December 20th

Chapter 20 — The Breaker

Night wrapped around Club Elysium like a noose.

Kateryna crept from her bunk the moment the soft chorus of sleep settled across the dorm. Alina met her at the door, face pale and her arms crossed to hide the trembling.

“He’s still in the office,” she whispered. “But I don’t know for how long.”

Kateryna nodded, and the two moved quickly down the corridor, silent as breath. The bathroom tiles were slick with condensation, the only sound the quiet drip of a faulty tap.

Alina took up position by the door. “Be quick.”

Kateryna entered the end cubicle, heart in her throat. Her fingers were stiff with nerves as she lifted the lid of the toilet cistern, searching for the sealed condom.

Nothing.

Her stomach dropped.

She ran her hand into the water, feeling around blindly. Still nothing. No phone. No condom. Gone.

Her breath caught.

She turned, eyes wide, and froze.

Mace stood in the doorway.

Behind him, Alina crumpled to the floor with a sharp cry, clutching her face where his fist had landed. He stepped over her without a glance.

“Well, well,” he said, voice calm — too calm. “Looking for something?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled it out.

The burner phone.

Mocking her with its silence.

Kateryna’s knees almost gave way.

Mace stepped into the cubicle, holding the phone between two fingers like a dead rat.

“Funny thing. I check the loos, you know. Noticed the lid was loose.” He turned the phone in his hand. “Guess what I found, sweetheart?”

Kateryna backed against the tiled wall.

“Please,” she whispered, but her voice failed her.

Mace grinned, shark-like, and took a step closer. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

Kateryna’s heart slammed against her ribs. She barely had time to speak before he grabbed her by the hair and yanked her from the cubicle.