Page 13 of Outcast’s Return

“Do you want to know what I think?”

“Yes, brother.”

“You have to go back, Fabien,” he says.

“No...”

“It’s your only chance of joining the Castaways. It’s what you’ve always wanted. Swallow your pride and get this done. For your future.”

You’re my legacy, son.

“I can’t, Baptiste. Take her fucking virginity?”

“I’m not saying you need to do that,” he replies. “I’m saying you go back and find out what the hell is really happening and protect your friend’s sister if she’s in peril. I’m saying that you don’t let that son-of-a-bitch Elder control the situation and let him win. I’m saying you need to protect your future and understand the fucking game. I’m saying survive the week first and then decide the rest later. I’m telling you, Fabien, to join the Castaways.”

I shake my head.

“I just can’t do it. Not her. Not with her.”

“It’s the only way, Fabien. You know this.”

I do know. And maybe it’s the real reason I wanted to speak to Baptiste. I need my friend to convince me. To push me. I need him to tell me what I already know I must do.

The Order won’t change the rules for me, that I know. They won’t give me another task. This is it. This is what Father would’ve wanted for me.

“I would rather burn everything I’ve built to the fucking ground than spend a week with her,” I say, my voice breaking.

“Well, what are you going to do, Fabien?” Baptiste asks. “Are you going to forget all about the Castaways and your ambitions? Live a dull life? Or are you going to go back there and see her again?”

Deep down, I know there’s only one answer to that question.

4

YEARS AGO

FABIEN

On the drive to Witley Academy from the Auclair mansion, we boys sat in the back of the car. Baptiste and Clement passed the time ranting over their admiration for some band while I stared out the window, watching the world drift by, daydreaming about that unexpected night in the office... the last time I saw my best friend’s sister before the end of the summer vacation.

I hadn’t felt the same since Jolie and I spoke. I tried not to think about our meeting in the days since, but now in the car I couldn’t stop my mind wandering to that computer room. I could swear there was more to what happened than just late-night talk between Jolie and me. She had made me feel understood for the first time since my father sat me down and told me I was his legacy.

It had felt so right.

“What’s up, Fabien?”

Clement’s question brought me crashing back to earth. I turned from the window and smiled at my friend, trying my hardest to suppress whatever that odd feeling in my stomach was.

“Nothing.”

“You’re being quiet,” Clement remarked, eyes narrowing.

“And you’re being annoying,” I shot back in desperation.

Baptiste, sitting between us, laughed obliviously.

“What’s new there? Clement’s always being annoying.”

Clement growled and punched Baptiste on the shoulder. Baptiste retaliated. They fell into a wrestling match on the back seat, forgetting all about me.