I'll Be The One

Chapter 5:

=Normal POV=
[Sunday, 9/23/2018-7:30 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

Hunter sat in the chair quietly after revealing that he was the president's son. The people he'd told were sitting in their seats, stunned by the open confession.

"Wait…You're the president's son?" TJ asked. Hunter nodded to him.

"Like…President of the United Islands of the Barbaric Archipelago?" Roxanne blinked. Hunter nodded again.

"Oh, my Gods!" Madison squealed.

"You're the president's son!" Harper smiled wide.

"Uh…Yeah, that's what I just told you. President Salvatore Haddock is my father…That's my last name…Haddock. If I had told you before; it would have given it away," Hunter said.

"But…Why did you want to hide it?" Flynn wondered.

"Mostly because I didn't want everyone freaking out and making a big deal over it," Hunter shrugged.

"But…It is a big deal, Hunter. You're the president's son; that's a huge honor…" Seth said. "Hell, I wish I would have known earlier,"

"Why?" Hunter asked.

"My dad is one of your dad's secret service agents; Silas Jorgenson," Seth smiled.

"My dad too; Colby Hofferson," Avery nodded.

"Yeah, I know. I knew that as soon as Flynn introduced you to me and said your last names…" Hunter informed.

"Still, why don't you want people knowing?" Tallon inquired.

"I wouldn't be left alone, just as it's been in the past. My life has always been in the spotlight…My dad was the Mayor of Berk up until I was about fourteen and in eighth grade when he won the presidency, and that's where we've been the last eight years, and probably longer because he's running again," Hunter shrugged. "When I was just the Mayor Haddock's son; it wasn't that bad, but being President Haddock's son; Gods, I never get left alone,"

"Is that why all those news and paper people hang around the school?" Flynn asked.

"Yep. It got leaked I would be attending Archia Island University. I was supposed to get a single dorm again, but I told my dad I wanted a shred of normalcy, so I started looking for an apartment. Whether I got my own or rented a room as I am now. My first three years of college were at a community college, wanting to stay local. But the paparazzi became a huge issue, so I elected to attend AIU. When we learned back in June that it had already been leaked; I decided it wouldn't be a good idea to live in a dorm room again," Hunter explained.

"Understandable," Drew nodded.

"Well, we'll keep your secret; you know it'll come out eventually though," Madison said softly.

"I knew it would. It's been circulating already that the President's son is attending AIU. I don't want them finding out that I live here; the idea is to let them believe I'm dorming at the school," Hunter stated.

"No problem; we got your back," Trevor smiled.

"Much appreciated," Hunter replied, feeling some relief. Before anyone else could ask something; a phone was heard ringing. Hunter pulled his out, finding that it was his job calling.

"Your dad?" Tallon inquired.

"No, worse…My job," Hunter sicked.

"You in trouble or something? TJ questioned.

"Not likely," Hunter chuckled. "Gimme a sec," he added as the stayed quite while Hunter swiped the button to the right and tapped speakerphone. "Yes?" he answered.

"H-Hey, Hunt…" the person started.

"Alright, what happened?" Hunter asked.

"W-What makes you think so-something happened?" the male voice inquired.

Hunter rolled his eyes. "Maybe because you're stammering your words, you sound nervous or guilty of something, and you're calling me when I just got off work an hour ago…So again, what happened?"

"It's really weird that you can figure all that out in seconds flat," the guy said calmly now.

"For the love of-Oscar!" Hunter yelled.

"Right, sorry. So…We have no manager right now…" Oscar informed.

"What are you talking about? Howard is working tonight; he was there when I left…" Hunter stated.

"Hunt; he got stressed out about something and walked out as soon as we got a rush, which is still going. We have no manager right now, and customers are getting pissed," Oscar panicked.

"Alright, easy. I'll come back; gimme ten minutes," Hunter said as he hung up and got to his feet. "Oi vey…Well, sorry to cut this short but-," Hunter sighed.

"Don't worry about it. See you later?" Flynn asked.

"Wouldn't bet on it, Flynn. I'm stuck there til close now. I won't be back until later. Probably see you tomorrow morning," Hunter smiled. "Nice to see all of you again, and meet the four new people," he added while lifting the phone. "Call Kris,"

"Calling Kris," the phone responded as it placed a call. On the second ring; it picked up.

