(Chapter 10)

All or Nothing

"I knew it'd be a matter of time before you reached out to me. Welcome to the team Damien."

I was sitting in his office, trying to ignore the disgusting acts taking place down the hall. His "business" was just adult films, strange deals, and extorting anyone desperate or unfortunate enough to owe him.

And me? I'd become one of his delivery men.

"It's a simple process. You come here once every other day, deliver one to three packages, and I'll pay you upon completion. The only conditions are that you do not inquire about anyone you're making these deliveries to, you do not open any of the packages, and you will return here immediately once the deliveries are finished. That last one is subject to change once I learn I can actually trust you of course."

He snaps his fingers, spurring a Pangoro to bring in two boxes, and put them on the desk in front of me. On top of them was a black cell phone.

"There are the two packages for today. As well as a way to communicate with me. I'm assuming you're in need of a new phone with your recent struggles. Use it to find the addresses on the packages. You may take your leave. And remember, I'm always watching."

As I left, I took the packages and the cellphone. I stood outside by the waterfront, and looked down at my first job.

"He's probably tracking my location with this…"

I wanted to throw it into the water, along with the packages, and leave and never return. Everything about this entire interaction rubbed me the wrong way, and I regretted that I was desperate enough to contact him. The job seemed too good to be true.

I only had to deliver packages to undisclosed locations, do it quickly and not ask questions? Surely there was a catch.

But there wasn't. I did as I was told, used the map app on the phone he gave me to deliver the packages to the addresses on them, and when I went back to the warehouse his business was based in, he gave me 750 dollars.

He told me he'd see me in two days.

At first, I didn't want to use the money. It didn't feel right to have, like it was too easy. It didn't feel like I actually earned it. The reason I left the wealthy life with my Uncle in the first place was because I didn't want to live off of someone else's money, I wanted to live my own life and work to earn my own keep. This felt like a shortcut.

But then reality set in. My rent was due, and with the money he gave me I could afford a full meal for at least another week. And I'd likely be paid the same amount for doing the same thing in two days. I'd have made 1,500 dollars in four days for doing almost nothing. It still didn't feel right, but at least I could actually eat, keep a roof over my head, and stay here for the time being. Maybe I could even use the Internet again.

This isn't the life I saw for myself, but it's all I have for now.

I returned in two days, and delivered the packages again. This time he gave me 850 dollars, and told me that I'd been twenty minutes faster than last time, and as such, I'd be rewarded for being more efficient. Keep his customers and partners happy, and he'll keep me happy.

It was at this point, that I begun to notice you, Gray. I'd only seen you a few times, and you were almost always heading into a room down the hall. You appeared really dissociative, often not noticing me as I walked by, with the only time period of normalcy seeming to be when you were talking with someone on the pier, which was typically when I had wrapped up my deliveries and was returning to collect from Avery.

I repeated this, doing my "job" for a few months, gaining more money until I reached "max efficiency" and begun making a thousand dollars every few days or so. He summed it up as him buying my silence, my service, and my loyalty. And my loyalty was tested one day, as he'd asked me for a favor. He called me into his office, and told me to sit.

"You know Damien, you've been quickly gaining my trust over these last couple of months. You took what I said literally, never asking questions, maintaining your distance, and you get your job done more efficiently than any of my other couriers. Which is why I have a favor to ask you."

He turned and faced his window, and continued to speak.

"You see, I have someone I've found myself quite infatuated with. They're very special to me, and I'm sure they'll feel the same for me after some time. The problem is that someone appears to be getting in my way. Which is why I've called upon you. Do you understand where I'm going with this?"

On the outside, I appeared calm and collected, with a slight shift in my eyebrows revealing my confusion. On the inside, I was panicking.

He isn't about to ask me what I think he's about to ask, right?

"You want me to remove them from the picture for you."

He snapped his fingers and smiled as he turned around.

"I knew I'd made the right decision. Indeed that's what I need from you. Don't worry though, as long as you do what I say you'll be safe. I'll give you further information later on, so keep your phone on you. You're excused."

I left soon after, and spent the entire rest of the night contemplating if I would, or even could, take someone else's life. Ultimately it all boiled down to what Avery might do if I failed, or even outright denied his request. I've seen what he's capable of, and had personally witnessed people walk into his office, only to leave in a body bag, slated to be incinerated by his right hand, Morty. It was highly likely that it was my life, or the life of the person he wanted me to end. And if it really did come down to it, I would choose my own.

The next day, I received a text from an unregistered number, stating that my target was an Ampharos named Voltaire, and my eyebrows raised, as it was a picture of the Ampharos standing next to..well. You, Gray.

I quickly realized that you were the object of his affection, and the Ampharos was the one getting in the way. However, I was unaware of your history at the time. I assumed that he developed feelings for you while you were working for him. The text stated that I was to remove him in a week, and provide proof that I actually did it.

"Hold on hold on. Did you… Are you the one who… killed Voltaire?"

