When Gary heard his name, his heart immediately started to beat more rapidly. It was making him worry that with all this added pressure that he might suffer from heart problems one day, but perhaps being a Werewolf would make him immune to that.
It would have been one thing if they had been looking for a ‘green haired teenager’, but the two White Rose agents had specifically called him out by name, which of course had led to everyone turning around and staring at him. Gary didn’t really know how to handle this kind of unwanted attention.
“Do you think this has anything to do with Steven? I’ve heard that his mother wanted to sue the school for not expelling Gary. Maybe she called the cops on him? ” One of his classmates whispered to his neighbour.
“I seriously doubt it. If it was that they should have come ages ago and there would be no need to catch him in school. Doesn’t Gary live somewhere in Chavley? I believe they might want his testimony because of what happened there recently.” The other answered.
“You think so? Didn’t you guys see their badges. They aren’t the regular police, those guys are from White Rose. What relation could Gary have with Altered?” Another joined in their theory crafting.
Since turning into a Werewolf Gary had gotten used to filtering out all the noises he could hear, but right now he was unable to, be it because he was too flustered in the current situation or his subconscious desire to want to know what his peers thought about him. Either way, it was seriously getting to him.
‘That’s it, they must have somehow found out that I know Billy. They’ve linked me with this, and even if they haven’t I have no idea how I could lie my way out of this one!’ Gary was clearly panicking, until he felt someone touch his back.
“Dude, it’s going to be okay.” Tom whispered. “Just relax, if they had any clear evidence to bring you in, they wouldn’t have had to ask Headmistress Young for permission. Just remember, you have the right to remain silent, although it might cause them to investigate you more, but whatever you do don’t mention anything about what you are to them…you need to look after Amy, right…and your mother in the hospital.”
Hearing this, Gary looked at Tom and could see a gentle smile on his face. He didn’t remember telling his best friend about his mother’s condition. More so than that, why would he even care. Tom’s words were enough to give Gary a boost of confidence and he stood up and walked over to the two agents, who would take him to another room to start their investigation.
‘Gary… what exactly happened that earned you the attention of White Rose?’ Tom started to wonder. ‘Was it the fight with Billy? Well, they did arrive that day, but they shouldn’t know that you were there…
‘Did they find some of your blood on the scene? They shouldn’t have you on file to link you to the case since you never did anything criminal… at least nothing that you’ve told me… could it be something else? Are they maybe linked to the suitcase that made you into the Werewolf?’
At the same time, Innu had similarly been worried for Gary. After all he was the Howler’s leader so if he got into some sort of trouble it would be bad for all of them. The high schooler didn’t know what to do in this situation, so he chose to inform the one person that might be able to help out in this situation.
[Two White Rose agents just came into our class and they asked for Gary specifically. Thought I should let you know.]
Kai had been sitting in class, not in the least looking forward to another boring lesson with Mrs Bedford, when his phone vibrated. This sudden news came as a shock to him, making him abruptly stand up. Although class hadn’t begun yet, he excused himself by stating he really needed to go to the restroom.
‘Why now of all times? Sh*t, was I right with my assumption yesterday? Is Gary really an Altered… or something else? If so, are they just suspecting him, or did they manage to link him back to the Underdogs? Either way this could be major trouble… I need to do something!’
———
Walking through the hallways, Sadie and Frank stood on either side of Gary and noticed that he was being awfully quiet. This was quite the norm when they went to capture criminals, though both of them had expected the high school student to be different, especially given how wordy he had been the last time they had met.
“Don’t be so nervous.” Frank spoke to break the awkward silence. “We’re not here to arrest you or anything. We’re just going to ask you some questions. We’ve already met you at the apartment blocks where the Bruntins lived, so we’re just going to continue along with that.”
“Okay, yeah that sounds good.” Gary stupidly replied, his voice almost cracking when answering. It was clear he was hiding something. However, neither one of them had any idea that this teenager was hiding far more things than they suspected.
As they walked through the halls, they passed by the windows of the other classes, who all were intrigued why a high school student was escorted by two well dressed adults. Some of them pointed and looked up, and there was another that had spotted Gary.
‘Those guys.’ Blake thought, as he recognised the two agents as members of White Rose. ‘Why would they go after him, did they figure out that he was an Altered? I need to… I…no, I shouldn’t get involved.’
He started to grip his pencil in his hand tightly, while everyone looked outside and talked about Gary. Eventually hearing everything they said, Blake’s pencil snapped in his hand.
‘No I need to know… for the sake of the Altered Hunters!’
While everyone was still distracted, Blake snuck out, and was closely following after the trio. Eventually he could see that they had entered the teachers’ lounge, which he guessed would be empty right now. Blake walked down the hallway, entering the room next to it, the printer room. He placed his ear up against the door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation, but the noise was far too muffled.
‘If I stay in here, then I’m bound to get caught as well.’
That was when Blake looked to the window, and slid it open. Looking outside he could see a ledge that went across and attached to the window in the teachers’ lounge as well. That was one option.
He then looked at the ceiling to see if there was possibly a way he could go from above… no matter what he was going to find out what was going on in that room!
‘It should be okay. As long as I do it for the sake of Ga- the Altered Hunters.’ Blake ‘convinced’ himself.
——
Inside the room, there were several desks with computers on and sheets of work, yet nobody was inside. Since it was time for the first period, the teachers were already in the classes and those whose lessons started later had yet to arrive.
A table on the right side of the room had been cleared out, and three chairs were set up. Two on one side, while one single one on the other.
“Please take a seat Gary, we are glad that you are cooperating with us.” Sadie stated, hoping to make the teenager less nervous. Sitting down, the high schooler placed his hands down by his side. He didn’t want them to see how much they were shaking.
“Do you mind just placing your hands on the table?” Frank requested. “It’s a little nerve wracking not seeing them. While you don’t really see the type, we had some encounters with others who hid something.”
Gary naturally complied, all he thought about doing was following their orders and listening to what they had to say. He was hoping that everything turned out far less serious than he thought right now. He intended to answer as much as he could, hopefully without sounding suspicious.
“Alright, just to let you know, our little talk is currently being recorded via the school camera, and we will also be recording it on this device here.” Sadie explained, placing a recorder in the middle of the table. “Now before we begin, you’re entitled to know that you have the following rights.”
The investigation was starting and Gary could tell he was in trouble, he wasn’t so sure this time, if he could get through this alone.