Six p.m. sharp. That was what Chet had told Eli, or at least that was what Eli said. Now, Milan’s arm was stuck deep inside the air vent in the cafeteria, while Eli stood with her back against Milan, keeping an eye out.

“You didn’t tell him, did you?” Milan said. “I saw you whispering to him.”

“That’d be borin’. He’d screw up operation break-out, for sure.”

Of course, that was what she’d say. What if she was lying? What if she’d told him? All their efforts would go down the drain. Chet didn’t seem like someone who’d keep his mouth shut. Then again, neither did Eli.

He yanked his arm to his body, stuffing the folded paper of the map and the mini flashlight on either side of his sleeves. “Let’s go.”

They turned the corner, dashing out of the cafeteria when Milan bumped his head against something soft. His eyes trailed upward and met the last face he wanted to see.

Chet.

“Operation break-out, huh?” he said.

Milan’s face turned to Eli. “You had to say it, didn’t you?”

Before Eli could answer, Chet clutched Milan and Eli by their collars, each with one hand, and hauled them close.

“Listen, newbies. I don’t think you fully understand.” Spit spluttered out of his mouth. “I’ll get anything for anyone so long they tell me what they need it for.”

He unclenched his hand, shoving them away. “Now, if you don’t tell me what you’re up to, I’ll make you regret it.”

Eli chortled and made a mocking sound. “What’re gonna do? Tell Mommy and Daddy?”

Milan flashed a cutting glance at her. What the hell was wrong with her? She was going to make everything worse!

“You newbies wouldn’t know,” Chet said. “For someone like myself, who’s been in and outta here, there’s a special room for rule-breakers.” The light gleamed in his blank eyes. “Solitary confinement. In there, there is no way to break out. You’ll spend twenty-four hours of the day in a dark cell under constant surveillance. You’ll be stuck in there, with only the voices in your head to entertain you. The cries of those already gone crazy will ring in your ears forever. Ramming their heads into the bars, biting their nails until their fingers bleed and gorging their own eyes out, leaving behind hollow black holes with blood twirling down their cheeks.” Chet leaned his upper body forward. “And soon, you’ll find yourselves doing that same thing.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Milan and Eli fluttered a glimpse at each other before Eli burst out laughing, wrapping her arms around her stomach.

“Wh-what a g-great story!” She talked in between gasps, wiping a tear with her finger. “I’m sure it’d be a bestseller if you turned it into a book.”

Milan slapped Eli’s shoulder with the back of his hand. “Stop laughing,” he said through his teeth.

“Let’s see how much you’ll be laughing when it’s your turn.” Chet snorted. “You’ve made your choice.”

He turned his back and took his first step when Milan spoke.

“Wait. We’ll tell you.”

Chet turned his head, and a sly smile twisted his lip upward. Milan had played right into his hands. Yeah, Milan didn’t get it either. Why should he tell Chet about their plan? There was no way to guarantee he wouldn’t inform the guards. But by letting him in on it, he could try to lower the risk. Everyone did things for their own sake. Which was why, if Chet was part of their plan, he might not tell on them.

Milan told him everything. About the pocketknife, their cell floor, and their plan to escape.

“Interesting,” Chet gestured at Eli. “This daredevil over here told me you were going ghost hunting.”

Milan exhaled. Ghost hunting. Could he expect any different from Eli? But at least she hadn’t told him the truth. Maybe Eli could be trusted?

He shook his head. No, he shouldn’t get ahead of himself. Eli didn’t tell Chet about their plan because she wanted to escape too. She had selfish goals, like Milan. Like Chet. Like everyone.

“After we’ve searched the place, we’ll come up with a plan and tell you,” Milan said.

“Count me in.” Chet clamped his hand around Milan’s shoulder and squeezed. A shooting pain glazed through. “We’re in this together.”

Then, he turned his back and left.

“You sure ‘bout this?” Eli said.

“It’d be worse if we didn’t tell him. He’d rat us out.”

Eli murmured in assent. “Now what.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Milan rubbed the shoulder Chet had squeezed, trying to ease the pain. “We wait until nighttime. Then, we investigate.”