1 Chapter 2: Strange Men

In the restaurant, Joey and Gusto sat across from each other in one corner and kept on discussing what they've gone through after the Academy. The aroma of the dishes, the music, and the smile of someone who cares, is a fragment of heaven.

A chance to enjoy the company of one another and want to have more is what they always feel whenever they are together.

Gusto had a Mohican cut and scythe-shaped eyebrows. His Roman nose and half-dome cheekbones sat above an oaken jaw. His wrestler's shoulders were part of his burly physique.

His nomad-blue eyes twinkled every time he speaks. They were Saturn round and were a-flush with triumph. His excellent personality and bass voice were a big part of his ambitious character. He always wore nifty clothes and his commanding aroma is appealing.

Joey on the other side has a manly physique.

His mariner-yellow eyes were orb around and darted constantly, a-gleam with delight and the vigor of youth. They were soft, Irish eyes and swam with joy. They shone brightly, as two sapphires dipped in milky pools.

Everyone commented on his vivacious character and his gentle nature. His voice could be foghorn loud when he was booming out a guffaw but it was normally melodious. His gap year clothes always made him appear younger than his years. The swirl of his loamy cologne had every lady swooning in for him.

"Did you later talk to Hannah that was crushing on you then?" With lots of excitement, Joey asked as he sips the fruit juice he was holding in his right hand.

"I never did, but we still chat once in a while." Gusto's mouth curved into a smile as he replied to Joey. He suddenly remembered how Hannah was all over him back then at the Academy, and it kept amusing him.

"Wow, you guys still talk?" Joey was shocked because they all knew how Gusto vowed never to speak with her anymore after the last incident.

As Gusto saw Joey's expression, he already knew what he might be thinking. "Hmm, I know what you might be thinking of, so don't even bring it up! We are all good now."

"Alright, I believe you!" Joey decided to respect his opinion by not bringing up the issue. "That reminds me, have you gotten any lead on where Rocky might be?"

"Nothing yet, but I'm still searching for him..." Gusto's expression suddenly hardened as Rocky's name was mentioned.

"Okay, and I've been looking around for him too just as you've instructed me. But Gusto, I'm not clear about something." Joey had a confused face as he stare into Gusto's eyes.

"What is it?" Gusto asked with all seriousness.

"Why do you insist that Rocky is the beast behind the killing and disappearance of people in the city?" Joey gave him a questioning look.

"I have my reasons Joey, and they are best known to only me for now. With time, I will explain everything to you."

"Okay, if you insist! But, I still don't want to believe that, Rocky is behind everything. I knew him back then at the Academy to be a very good boy before Jaden arrived."

"And after Jaden's arrival, he changed? Isn't it?" Gusto asked.

"Yes, the two of them became annoying after getting along with each other." Sadness clouded Joey's features as he remembers Jaden.

"Speaking of Jaden, any recent news about him?" Gusto's face lit up as he asked.

"Yes, he now works in his dad's company. But I heard, Jaden hasn't been doing well in the company. He is always not serious with the firm's projects, and that is affecting their company's stock." Joey's face went blank as he explained.

"That's bad... I never knew Jaden would turn out this way! He was one of the most brilliant students at the Academy then, what now came over him?" Gusto sounds surprised as he heard Joey's explanation.

"I'm still trying to figure it out. It was James that was putting on such act then, but he has changed now." Joey looks so confused about Jaden's issue.

"I heard from Hannah that, James and Roselyn's engagement is coming up a week after our reunion."

"Wow, that's great news!" Joey looks happy with what he just heard. "See how things turned out. If Jaden didn't change then, he would have been together with Roselyn now, and not James. But, I'm happy for Roselyn, she has finally opened her heart towards James."

"I don't think so... From what Hannah told me, the engagement is more of a forced one. Since Roselyn is the Luna, and James is the Alpha of their pack, it's a must for the both of them to get married. And I believe Jaden must have a reason for changing that way too."

"That's true, now I remember. Both James and Roselyn need to get married to each other according to the tradition of their pack even if there's no love between them. I feel sorry for Roselyn, for getting entangled in such custom." Sadness crossed Joey's face as he speaks.

