The Last Dainv

Chapter 263

The group arrived around Rebel Club. A port, they said, but Gale knew this was more like a pier. All the signs said Harbour Front Pier 35. The first thing he noticed about this pier was the smell of the sea which is technically a lake, the open garbage dumpster, and the tasty seagulls all flying around.

Lake Ontario stretched out to their left and right. Gray, wavy, and definitely too cold to swim in. Billy Bishop Airport was in the far distance to the east. It felt as though the airport incident where he almost got shot in the head was just yesterday.

Enough thinking. Gale needed to find this child named Lucian. The scent was hot. Fresh in his mind. He was close. Close enough to be able to smell the perp right in front of him. They even gave him a cool call sign, K9 Gale.

Rachel was really mad about that nickname though. Guess just ‘Gale’ was enough then.

Tendrils led the way to the thread of scent he was following. Extending it further outwards, about four Awakened signatures were around in the neighbourhood, but none matched the scent and none were close enough to be a threat.

Putting his back to the wall by the corner, Gale said, "clear."

Kyle and Clyde flanked Rachel as they followed him across the concrete of the pier. Their footsteps muffled by the loud thump thump thump bass that came from the club.

Clyde mentioned this club was an old establishment, but somehow, the music and vibe still felt cool, young, and hip.

Walking around the corner of the club, Gale moved in for the kill. The sobbing grew louder as they came closer to the pathetic mess of a human boy.

Gale suddenly shook his head. He did cry in the stone tower too, but that was different. He was hurt both physically and emotionally.

A head of blond hair poked out from behind the dumpster. Eyes red and swollen, nose dripping with too much mucous. His eyes turned around towards them in a random glance.

Lucian bolted. No questions, just immediate running.

Or at least, he tried to. His legs pushed off the ground, body angling towards the other end of the building.

"Gale," Rachel said.

Gale moved. One moment he stood beside the dumpster, the next he had Lucian by the collar, feet dangling an inch off the ground. This boy was easier than catching a rabbit.

"Let me go!" Lucian thrashed in his grip, arms flailing uselessly. "Let me go!"

"Stop squirming," Gale said, then let out a growl that completely stopped Lucian.

"Sit him down over there," Kyle pointed to the wall of the club.

Gale put him down carefully on the floor, back against the wall. Lucian immediately tried to stand back up, but a hand on his shoulder kept him sitting.

Crouching down, Rachel pulled out a pack of tissues from her pocket. She pulled out a couple and then wiped away Lucian's tears. "There there. It's ok. You're not in trouble. I think."

Kyle crouched down as well. "So. Was it worth it?"

Lucian looked at him with bloodshot eyes. "What?"

"Running away. Making your mom worried. Crying your eyes out behind a club that you're clearly underaged for. Was any of it worth it?"

"I don't..." Lucian whimpered. "It doesn't matter anymore. That asshole Zachary stole her. Just kill me now. Please make it fast."

"Kill you?" Clyde said, surprised. "And risk our payday just because a girl broke your heart? Fat chance, buddy."

"She's not just a girl!"

"Absolutely pathetic," Clyde said with slight disdain. "You're a man, aren't you? Why are you fighting for a woman's heart when you should be stealing it?"

"Clyde!" Rachel said angrily. "That's not helping!"

"What? I'm giving him real advice," Clyde said.

"That's terrible advice!"

"It's pragmatic advice," Kyle said.

"Both of you shut up," Rachel snapped at the twins, who both raised their hands in a mocking surrender.

Reaching into his back pocket, Gale pulled out his wallet and reached for the beast jerky inside its folds. He held it towards Lucian with a smile.

"Here," Gale said. "It'll help with the pain."

However, Lucian scooted over one step away from Gale, who followed him, still holding the jerky to him. Reluctantly, the boy took the jerky and held it.

Rachel sat beside Lucian on the wall which boxed him in. One side her, the other side the feral. "Lucian, you wanna tell us why you left? I promise you're not in trouble."

"What's the point?" Lucian slumped down the wall. "Everything's ruined anyway."

"Talking can help make you feel better. Wanna try?"

Lucian remained quiet for a minute.

The seagulls overhead cried. Waves crashed onto the pier. Salty breeze of the wind ran across Gale's face. This whole scavenger hunt felt like it took forever, yet for some reason, he found it peaceful and fun.

Finally, Lucian spoke. "Ariana and I... we had plans. So many plans. We were going to go to Bar+ during summer break. She was going to sing for me. We were going to visit the Art Gallery. I was saving up to buy her a proper birthday gift, not just snacks from the NETS. You guys probably know all of this already..."

He paused, swallowing hard.

"But then Zachary started showing up. Everywhere. Every class we had together, he'd sit next to her. Every time she walked between buildings, he'd be there offering to carry her books. He'd always look at me with that annoying smugness. He kept threatening me too. Said if I didn't back off, he'd make sure I got expelled. His mom's a Department Manager at the Path. What was I supposed to do against that?"

