Austin had managed to get away. He was out of breath and badly gasping for air. He couldn't even remember the last time he had to run that much, his legs were in pain, and his calf muscles were cramping up.

'I much prefer using my fists than my legs.' He thought taking in a big gasp of air and putting himself upright.

Not long after he had left Burnham street, it looked like the Pincer members had given up their chase.

‘It seems they can’t really afford to leave the area unattended since they need to look after it in case anything else comes up. Smart move, since it would be a good way to distract them and get their leader in the meantime. These guys are definitely not as simple as delinquents, and they don’t even care to use weapons, I think Kai might have chosen the wrong gang.’

The fact was the gang wasn’t afraid of doing these things so openly, and it made Austin wonder. The police had to be aware of this place, same with the mayor yet no one was doing anything about it. They were either on a high payroll, or had chosen to look the other way because there was nothing they could do about it.

At the moment, Austin was waiting at the bus stop they had arrived at, which was a ten-minute walk from the street. Eventually, the rest of the Howlers showed up, just in time for a bus to appear.

“I know you must have like a million questions you want to ask, but I’ll explain on the way, alright? Right now, we have to get to the hospital and check if Gary is okay.” Austin stated.

With that the group was off, and just as promised the large teenager explained the details of what had occurred while the two of them had been inside. Of course, he had no clue what Gary had or hadn’t done with the girl while inside, he just knew that she had gotten seriously hurt afterward.

After learning all of this, the group had eventually reached a small local hospital nearby. They didn’t usually deal with big emergencies, but given that it was the closest nearby, they were sure Gary had taken Stacy here.

As they went inside they looked around the small reception that had around ten people in at most and there was one person with green hair who was sticking out like a saw thumb. Austin was the first to spot Gary. He ran over, and could see him staring off into space, blood on his shoulder.

“Gary, what are you doing here? They couldn’t have seen to you so fast!” Austin said, as he went to take a look, but no blood was falling from him. The holes were still in his shirt, and lifting his shirt up out of shock. Austin could see that there was nothing there.

“I told you I’m fine.” Gary insisted as pushed Austin's hand away.

Yet, Austin stared at him in pure disbelief. He had seen Gary bleed, he had seen his friend get stabbed multiple times, over and over. How could someone not only survive all those wounds, but heal this fast?

In his head, there was only one explanation, putting this and the other event with the twins, he could only think one thing… their leader had to be an Altered.

‘Is that why Kai didn’t want to say anything? Did he not want us to snoop around as to how a kid like Gary could have chosen to become an Altered?’

“Hey, why don’t we just sit down and relax for a bit? When you’re ready, Gary, you can explain what's happened on your side. Meanwhile, let's just pray that the girl will be in good health.” Kai suggested in an attempt to calm everyone down.

Innu, after hearing what girl that Gary had selected, was a little worried as well.

Meanwhile, Gary was in the middle of his own thoughts.

‘What… have I done?’

Congratulations! You have endured a lot and have successfully brought the girl to the hospital within 20 minutes.

Endurance 1

Your base Endurance is now at 16

Quest reward: Instant Level Up

Congratulations, you have now reached: Level 15

A stat point has been granted

‘Is it my fault Stacy got hurt like that? If we never went there, would she have been fine?’

As if reading his mind, Kai went to sit next to him in his seat. The situation felt familiar, which wasn’t something Gary really appreciated. If possible, he would like to avoid ever having to be in a hospital again. It was horrible, having to wait for the result of a person's life.

“I'm sure you saw it, when you were running through those crowds of people. Their reaction wasn’t what you were expecting because that type of thing happens there frequently.” Kai explained. “Like you said, when people are doing things against their will, these types of things are bound to occur. It was unfortunate, but you have done your best by bringing her here.”

“I…I know her.” Gary finally revealed, which made all the Howlers react. “She’s a friend of my sister's… well, former friend… not that it matters anyway. You know, for a long time I thought this underworld stuff was only surrounding me, because I was the one who decided to get involved in it.

“But when I see a regular person that hardly knows me, get involved like that. I realise the truth is quite different. Someone who just goes to school every day, could suddenly get wrapped up in all of this crap.

“Guys, I want to tell you all something.” Gary said, looking at them all. He waited, and the others soon gathered around him. Some were nervous, Marie and Austin, for one, believed that he was going to come clean about his secret.

“I think if we are going to be serious about this gang stuff, then you guys should know the truth about me. If you don't want to get involved further, I guess this is your chance to leave.” The others said nothing, waiting for Gary to explain.

“I used to be a Transporter for the Underdogs, but I'm no longer part of them. Because I failed to deliver a very important package, they’re still looking for me. Since I'm the leader of this gang it will get you guys involved, but I promise I don’t plan to just sit back and let things happen. I’ll fight them back.”

Before the others could give Gary an answer they were interrupted.

“Excuse me!” A woman in a white lab coat said as she came over.

“You are the boy that came in, correct? Do you know her, or do you have her emergency contact information?”

“How is she?” Gary replied, ignoring the doctor's question. There was a strange look on her face, when he asked her that.

“How is she?” The high schooler asked again, and since there was no answer, he decided to push past the doctor. They tried to stop him, but Gary was already running ahead and following the scent of blood that was on his clothes.

Eventually he was led to an emergency room, pushing the door open…he could see Stacy. The heartbeat monitoring equipment was flat, and Gary himself could hear no heartbeat.

*****

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