Chapter 461: Keith Loses it a bit...

"Card games?" Mei asked.

Keith nodded.

They were standing near the back of one of the buildings where the prisoners were sometimes sent to work. The area was quiet for the moment. Most people were farther down the road, moving supplies or following whatever orders Callighan’s men had given them for the day.

Tommy had already gone to deal with something else, leaving Keith alone with Mei.

Keith kept his voice low anyway.

"Yeah. We’re planning to get Liam drunk while he plays."

Mei looked at him blankly.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Keith sighed.

"You know. Those games where people bet things. Cards, drinks, stupid challenges. When you lose, you drink a cup."

Mei’s expression barely changed.

"Those are the kind of games brainless boys play," she replied. "I don’t play things like that, and I don’t know anything about them."

Keith stared at her.

Then he gave a short scoff.

"Right. I forgot. You’re a princess."

He made a small, mocking gesture with one hand.

"Excuse me, Miss Mei."

Mei ignored him.

Keith had expected her to glare or insult him back, but she simply looked toward the road with a thoughtful expression.

"That sounds hopeful regardless," she said. "But you will still need to isolate Liam if you want to take his keys."

"I know."

Keith folded his arms.

"That’s why I’ll be there to help Tommy. If something goes wrong, he won’t be trying to do everything by himself."

Mei glanced back toward him.

"So now you’re going to ask Liam if you can join his card game tomorrow night?"

"Not like that," Keith said quickly. "That would be suspicious."

He looked down for a moment, thinking through the plan again.

"I’ll try to get along with him first. Maybe he’ll play tonight too. If he does, I’ll find a way to join them."

Mei raised a brow.

"And then?"

"Then tomorrow, it won’t look strange if I show up again."

Keith’s mouth lifted slightly.

"If Liam already thinks I’m desperate to join his stupid group, or if he thinks I’m there because I want to prove something, he won’t question it as much."

Mei looked at him in silence.

"That sounds too good," she finally said.

"What does that mean?"

"It means it sounds easy."

Keith’s expression became less amused.

Mei was right.

The plan did sound easy when they said it out loud.

Get Liam drinking.

Take the keys.

Unlock the doors.

Get Emily.

Reach the boat.

Meet Ryan.

Leave Brigantine.

But nothing in Brigantine was easy.

Not with guards watching every movement. Not with Callighan’s people everywhere. Not with Gaspar somewhere in the town, able to sense things nobody else could. And not when one mistake could mean that Mei, Keith, Tommy, and Emily would never get another chance.

Mei looked toward the distant streets.

Her face remained calm, but Keith could see the tension in her eyes.

She was scared.

Not because she did not believe in the plan.

Because she did.

That was what made it frightening.

If they were caught now, everything would be over.

Keith forced a grin.

"Come on," he said. "Don’t worry. We’ve got this."

Mei slowly turned toward him again.

"I’m more concerned that you have to get along with Liam."

Keith blinked.

"What?"

"You are not exactly an expert at making friends," Mei said.

Keith groaned.

"Really?"

"Knowing you, you will probably insult him within five minutes."

"I can be friendly."

Mei looked at him.

The look said she did not believe that at all.

"You have no friends," she added.

Keith stared at her.

Then he pointed at her.

"Do you have any friends?"

Mei immediately fell silent.

Keith smiled, though he tried not to look too pleased with himself.

For once, he had actually managed to catch her off guard.

Mei looked away.

Her thoughts drifted somewhere far from Brigantine.

Rachel.

Cindy.

Alisha.

Maybe Elena too.

They were not all the same.

Rachel had been kind to her. Alisha had understood her in a way few people did. Cindy had always been gentle, even when Mei had been angry or distant. Elena was also nice to her.

As for Sydney...

She was different.

Sydney had spent more time teasing Mei about Ryan than doing anything useful.

Mei still did not know whether she could call Sydney a friend.

Probably not.

She was too much annoying.

But she did not hate her either.

"I might have friends," Mei said at last, shrugging as if she did not care. "What do you know about it?"

Keith’s smile faded a little.

"From the group that abandoned you here?" he asked. "Yeah. Great friends."

Mei’s eyes narrowed immediately.

"Whatever," Keith said.

Then he cleared his throat.

"Anyway," he said, trying to change the subject, "just wish me luck."

Mei folded her arms.

"Whatever."

Keith smiled.

It was not exactly encouragement.

But coming from Mei, it was close enough.

Then he noticed the way she was looking at him.

Or maybe she noticed him looking at her.

Their eyes met.