I looked up at the Luxray, slightly heartbroken from anticipation alone. I wasn't sure how I'd react if he outright said yes, or what I'd do if it turned out my new friend killed my old friend.

What if he'd been a spy for Avery this whole time? I wouldn't put it passed him to hire someone to stay close to me and report my everyday life to him. What if our entire friendship was a lie? What if he's leading me into a trap? Can I really trust him?

"No. I didn't."

My eyes widened, I wasn't sure if I believed him or not, but I nodded, and let him continue. I could save any reservations about our friendship, and whether or not I trust him, for once the story was over.

If I wasn't already at a crossroads, despite having not known you personally, something rose out of me that made me feel guilty about taking away someone who seemed to make you happy.

But I realized, maybe I didn't have to kill him. In fact, I did quite the opposite. I informed him that Avery wanted him dead, showed him the text that I was sent, and said that if he wasn't gone by the end of the week, both of us would be in danger. If Avery found out that I couldn't kill him, he would surely send someone who could, and would.

Luckily, Voltaire seemed to believe me, and within the next few days, he was gone. He managed to catch a boat and stowaway. But for his safety, I wasn't made aware of where it was going.

As for my proof, Avery decided to take my word for it. Especially after Voltaire was gone for a couple of days. He told me he doesn't care what I did or how I did it. As long as the Ampharos was gone he was satisfied.

I was owed a favor.

After that, I avoided you completely. It only took one glance from that dead look in your eyes to know that you were severely hurt from your friend's disappearance. I knew I did the right thing, but still felt wrong. I decided to keep my distance.

Eventually, I decided that if I was going to be here, I might as well continue what I originally came here for: to make a life for myself.

I had come to work and make a living, as well as finish college and move forward with my life apart from my family's money. I would stay here, work for Avery until I finished my school years, then I would move somewhere far away, and live peacefully. And with the money Avery was paying me, I could afford it, given I continued to manage it as well as I did.

I decided to cash in my favor once I had settled on the decision. I asked Avery if there was any extra work for me to do for him, so I could make more money to pay for school.

"Really? You want to use your favor for more work? You don't want me to just pay for school for you? Or even just give you more money?"

I shook my head 'no', and sat up straight in his desk chair.

"No. I'd rather pay for school and handle everything myself than have it be handed to me. So I'll gladly take on more work if need be."

Avery shrugged, and turned around.

"Well, alright then. In that case, at least let me expedite your entrance to your school. That way we'll be even. As for work, unfortunately there isn't much more you can do. I don't need anymore henchmen, my bodyguards are the best in the business, and you're already my best delivery worker. The only thing left for you is well… adult filming I suppose."

My face nearly scrunched up when he said that. That was the last thing I wanted to do, but if it was all I could do, I'd do it.

"Now now, you can relax. This may only be a temporary thing, who knows what could happen in the near future, you may be able to do something else."

He circles around me, and chuckles.

"Besides, with such a well toned body, and strong demeanor, I'm sure you'll do just fine."

He sits back at his desk with a laugh. I always hated that he was one of the few people who could make me uncomfortable.

"I'll have a word with the Headmaster over at Mare University for you. You'll be accepted in a matter of days. As for work, meet me in the warehouse around this time next week. We'll get you started. I believe that makes us even. Have a good night, Damien."

After I left, I shook off the chills that I was left with after the interaction. I had agreed to do the work he suggested, but I wasn't exactly thrilled about it. I had only engaged in intercourse with one other person before, with Amy, who taught me that something like that should be done with someone you loved. Though in my case, I felt as though it were a meaningless act of lust, and it would be no different for work.

The very next week, everything was settled. I had gone to school in the beginning of the week, got myself familiar with the school grounds, and got set up in all my classes within days. I hated to admit that Avery was all but efficient with his promises.

The one thing that seemed off to me was the rule he set up as a precaution.

He informed me that you, the person he had feelings for, attended classes at Mare as well. I was to monitor you in whatever classes we shared, as well as make sure no one else tried to get close to you, or take you from him. He originally wanted me to watch your every move and update him daily but I adamantly told him I wasn't comfortable with that, so he only wanted me to know if anyone was showing romantic interest.

When the time came for me to start my new "job", it was the day you bumped into me and spilled coffee on my jacket. I had been avoiding you before then, but I suppose fate had other plans. It didn't help that my seat was taken that day so I had to sit closer to you than normal. And to top it all off, it turned out you were the one who prepped the actors for Avery's films. I shuddered at the idea of him seeming to be obsessed with you, but was perfectly fine making you do that on a daily basis.

I did my best to keep my distance, but people seemed to notice your staring, so I wanted to make you stop. You didn't seem to know me, so I pretended not to know you, despite only knowing of you. But I suppose… It's a good thing we did get to know each other. You know the story from here.

