1029 Â Turn Back Now!
When Xin came out of her own thoughts for a moment, she could see the large number of vehicles in front of her, and seeing who it was, a spark of hope ignited inside.
Kai had brought along a large force of the Howlers, and there had to be at least around five hundred people in the vehicles.
The Howlers, since their start, had grown strong as well. It wasnât just filled with new gang members.
There were a large number of Altered among them, and Crowley, who had made it out of the attack from the Phoenix Gang, was present as well.
It was clear that Kai was serious about his words. He was ready for war, and just maybe, they would be able to save Jayden.
However, as she asked her question, Xin could instantly see the conflicting look on Kaiâs face.
âWhatâs wrong?â Xin said. âYou said you brought everyone because we might have to go to war. My brother is still thereâletâs go and get him!â
Xinâs cries were met with silence, but Kai knew he had to give an answer.
âXin, we canât go back to help your brother,â Kai answered.
âWhat did you say!â Xin went to dash forward, but before she could reach for Kai, Austin grabbed her and held her slightly up in the air before placing her behind him, making sure that he was in-between the two of them.
âI understand your feelings!â Kai said.
âBullshit!â Xin shouted. âIf it was Gary in there, you would head in without a second thought. Because itâs my brother, you wonât! Is it because he isnât a member of the Howlers? How is that fair? If Gary was awake, he would go back in thereâI know it!â
âAnd would you want him to?â Kai replied.
The question made Xin pause for a moment.
âThat is why I canât let the Howlers go in thereâitâs because of Gary,â Kai answered. âRight now, Gary is in this state because he went against that One Gang. He went in to help your brother.â
âFrom what I can see, itâs lucky Gary made it out of there alive, and you want to send everyone back in?â
âYou want to send everyone after an opponent even Gary couldnât beat?â Kai raised his voice.
It was one of the few times he had done so, especially against an ally, a friend. In situations like this, when everyone was hot-headed, he needed to be the level-headed person in the group. Otherwise, they would all run into their deaths.
âHeâs right, Xin,â Austin said. âThink about itâeven if Gary was awake, we werenât able to do anything. We need to prepare.â
âBut Jayden⊠heâs so close. He was right there. It was only because of him we were able to escape. How can you all live knowing that? How can you?â
Maybe if Xin were in the othersâ positions, she could understand, but being so closely related to the individual, she couldnât think straight and was acting purely on emotion.
âXin!â Kai said, wanting to get through to her, because he could tell she still hadnât given up. And there was a worry for Kaiâif Gary woke up at any moment and heard the words she was shouting, there was a chance he would run back in there.
âYou can go back if you want. Iâm not in control of you. But if something happens to you, it would ruin your brotherâs sacrifice, and even Garyâs.â
âTo send in the Howlers and risk the lives of so many others for Jaydenâwe canât do that. Itâs different for Gary.â
âHe is the Howlers, which is why everyone can take that risk. Because without him, we donât exist.â
âBut to lose our lives for someone we donât even know is alive or notâI wonât risk their lives.â
âTake that back!â Xin shouted, her body already transforming. Austin turned around to see her, but she had already zipped past him and was in the air, aiming for Kai.
âJayden is alive!â Xin shouted.
In a flash, Kaiâs entire body transformed, revealing his light grey fur.
His body had grown partially, and at the perfect moment, Kai grabbed Xin by her neck and slammed her onto the concrete floor.
Her electrical powers surged through Kaiâs body, but bearing through the pain, showing his front teeth, he continued to hold Xin down.
âHow are you even meant to save your brother if you canât even beat me!â Kai yelled.
Watching everything unfold was Daphne Bree, who was standing to the side. Her eyebrows raised the moment she saw Kai transform.
âHe has the same Altered base as Gary Dem, but something feels different about it all,â she thought. âEither way, it seems that Gary isnât the only strong member in the Howlers. He has quite the diamond aiding him by his side.â
As Xinâs transformation ended, she began to sob on the ground, and Kai let go.
âAlright, everyone, weâre heading back to Slough!â Kai ordered.
Everyone started to head back into their vehicles while Austin lifted Xin off the ground.
Just as Kai was about to turn around, someone approached him.
âI hope you donât mind, but I would like to pay a visit to Slough.â
Looking at who it was, Kai instantly recognized one of the Kings from his research, but as to why she was here, he could only guess.
âYouâre welcome until youâre not,â Kai said.
The group returned to Slough, anxiously looking over their shoulders. They wondered if Harvor would come after them at any moment, but he never did.
They stayed updated on the news channels and more, but there was nothingâno mention of Jayden for now.
The news of a giant flying dragon was pretty much all that was covered.
As they saw the sign for Slough and entered the city, Kai was worried mostly about one thing.
âWhen you wake up, Gary, with everything thatâs happened, what are you going to do? What can you do?â
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