And suddenly, the conversation about Liam, the keys, the card game, and the escape plan disappeared from Keith’s mind.

He remembered what had happened earlier.

The moment they had stood close.

The moment neither of them had moved away.

The moment it had felt like they might kiss.

Keith scratched the side of his cheek, suddenly unsure what to do with his hands.

"Mei," he started awkwardly. "About what happened before..."

Mei’s face changed.

She looked away immediately.

"You should go," she said.

Keith paused.

"What?"

"We have a busy day."

Her voice was calm, but she still would not look at him.

"We need to focus on the escape first."

Keith watched her for a moment.

Part of him wanted to push the conversation further.

To ask what she had been thinking.

To tell her that he liked her.

Because he did.

More than he had expected to.

Mei was difficult. Proud. Quick to get angry. Not always easy to speak to. But she was also strong in a way Keith respected. She had been trapped in Brigantine for weeks, surrounded by people who wanted to break her down, and she still had not let them take away who she was.

He liked that about her.

And maybe, just maybe, she felt something similar.

But she was right.

This was not the time.

Not while they were trapped in Brigantine.

Not while one wrong move could ruin the only chance they had to get out.

"Yeah," Keith said quietly. "You’re right."

Mei nodded once.

Then she turned and began walking away.

Keith watched her go.

For a moment, he stood there alone behind the building, looking at her back as she returned toward the others.

Then he smiled slightly.

Tomorrow night.

If they made it out.

If the boat was still there.

If Liam got drunk.

If Tommy could get the keys.

If Ryan truly waited for them across the water.

Then maybe they could talk properly.

Maybe they could figure out what that almost-kiss had meant.

But first, he needed to do his part.

Keith turned away and headed toward the main streets of Brigantine.

He needed to find Liam.

It was afternoon, which meant Liam was probably making his rounds somewhere in Brigantine.

At least, that was what Keith hoped.

The last thing he needed was for Liam to have gone outside the town on some scavenging run or patrol. Liam usually avoided taking unnecessary risks, especially since the outbreak. He preferred staying inside Brigantine, where he had weapons, guards, and Callighan’s people around him.

Keith was counting on that.

Still, it took nearly ten minutes of searching before he finally found him.

Liam stood near one of the larger buildings with two other guys. Keith recognized both of them immediately.

They were Liam’s classmates and friends from highschool.

Keith stopped for a moment at the edge of the street.

He watched Liam laugh at something one of the others said.

Then he took a slow breath.

He did not need to like Liam.

He did not need to respect him.

He just needed to get close enough to join the card game.

Close enough to help Tommy.

They were in this together.

And if something went wrong tomorrow night, Tommy should not be the only one taking the risk.

Keith forced his expression into something casual and walked toward them.

"Hey, Liam."

Liam turned around.

His eyes settled on Keith, then immediately moved to the bruising around his face.

A slow grin appeared on his mouth.

"What’s up?" he asked.

Then he laughed.

"Damn, man. Did Williams fuck your face up or what?"

The two guys beside him burst out laughing.

Keith’s jaw tightened.

The bruise around his eye was still healing. It had darkened into an ugly mix of purple and blue, and his cheek still hurt whenever he touched it. Williams had not held back when he beat him.

But Keith kept his expression calm.

He only shrugged.

"I want to talk about something."

Liam raised a brow.

"What?"

"Not here."

That seemed to catch Liam’s attention.

He glanced at his friends, then back at Keith.

For a moment, Keith thought he might refuse.

Then Liam gave a small smirk.

"Alright."

He stepped away from the others.

Keith began walking down the street, leading him toward a quieter space between two damaged buildings. It was not completely isolated, but there were fewer people nearby. Fewer people who could hear what they were saying.

Liam followed beside him.

"So," Liam said, "what is this about?"

Keith looked around first.

He made sure to look cautious.

Nervous.

Like he did not want anyone overhearing.

Then he leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.

"I heard you have some goods."

Liam stopped walking.

He looked at Keith.

"Some goods?"

Keith clicked his tongue, acting irritated.

"Cocaine. Pills. Anything that can make me feel better after that fucking beating."

For a second, Liam only stared at him.

Then he laughed.

"Oh."

His smile widened.

"Right. Must hurt a lot here."

Before Keith could move away, Liam raised a finger and poked directly at the bruised area near his eye.

Pain flashed through Keith’s face.

He slapped Liam’s hand away.

"Don’t touch me."

Liam laughed again.

"Still got some pride left, huh?"

Keith forced himself to stay calm.

Every part of him wanted to hit Liam already.

But this was supposed to be the beginning of the plan.

He needed Liam to trust him.

