I'll Be The One

Chapter 18:

=Hunter's POV=
[Friday, 1/4/2019-7:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartment; A1]

It's been a fun couple of weeks back home with my dad and uncle; I'm glad Gregory convinced me to go for the holiday. We decided to do everything as if mom were still here; keeping her memory alive by doing the same things she enjoyed or loved regarding the Snoggletog holiday. The New Year's party was great, and I had a lot of fun this time. That's probably because I got to bring in 2019 with my friends, something I've never really had before. I've decided to head back to the apartment tonight because I need to get resettled for when school starts up on the 7th and then midterms will be the 21st to the 25th. After that, we get a week breath through the end of February and start the second semester on the 4th of February, so exactly one month from today. I was excited; it meant I was halfway done with my final year and come June; I would be graduating with my master's degree in Computer Engineering and minoring in Music. I couldn't wait. Also, my birthday was coming up; I'd be turning twenty-two at the end of February. I was positive my dad and Gregory were going to do something for it, but I wasn't sure yet.

I'm glad I didn't tell Tallon how I felt for him during the New Year's party. After a slight, unwanted, run-in with Cassandra before guests started to leave The Archian House on January 1st, I unfortunately felt the hurt and betrayal she caused. Despite the pain, I still loved her and part of me probably always would. I gave the girl five years of my life. I was ready to marry her even knowing all the bullshit we'd been through; meaning the breakups, the small breaks, and the arguments. I was ready to overlook the fact I knew she slept with other guys during the breaks and breakups. Hell, I even quit my job to spend more time with her, hoping it would improve our relationship. However, coming home to see her kissing Tallon was what pushed me over the edge into saying I wouldn't deal with it. I had my suspicions she was cheating on me while we were together, and that kiss was all I needed to confirm everything. I didn't tell Tallon how I felt because it's only been a little bit of time since things with Cassandra and I ended, but feeling the level of pain I did upon seeing her; I realized that I wasn't quite ready to move on yet.

Also, I felt I should give Tallon some time to come out to his friends. We'd talked a bit more on the subject, and he decided he would soon. I'm sure the others would be accepting and supportive; they didn't seem to mind me being bisexual. At the same time; they didn't know I'd dated another man before Cassandra, only Tallon did. I'd probably tell the others if it came up on conversation about my sexuality or lovers in the past. Either way; I wasn't one to hide things about myself in that regard, and these people assured me that we were friends and would stay that way. After all, I told them my biggest secret about being the president's son, and they stuck with me. I saw their genuine concern for me when I was mourning and they came out to follow me, make sure I was alright at the bar and then getting home later that night on the 22nd of December. I had a good feeling about them, and we certainly had a lot of fun when we hung out.

"Here we are, Hunter," Kris smiled as we pulled up in front of Dreki Apartments.

"Thanks," I smiled as I got out carefully, making sure I had my bags with me; then headed inside the building and to my apartment. Once I got inside there, I noticed Flynn wasn't present. Shrugging, I moved to my bedroom, unlocking the door and opening it. I started to unpack and ten minutes later; I was done and laying on my bed. "I wonder where Flynn is tonight," I assumed he might be with his girlfriend. Or with the others at the hideout. I suppose I could go and see them, but I don't actually know if they are there. I sat up and got my phone, pulling up the messages with Flynn.

7:15 pm
Hey, I'm finally back at the apartment. Where are you tonight? :)

I left my room and grabbed a drink from the fridge and took a few sips from it and examined that Flynn or I would need to go shopping this week; it was looking pretty empty. I noticed Flynn had a shopping list going, so I added a few of my usual buys. Usually, Flynn or I would go; we switched off, but sometimes we decided to go together for a team effort and getting it done faster. I leaned against the center island as my phone vibrated in my pocket. I grabbed it and saw a message from Flynn.

Flynn's Cell, 7:25 pm
Hitting the hideout soon, wrapping up business. Wanna meet us and come chill? Don't use the Meade Hall entry if you decide to come. If not, see you around 10-ish.

I didn't have to worry about class tomorrow, so why not? I grabbed a few things, changed into something extremely casual and put on the transition glasses Tallon gave me the time we went out, and headed out of the window in my room to slip my guards who would only believe I'm at home. I pulled up my hood and grabbed the next bus to get near Meade Hall. I knew there was park entrance and the park was only a five-minute walk to Meade Hall, so might as well get close to that and then use the park.

. . .

[7:45 pm]
[Meade Hall/Archia Park]

I got off the bus and glanced around; it seemed there was an event going on, so it made sense why Flynn said not to use the usual entrance this time. I shrugged and moved along to get to Archi Park. Five minutes later; I was heading for the entrance, but I noticed a group of people fighting and something didn't feel right about it. Moseying off the path, I was hidden by the shadows and got closer. I realized right away that it was two gangs, and one of them was Odin's Dragons because I could distinctly make out their figures in the semi-light provided.