"I've decided to go with you. Or rather, take you with me when I leave. We don't need a plan to leave, we just need to at least escape Breeze City without being noticed. It will be easy for me, since he doesn't have anyone watching me anymore. After working with him for as long as I have, I suppose he trusts me. As for you, well, I'm the one who's meant to be keeping track of you at school and such, so as long as he's not updated on our locations, we should be fine."

I will admit, I was questioning everything he was saying. He's been working for Avery this entire time, but not in the way I expected. He isn't one of Avery's goons, but he does what he says for the sake of his own safety, as well as taking full advantage of Avery's trust in him.

But what if he wasn't telling the truth? What if this was all some sort of plot by Avery? To have some fake worker of his come to me and play Guardian Angel, all so he could make me feel hope just to tear it away?

"Are you…are you really trying to help me escape all this? I'm having a hard time believing all this to be honest."

Damien nods, but I could tell he seemed a little hurt.

"I understand how you feel. But I told you all this with the confidence that you'd understand that you could trust me. I wouldn't have told you the full story otherwise. In any case, it's up to you now, Gray. I was going to find a way to get you out on your own but then … I can't just leave you alone. And I definitely don't want to just leave you here. So please…think hard about this."

He pats my shoulder, before beginning to walk away.

"I have to go. Stay safe, Gray."

And with that, he leaves me with thoughts weighing on my shoulders.

After thinking about it for a couple of days, I decided to text Damien my answer.

~I'll go with you.~

I realized that I had nothing to lose by trusting him and leaving with him like he suggested. First and foremost, if we get caught, his life would be in the most danger. My situation however, could not get any worse. The main thing Avery wants is to break me mentally so that I won't resist and be his again. And…if I break as a result of this, then so be it. I've come to trust Damien during these last few months. If it turns out that he really is just another one of Avery's goons, and this was all a convoluted plan to give me hope only for him to take it away…. Then it's all or nothing for me.

I've got nothing to lose anyway.

~Very well.~

We decided to leave two days from then. It gave me time to get whatever I wanted to take with me together, as well as come up with a way to leave without Avery noticing I was gone. I knew exactly how.

I would go about my day as normal, waking up, going to school, then working at his repulsive warehouse. On the first day, I'd leave a duffel bag full of whatever I packed, likely clothes and whatever money I could carry, in a locker that only I had access to. No one would bat an eye since people leave their bags there all the time. And this way, Avery would think I was home, and I wouldn't have to sneak past him or his goons in order to leave without him knowing. He'll think I was in my room when he got home, at least until the next day.

Then the next day, when I finished my shift, I would meet up with Damien, and we would navigate through the city, taking the back routes and avoiding anyone who works for Avery. Obviously we couldn't bring our cellphones, and could only carry cash. Our destination was the subway, so we could take a train to Castelia City. There, we could work on our next steps and keep traveling, or leave the region entirely.

Things went nearly flawlessly. We didn't run into anyone, as most people were at the warehouse or at home. I was actually kind of glad that Damien was the one instructed to keep a close watch over me. If he had his goons stalking me like he used to, this would've been much more difficult.

We reached the Main Subway fairly quickly, and were about to head down, when the person approaching the stairs alongside us made us both stop in our tracks. Goro, Avery's right hand was walking towards the subway, but from a different direction. He was holding a suitcase, and was wearing a trench coat.

"Gray? What are you doing here?"

He immediately noticed our bags, and without us answering, he seemed to form a conclusion.

"I see. Well, you two should count yourselves lucky. I'm no longer indebted to Avery. As such, I'm leaving town as well."

He walks past us, and puts one of his large paws on my shoulder.

"I always knew you were basically a prisoner. I'm glad you're finally taking a chance and doing what makes you happy. Don't worry, even if they knew where to find me, I wouldn't tell anyone anything. Get out while you can."

He hurries down, and Damien and I exchange looks before following him, getting on the first train we could to Castelia City.

This is, unfortunately, where I stop the whole story retelling schtick. I've caught up to where things are in the present, and I can't predict the future, obviously. It felt good to write about my experiences, but seeing as this little notebook could potentially help Avery track me down… I was going to throw it away, but instead I'll be taking this with me…though I doubt I'll have any time to use it.

(Unknown P.O.V.)

As some were making changes to their lives, taking a chance and leaving things behind…

Others were setting foot in familiar places, unaware that they're about to change the lives of those around them.

A wealthy Zoroark from a well known conglomerate had just landed in Castelia City. He had taken an extended vacation, and while he enjoyed it immensely, he did miss work a little.

"Ah…it feels good to be home."

A retainer of his, a Pidgeot had greeted him as he landed, having waited for him on the Helipad.

"Welcome back indeed Mr. Zenabrin. But um, I thought you and your family hailed from Icirrus?"

The younger of the Zenabrin siblings pats the large bird on the shoulder as he walks into the building.

"Yes yes that's true, but seeing as I'm here so often, this may as well be a second home."

The Pidgeot nods, and follows the spritely Zoroark into the building.

(End Chapter)