Dean had a plan, but it was a very loose one. If anything, he just wanted to get out of his brother's sight in case he changed his mind. Perhaps the longer he stayed with the pack and talked amongst the others, the more they would have convinced him that it was something unavoidable.
It was hard for Dean; he had practically left not only his family but everyone he grew up with, and the town he had grown up in. Ironically, if it was up to him, he would have made it so all of the pack stayed in Ruin City, and now he was one of the first to leave.
Now he had entered a tier 2 city, where a new headquarters of NIRV had opened up. It was a large company that was opening more offices in more cities spread around the place.
Dean knew a lot about the gang structure of the tier cities, but NIRV had a unique relationship with many of the gangs. Opening up in their city and working together with them, they seemed to be one of the groups that were untouchable. Dean felt like he knew why as he stood in front of the large glass building.
It was in a square of sorts, with perfectly nicely paved flooring and people rushing in and out. The building was made of glass in a square shape, and in the top corner, it had the letters NIRV.
‘The reason for the rapid growth is because they are ahead compared to everyone else in Altered research. A change for the way humans are seen, a change for the human race. If they are able to change people's bodies to make them more like a beast, then, there might be someone in there who can change my body to make it less like a beast.’
This was Dean’s only idea, his only train of thought. If this didn’t work, then he had no plan at all. Walking through the building's revolving glass door was easy. He saw countless people in lab coats and suits walk past, seemingly ignoring him.
Looking around the place, there was security, but it seemed relatively standard; they were just standing by the door, ignoring him.
Walking up ahead, there was an oval desk with workers behind computer screens. There was next to no one at the front of the place, so Dean went ahead and gave it a shot.
“Hi there,” Dean said, sounding a little nervous. “I was wondering if I could make an appointment.”
The woman looked up at Dean and gave a big smile.
“Sure, can I know what it’s regarding, or if you had someone in mind you would like to make an appointment with? Then I can see if I can help you further or not,” the woman politely said.
“Umm, can I have a meeting with an Altered Scientist?” Dean asked, unsure if that was the right term.
“An Altered Scientist, a researcher…” The woman slowly stopped typing on her computer and let out a sigh. “Sir, I can’t just book an appointment for a researcher to look at you.”
“What is your position? Are you an investor? Do you have a business card with you? We get countless requests from people who wish to talk. If it’s regarding becoming an Altered, it’s also not as simple as just coming to the reception and asking.”
“If you know someone, then perhaps I can ask them to call you, but judging from your questions, I doubt you do. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you much further.”
Immediately in response to this, Dean slammed his hands on the desk.
“Please, I just need to see someone. Can I not just speak to someone? It’s very important. Like you said, it’s about speaking about Altered things. I want to talk to them about that…”
Dean was unsure what to say. Should he claim to be an Altered? If that was the case, would they see him then?
“Sir, please don’t get aggressive. This is a place where it’s not wise to do such a thing. I’m sorry, but even if you left your details, they would just be put in the pile underneath my desk, straight into the bin.”
Dean couldn’t give up here; he couldn’t give up on the first step.
“I’m an Altered. I just recently got turned into one, and I want to know what to do. I don’t know about my body, and I’m scared right now. Please, is there anyone I can see? I need help. I’ll help them… we can help each other!” Dean exclaimed.
He figured they couldn’t just disprove him being an Altered, but the woman behind the desk didn’t believe a word Dean was saying. He had changed his tune, and she could see he was desperate.
Because of this, she was a little shaken up and started to press a panic button that was located just underneath the desk.
“Alright, alright, come with me. You’re getting out of here,” a voice said from behind.
Dean turned his head and noticed it was the guard by the door. He had a strange baton he was holding onto, one Dean had never seen before.
“I’m not leaving!” Dean said. “I told you I need to see a researcher as soon as possible. It’s important, I promise.”
The guard then went to grab Dean by the arm and attempted to move him by pulling him, but Dean wasn’t budging an inch. He was like a solid piece of metal.
“What the… are you refusing to leave right now? If you continue to do so, I will consider it a threat!” the guard said, raising his voice, attempting to pull Dean again, but he still wouldn’t move.
Frustrated, the guard pulled out his baton, and the end of it started to electrify.
“This is your last warning,” the guard stated.
Dean looked into the receptionist's eyes, not looking away.
“Please, I just need to see someone.”
The guard, frustrated by Dean ignoring him, swung the baton, and it electrified his whole body.