Chapter 3

The shuttle was nearly empty, just me and a couple of other early birds.

The driver, a kind older man, nodded. "Feeling better taking it easy, huh?"

"Something like that," I said.

He pulled away from the curb. "Good thing too, this rain is getting biblical. Heard on the radio the highway patrol might close Route 7 if it keeps up."

Route 7. The main way to the test center.

I just nodded, watching the familiar streets blur past.

My phone buzzed twenty minutes later. A news alert.

"FLASH FLOOD WARNING: ROUTE 7 CLOSED INDEFINITELY. ALL TRAFFIC DIVERTED."

A small, cold smile touched my lips. Right on schedule.

I imagined Liam's car, with Jessica finally inside, her "bracelet found," hitting that roadblock.

The detours would be long, chaotic.

The test center doors closed at 8:00 AM sharp. No exceptions.

I arrived with twenty minutes to spare, dry and calm.

I didn't need to take the test, but I went inside, found a quiet corner in the waiting area.

An hour later, the test supervisor made an announcement.

"All students should now be in their assigned rooms. The doors are closed. No late entries will be permitted."

I pictured their faces. Jessica' s feigned distress. Liam' s anger. The others' panic.

Good.