That day while on his walk Gregor made a promise. He would go back. But not yet he had to prepare his family to leave. And that means that he had to wait to go back. Gregor had to finish his last two years of school so he could go to UNYC. And Gregor did that. He studied hard for his junior and senior years. He finished most of his classes with A's and he had a pretty good GPA as well. Gregor kept receiving messages for him to return. For some reason he never replied. And the messages grew fewer and fewer. At first they were sending him a message every week. Than it became every month. And than every few months. Gregor knew that they could not understand why he couldn't go back yet. As far as he knew they had no colleges. Gregor also knew that every message it was likely they gave up hope that he would come back. It was unfortunate but true. However during Gregors senior year his parents surprised him. They paid for half of a car for him. Gregor paid the rest. So now he had a way to get to New York and all he needed was to finish the year strong and hope his application to UNYC that he sent last year was accepted. Now Gregor honestly felt good all the time. He had started working out a lot. Building up some muscle. He knew what he would be in for in the Underland and he wanted to be prepared. Unfortunately it's not like swords are common in the overland so he couldn't practice. Finally after so many years it looked like his life was turning around for the best. His parents were very proud of him, Lizzie and Margaret. He couldn't stop now and he wouldn't. Soon he was approached by a mysterious guy from school. This guy always seemed to wear a jacket no matter how hot it was outside. He always kept his hands in his pocket. He almost never talked to anyone. And when he did he seemed arrogant and cocky. This guy approached Gregor and tried to recruit him as a guard or something. It seemed this guy was in some shady stuff and needed someone to be his muscles while he took down stuff with his computer and hacking skills. Gregor had declined and the guy had disappeared around the corner. Gregor knew that whatever things that guy was up to were for actually good things. He was fighting people who did bad things online. But it would also be dangerous.
Anyway Gregor considered that guy a possible ally of he ever needed it. In the final few months Gregors excitement built up tremendously. And finally he got the word. UNYC accepted his application. He was going to New York. However his parents were suspicious about why he choose UNYC. "So Gregor why choose UNYC?" Grace asked one night during dinner. "Uh...they were the first ones to accept me" Gregor said. Grace gave him a suspicious nod. "I'm sure Gregor has made the right choice dear I mean after all he is an adult we can't boss him around anymore" Gregors dad said. Gregor felt sure his father knew what was up and was giving him the ok. "He should probably leave a few weeks early in New York so he can prepare his stuff and check out his campus" Gregors dad said. "Yes that is a good idea" Grace said giving his father a look. After dinner Grace and his father had a talk. Gregor didn't mean to ease drop but it just happened. He heard Grace saying "you know he will go back" and his father sighing and saying "it's for the best remember he is an adult now and he can't be controlled by us" Gregors dad said. Than Grace broke down. "It's just it all happened so fast he grew up so fast. By the time he came back from that wretched place he was a man already" Grace said crying. Gregors dad comforted her. "I know, I know he changed" Gregor's dad said. "It's just I don't want to let go yet, I don't want to let any of my children go yet" Grace said. "But it is time for him to find his own path even if it is not what we want for him. We want him to be happy and maybe going back will help him be our happy son once again." Gregor's dad said. "Perhaps" Grace said sniffling. And with that Gregor retreated to his room. Gregor took out a suitcase and started packing clothes and other things. He wasn't going yet but he was going to be prepared when it was time. He packed a machete as well as it was the closest thing to a weapon he could find. Gregor shut the suitcase and proclaimed "I'm ready"