Kyle yawned openly. Clyde examined his fingernails.

"I was going ask her start going out with me," Lucian continued. "I had it all planned out. I'd ask her to be my girlfriend after our karaoke date. But then Zachary took up all her time, and I couldn't even get a moment alone with her anymore."

Rachel put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing softly. "Lucian, you didn't have to run away, though. Did you ask Ariana how she feels? What she thinks?"

"She hasn't replied to my messages in weeks." Lucian's hands tightened around the jerky, crushing it slightly. "Not since Zachary started talking to her. So she probably doesn't care about me anymore. She probably likes him now. He took up all her time. That was obviously going to happen."

"That's not necessarily true. That's just your assumption."

"It's obvious, isn't it? Why else would she stop responding?"

"Plenty of reasons for that. She could've lost her phone. How's she going to get another phone inside of Sterling? She also doesn't associate with the NETS, mind you, that's a really bad idea," Kyle said. "Use your brain."

Lucian shook his head. "It doesn't matter now anyway. I already broke the rules by sneaking out. Mom's probably furious. And Ariana probably thinks I'm a loser for running away." Sobs started once more. "Just kill me now."

"You're an idiot," Kyle said.

"A little overdramatic, aren't we?" Clyde said.

"Stop crying," Gale said.

Lucian flinched.

Gale grinned. His words comforted him the best.

"Ok, let's look at this in retrospect, capisce?" Kyle snapped his fingers at Lucian. "You didn't fail anything. The institute failed at keeping you in. You figured out a gap in their security that even the faculty didn't know about. That's not a failure on your part. That's a success."

"A goddamn big success," Clyde said. "That's going on your record, and trust me, that's not a bad thing. That's the kind of stuff factions and families actually look for when recruiting."

"So stop being an idiot and just go back to class."

"Your mom's worried sick about you. That's the only reason we're even here."

Lucian didn't respond. His eyes dropped to the crushed jerky in his hands.

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Leaning forward towards him, Gale grabbed his hand and guided his hand holding the jerky towards his mouth. He tried to resist, but it was all for naught. This was good for him. Eat the jerky. Feel better. Food always makes you feel better.

As he failed to resist, Lucian reluctantly took a bite of the jerky. Chewing slowly, he put a thumbs up.

Gale nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, you feel better?" Rachel asked.

Lucian nodded, forcing a smile, still making eye contact with Gale.

"If you come back with us, we'll get you to talk to Ariana one-on-one. We'll be there for you. In the name of the Ann Family, I'll make sure you two get a chance to actually communicate."

"You'd really do that?" Lucian asked.

"I'll put my name on the line for it," Rachel said.

Kyle and Clyde sighed. "This is what we get for bringing in Ms. Flaming Heart here."

"Can I have your number too? Just in case, you know, for the future," Lucian asked.

Rachel smiled softly. "Sure."

Pulling out her phone, she unlocked it and opened the phone dial app. After giving it to Lucian, he dialled his own phone number, and the deal was locked.

"I'll do it. I'll go back," Lucian stood up. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Gale said, smiling. The light of the city was truly generous to the young generation.

Kyle started, "All of this for gos--Ow!"

"Shut up. Let's move," Rachel said.

"Aye aye, flaming witch of the west," the twins said simultaneously.

Sterling Institute's courtyard. The weather sigil floated above, maintaining its temperate climate at exactly 14C while snow fell around them without melting. A bench sat near the centre of a weakly running fountain, surrounded by trimmed hedges and white and black flowers that made the scene all too serene while providing some privacy from the main walkways of the halls that converged.

Gale crouched behind one of those hedges, tendrils extended outward, monitoring the very serious scene they were just about to witness. That's what Rachel called it. This was the moment of truth for Lucian.

Kyle, Clyde, and Rachel hid beside him. All of them peeked through the gaps of the hedges, carefully so as not to make a rustle to hide their presence from the prey.

On that very bench, Lucian sat beside a girl with dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She had soft features, circle rimmed glasses that contrasted with her oval face, but that didn't hide her puffy eyes as if she'd been crying just before. Her name was Ariana, a poor girl who was about to have the most serious conversation of her life.

"I thought you hated me," Ariana whispered softly, but that didn't stop the 4 spying from clearly hearing her. "You stopped talking to me. You wouldn't even look at me in class. Can you at least tell me why?"

"I never hated you." Lucian's hands fidgeted in his lap. "I just..." he sighed. "Really... I know I'm making excuses by blaming Zachary, but it was really him. He said he'd get me expelled if I didn't back off. And you also stopped replying to my messages. I thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore."

Ariana sniffled as she hit him on the arm. "You really think I wouldn't reply to you?"

