This chapter will be shorter than my previous ones, in fact, it's about 2000 words long. Quite recently Galen Micheal left a review that I should shorten my chapters, now I didn't just do this because of him. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, mainly because it was hard to have a nice flow in a chapter that was 5000 - 6000 words long. (Although maybe in the future I might return to it).

And on the topic of reviews, I haven't said anything about the reviews that have been written. Now I would like to say I have read them all and appreciate them all, the thing was, I planned on giving a long thought-out thanks at the end of this story to everyone. But now I'll thank every new review and give thanks to them all at the end. So:

Thank you, Galen Micheal, for your two reviews, thank you FrostKing104 for your large and helpful review, thank you Radu24major for your review, thank you DasDuke for your review, and thank you, Proud Warrior, for being the first to leave a review. Also other thanks to the two guests who left reviews. To the one who brought up the issues with political views and violence, I would like you to know that's been fixed and to the other guest, I will keep going, bruh.

Now, without further ado:

Chapter 4

Glaring at the extensive traffic ahead of him Gregor looked to the back of his friend's car, which he was currently borrowing. There Larry and Angelina sat, their backs both rigid as they peered out their respective windows. It was easy to tell how nervous they were, granted with a call like the one they had just heard it was reasonable.

Gregor had to admit he was quite stunned when Larry offered his car to Gregor, and then he and Angelina offered to join him and Jack. Well, it was less of an offer and more of a 'strongly worded suggestion', as his mother would say. Gregor had to admit it was quite valiant just doing that, but, now looking at them, they were both visibly frightened. Angelina doing a bit of a better job of keeping it hidden.

However, this was a normal response to such a situation, although Gregor wasn't feeling the same way. Years of seeing war at such a young age and killing living creatures- albeit they were giant men eating rats, had turned Gregor into a robot when it came to fear. And leaving the Underland had made him a robot to pretty much any other emotion.

Now looking to his left at Jack, Gregor noted how calm he seemed. Gregor remembered Jack clarifying he was a doctor, so supposedly he might deal with death every day. Although this was a bit different, and Gregor couldn't help but think about what must have happened to Jack to make him like Gregor because Gregor knew what happened to him, should never happen to anyone.

Once again glaring at the traffic Gregor began to revisit the moment after the call, the moment that had thrust him into this new world of horror.

Not a single word had been spoken since the call, barely even a single breath had been drawn- no one dared disrupt the silence. Gregor was the most silent of them all, he quietly padded across the room, standing next to the window.

Gregor was staring intensely at one lone raindrop, slowly dripping down the window. There was a signal aspect of that lone raindrop that reminded Gregor of himself, the way it had no control over where it went, once it might have been part of a calm ocean, now it was ripped away from that and thrown somewhere new. The way it dripped down, seemingly out of some outside force, the same way Gregor was always forced into these predicaments.

Gregor firmly pressed his hand against the window, feeling the cold dampness that was still able to breakthrough. Once again staring at the lone raindrop Gregor had an epiphany. He might have been forced into this, but he was going to get out of it, he was going to free both himself and his family from this circle of horrible things.

Then the raindrop disappeared, joining a small puddle at the bottom of the window. With the raindrop gone Gregor slowly stood back up, his hand resting against the wall the whole way up for support. Slowly turning around, his eyes intently staring forward, Gregor began to walk out. "I'm going." He announced nearing the door.

Reaching out for the doorknob Gregor felt a pull against his other arm, looking back Gregor saw it was Angelina, hard-headed as ever. "You're not going anywhere, did you not hear that guy." Her voice at first was stoic and commanding, but now it grew silent and worried. "He has your family, and he's probably really dangerous, we should leave it to the cops."

Spinning around fully Gregor answered her. "Don't you remember, the cops are after me and they helped kidnaped my family?" Roared Gregor, his hands thrashing out violently. Gregor then looked at his old friend, her eyes tearing up slightly. Gregor now realized the tone of his voice, he was practically yelling right in her face. "I'm sorry," He apologized. "I didn't mean to be so rude… I'm just worried for my family, this has been stressful."

Getting up from the couch Larry joined the two.."And that's exactly why you'll need help."

"What?" Questioned Gregor, not understanding what he'd just been told.

"You have just as much experience in this as us, and it never hurts to have help." Larry rested his hand against Gregor's shoulder, a symbolic symbol of sympathy, showing he meant what he said.

Gregor appreciated the offer, but Larry was wrong. He does have experience in this and it was better he do it alone, especially to keep them out of this world. However, looking at Larry and Angelinas faces, Gregor knew they weren't going to back down, and besides, perhaps they could just stay in the car.

"Alright," agreed Gregor, taking a calming breath.

While holding the door open for Larry, Angelina and Jack, Gregor was taped on the shoulder by Mrs. Cormaci. She waved her hand back, signaling for him to follow her. Looking back at Jack and his old friends Gregor told them he'd be out in a minute. "I'll be out in a second."

Jack shook his head in recognition. "Alright Gregor, we'll be waiting downstairs."

Turning away from the door, Gregor shadowed the path Mrs. Cormaci had taken. Stepping around the corner Gregor caught Mrs. Cormaci rummaging through her closet. Upon entering she pulled out an old green tin box, covered in a blanket of dust. Turning around Mrs. Cormaci presented Gregor with the foreign box. "Here." She offered.

Handling the box carefully Gregor set it down on the bed, brushing off a bit of dust once done. Slipping the lid off Gregor was bewildered by what was in it. Of course, he didn't know what he was expecting, but this, this was a surprise.

The box was filled with several photos and other objects, including some medals and a badge. Tentatively reaching into the box Gregor pulled out the badge, inspecting it carefully Gregor was able to make out some fading writing. It read, "Police department" in thick white letters, with smaller letters on the bottom reading, "city of New York."