"This is the night we take them out. Wait for the boss's signal…" I heard close by. I stayed in my spot and carefully glanced around to see someone ready with a gun. My eyes widened realizing this is an ambush on Tallon's gang. I couldn't warn them, but I could stop this. I silently moved behind the guy who talked and waited a moment. "Are all of you in position?" I clapped my hand over his mouth and drew him backwards; then I used a pressure point to knock him unconscious. I grabbed his weapon and hid it behind a large rock; then I went back and got his radio to listen.

"We're in position; triangulated," Hunter glanced around in the two spots that would line up with his to make a triangle.

It would have to be a shootout, but these guys have the upper hand being hidden… I thought as he left his spot, moving to the farthest away in the darkness to find the next shooter. Carefully, I did the same to him as I'd done to the first. I moved away to the last person, still listening on the radio if there was anything else. I reached the last person just as I heard the signal.

"Take 'em out," came the order.

Panicking, I grabbed the gun of the third person and kept him from firing. I twisted his wrist and made him drop the gun to the ground. With a glare, I rammed my elbow into the male's face and then swept his legs out from under him, so he'd fall back. I used this chance pressure point the man into an unconscious state. I got closer to the groups now, listening still.

"Someone else is here. Position one is unconscious and unarmed,"

"Position two as well,"

"Take them out, now!"

I watched as the leader was reaching something from behind; I had to assume it was a gun. I moved in quickly and silently; nobody would see me until I was right there. "Well, this has been a nice transaction, but I'm afraid business stops here for you," the man said. I watched Tallon's face turn to worry, and I made my move. I got up behind the leader, raising the gun I acquired from the last person I knocked out; I put it to the back of his head, and he tensed instantly.

"I would not advise you move," I stated.

"Who are you?" the man asked.

"Who doesn't matter when your life is on the line, does it? Drop your weapon," I ordered. I saw the gun come into view and it was tossed aside. "Call off the rest,"

"Weapons down, boys; the hit it is off…" the man stated as I also heard it in the radio I'd taken.

"Bring them forward," I said.

"Everyone regroup," the leader informed as more people came forward.

"All weapons down," I demanded as the weapons were set down. "Everyone stays right where they are," I grabbed my phone and dialed the police. "I'd like to report in gang activity in Archi Park, weapons and drugs involved. They are by the dragon statues, about twenty-five of them all grouped together," I informed the dispatcher. I knew Tallon and the others didn't know I was behind this, but if they knew; it could tip off the others who I was and that would just bring in my secret service agents and mess this entire thing up. Why should I settle for stopping this attack when I could take the gang down and leave my friends safe. "Looks like it could be a shootout," I stated. "I'm just a concerned citizen of the Archipelago, and I prefer to stay anonymous, thank you," I hung up, slipping my phone away. As soon as I heard sirens coming closer; I knew I'd make the second part of my move. I saw the flashing lights and cops beginning to rush forward. "You lot, go," I told my friend.

"What?" Seth asked.

"I said go, get out of here!" I ordered.

"But…Who are you?" Tallon asked.

"Why you gonna question me when I'm letting you escape?" I scoffed. "Now is not the time for introductions! Fucking go; I'll find you! Get outta here, now!" I stated. None of them argued; they ran out of sight into the darkness before the cops could see them. I dropped the gun and ran away, and I knew I was safe from getting caught because I was wearing my gloves, so my prints wouldn't be on the gun when they seized everything. Thankfully; I got away before the cops could see me and all of the gang that I had in surrender was caught. I took a few deep breaths, making sure everything got wrapped up before heading for the entrance to the hideout.

. . .

=Normal POV=
[8:15 pm]
[Odin's Dragons Hideout]

The friends just made it into the central area, plopping into their chairs around the table and trying to process what went down.

"Um…What?" TJ asked first.

"We're as clueless as you…" Elijah informed.

"I thought we were goners…" Trevor looked at Tallon now.

"Yeah, that was clearly an ambush…" Drew sighed.

"I'm sorry, guys…It's taken us months to get these guys to agree to meet up for a transaction; I didn't want to lose it," Tallon stated.

"Hey, we're alive…That's all that matters," Avery reminded. "Whoever that person was; they saved our lives,"

"Why would an innocent bystander bust the Dreki Hunters, but not us?" Seth asked. "That didn't make any sense to me,"

"Everyone believes that Odin's Dragons are notoriously one of the worst gangs around. Granted the members, shall we say, aren't known except to other gangs. Everything is word of mouth and rumored, no one can prove we're Odin's Dragons," Tallon informed.

"Even if we'd been arrested; they'd let us go because we're just undercover cops," Harper said softly.

"Not necessarily. A few of us are cops; the rest of you were allowed to be part of this, but not as part of field missions. We'd be let out of the gang activity bit, but not endangering the lives of civilians," Drew mentioned.

"That's true…But all that happened by accident; we didn't know everything was going to go down that fast," Madison shrugged. "We were hidden with the jackets, our faces at least. I felt like we pulled a Hunter, hiding out and what not," she smiled a bit.

