The Key: The Selection, #2

By Shaunna Rodriguez

You have been SELECTED.... #canyousurvive?
Escaping death was only the beginning....

Kate Reid is alive and The KEY to their survival is in her hands. Flashbacks into a past she doesn't understand grow stronger and continue to haunt her dreams. As time goes on, she's coming to realize that not only was Rush killer but one has their sights set on her....

Rush might be over but the fun has only just begun. Strange, unexplainable things are still happening on Glamis Drive starting with the Post-Rush festivities. Rival sorority, Omega Tau Theta, is missing girls and Cammy Touretti is acting shadier by the second. Is Sigma Beta Pi to blame? Someone is collecting sorority girls and playing for keeps taking this year's sacred phrase, to the death, a little too literal. Only the Elite have been Selected. Only the Strong will Survive..

• Language: English
• Publisher: Coffee & Cakes Publishing
• Release date: Nov 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393987253

Book preview

Preface

What can I say about Rush? It was quite possibly the best and worst week of my life. First, do not even get me started on the blasts from my past and romantic complications. My heart and mind are still reeling from all the drama but that doesn’t scratch the surface of the worst of it. We lost seven girls this year. One of which was Sigma Beta Pi’s former President, Taya Buxton. She was the first victim put into a casket which was then dumped into a marsh four blocks from Glamis Drive. The next victims were Izzie Fields who rushed for fellow Sorority President, Rylee Hail’s Kappa Zeta Theta. Izzie was found dead in their basement under strange circumstances that point to dry ice. The second victim who died the first night of Rush, like Izzie, was Cadence Duggan. She was believed to have died by asphyxiation, much like Izzie. Cadence died after a Delta Lambda Phi charm was lodged in her throat after participating in a pie-eating contest. It’s still questionable whether this actually caused her death or if there were extenuating circumstances. If that wasn’t crazy enough, on the last night of Rush, I, Kate Reid, Vice President of Sigma Beta Pi, received frantic phone calls from four worried mothers looking for their daughters who they hadn’t heard from in forty-eight to seventy-two hours of taking part in their respective sorority houses. They’d be found that same night in the marsh. I was led to the marsh via an invitation delivered by the most interesting of curriers; a cloaked, faceless individual who sounded like something out of a horror movie when he spoke one word to me that still haunts me a week later; marsh. The remaining victims were Harper Goulding, Chung Aayat and Hannah Smith. All three were roommates at Columbia and were rushing for Sigma Beta Pi. The final and most disturbing of these victims was Katelyn Reid who preferred, like me, to be called Kate. Our birthdays were a month a part. She was an inch taller than me and outweighed me by ten pounds. The question on all our minds was who killed Kate Reid and the others and why? The question remains unanswered a week later. It would become crystal clear our problems had only just begun as new members were inducted into their sorority and fraternity houses today. The games were only just beginning. Someone was collecting sorority girls and playing for keeps.

Prologue

Iperched on my pink and black padded bench seat and stared out at the Sigma Beta Pi’s lawn below where Cammy, Courtney and Sadie were getting ready to announce the names of the twenty new girls who were Selected to be the newest members of SBP. I swung my right foot dangling over the side of my seat and contemplated who would kill Kate Reid and whether my life was still in danger. I still had more questions than answers. Detective’s Roth and Hopper were being tightlipped about the Rush debacle on Glamis Drive which was no help to me at all. Frustrated didn’t scratch the surface of how I felt right now.

There you are, beautiful. I looked at my door where Collin, one of my romantic complications and longtime best-friend stood. He pushed off the doorframe and crossed the white carpet then dropped down behind me on the bench seat. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck as he pulled my back against his chest and tightened his hold. I rested my head on his shoulder and continued staring out the window at the giggling and bouncing girls on the lawn. Unlike me, they didn’t have a care in the world.

Think it’s over? I rolled my head slightly so I could look up at one of the six men in my life that had stolen my heart. He leaned forward and claimed my mouth for a much needed kiss. Collin hooked his thumbs under my jaw then slid his hands down my neck and over my shoulders before wrapping them in a crisscross fashion across my chest. He kissed my lips softly before working his way down my jaw to my neck making me smile. I laughed when his warm, minty breath tingled my skin.

I hope so beautiful. His voice was deep, suave, alluring and instantly pooled warmth between my denim short clad thighs.

"Should we have canceled Rush, Collin?" I entwined our fingers then smiled when he lifted each of my hands and kissed them wrapping me up again.

"Sweetheart, I don’t know if that would have done any good or not to be honest. I mean, if someone was really after these girls then Rush truly had nothing to do with it. It might have made it easier or hell perhaps a challenge on whoever wanted them dead."

Baby, why the hell would anyone want those girl’s dead? Especially Taya Buxton who was supposed to be on a yacht in the South of France with her family? The rest were nobodies.

That’s something that Roth, Hopper, Mills and about a hundred other officers and detectives are checking into. They have feelers out as far as the FBI who are going over the evidence that was collected. Not to mention a stack of reports and statements, yours included. He explained.