"Then why?"

"My phone broke during gym class. I couldn't get a replacement because the NETS wanted at least 3 Kinder Bueno bars, and I didn't have any snacks."

"Oh."

"I kept looking for you, but every time I was in the hallways, Zachary would always show up and drag me somewhere else. He said you were too busy recently and didn't want to get distracted."

Lucian's hands clenched into fists. "That bastard."

"Look," Ariana pulled out her cracked phone. She tried turning it on multiple times, but the phone wouldn't light up.

"I believe you. Maybe I was just too deep into myself that I..."

"Its ok. I should've tried harder to find you. I'm sorry."

Kyle and Clyde suddenly started making gagging motions. Nudging Rachel, they signed, Can you believe these kids?

I'm making a bet with the NETS. These idiots won't last longer than 6 months.

I'm in for a full peanut butter jar. 8 months. Gale signed.

Rachel rolled her eyes and then signed, Do you even know what they're betting for?

Its ok, Rachel. I'm going to win an extra peanut butter jar from this bet.

Kyle nudged Rachel, then she glared at him

She signed, No bets. Let me watch my drama!

I think I'm gonna barf. Tell me when it's over. Clyde signed.

Gale and Rachel continued watching the two kids talk to one another.

"Ariana, I need to tell you something. I've been wanting to say this for a while now."

Rachel grabbed Gale's arm, squeezing tight. Her eyes were wide, temperature increasing, hedges of the leaves shrivelling up, a quiet squeal building up in her throat. Kyle and Clyde, on the other hand, signed to Gale that they're never going to bring women to their investigations ever again. It's a boys only club from now on.

"What is it?" Ariana asked.

"I didn't know when to tell you this, honestly. But then this happened."

"Mhmm?"

"Do you wanna uhh," Lucian scratched his neck. "Do you want to have dinner with me during the break?"

Ariana nodded, holding out her hand to him. Taking her hand, he smiled at her, which made Gale think of something completely different.

What the hell was happening?

Just a simple dinner? What's that have to do with anything? Gale signed.

A dinner alone with the girl you like at that young age is basically a confession!! Rachel signed while suppressing a loud squeal.

I hate you so much right now. I can't believe you did this to us, Kyle signed while putting on the most disappointed face he had at Rachel, who only flipped him off.

"Shhh, incoming predator," Gale whispered.

A boy emerged from behind one of the hedges at the 3 o'clock direction. Tall, black hair, combed back, groomed well, and earrings that gave off an ether signature. He had an innocent smile on his face as he came into the scene.

"Zachary Argus," Clyde whispered. "We should've seen this coming."

"I ain't watching romcoms," Kyle whispered.

Rachel elbowed both of them to shut up.

"I can take him out. Let the two kids play out their play," Gale stood up but was sat back down by Rachel. The look she gave him sent shivers down his spine.

Alright. Guess she wants to see what happens and that man wasn’t a threat yet. The light of the city was most logical in this tactical choice… as long as she was happy, he didn't mind.

"Ariana," Zachary called out. "I've been looking everywhere for you. We have that study session scheduled, remember?"

Ariana's smile disappeared when she saw him. She scooted over closer to Lucian, who put his hand on her shoulder.

"I don't remember scheduling anything with you," she said.

"Of course you did. Last Tuesday. You said you'd help me with my precision ether theory assignment."

"I never agreed to that."

Zachary's eyes moved to Lucian, smiling. "Oh, Lucian. Might I ask what you're doing here? I thought we had a little conversation earlier already."

Lucian stood up from the bench, putting himself between Zachary and Ariana. "Well, fuck that conversation. I'm not going anywhere."

"Is that so?" Zachary took a step forward. "You already know. My mom already has that form ready and waiting. What do you say, old friend?"

"I don't care."

Zachary laughed, harsh and forced. "That's a good joke, Lucian. How about we just take a quick walk and settle this away from her?"

Lucian's shoulders trembled. His fists clenched at his sides. But he didn't move. "You think those'll work just because you're part of the Tablemasters? Well, you guessed wrong."

Zachary's smile disappeared. "To utter the name of the Tablemasters from that dirty mouth. How brave. Go ahead, Lucian. Give me another reason to pull you out with the other Tablemasters."

Ariana grabbed Lucian's arm. "Lucian, maybe we should just leave."

"Listen to her great advice, Lucian." Zachary reached out to grab Ariana's other arm. "Come on, Ariana. Let's go somewhere more private."

"Don't touch her," Lucian slapped his hand away.

Zachary's nose wrinkled. "Or what?"

Suddenly, the hedge where the four stayed rustled. Rachel emerged first, followed closely by Gale. Kyle and Clyde dragged their feet to the scene. The group quickly reached the three students.

