This will possibly be the last one, but the results will be deadlier, costlier. Do you remember in the 25th game, who the Maker was?" Jaehyun hummed in answer while Kieran's smirk grew. Leon's face darkened and he began tapping his feet rhythmically against the floor.

"How could we forget?" Kieran laughed bitterly. "That psychopath killed everyone with his rule. He could've won and got his wish, but too bad he wasn't able to find the last cards."

Tristan closed his eyes. "He's the Seeker this year."

Silence fell over the room. The atmosphere noticeably darkened and the air seemed to thicken. Clouds floated across the sky, darting to and from the sun, casting moving shadows across the walls of the room.

"What...did you say?" His voice was no longer sweet, his face no longer shy and earnest, and his demeanor no longer gentle and caring. Jaehyun's head whipped towards the male so fast they feared it would break. "Who...?"

Tristan didn't bat an eye at his dark voice. "You heard what I said. He's the Seeker this year."

"Him...him?!" The blond's voice grew louder until it bordered hysteria. The brush snapped in half in his grip, creating two jagged halves that dug into the flesh of his palm. Red paint slid down the handle and coated his hands, giving them the appearance of being bloodied. He slammed his hands into the canvas to brace himself. "Of everyone it could've been....why him, that psychopath!"

"You're one to talk," Kieran snorted. "That boy you begged Trish-chan to save five years ago...you're the one who killed him despite you so-called f—"

"Shut UP!" Jaehyun screamed, clapping his hands over his ears. "Shut up, shut up, shut UP!" He clawed at his face, drawing long, red streaks down the sides. Whether it was paint or blood, they did not know. His eyes were wide open and his gaze unfocused, the gentle glint in them replaced with a maniacal one. "Stop talking!"

Tristan groaned and rolled his eyes. Then to the white-haired male, "Did you really have to provoke him like this?"

Kieran shrugged, unfazed. "What can I say? It's in my nature." He didn't react as the blond muttered dark things—dark promises—under his breath and doubled over, holding his head in his hands.

"Jaehyun," Tristan said suddenly. It was enough for the blond to slightly calm down and look up with crazed eyes. Tristan didn't usually use their names. And when he did, he meant business. "I too, do not wish for (Y/n) to die. I have to fulfill my part as the tutor in our contract as per my deal with my father, and I can not do that with her gone."

"You're still set on taking over the family business?" Kieran frowned. "I thought your brothers were the heirs."

"My brothers?" The male chuckled coldly. "Father merely cannot see that I am superior to them in any way. He is merely adamant about the tradition of the oldest son inheriting the company. A foolish custom, if I must say. My older brothers are disgraces."

Kieran didn't comment and snorted. He turned his attention to the cards scattered in front of him. "So instead of caring about koneko-chan as another human being, you see her more as what, another pawn in those business agreements of yours?"

"Simply put, perhaps. Her existence would be meaningless to me had it not been for the program."

The white-haired male suddenly shot to his feet. "Liar," he spat. "You're a bloody awful liar, Tristan. From one liar to another, I can say with perfect confidence you're lying." His eyes blazed with an old grudge as the other two looked on, Leon's face impassive and Jaehyun's interested.

He crossed the distance between them and slammed his hands down on the table. Tristan did not flinch or show any reaction as the male leaned forward. "If I told you I plan to use her until she breaks and then throw her away," Kieran said in a low voice. "What would you do?"

Barely, just barely, there was a crack in the iron knight's mask. "What you do with the others is none of my—"

"Liar. You obviously care. You can't lie to someone who knew you for more than a decade now, Tristan." His voice was mocking as he spoke. "It's the same for Leo-chan and Jay-chan. Although I can't relate to their issues, I can certainly understand. So tell me, Tristan. How much longer are you going to keep up this obviously fake facade?"

Jaehyun giggled at the question and rocked back on the balls of his feet. "Lying, crying, you're trying but your dying..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Tristan insisted. "I do not possess any flimsy attachments—"

"You call them flimsy," Kieran interrupted. "I call them human. You aren't a robot or whatever your family makes you out as. You're a f*cking human even with your cold a** blood and annoying resting b*tch face. I don't like you any more than you like me, which is exactly why I'm going to make one thing clear between us."

"How dare y—"

He suddenly seized the stunned male by his collar and pulled him up towards him. "You're full of bullsh*t. You f*cking breathe in it, pretending that the only things that are real are what you're given. Climb up the ladder by your own power? Become the next heir from your 'useless' brothers? Bullsh*t. You're so full of it even you're starting to believe it. And everyone here knows." He gestured towards Leon and Jaehyun angrily.

"You forget we aren't one of your lackeys. You have no means to control us. Either you step off your high horse and come to the realization that you aren't a perfect robot, or continue putting up this pretense for the rest of your life until you crash, fall, and burn, realizing only when it's too late you don't have what you want the most."

Tristan watched him with steady eyes, his blue orbs showing just the faintest hint of his resoluteness wavering. "And what exactly would that be?"

Kieran gazed down at the other male before releasing him suddenly. "You know what it is. We're all f*cked up, Tristan, and you know it. I don't care if you keep lying to yourself, but I'm not about to let your self-delusions keep me from getting what I want. Do you hear me?!"

Perhaps his words had hit home, and in more ways that the blue-haired male liked. He had to step back and ask himself if he really was deluding himself as Kieran claimed or if that was another of his ploys to make him miss his footing. For what is perfection—or the psychological perfection he was so proud of—other than being able to do everything and anything at the highest levels a human being could achieve?

Was it true then, what Kieran said? Was he only another soul pedaling circles on a golden bicycle at the end of the cul-de-sac, yet believing he was a missile heading further and further into the sky?

"So?" Leon spoke up quietly, his voice still rough around the edges. "What are we going to do?"

"What will it be?" Kieran echoed. "We can't let anything go wrong. We're still doing this, with or without you."

The blue-haired male closed his eyes, let out a long sigh, and made his decision.

"I hope none of you are afraid to dirty your hands."