So, you don’t think it was our fault those girls are dead?

"I don’t think we or Rush had anything to do with their deaths. I mean unless you’re some sort of sicko, psycho casket killer and failed to tell me about it." He tickled me making me screech and laugh. Collin played with me as several people chuckled in my doorway. I was still laughing and pushing off his chest and screeching as I turned and looked to see who was here.

And there’s the love of my life. Todd announced as he, Mills, Hopper and Roth walked in one after the other and dropped down on mine and Courtney’s beds. Vanessa had since moved into my room given most of my time was spent at Alpha Sigma Lambda with their President, Collin Harris. Though twice this week, we’d all stayed at Brandon Mills house. It was handy his place was a four bedroom since there were six of us staying there. Not to mention all the officers Roth had stationed out front of anywhere I was. It was a blast going to class with not only Collin and Todd on my ass but several plain closed officers and bodyguards. The whole thing reminded me of something straight out of a movie or nightmare, one of the two. It was like a combination of Guarding Tess and The American President; with all the suits, sunglasses and earwigs. I guess I shouldn’t complain that my life was under guard. They were working to keep me safe. However, my whole college experience and being just another sorority girl out for a good time and a law degree went right out the window. I heard Cammy yelling and the other girls in my house laughing and turned to see what they were doing.

You should be out there. Roth pointed out the obvious.

Mmm. I told him and watched the girls setting up a long table while Cammy supervised; as usual. I smiled at Vanessa helping Courtney place a hot pink tablecloth with black SBP lettering on the front across the event table, then both smoothed out the invisible wrinkles Cammy was pointing out. I sighed and opened the window then yelled, Cammy! Everyone looked up and waved while my boys chuckled and moved in to look over my shoulder.

Hey! What the hell! I didn’t even know you were home! Cammy put a hand over the top of her eyes shielding the sun.

Oh good, makes it easier for me to kill you then. I nodded making the boys laugh and my girls while Cammy ranted at me. I moved my hand up and down mocking her.

Cammy, knock it off. What are you doing anyway?

Get down here! Cammy clapped and bounced in place.

Uh, why? I asked suspiciously as the boys chuckled. Roth leaned forward and kissed the back of my head then my neck. He wrapped his arms around me and rested them just below Collin’s.

Because you’re the ultimate at shots! Courtney yelled and threw her arms in the air.

Oh crap, are we drinking for real? Vanessa asked as I laughed with everyone else.

What’s the matter? Can’t hold your liquor newbie? Cammy teased.

I was still standing after the last time. Whereas, as I remember it, you SBP bitches were not. What kind of example are you setting? Vanessa pointed her finger around at Cammy, Courtney and Sadie who laughed and clapped while we yelled, oh!

Come on Kate! Vanessa pleaded.

What’s in it for me? I grinned at her.

Sex with me! Vanessa threw her hands up making us all laugh again.

Hey last time was amazing. Hopper reminded me with the others.

We missed that party. Collin frowned with Todd making us laugh.

So, get in on this one. Mills shrugged as I screeched and had them dying laughing.

Kate! Sadie yelled with Courtney.

Freaking party girls. I sighed and slid off the bench seat and walked to the middle of the room then looked back at my boys grinning at me.

Well, you coming or what? I gestured out the door.

Depends on how good you are. Collin quipped tipping his head up. I put my hands on my hips as the others screamed with laughter and he winked.

Oh Collin, you always start without me. Now, how good does that make me? I quipped and had the others screaming with laughter and bouncing up and down.

Oh, is that right? Collin pushed off the bench seat and chased me out of the bedroom and down the hall to the stairs with me screaming and laughing the whole way. I reached the side of the balcony and tried to vault over it, but Roth had me before I could push off. He spun around holding me to him while the others laughed and shook their heads. Roth tipped me backwards and laughed while I screeched at him and kicked my feet.

Bottoms up beautiful. Roth grinned wickedly.

What! I shrieked as I realized what that meant. Hopper, Mills, Collin and Todd ran past smacking my ass. Roth laughed and flipped me over his knee and smacked it then threw me over his shoulder and ran down the stairs with me yelling then laughing.

Roth! I screeched.

Uh huh, you know you liked it. He tossed me in the air and caught me then kissed me before planting my feet on the ground. Thankfully, he held me a while longer to make sure I was steady on my feet. Vanessa was running from Mills who was chasing after her down the street with the other five and laughing. She tried dodging hands but everywhere she turned, there was someone else to catch her, flip her over and smack her ass. I was laughing at them playing with her and then Hopper running towards us with her over his shoulder. Roth let me go and smacked Vanessa’s ass with a loud pop! Even I cringed then laughed with the others.

I’ll kill you. Cammy told Roth and pointed at him. I grinned knowing she shouldn’t have opened that can of worms. Vanessa had both palms on her butt as she ran to stand next to me. Cammy turned her back on us to see what Courtney and Sadie were arguing about. Roth moved forward swiftly and had her in his clutches before she could get out her first scream. All of Glamis Drive ran out to see Cammy getting her ass smacked by alumni and current members of POK as well as the other frat houses on our block.

