Buried Read Online Free Page B

his coat, but he doesn’t loosen his grip on my arm. “Were you spying on me?”
    â€œParanoid much?” I shake my head. “I don’t even know who you are.”
    â€œYou don’t?” His tone is edged in suspicion like he’s calling me a liar.
    â€œDon’t know and don’t care.”
    â€œDidn’t you notice the ‘condemned’ signs?” He gestures toward signs on the sagging remains of a fence. “Even a new student should know this area is off-limits and extremely dangerous.”
    â€œYou’re here. And so is that poor guy you locked in there.” I point to the old gym. “You’d better let him out.”
    â€œDon’t worry about him.” Masked Guy releases my hand and pushes me away. “Go back to class before you get in trouble.”
    I’m bristling inside, tempted to reach out and rip off his black mask.
    â€œGo on. Get out of here,” he orders.
    â€œI’m not leaving until you let that guy out of the cage.” I glare him down like we’re in a competition of wills.
    His black eyes glare even fiercer. “You have no idea who you’re messing with. I have urgent things to do. Leave now or—”
    â€œOr what? Are you going to do to me whatever you did to that kid in there?” I plant my hands on my hips, challenging him. Sure, he’s taller and stronger, but if he was a real threat he’d have done something already. I’m starting to think he’s just a student breaking rules. Like me.
    Besides, I may not look strong, but I can defend myself. I glance down at the third finger on my right hand. The gold and metal ring there is more than a wicked accessory—with a flick of my touch, the prong will stick up into a sharp sword-like spike. A gift from my honorary brother, K.C., who survived living on the streets until my family took him in. People underestimated him, too.
    Masked Guy shakes his head. “That guy isn’t going to be hurt—but I can’t promise what’ll happen if you don’t get out of here. I don’t have time for this.”
    â€œI got loads of time.” I glance at my clock-ring. I’ve been gone for over twenty minutes. Between Mr. Sproat, the freaky necklace, and worrying about the letter hidden in my backpack, I’m already buried in trouble without a shovel to dig myself out. A little more won’t matter. I refuse to back down to this jerk.
    â€œNice mask,” I say with thick sarcasm. “Did your grandma knit it for you?”
    â€œGran doesn’t knit—she’s too busy kickboxing.”
    â€œDoes she fight your battles for you when you’re not hiding under a mask?”
    I expect him to get mad, but he chuckles. “Most girls would be scared and run away. But you’re different. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad.”
    â€œBad news for you if you don’t let that guy go.” I gesture toward the gym. “You could get arrested for kidnapping.”
    â€œSo call the cops—just do it somewhere else.”
    â€œIf you won’t let him out, then I will!”
    I lunge forward but he’s faster, an impassible wall blocking my way back to the gym. “Don’t even try. Turn around and go back to school like a smart girl.”
    Being threatened is bad enough, but being patronized is worse. Now I’m really pissed off.
    â€œWho is the guy you’ve got in there?” I demand, lifting my chin to meet his narrow-slit gaze.
    â€œSomeone who deserves worse than I’m giving him. If you knew what he did, you’d lock him in a cage too.”
    â€œI seriously doubt that.” I kick at a weed that’s snagged a shoelace hanging from my boot. “Is this some dumb initiation into a Masked Geek Club, or is that guy hurt? What did you do to him?”
    â€œMe?” He points to himself with a fake innocent tone, and I’m sure he’s