The Class Reject: A Martyr in Maelstrom (Book III)

19

"Why am I such an idiot?" Miren mumbled as she power walked toward the hospital, with an anchor of a box in her hands. Sure, she had repeated this to herself at least a million times in the last week, but acknowledging her stupidity was the only thing that made her feel better. And she wasn't denying that she was a masochist.

"I could help you know!" Parker called after her from his car. But the only way he could help her would be to call Jeno—yes, he had no idea that Olive had an actual plan to expose her. And although she had convinced herself that this had to be a solo mission (with the minor assistance of Wallace, but he was practically a world away so he didn't count), she knew she just didn't want a verbal lashing from Jeno.

"I told you not to visit Artemis at the hospital," she could practically hear him say. She shook her head, brushing her thoughts and Parker off.

"I'm already running late," she told him, huddling to the main entrance. "Thanks again for the ride."

"No problem. Just make sure to get a ride back. I have a study group later tonight."

"Since when do you study?" she practically laughed, despite how much her arms ached. "Let alone on a Saturday?"

"Ha." Parker shook his head before turning out of the guest parking lot. "Have fun."

Oh how much she wished this could be fun. Or at the very least, not some sort of impromptu mission.

As she entered the space, balloons bounced around a sign that read "Worldwide Childrens' Day of Health". She hissed before waddling toward the pediatric ward, a couple of nurses and visitors snickering at her struggle. Before she lost feelings in her hands, she made it to ward, which was in the process of being decorated by some Rinzen students. She placed her box on the main counter, and it landed with a hard thud.

"You're already sweating and the day hasn't even started!" The smiling nurse gave her a volunteer badge. "And my babies might be sick, but they still play rough."

Miren couldn't help but grin as she delved further into the space. Please, she could handle a group of kids. What she couldn't handle was Penelope, Olive, and her solo mission. And when she couldn't see any of the girls, she took it as a good sign.

Time to find the security room.

"Oh hey, Miles." Shit. Miren spun around slowly, mentally cursing herself for not doing to the administrative wing first. But of course she was responsible for planning the damn thing.

"Artemis." The girl in disguise tried to smile, but her desire not to be here was infectious and she was pretty sure Artemis had picked up on it. "Have you seen Olive? I need to make sure all the volunteers are at their stations."

"She should be in the cafeteria setting up the games and raffle with some of the parents. The sicker kids have to stay here, so we'll be alternating between the rooms so they don't get bored. We'll be starting in ten minutes, so you should check in with her."

Ten minutes. Miren held her breath. Deleting the IP surveillance videos from the control room would take longer than that. She had planned to arrive an hour earlier, but Parker was as oblivious as he was unpunctual.

"Thanks for the update." Miren moved toward the door, watching the girl from the corner of her eye. She was as tense as she was. "You ok?"

"Only time will tell," Artemis replied absentmindedly, picking up a platter of cookies. Worried eyes hit Miren's and it took everything not to flinch. So she spun around on her heels and fled.