Mass release! The mass release will be split into three parts, at separate times as I simply can’t write 33 chapters ahead.
*****
As Kai had expected the reporters had managed to gather quite a bit of information on Gary. First, it was the fact that his sponsor was the Howlers. Research into the Howlers had come out, and information about them being a gang was broadcasted.
Internet articles, TV reports and more. With this, rumours came about claiming that Gary might have been forced to leave the AFC, in order to help out the gang more. However, more information started to come about.
Those that lived in Slough started to write about how much better life has been since the Howlers had taken over. This seemed bizarre to those from the outside. How could a gang make them feel safer, it just made no sense.
Soon, it was revealed that Gary Dem was also a person that worked with the Howlers to invest heavily in the town of Slough. Using his money for improvements in multiple areas. He had multiple projects he was running at the same time.
A lot started to think this was the reason why Gary had left, because he wished to help the people of his hometown. For the general public, this had divided opinion. That the money that had been used was dirty money.
While others believed it was still improving the lives of others and there was no proof that Gary’s money was dirty money.
All of this led to many of the reporters coming to Slough, wanting to ask the Howlers and Gary questions, questions the public wanted answering.
That evening, when it was a bit quieter outside, Gary left the building and quickly entered a vehicle with the usual driver, Tyler.
“It's been pretty crazy since the last time we met, huh?” Tyler said with a nervous smile.
“You're telling me, even at this time. They’ve been camping outside of the apartment block. It's a good thing that the staff kicked them out.” Gary replied.
“It's not just you either. They’ve been questioning nearly everyone in Slough to try and find out about you, even me. This is crazy!”
Gary certainly did find it crazy, he was just a simple rookie, so why did they care so much? It was simple, the afterfight of Gary defeating Haze had spread around more than the fight itself.
It was clear to everyone that Gary was special, and just like Eddie they all had this feeling, that this was an Altered that deserved to be and should be in the AFC.
Eventually, they had reached the Wolf’s Pool club which had been closed and both Tyler and Gary headed inside. It was one of the few places that had next to no reporters. It seemed that Kai’s thinking of making the base of operations something not too flashy was a good idea, as no reporter ever expected Gary or the Howlers meeting place to be here.
“Welcome back, it seems like you were here only yesterday, but a lot of things have happened.” Kai said, putting his arm around Gary’s shoulder and walking him in. “Anyway, what did you think about your gifts?”
In the room were Austin, Marie, Miss Degrace, Olivia and Tyler. It was the core members of the group and they all had a lot to talk about to each other.
Kai had been keeping Gary out of the loop, mainly because he wanted him to focus on his own fight. Which was why two pieces of information had not been delivered to him yet. One of them being about Innu, leaving them for the time being to join the Altered Hunters.
Gary of course was surprised and he felt a little hurt inside. Wondering why Innu never told him how he felt. He was one of the first to join the group and thought they were close enough to share these feelings he had.
“I wouldn't take it to heart too much. He didn’t tell any of us, and we understood him. All of us felt the same way, heck Marie felt that way so much that she got turned into a Werewolf without telling you.”
Marie was embarrassed by this comment and looked away.
“Anyway, for him, you might be the hardest one for him to talk to, because he thinks so much of you. He probably couldn’t stand to see the look on your face.”
After thinking about it a bit more, since Gary understood the reasons behind it, and thought how Blake was still quite neutral with the group. He thought it would all turn out well in the end.
It was just a shame that he wouldn't be able to visit Innu wherever he was. With the way he was, visiting them would be one of the most dangerous things in the world.
“There's more that I need to tell you as well…”
Another fact that they had hidden from Gary, was that Marie and Olivia had run into what possibly could have been a vampire. From Innu they had learned that it was one of the heads of the Altered Hunters Association, but that didn’t make it better, it just made the situation worse in Gary’s mind.
There and then Gary asked if Marie and Olivia were alright, to which they said they were fine, and they haven't run into him or anyone like him since. It had been a while, so they would consider it a matter resolved.
Kai claimed the best thing to do was to talk with Midwak, but after meeting him recently they didn’t want to visit him again so soon.
“I… I can’t believe it. It really was the right thing to do in the end, to leave the AFC.” Gary said.
The rest went quiet, because they knew how much Gary loved the AFC. Even when he was around them in the club he would watch the matches, always keeping up with the latest news.
“I wanted to ask… how did you know I would leave the AFC? You even had Tyler there ready to pick me up?” Gary asked.
Kai smiled.
“I knew you would come around.” Kai replied. “You're smarter than you look with your green hair, you always have been. When push comes to shove you make the right decision as leader."
“You are the perfect leader, I could see that from day one with you, and that's because you claim responsibility for those you get involved with. You never run away from anything and see it through to the end."
“I… wanted you to enjoy the AFC though, I wanted you to live your life a bit, but that's also when I thought you would eventually realise.”
It was always amazing how Kai was able to see these things, and Gary wouldn't want anyone else by his side, but the talk about taking responsibility, it did make him think of one thing.
There was someone in his life that he had kept distant for a while, but it perhaps wasn’t the right thing to do. Especially with the information he was learning. It was time, he spoke to Amy.
*****
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