Why had she done that? Summer was still flustered and frustrated with herself for flubbing like that. Not only had she lied, but she had fled the room like a coward. There was no way Ashton hadn’t noticed something was wrong. Was she still that afraid of MysteriousMaskz? She locked herself in her room, heart still pumping from her spiking anxiety. What should she do?

  Her eyes skimmed over the message again and she angrily typed a reply. "What do you want this time?!" Her fingers paused before she hit send. There was no telling what he might do if he got angry. She quickly deleted the message and tried to think of a better way to put it. How do you intend to help me? What do you want in return? Please leave me alone?

  “Do you want to know more about who your boyfriend really is? I can tell you. I can even help you win him over for good. However, you must keep this a secret from him and everyone else.

  -Ned.”

  Since his message was phrased as an offer rather than a threat or request, perhaps it would be safe for her to simply politely refuse? Emphasis on politely. Summer hated that she was terrified of what he might do if she angered him. Things had finally settled down after the last time he had interfered with her life. She felt safe and content here, and she didn't want to risk him ruining everything.

  That was all the more reason she could not accept his offer either. Summer knew that the moment she agreed she would have to continue to lie to Ashton and everyone else. She could already feel the growing fear and anxiety as she dreaded the day her lies would be discovered. Summer felt her stomach churn as all of the worst possible outcomes flooded into her mind.

  In the end, she decided it was best to be firm. Ned was sure to take advantage of any gaps she left. With a deep breath, Summer began to type her new message. Before she could chicken out, she tapped the send button, feeling the thrill of terror as the message loaded before the little check appeared. There was no taking it back now.

  "Thank you for your offer, but I have no intention of learning anything about Ashton behind his back. I will be telling him about your message."

  Surprisingly, she felt more relief than anything else now that she sent her reply. She should go check on the others and get their thoughts on the pamphlets, then maybe track down Ashton and have the conversation they definitely needed after everything that had happened. Summer didn't even have to go looking. Ashton was right outside their apartment building, chatting with Kayla. She bit back another useless surge of jealousy, which died far more immediately with the chilling sound of another message.

  Just as she feared, it was from MysteriousMaskz.

  "Nothing about Ashton? That's fine. How about we make a deal instead? I can make you the most useful member of the team. Someone indispensable. Take your time to think about it. I won't rush you. Just keep in mind, the only one who will suffer if the others find out is you, not me."

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  The idea of the others finding out and turning against her was certainly terrifying, but not Ashton. Summer was confident that he would believe her and take her side. Still, the timing was too perfect. Was he watching somehow? Did Ned know all her immature feelings about Kayla that she had worked so hard to push down? MysteriousMaskz was the last person Summer wanted with his hands on her secret dark thoughts.

  Summer quickly locked her phone again and shoved it in her pocket. He said she could take her time? Perfect! If the sneaky villain was giving her permission to ignore him, then she would. Time to interrupt whatever Ashton was doing with Kayla. Once she approached it was obvious he was just briefing her on normal team things, such as what he had discussed with Summer before she panicked and stormed out of the room.

  “Everything alright?” Ashton asked her when she approached. He was definitely trying to be casual, but Summer caught the genuine concern and the nervous twitch of his eyebrow. It was amazing he had ever managed to act convincingly as a pretend villain.

  “Yeah, sorry,” she told him, even more embarrassed about her earlier outburst, “I’ll tell you what happened later.”

  Ashton relaxed. “Alright. I have some things I need to fill you in on as well,” he told her.

  Kayla let out an annoyed sigh. “I know you two have your private little secrets with each other, but would it kill you to make it less obvious?” she demanded. Summer noticed a flicker of a very familiar emotion in her teammate’s expression. Jealousy.

  “Sorry,” Summer apologized immediately. She wasn’t sure exactly what part Kayla was jealous of, but she didn’t mean to antagonize her, “Hopefully we will be able to share these things soon.”

  Based on Kayla’s scowl, Summer’s suspicions were correct. Kayla was not jealous of their romance, but of their trust. It made her feel guilty again, but she didn’t have the guts to suddenly confess everything to a spy sent by the very villain who had haunted her texts just moments before. Then again, what if Kayla was just like her? Lured into his trap with no idea what she was getting into.

  Without thinking she grabbed her hand. “Actually, there is something I need to discuss with you too,” she told her.

  Ashton excused himself to go talk to the twins as Summer dragged Kayla into her apartment. “What is this about?” Kayla asked, a bit more tentative than she had been earlier.

  “I was tricked by him before,” Summer admitted, unable to face Kayla as she spoke, “You know, Ned. MysteriousMaskz. He probably wouldn’t have even known I exist, but I was the idiot who sought him out first. You do know our goal is to take him down, right?”

  “I know,” Kayla replied, her voice soft, “And I intend to help. Whatever you and Ashton may think, I am not on good terms with him either. Ned is someone who is willing to kill his own if it will get him what he wants, and what he wants is different from what you might expect.”

  “You know what he wants?” Summer asked, her voice barely coming out as a whisper. She had plenty of guesses of why Ned would want to use Ashton, but they were just that. Guesses, “Can you tell me?”

  “I can, but it won’t give you peace of mind,” Kayla replied, “Ned told me that everything he has done and everything he is planning on doing is all to create a more interesting world.”