Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)

A touch of colour came back to Zoe’s cheeks.

‘Bugger. I can’t believe I forgot to guard my left flank. That’s basic.’ Laying back down on the bed she let go of Allie’s hand. ‘Bloody hell, my head hurts. What did he do to me?’

Rachel grinned at her. ‘You’ve got a pretty bad concussion. It makes you sweary. Who’s the prime minister?’

‘That stupid guy.’ Zoe groaned. ‘With the face.’

‘That’s the one.’ Rachel nodded, satisfied. ‘I don’t think you damaged your brain more than it was damaged already.’

‘It feels like my head is exploding,’ Zoe said, clutching her hair.

The nurse bustled in. ‘I can help with that.’ After taking her pulse and listening to her heart, she handed her two white tablets. ‘Take these.’ As Zoe obediently took the painkillers from her hand, the woman glowered at the others. ‘Now, I’d thank you all to give her some space now, please. She needs quiet.’

But as they filed out of the room, obedient at last, Allie lingered, drinking in one last view of Zoe, alive and complaining.

Zoe cocked her head to one side, astute eyes assessing her expression.

‘Did I scare you?’

Allie exhaled audibly, and smiled.

‘You scared the crap out of me.’

Zoe looked wanly pleased. ‘Awesome.’



When the students reached the foot of the stairs, a trio of guards stood waiting.

A muscular woman in black gear with long blonde hair pulled back in a braid scanned the group as if looking for someone.

‘Allie Sheridan?’

Allie, who was last to come down, pushed her way through. ‘Here.’

‘Isabelle would like to see you.’

The woman looked familiar – Allie had vague memories of seeing her around the grounds. But she still studied her uncertainly. Isabelle had never sent guards for her before.

‘What’s going on?’ Sylvain joined Allie. His tone was even but his mistrustful eyes watched the guards closely.

The guards turned their attention to him.

‘I couldn’t say.’ The female guard’s tone was cool. ‘But it is important.’

‘Where’s Isabelle now?’ Rachel appeared at Allie’s other elbow. Her tone was conversational but her gaze suspicious. ‘We haven’t seen her all night.’

The woman looked nonplussed. Clearly she hadn’t expected this. ‘In her office. But she’s busy.’

‘Well, that’s too bad,’ Carter said, as he and Nicole joined the others to encircle Allie. ‘Because we need to talk to her.’

‘We don’t have time for this,’ one of the male guards said, impatiently. But the woman held up her hand.

‘Give us a second.’

The three guards retreated to confer.

After a short while, the female guard returned. Her expression was hard to read.

‘One of you can come with her,’ she said, ‘But that’s all. The rest stay here.’

Her tone brooked no opposition.

‘You go with her,’ Carter said to Sylvain. ‘I’ll stay with Rachel and Nicole.’

Sylvain nodded his assent.

Allie ran a tired hand through her hair. ‘Do you really think it’s a trap? This is all so weird.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Carter’s tone was dark.

He and Sylvain exchanged a worried glance. Rachel and Nicole were huddled close together.

‘Stay nearby,’ Sylvain whispered to Carter. ‘I don’t trust anyone right now.’

‘I hear you,’ Carter said.

The others dropped back as Sylvain and Allie followed the guards down the dark hallway. It was late now – Allie had no idea how late, she’d stopped caring hours ago. But the building had a hushed, late-night feel, thick with danger.

She was still shoeless and her feet were cold. She wondered if her shoes still lay out on the grass where she’d left them. She was tired but wide awake at the same time, adrenalin coursed through her veins like a drug.

When they reached Isabelle’s office, one of the guards rapped twice on the heavily carved door. It swung open immediately. Raj Patel stood in the open doorway, backlit by a warm glow of light from within.

His eyes took in Allie first, then her companion.

‘Sylvain – what are you doing here?’ he asked brusquely.

Allie stepped forward. ‘I want him here.’

Raj looked over her shoulder at the blonde guard. She held up her hands. ‘She wouldn’t come alone. I knew you needed her here fast. I didn’t have much choice.’

Raj rubbed his hand across his cheeks, fingers rasping against stubble. For the first time Allie noticed how worn out he looked. His eyes were bloodshot.

‘Fine. Inside. Quickly.’

Dom was already inside, sitting in one of the chairs in front of Isabelle’s desk, her laptop open in front of her. Her gaze was fixed on the screen, intent.

What is she doing here? Allie thought. Her stomach had begun to churn.

Isabelle was at her desk talking quietly into her mobile. She gave them a harried glance. ‘Sit down everyone. Quickly.’