“All right, all right, let’s go!” Manson clapped his hands sharply to get us all focused. Jess and I gave each other one last biting glare before we walked across the old parking lot toward the building, and Manson explained our rules to her as we went. “If you get shot, you’re out. Text the group and wait back at the Bronco. The building’s layout is pretty simple. It’s a square with one long hall down the middle and two halls straight across, on both floors. Structural integrity is pretty good, but watch your step. Oh, and keep an eye out for squatters.”

Visibility was getting low, with barely enough daylight remaining that we wouldn’t need flashlights as long as we were near the windows. Vincent showed Jess how to turn on her flashlight just in case, which we all had attached to our scopes.

We were able to get in through the front door, squeezing into the dark hallway beyond. Rows of lockers and classrooms stretched ahead of us, leaves, dirt, and debris scattered across the floor and piled in the corners.

“All right, set your timers,” Manson said, pulling out his phone and the rest of us followed. “Five minutes to spread out and find yourself a good position to defend…or start hunting.” He grinned, only his teeth catching the light. “You didn’t refill your ammo, Lucas, do you want us to wait?”

“Nope.” I trudged on ahead, brushing Jess’s shoulder as I did. “Unlike you fucks, I can actually aim.”

Jess exhaled with a sharp sound behind me, her tone sarcastic as she said, “I bet you only need one paintball for each of us, right? You’re just that good?”

I kept walking. That little brat was going to regret trying to taunt me.

Who the hell did she think she was? After years of looking down her nose at us from the other side, Miss Martin suddenly wanted to play delinquent. She wanted to run around with us like she’d never laughed in our faces, like she’d been here all along.

Damn it, and I’d brought this on myself. I was the one who’d insisted she come along today, and for what? Because I’d hoped to see her chicken out. I’d wanted to see her bail on us because it would prove me right. But she hadn’t. She fucking hadn’t, in fact — she’d been brilliant. She’d smiled and laughed at Alex getting what he deserved, and she’d come along without even hesitating.

I took the stairs two at a time, boots crunching on old broken glass. Graffiti covered the walls in the stairwell, light pouring in the broken windows in narrow shafts. Maybe the others were quick to forget who Jess really was, but not me.

Fat fucking chance I’d forget. I had too many scars for that.