Or at least underestimate him.

"Alright," Liam said. "Yeah, I have some stuff."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"But you don’t expect me to give it to you because we’re buddies, right?"

He tilted his head.

"Are we buddies?"

"How much do you want?" Keith asked.

Liam blinked.

"What?"

Keith kept his voice steady.

"You and your friends play cards, right? You bet on things. Money. Food. Drinks. Whatever."

He looked directly at Liam.

"Let me join."

Liam stared at him for a moment.

Then he began laughing again.

"So you think you can win against us and get yourself some goods?"

Keith shrugged.

"What? You scared now?"

Liam’s grin dropped slightly.

His pride had been hit.

Good.

Keith knew guys like Liam. They did not need much. A small insult. A challenge. Anything that made them feel like someone was questioning them.

They would take the bait because they wanted to prove they were in control.

"Alright," Liam said. "Alright."

He pointed toward Keith.

"But everyone brings something to bet."

Keith’s expression stayed neutral.

"What do you want me to bring?"

Liam laughed under his breath.

"What do you have?"

Keith did not answer.

Because the truth was, he had nothing.

No money.

No weapons.

No food worth betting.

No valuables.

Nothing Callighan’s men would care about.

Liam knew it too.

"You don’t have shit," Liam said. "What exactly are you planning to bet with?"

Keith’s mind raced.

He needed an answer.

Anything believable.

But before he could come up with one, Liam stepped closer with a smirk.

"I have an idea," he said.

Keith’s eyes narrowed.

"What?"

Liam leaned in slightly.

"Bring Mei."

For a second, Keith did not understand what he meant.

Then he did.

His entire body went still.

"What?"

"There’s nothing more valuable than her, right?" Liam said casually.

His smile made Keith’s stomach turn.

"You’re close to her. Friends, or whatever you want to call it."

He shrugged.

"So bring her tonight. Bet her."

Keith stared at him.

The words did not feel real at first.

Then anger rushed through him so fast that he could barely think.

"What the fuck are you saying?"

Liam’s smile remained.

"You know exactly what I’m saying."

Keith’s fists clenched at his sides.

Liam continued as if he had not noticed.

"Use Mei as your bet. I let you join the game, you get your chance at winning some goods. But if you lose..."

His eyes darkened.

"I take her for myself."

Keith’s glare hardened.

Liam laughed softly.

"Don’t look at me like that. I’ve had my eyes on her since she got here."

Keith felt his pulse pounding against his temples.

"She acts all proud. All untouchable. But she’s still just—"

"Shut up," Keith said.

Liam ignored him.

"I heard Williams tried to fuck her, but he didn’t even get far."

Keith’s breath became sharp.

Liam smirked wider.

"She’s still a virgin, right—"

Keith’s fist hit him before he could finish.

The punch landed hard against Liam’s cheek.

Liam grunted in pain and stumbled backward, losing his balance before falling onto the ground.

For a moment, everything went silent.

Liam sat on the dirt, one hand pressed against his mouth.

When he pulled it away, there was blood on his fingers.

He stared at it.

Then he looked up at Keith in disbelief.

Keith stood over him, breathing hard.

"You piece of shit," he spat.

Liam’s expression twisted.

Then, to Keith’s surprise, he laughed.

Not because it was funny.

Because he was angry.

Because he wanted an excuse.

"Yeah," Liam said, pushing himself to his feet. "I’m going to make your face look worse than Williams did."

He rushed forward.

Keith stepped back, expecting a punch.

But Liam moved differently.

His knee drove into Keith’s stomach.

The impact knocked the air out of him.

Keith gasped and doubled over, pain exploding through his abdomen.

Liam grabbed at him, trying to pull him closer.

But Keith reacted on instinct.

He wrapped both arms around Liam’s upper body and drove forward with everything he had.

Liam had not expected it.

Neither had Keith.

They stumbled several steps before Keith forced him backward.

Then Liam’s body slammed hard into the ground.

A heavy sound echoed through the narrow space.

Liam gasped.

Keith rose quickly, his chest heaving.

Anger still filled his head.

He lifted his fist.

He was ready to hit him again.

Ready to keep hitting him until Liam stopped laughing. Until he stopped talking about Mei like she was something people could bet on. Until he understood that he could not say whatever he wanted without consequences.

Then Keith froze.

Liam was not moving.

Keith’s raised fist slowly lowered.

At first, he thought Liam was pretending.

Then he saw the rock.

It was partly buried beneath Liam’s head.

Dark blood had already begun spreading through Liam’s hair and onto the dirt.

"Shit..."