Gregor looked back up at Mrs. Cormaci, astonished by what he found. "That was my husband; Earls badge." Explained Mrs. Cormaci.

"Wow," was all Gregor could think to say. He had known Mrs. Cormaci his whole life, and yet he never knew this. Gregor then quickly realized why Mrs. Cormaci never mentioned her husband or why he'd never met him. He's dead.

"I'm sorry for your loss." The words left an unpleasant taste in Gregor's mouth. These were the words that had been murmured to Gregor so many times. After his father went missing people who he had never met repeated this line to him, now it felt short, like he should say more.

"That he was." Breathed Mrs. Cormaci solemnly. Her frail frame shaking from the topic.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," ventured Gregor, making sure to be very careful what he asked. "But why haven't I heard of him."

Mrs. Cormaci grievously looked at the badge. "He passed away many years ago." Was her simple answer.

"Oh," was all Gregor could manage, he wondered how he might have died, but knew it was wrong to ask.

Rather than focusing on the past, Mrs. Cormaci decided to continue. "If you look at the bottom of that bin you'll find what I wanted to show you." Explained Mrs. Cormaci.

Shuffling the photos and medals around Gregor's fingers grazed something hard and metal, the grip a little scratchy. Pulling it out Gregor realized what it was, he was holding a gun. "Mrs. Cormaci… why would you ever give this to me." Gasped Gregor.

"That gun was Earl's old service weapon." Clarified Mrs. Cormaci. "After what I heard on that phone call I realized you'd need it."

Gregor didn't have a response, he was too busy studying the weapon in his hand. He had held a weapon before, but never a gun, and Gregor understood that this gun could do far more damage than his old sword. Cautiously putting the gun in his pocket Gregor thanked Mrs. Cormaci.

"No thanks needed Gregor." Mrs. Comaci then took a short pause as she walked Gregor back to the door. "Gregor, I want you to remember this. That gun has never been fired. Earl once told me he never fired it because he never had to. Not everything has to end in violence." Finished Mrs. Cormaci, a small smile growing on her face.

"Thanks again Mrs. Cormaci, you don't know how much you've helped me these years," Gregor then taped the gun in his pocket. "But, I think the only way this is going to be solved is through violence."

Mrs. Cormaci sighed in discontent, realizing what Gregor said was probably true. Giving her one last hug Gregor turned away, walking down the hall. Meanwhile, Mrs. Comraci began to shut her door, then she paused, giving Gregor one last piece of wisdom. "No matter how Broken a thing might seem, it can always be mended."

Slowly Gregor turned around, he was about to respond when Mrs. Cormaci stopped him, they both knew there was nothing more to say.

Once again Gregor walked away, not stopping until he made it to the ground floor, that was where Angelina, Larry, and Jack were waiting.

"Are you alright Gregor?" Mouthed Angelina, showing worry for her old friend.

"I'm fine." That was all Gregor could muster to say.

The group began to walk down the street Gregor's leg wavering slightly, the weight of the gun unfamiliar to him. I'll just have to get used to it, he convinced himself. Gregor was now beginning to grow a distaste for walking, every step he took reminding him of what was in his pocket, but he had to tolerate it because every step also took him closer to his family.

Abruptly stopping Larry fumbled around in his pocket. Sighing in relief Gregor realized they must be at Larry's car, meaning no more walking, no more feeling the weight of the gun.

Well, Larry searched for his keys Gregor decided to get a look at what they would be driving in. Larry's car was a red snub-nosed four-seater. He's kidding, right? This vehicle was easily the smallest car Gregor had ever seen.

"SmartCar," said Larry, finally fishing the keys from his pocket. "A hundred kilometers to the liter."

Snatching the keys from his hands Gregor announced he would be driving the SmartCar. Larry protested, although no one heard him.

The rest of the group had barely even thrown themselves into the passenger's seats before Gregor gunned the SmartCar up and onto the street.

Larry gripped the side of his door as the car shot out across the road, narrowly missing the other cars. "Careful," pleaded Larry. "I still have two payments left on this thing." His complaint fell on deaf ears.

"Gregor!" Called a distant voice.

"Gregor!" Called the distant voice again, growing less and less distant. Until he finally felt shaking on his shoulder. Turing, Gregor saw Jack, his face inquisitive as he related himself. "Gregor?"

"What?" Stammered Gregor, pushing Jack's hand off his shoulder.

Jack's face turned from one of inquisition to one of confusion. "You were in a daze, we've been in traffic for a little bit, and as you can tell." Jack didn't even bother to finish his sentence, he merely pointed out the window.

Looking back ahead Gregor noticed the traffic starting to clear, looking up slightly he saw the traffic light had turned green. Giving his head a slight shake Gregor remembered he had gotten caught up in a not-so-old past.

Clearing his throat Gregor lightly pressed his foot on the gas, calmly easing into a turn. Once the turn was complete Gregor was back to his impetuous ways of driving.

Immersed solely in what was in front of him, all the buildings and people to Gregor's side molded into one. Until the one thing, he was looking for made its way into his vision.

Larry's SmartCar tires quickly came to a skidding stop, the road beneath now smudged with car tracks. Stepping into the cold April breeze, wisps of wind blowing through his hair. Running his hand through his wind-swept hair Gregor scanned the area for the building the mystery caller had described. Now fully turning around Gregor saw the building he had described, the problem though, he refused to believe this was it.

There we go, the shortest chapter yet. And on that topic, with shorter chapters, you should expect more to come at an even faster pace. Also, I challenge you to guess where Gregor's family is being held. Hint, it's not where you'd think. like always this was fun to write and I encourage more to leave reviews, they really help me in the inspiration department.

Run like the river- StoryThieves