"Yes, Mr. Haddock?"

"Bring the car around for me; I gotta go back to work because someone walked out and is probably getting fired," Hunter said.

"I'll be there in a minute,"

"Thanks," Hunter ended the call before going into his room and changing clothes; slipping on his black hoodie and zipping it up as he came back out. Hunter grabbed a few things and flipped the hood up over his head. "See ya around," he waved, heading out the door.

"Dude, your rooming with the president's son!" TJ lightly punched Flynn.

"This is like…Apartment Room One!" Roxanne laughed. Tallon rolled his eyes.

"Don't forget our mission," Tallon informed.

"We won't," Trevor said as Avery, Seth, Drew, and Elijah nodded.

"And Hunter is not to know, correct?" Flynn asked. "I know we're all part of this, but can he really not know?"

"Those were the orders given," Tallon said.

"We got it," Harper nodded.

"Good," Tallon stood up. "I'm off; we'll start things after this week. We can't lay it on too heavy; Hunter is a smart guy from what I've heard during the briefing,"

"He's wicked smart," Seth nodded. "Guy is a straight A student, and has since he started pre-school,"

"Yeah, super advanced even in daycare," Elijah added.

"You know the goal; we'll work our way up to it," Tallon left the apartment.

"This is gonna be hell," Drew stated.

"But we have to do it," Harper put her hand on her brother's arm.

"I know we have to, Harper, but I worry what will happen if Hunter ever finds out…" Madison frowned.

"That's a risk we have to take, but this is not an assignment we had much choice in. We were hand chosen because of our skills, and connections," Avery reminded. "The rules were clear; Hunter is not to know,"

"Understood," the friends replied before taking a deep breath and then deciding how they should go about their objective.

. . .

[Tuesday, 10/2/2018-3:15 pm]
[Archia Island University]

Hunter couldn't believe he was a month into his final year of college already. The classes did provide a challenge, but nothing that Hunter couldn't figure out or manage with a little extra effort. The hard parts were balancing school, work, and personal life. Hunter had events with his father to attend sometimes; he had work, school, and his girlfriend. Hunter knew it wouldn't be easy, but he found ways to do it. Unfortunately, some of those ways involved putting others aside. College could not be put on the back burner because it was his last year. Presidential events were also something Hunter couldn't ignore; his father needed his support and presence now that Vanessa Haddock, Salvatore's wife, and Hunter's mother, had passed away.

Work needed him, but Hunter found ways to work around the crazy hours despite being a general manager. Hunter did his best to see Cassandra at least twice a week, but the crazy shifts and homework load made it next to impossible. At best, Hunter was managing to squeeze in an hour or two with his girlfriend once a week. At the same time, Hunter didn't mind because it was giving him a chance to see if Cassandra would keep to her promises from when they got back together three months ago. Hunter was beginning to see the not-so-subtle actions that made him feel like Cassandra was going to go back on her word.

Still, Hunter would give it more time, but if things didn't change; he would know for sure that Cassandra had not, and Hunter wouldn't wait around for what he feared was inevitable. Currently, Hunter was getting off his second class of the day; Advanced Graphics and preparing to head across the street to get to the apartment and relax. Thankfully; he didn't have work tonight and was planning to have a date with Cassandra, but now she was messaging him that something came up with her mother, Mayor of Bog-Burglar, Bethany Boggs. That's another reason the two of them got along so well; Hunter and Cassandra both knew what it was like to have a life in the spotlight.

Sighing heavily, Hunter stood on the sidewalk to reply to a few messages when he heard the conversation happening not far from where he was. Hunter typically minded his own business, not wanting to draw more attention to himself given he was already the president's son. However; hearing something about Friday the twenty-first's attack on campus, which was the fight he jumped in on forced Hunter to listen more while keeping his head down to appear like he was busy on the phone but recording the entire time.

"I told you to deal with that group!"

"We tried! And we had it under control until that other person stepped in,"

"I will not hear excuses,"

"Take Odin's Dragon's out, all of them!"

