“Holy crap, is that who I think it is?!” Tyler let out in disbelief. “Are you sure we should be doing this? I really don't think I can help you with this.”
“Get a grip, Tyler!” Kai shouted at their panicked driver. “Nobody’s asking you to get involved in this any more than you already are. All I need you to do is to drive us to that location. Unless, of course, you’d prefer me to drive and get home on your own.”
The thought of having to stay in the Tier-4 town was enough to quiet the university student. While his whole body was still shaking, he at least kept his mouth shut and drove their car on the highway, occasionally looking back at their unwilling passenger.
Were it not for the specks of blood on the Howlers’ clothes, the casual tone between the passengers would make it appear as if they were nothing more than a group of teenagers enjoying a casual drive. Of course, if one were to listen in to what they were talking about, just like a certain driver had been doing, the only reaction would be bafflement.
Because right now, he was sure that the large man with the bag over his head was none other than Slough’s meyer. Never in Tyler's wildest dreams did he imagine he would meet the politician in this type of setting, yet his encounter with Gary and the subsequent job opportunity had changed his life completely.
“Come on Tyler, this is the big life. You’ve always wanted to be more than just a small fry, this is your chance.” He continued to mutter to himself as he followed the GPS to the destination Kai had programmed in. The closer they came, the more obvious it became where he was driving them all, the more his face continued to drop.
‘Is it too late to get down?’ Tyler thought to himself. He was finding it hard to fully open his eyes, but not because they had gotten out and it was particularly a windy day, but because he was on the rooftop of a multistory apartment building.
On top of that, the mayor was still with them. Rubbing his eyes, Tyler didn’t want to believe but it was clear what was happening. The mayor no longer had the bag over his head, yet he was still tied up and Kai currently held on to him, tiling him over the edge.
“In case your situation wasn’t clear enough, let me spell it out for you. Right now, the only thing standing between you and certain doom is me holding on to this rope. If you try to attack me, if you try to play wise and turn into an Altered, or if you give me any attitude, I will let go. You might be an Altered, but this height is at least more than enough to cripple you for life.”
Turning his head, Ben stared into the abyss, before he turned around, facing the blonde teenager who even without the fox mask looked like a devil. It was hard for the mayor to understand just how it was possible for him fall so low that even a brat like this could threaten him, especially after he had become an Altered.
Alas, with his life hanging on a proverbial threat, all he could do was nod along, and accept what was coming his way.
“Great. First of all, let me tell you Mr Mayor, that I’m greatly disappointed in you. You’re just like all the other politicians, the kind who promised the world during the election period, but once you’ve won and got the power in your hands, what did you do besides sitting on your arse?” Kai began. Judging by Ben’s expression, he had some choice words on his mind, but given the situation he could only swallow them down.
“Tell me, are you happy with the current state of Slough? Don’t you find it ironic that you chose a Tier-4 town to hide in, so you can hold a meeting because of safety concerns? In my eyes, your actions were no different from the common man who had to keep his head low when heading home from work, trying their best to not stick out and become prey for one of the gangs. Do you still think yourself above those people?”
“No matter my current situation, I was voted in by the people.” Ben coldly replied back.
Hearing these words, Kai slightly let go of the rope, making the adult be more inclined to fall. A drip could be seen coming from his trousers, as he was silently saying his prayers with closed eyes.
“You don’t even believe that pile of bull yourself, do you? The people don’t really get a vote, you just used scum tactics to get where you are.” The teenager stated. “Do you even remember what you promised the people on the day you took office? Not only did you promise them that you would do everything in your power to make it safe for them to go out, but also that you wanted to make Slough great again, to turn it into a Tier-2 city.
“Now you might have forgotten about this fact, but I haven’t, I want it to change, and you should as well.” Kai explained as he pulled the rope up, making sure the mayor could listen to him without having to be afraid.
“There are two scenarios how things can go from this point on. You can either leave with us or go first by taking the direct route. It should be in your best interest to partner up with us. It’s not like I’m asking you for anything outrageous in the first place. The first thing you will do once you’re home is to accept the proposal that the Howlers have made. You should know exactly the ones I’m talking about.
“They will not only benefit the Howlers, but also Slough as a whole. If you’re honest, you should be able to admit that you’re merely rejecting them out of spite. In the future, if you ever reject one of your suggestions without a valid reason, I’ll send over Austin, though next time he will tear your whole house down, do you understand?”
The mayor had no choice, he didn't want to shake his head, but he had to, so that’s what he did. Never in his life had he been treated in such a way, but what worth did his pride hold when weighed against his life?
“Good. Now for the second condition, you’re not to go up for re-election. What’s more, you’ll have to recommend a successor, and we will be the pens choosing who your successor will be.”
“No!” Ben shouted immediately. “I can’t do that! This was just my first term! If I don’t even become a candidate, it will affect my whole career and my entire family! You need to-”
Kai, not impressed by the shouting, let go of the rope until the mayor’s body was hanging over the edge.
“I know you’re just threatening me! You’re not a killer, you’re just a teenager!” The mayor shouted. “You’re asking too much from me. You have no idea what I had to do to get this far. I can’t give it all up now. It's worth more than my life, it IS my whole life.”
For a second, the eyes of the two met, and Ben could see something different about the blue pair of eyes. There was something inhuman about them.
“Fine… don’t say I didn’t give you a choice.” Kai said as he completely let go of the rope.
*****
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