Eyeing Zachary, the boy had a Mid-Awakened signature. Gale thought he could probably knock him out real quick. Tugging on Rachel's sleeve, he made a quick gesture of a fist to the head while pointing at Zachary.

Rachel shook her head, then nodded to Kyle to tell him to saying something.

Kyle cleared his throat. "Well, well, well. Look at what we got here. A shitty Tableshitter throwing his vomit breath around."

Zachary looked Kyle up and down, who was at least a head taller than him. "Who the hell are you?"

Clyde whistled. "These Tableshitters are starting to get naive, eh? Asking us who we are is a bad joke."

"The twins?!" Zachary straightened up. "My mom's a Department Manager. You can't do anything here."

"Oh, we know who you are," Kyle said. "Question is, do you know who she is?" He pointed his thumb at Rachel.

Zachary's eyes moved to Rachel. His eyes caught the jewellery on her figure. The rhomboid earrings, necklace, and a bracer. Then his eyes recognized the distinct dark red hair. "Ann family."

"Good. Then you know that there's nothing wrong if I choose to back Lucian, right?" Rachel stepped forward, causing Zachary to step backward. "You know what happened with the Silver Lions, right?"

Zachary gritted his teeth, glancing between Rachel, the twins, and Gale. "So what? This is Sterling. You can't touch me or do anything. What are you going to do when this is just a student dispute?"

"Buddy, this isn't a student dispute anymore since you brought in your mom, and let me tell you, your mom wouldn't want to mess with getting audited," Kyle said.

"Department manager? Pfft. Get real," Clyde said.

"Tch," Zachary's face contorted. "Empty threats. Even without that paper, I'd still get my way, eventually."

"Oh really?" Rachel asked.

Zachary smirked. "You can't do anything about it."

"Gale," Rachel said once.

Now it was his time to shine. Gale stepped forward. A low, deep, guttural growl came from his throat, mimicking the largest sized beast he met in the Eclipsed, equivalent to the intimidation factor of 3 garbage trucks in his mind.

Zachary, Luciana, and Ariana all fell down onto the grass of the courtyard. An etheric shield slowly covered the two, conjured by Clyde, except Zachary as a wet and pungent smell suddenly formed on his trousers.

"Gale," Rachel said again, abruptly ending the growl.

Grabbing his arm, she stood him back up. His legs trembled from trying to keep himself steady, but no one cared.

She said, "You mess with them again, you know what's coming to you, got that?"

Zachary stiffly nodded.

"Now, scram."

Zachary quickly ran away from the group, exiting the hedged areas of the courtyard.

Kyle and Clyde helped Lucian and Ariana stand back up. Both of them looked better than Zachary due to being covered by a shield. "You guys ok?"

"We're good..." Ariana said.

"What the hell was that?" Lucian asked.

"Don't ask about it," Kyle said.

"It's definitely nothing. Nothing at all," Clyde said.

Rachel turned to Lucian, "You see? All you needed to do was talk."

"It wasn't his fault... my phone broke. Actually, it was Zachary that hit it accidentally during gym class," Ariana said.

"Sorry again," Lucian said, turning his full attention back to her. "I wanna tell you one more thing. Do you wanna be my--"

"Hold on!" Kyle and Clyde said simultaneously. "Our job's done. We're getting out of here. And by the way, you're still in trouble with your mom."

Kyle started walking out of the hedges first and told Gale, "Grab the fire head. Let's go, find floating bluey and get out of here. We're getting a fat payday."

"Wait! The drama isn't over! Lucian, what were you about to say! QUICK. SAY IT. QUICKLY!"

Lucian and Ariana shrank back.

Gale grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the hedges, following Kyle and Clyde.

"WAAIIIIIT!" Rachel shouted. "JUST ONE MORE MINUTE!"

Gale laughed. He hadn't seen her this invested in something ever. Now it made him all the more curious about the books she read. Definitely needed to pick one out from the library. But first, he needed to go through the obstacle of evil bureaucracy, getting a library card.

Rachel looked at Gale holding her hand as she was being dragged. She sighed, then said, "I guess this is fine."

"It was a good ending. The evil demon Zachary was thwarted in his plans," Gale said.

"Sure. Sure he was," Rachel smiled, laughing, still watching her hand being held by Gale. "Did you have fun?"

"Lots of fun. This scavenger hunt was really fun, and had lots of snacks! That Mikael boy was also pretty fun," Gale said enthusiastically.

"Scavenger hunt? Is that what you call this?"

"What do you call it?"

"A TV drama novella."

"Idiots! This was a Path contracted investigation!" the twins said at the same time. "Now where's floating bluey?! Gale!"

"I'm on it!" Gale spread out Presence Between's tendrils and found Erin by the east wing. "She's at the east wing again."

"We can agree to disagree that this whole case had all the genres we liked."

The twins sighed loudly. "Shut up, Rachel."