"We don't even know where they are!"

"I don't care; find and end them. That group is taking all our business!"

Odin's Dragons? Sounds like a gang name, and hearing about taking people out and business… Hunter thought, continuing to listen.

"It's a bunch of kids! They can't be that good. Just deal with it!. I want them gone before the end of the week! Find them; they have to be on the mainland, check everywhere. Follow them, mark locations, narrow something down,"

"We're following a few leads, but nothing concrete; we lose them after certain points,"

"I won't hear excuses; I said this. Find them and wipe them off the map!"

"Who is their leader anyway?"

"That Tallon Fury guy; he's their boss, and there's a big group behind him,"

"I don't care. Destroy them…"

Hunter gulped a bit; he knew that didn't sound good at all. Do I report this to the police? Hunter wondered. Should I let Flynn and the others know? They were in the group of people from the fight…Is…Flynn and the others in a gang? This…Odin's Dragons? Hunter wasn't sure what to do here. Flynn didn't seem the type to be in a gang, none of them did. I'll tell the others about it, maybe get some answers…But I haven't seen the friends group all week…Flynn doesn't get home until midnight or so…How am I going to find them?

Hunter quietly and calmly walked away as he saw the group retreating away, still talking; it didn't matter because he had the information he needed. The question was how he would do this? Getting across the street and getting his keycard out; Hunter ended up chuckling a little. "Duh, Hunter; you're extremely tech savvy…" he said to himself.

. . .

[7:30 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

Getting into the apartment; Hunter placed his bag on the desk; then got immediately started on his homework. Flynn wasn't home, but that was okay because Hunter needed him to be gone to figure out where Odin's Dragon's were. Hunter could only assume that is why the group of friends always hung out at the same place and were always together. Maybe things weren't as bad as they appeared, but Hunter knew his roommate and the friends he had were in some kind of trouble, so Hunter felt he should try and help out. Hunter made himself something easy for dinner before getting to work on his laptop.

Hunter set up a program and began typing in the details he could use to help narrow things down. Finally, Hunter got his phone and dialed Flynn's number, watching his laptop screen and seeing the updates that flashed across the information box. After four rings, it connected, and Hunter grinned watching his program start working.

"Hey, Hunter. What's up?" Flynn asked cheerfully.

"Hi, Flynn. Just… I was wondering where you were? I got out of class at 3 pm, and came home; you were here. Left for a bit longer for a date with my girl, and back now, but you're still gone. Only wanted to know for…Making dinner, if you'll be here or not?" Hunter stated.

"Oh! Sorry about that. I had a class from 2 to 5 pm, then a dinner date with Harper. Hanging with friends now," Flynn replied.

"Alright, just wanted to check before I make something for just me or both of us," Hunter laughed a little.

"No worries. Thanks for considering me in your plans," Flynn responded. "You working tonight?"

"No, I'm off, thankfully," Hunter said, continuing to watch the screen as it was working on things still.

"That's good. You need your breaks too," Flynn informed. "How was the date with, um…Sorry, I forgot her name,"

"Cassandra, and it was alright. How was yours with Harper?"Hunter inquired, trying to keep the call going.

"It was fun. We went to Barbarians," Flynn chuckled.

"I heard the place was good. I've never been; I'll have to take Cass sometime," Hunter smiled.

"Oh, it's amazing; the best!" Harper's voice came in the background.

"I"ll take your word for it," Hunter mentioned, seeing that the program was just about finished scanning things.

"You should hang out with us this weekend if you're not too busy?" Flynn offered.

"I'll check my schedule. I have one class on Saturday morning, and work later…But might have to work a few hours in the morning before class too. And Sunday…Not sure yet. Might have work, but also might take the day to chill before I run myself ragged," Hunter chuckled.

"Well, let us know. We're probably hanging at the apartment if you want to join in," Flynn offered.

"Thanks; I'll keep that in mind. I'll know more on Friday," Hunter stated. Hunter saw that his program finished. "Alright, I better go. Might as well get some homework done. See ya later, Flynn!"