"Let's hope everything gets better for her, and she would eventually learn to love James. Because from what I've known, It seems James truly loves her." Gusto gave a half-smile.

Joey nodded his head in approval to what Gusto just said. "That's for sure... James loves her from way back and I can attest to it. I pray this reunion coming up, won't shatter some things since both the werewolves and vampires aren't on good terms any longer."

"That's my fear too. I hope it will end peacefully without any fight. And one thing I'm certain of is, Rocky would show up, and that's when he will pay for all his crimes."

"Just be careful Gusto. If truly Rocky is behind everything, then everyone needs to be on alert for him. He won't be caught that easily!" Joey gave a serious warning.

"I will be careful, thanks, Joey. You've been a great listener and a friend to me right from time. I appreciate you!"

"Common Gusto, we are brothers now. Stop thanking me every time!" Joey punched him lightly on his left shoulder and smiled.

The both of them had a little discussion for a while before they finally left for their various destination...

****************

Immediately I saw the message, I quickly dial the sender's number, and it began to ring. It rang for a while before someone finally picked up the call.

"Hello," My voice was so calm, and I didn't sound nervous at all. Even if I'm dying to know where my mom is, that doesn't mean I've forgiven her for what she has done to me in the past.

The only person I'm concerned about is my little brother, which I didn't have the opportunity to meet before she left us. I need to see the young lad and know how he's doing.

"Hello, is anyone there?" I asked when I couldn't hear any voice from the other end of the phone. I feel anxious when I didn't get any reply from the person.

"If you don't have anything to say, then I think I need to hang up!" I gritted my teeth in anger.

"Hi Jaden," immediately the person speak, his voice soothes my soul, and the anger in me vanished away in a twinkle of an eye.

"Rocky?" I asked in awe, as the corner of my mouth twitched and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Yes, it's me Rocky!"

"Where have you been dude? I've searched almost all the city just to see you but all to no avail." I sounded happier than before.

"I've been busy executing some tasks given to me that's why I couldn't contact you all this while," Rocky speaks one at a time with a calmer voice.

"That aside, why did send such a message to me? Have you found my Mom truly?" I asked him with all seriousness.

"Yes, I found her two weeks ago. I wanted to be sure first, that's why I haven't gotten in touch with you. But, I'm very sure now."

As soon as I heard him, I became eager to know where she is at that moment, but I controlled myself. "Oh, that's good to know!" I replied nonchalantly.

"Is that all you have to say?" Rocky sounds surprised when he heard my response.

"Yes... What else?" I intentionally ask, just to make him persuade me more.

"Nothing! I would send her address to you after this call, so it is left to you to contact her or not."

"Alright, I would be waiting for it... Do you intend to show up for the reunion?" I asked him.

"I would show up because of Gusto. I heard he has been looking for me all this while. I need to face him this time around." Rocky said with lots of confidence, and I understand why he is sounding this way.

"I hope you both won't ruin this reunion because I have unfinished business with James also. I heard he is challenging me to face him during the reunion, and I would give in to his request."

"We would all meet, and sort things out in the next three days!" Rocky replied with a chuckle. "That reminds me, stay low for now. I heard the Wise One has double his forces in the search for you. Don't perform any task for the time being."

Rocky implored me, and I saw some reason from what he just said. Even if I want to do anything for now at all, I need to focus on the upcoming reunion.

After the warning, Rocky ended the call and sent my mom's address to me. As I opened the message, I saw that she's in Aberdeen city. I had a second thought about telling my dad about it or not.

"No, I won't inform him yet... I need to be so sure before telling him anything!" I muttered to myself as I lean back on the chair I was sitting on.

I rested for a while before I finally stood up, and heads out of the office. When I stepped outside, I saw two men, walking into the company. They look somehow suspicious with the way they are dressed up.

Both of them were putting on a black hoodie with black pants. They had face caps and wore black glasses.

"That's him coming over from there!" One of them said inwardly, and I was surprised how I heard his thought.

Immediately I looked up, our eyes met, and what I saw through his glasses, scared me...