Flynn's eyes suddenly widened. "Shit!" he panicked while getting his phone.

"What…What is it?" Tallon asked.

"Oh, please don't have gotten caught in it…" Flynn pulled up Hunter's number and set it on speakerphone.

"Flynn, what is going on?" Drew asked.

"I told Hunter we were hanging out here tonight and to come by if he was bored since he was back at the apartment. I told him not to use the Meade Hall entrance because of the event going on…He'd use the park one where all that bust stuff is happening…Shit!" Flynn worried.

"Hey, Flynn," Hunter answered.

"Hunter! Where are you?" Flynn demanded. Someone cleared their throat as everyone turned towards the park tunnel entrance.

"Right here…" Hunter stated, ending the call.

"Hunter…" Trevor said.

"Are you alright?" Tallon stepped forward.

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" Hunter replied casually.

"We…Heard there was some shit going on in the park, and Flynn panicked thinking you were going to get caught in it," Seth laughed a little.

"Oh, you mean the gang bust? I saw it while on the path, shrugged my shoulders and kept walking. Glad you're not part of it," Hunter smiled.

"We almost were," Drew sighed.

"Deal gone wrong?" Hunter questioned.

"Something like that," Tallon shrugged as Hunter sat down next to him. "It was set up as an ambush, for them to take us out,"

"What happened? Someone tip the cops off and you escaped because you are the cops?" Hunter inquired.

"No, someone stranger stepped in and kept the leader of the other gang from carrying out the orders. Like, this guy held a gun on him and made him give up before calling the cops himself," Elijah informed.

"Wow. And you walked away when the cops came?" Hunter asked.

"No, the guy told us to run. If we'd been caught up in all that; we would have been in trouble because Flynn, Maddie, Roxy, TJ, and Harper aren't cops…They are supposed to be here during missions," Drew remarked.

"Just a random guy, huh? What did he look like? There weren't that many people in the area I passed by. Just a couple standing on the path, watching everything," Hunter said.

"Lean figure, about six-foot-one or two. Hoodie, glasses, couldn't see much of his face. Kind of a deep, cold voice. But it changed when he told us to run. It was rushed, concern…Really weird," Tallon told him.

"Yeah; he told us to go and we asked who he was. He said it wasn't the time for introductions and leave. That he'd find us, but fucking go, now," Seth nodded.

"So…Something like this?" Hunter moved behind Tallon, throwing up his hood. "This is not the time for introductions! Fucking go; I'll find you. Get outta here, now!" Hunter repeated. The others stopped, staring at Hunter now. Tallon turned slowly, his eyes widening. Hunter pulled off his hood. "I'll cut time in half and answer your question. Yes, it was me,"

"H-How?" Tallon blinked.

"Flynn told me to come hangout, and I decided to use the park entrance. When I was making my way through the park; I saw you guys with them. I was going to keep moving until I heard someone talking about waiting for a signal not far away. I found the guy asking if everyone was in position, so I knocked him out and moved to do the same to the others who were in a triangulated position to snipe you. I was listening on the ear piece to all orders, and when things were going to happen; I just stepped in. I'd taken the gun from one of the attackers I knocked out; used it on the leader to make him cease, called the police, and told you to run. When the cops came; I dropped the gun and bolted before I was seen," Hunter explained.

"B-But your prints will be on the weapon!" Avery said.

"I was wearing gloves, relax," Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Hunter…That was really dangerous…" Tallon said.

"I was fine. Everyone knows if you hold the leader up; the others won't make a move…" Hunter informed. "I saw you in trouble and helped…"

"We owe you our lives," Drew said.

"Thank you," Flynn nodded.

"But how did you knock these people out?" Trevor asked.

"From behind, pressure point around here," Hunter motioned to the neck area. "Simple, yet effective," he shrugged.

"Training from your Godfather?" Tallon asked as Hunter nodded. "Gun use as well?"

"Yep," Hunter smiled.

"You definitely saved our asses tonight, Hunter…" Tallon stated. "But for the love of Odin…Don't make it a habit…"

"I won't, but I also won't sit by when other's need help," Hunter reminded. "It's not something I'm capable of ignoring…"

"Understandable," Harper smiled. "Well, you're here now, so let's forget about before as we're all safe,"

"Yes, and we can enjoy the night. Welcome back," TJ chuckled.

"Thanks," Hunter replied. Not long after that, and a couple of check-ins; the group moved to the other space to hangout and have a couple drinks, but nothing crazy. Around 10:30 pm; they all left and returned to Dreki Apartments to relax for the evening. Hunter was glad to be back, and that he helped his friends out in a tough spot; it made him feel good. Hunter was always someone who liked to help if he could; he got that from his mother. And yes, some things were out of his control, but the ones he could do something about; he didn't ignore or overlook it. Back home now, he could just fall asleep with a slight buzz and wait it out to return to school on the 7th. The night had been good, and Hunter was glad that for once; he felt like things were completely normal in his life.