"Alright, Hunter. Bye!" Flynn said. Hunter set his phone down, typing in a few things before a location began blinking on the screen. Hunter wrote down the address as he grabbed his wallet, keys, phone, and closed his laptop after closing down the program. Hunter packed up a few things into his backpack before leaving the apartment through his bedroom window and sneaking away from the protection of his bodyguards who were positioned respectively somewhere in the building or out front.

. . .

[8:15 pm]
[Meade Hall]

Hunter used public transportation and walking the streets with his hood up to follow the GPS directions to the location he was given on his phone to locate where Flynn was. Hunter glanced up; he saw Meade Hall, which was in the center of the mainland. It was used for big events but had daily tours and historical aspects during the day. Hunter saw that nothing was going on tonight, and it was closed for public tours.

Where are you?... Hunter asked himself, looking around. Hunter walked up the steps and found that his GPS said he was off the path and to turn around. Hunter went back down the stairs, standing on the sidewalk and finding that it said he needed to continue forward still. Hunter contemplated things a moment before glancing around. Hunter sat on the steps of Meade Hall, pulling out his laptop and typing things.

Hunter brought up an interface of the mainland, studying it. There's an open area under this area…And a bunch of tunnels connecting to it…Huh. I wonder if that's why the GPS is telling me I'm in the right spot, but it's because I'm standing on it… Hunter rubbed his chin. Glancing at more things; Hunter found some of the openings to the tunnels, choosing which would be less suspicious. Hunter put his computer away, starting his journey once more. Hunter found the spot and snuck inside. From where he was now; the open space should be right ahead of him. Hunter kept walking, eventually finding guards; he knew they wouldn't let him in, so he found another way by using the shadows to slip past and locate his destination.

Finally, Hunter spotted the people he'd met since moving into the apartment. Hunter stayed in the shadows, watching and moving to a spot where he'd be closer to listen and wait to make a move. From what Hunter could see; they were all around a table, and there were a bunch of others around working and what not. Hunter was convinced this was a big something or other. Who hid five miles underground in a network of tunnels that led all around the mainland if they weren't trying to hide something?

Around 8:45 pm, Hunter decided that not much had been going on. Hunter witnessed very little bad things; it was mainly talking that he couldn't make out a lot of. Hunter knew he couldn't just hide for long; these people wouldn't be here all night and here it was almost 9 pm. Hiccup grabbed his phone, debating how he should do this. Walk out and surprise them or call Flynn and catch him in a lie. Hunter was a sarcastic guy; he knew what he was going to do. Lifting his phone, he dialed Flynn again. Thankfully; there was music playing and others talking, so no one would hear him talking.

"Who is that?" Tallon asked.

"It's Hunter again…" Flynn stated. "Should I answer it?"

"Probably rude not too," Madison informed. Flynn nodded as he slid the icon to answer.

"Hey, Hunter," Flynn greeted.

Hunter smiled from his hiding place as he saw Flynn put his phone on speaker and set it down. "Hey, what are you up to?"

"Hanging with friends still. What about you?" Flynn replied calmly.

"Homework is done and super bored. You're kind of the only person I talk to daily, so I figured I'd see if maybe I could come to hang with you?" Hunter asked. "You're always telling me that everyone wants me to hang with you all,"

"O-Oh!" Flynn said, biting his bottom lip.

"Where are you at? I can come to you?" Hunter offered.

"Not here," Tallon whispered.

"H-How about we meet at the bar that's…Ten minutes from the apartment? The Nest; you heard of it?" Flynn shrugged, wondering if Hunter would go for it.

"Not to be that guy here, but…I can hear the nervous tone you have," Hunter said as Flynn tensed. "I feel like there's something going on that you don't want me, wherever you are, to see," he added.

"No, no. It's fine, Hunter," Flynn said with a smile. "The place we're at is small, better to move to a big space,"

"You're telling me that one person would make a difference when there are eleven others?" Hunter asked. The group was quiet.

"How…Did you know there were eleven of us specifically?" came Avery's voice now. Hunter prepared to walk out, still holding the phone to his ear.

"Maybe because I'm looking right at you," Hunter walked out from his hiding spot. Everything seemed to stop as Hunter crossed his arms over his chest and ending the call. "You're not a very good liar; I'm just going to point that out," he added.