And damn. Vanessa hissed as we both covered our aching asses that still stung from the love smacks we’d taken. It was tradition for the frat guys to Select sorority sisters, usually ones in office, and all the new members and welcome them to the Chapter world by smacking their asses once. Courtney and Sadie went willingly as did Rylee, Sabrina, Hope and Kaylee from the other houses. Their welcoming smacks were far less punishing than the ones Cammy was taking. That was still going on by the sounds of her screaming and bobbing blonde head as she was tossed from one member to another. By the time they’d finished grabbing several of the new girls that, oddly, my boys knew were in the house before we did, had already gotten in, Cammy was still half way down the block frat surfing over arms as they continued smacking her ass and passing her down.

And that children, is what happens when you make enemies with the frat guys. I cringed at everyone spilling onto our lawn. Since Rush had started on SBP’s lawn, that’s where the inductions were taking place. Alumni were present for each house to induct the new members in. I stood back keeping my eyes on everyone standing around on our lawn looking for anything suspicious or out of place. More people were added by the minute complicating my people watching. While I prioritized the would-be weirdos, the rest of the Houses set up their tables with welcome packets and shot glasses by each one for new members. There were also Jell-O shots which had me laughing. I figured Vanessa and Courtney were behind that with Rylee, but I wasn’t about to speculate. For all I knew, the boys had set the whole thing up. That one wouldn’t surprise me at all. After what seemed like forever, Cammy was hand delivered by five frat guys carrying her over their heads and deposited onto our front lawn. They weren’t nearly as nice as Roth. She slipped as she tried to regain her balance through bleary eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she ran, sorta, to the porch and up the several steps. She yanked the front door open and ran through it slamming the door behind her. I truly felt bad for her and couldn’t imagine the pain she was in right then.

Yikes girl. Courtney whispered to her back.

It’s a compliment. I shrugged knowing my pearls of wisdom were going to do nothing to aid the sting on her ass especially because she wasn’t standing there to hear them, anyway. Likely nothing would take the sting out.

Perhaps she’d think twice about who she pissed off. I winked at Mark who blew me a kiss and winked back as he took his place next to Todd and POK’s table. Collin wrapped his arms around me and swayed as I closed my eyes.

See anyone suspicious? I turned in his arms and slinked mine around his neck.

No baby. Just a lot of familiar faces for the most part. He kissed me then looked over my head at someone hollering his name. Collin waved them off and continued holding me.

Think we’re good today? I asked nervously and listened to him chuckle.

Baby, I think we’re okay. I mean look around. He motioned around us. I hoped he was right, but I had an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I looked back at him.

Is the game all set up for the new girls to play? I asked.

Everything is in place my love. He promised and kissed my forehead then the tip of my nose.

Harris! Roth and Mills yelled.

I’m coming! Collin yelled.

See. I teased Collin and watched his jaw drop open as Roth and the others laughed at our inside joke. Likely no one else got it but laughed because everyone else was. Let’s face it, laughter was infectious.

I am so getting you back for that. Collin whispered in my ear then bit my neck making me screech as he smacked my ass and I yelped. Everyone around us was howling with laughter and clapping.

Collin! I yelled as he turned and kissed me then laughed and walked backwards.

Ooh you wait! I yelled.

What baby? Need an ice bath for your ass? Collin teased.

Nah but I think Cammy does. We all laughed, and fist bumped at that.

Alright can I have your attention please! I put my hands in the air and wiggled my fingers waiting for the conversation to die down. When it didn’t, I whistled for Roth who yelled and silenced everyone with one blow.

Thank you, President Roth. I winked at him.

My pleasure, President Kate Reid. We kept it formal.

And love of my life. He threw out taking me by surprise and had everyone laughing and cooing awe. Until then we were going to keep it formal. I wasn’t sure what that was, but everyone seemed to think it was funny and endearing.

"Anyway, so first, thank you for coming today to recognize, approve and induct in the new members of each House. A round of applause went around us as I looked back wondering where the hell Cammy had gotten off to. I shook my head and focused on the crowd as I walked in front of the tables introducing each house from the sororities down to the fraternities. They, of course, got the loudest response; cannot imagine why. After the introductions, I moved to stand behind my table and reached for my shot glass filled with hot pink liquid. Most tables had their corresponding House colors thanks to food dye. I raised my glass in the air as did everyone else at their tables and in front of me. I nodded to Roth who yelled, to the death!" Everyone repeated this years sacred phrase. I wasn’t sure who had chosen that one.

Lost but not forgotten. All the sorority girls paused before tossing our shots back as every alumni and current fraternity member turned to face us then toasted us before throwing their shots back. We repeated it and followed suit. I was thankful Collin hadn’t chosen our drink of choice. Instead of Jack Daniels we’d have been throwing back vodka, I was positive. Though, I was certain that at least half the Jell-O shots on the tables had vodka in it. They typically did. Everyone welcomed the new members who had to take a six slot of mixed color and flavored Jell-O shots with their packet and down them. This was required before they opened their sealed white envelopes containing all their