Werewolf's Gambit

Chapter 3

Even after questioning a number of witnesses who were there when she was abducted, they were unable to uncover any helpful clues concerning Charlotte’s kidnapping. The authorities could do nothing at this time.

For Ethan, though, it was not true. He had been contacted by the kidnappers and was told to keep their contact a secret unless his sister dies, and thus he was looking for ways to swiftly earn enough money to pay off her kidnappers after receiving an anonymous email the day following her kidnapping.

He considered robbing for the money, but ultimately changed his mind. It was either fighting in the ring or robbing an innocent person with the possibility of being caught by the cops. Even though he had joined an underground fighting ring before she was kidnapped, he had never actually engaged in combat until this incident occurred – when he also publicly displayed his talent.

Because it was a Saturday, there was no class that day. Ethan had avoided going to school ever since that day. Knowing how upset he must be knowing that his sister’s life was in danger, his uncle refrained from coercing him into going to school.

He had received emails from his school requesting about his health and lack of attendance but he never responded to any of them.

Ethan returned to the fighting club the following evening. He had to give the kidnappers of his cousin $50,000 in order to free them.

He was one of the club's strongest fighters due to his talent. Additionally, he was rapidly catching the attention of influential people as a result of his repeated victories.

If they thought he had potential, they would go out of their way to find him and hire him. He had fought three times tonight, winning each one. He also took care to avoid using up all of his Mana.

A total of $23,000 had been earned by him that night. He currently possessed $18,000 in his bank account. Perhaps all he needed was one more night to get the remaining amount.

At the edge of the city, a group of black-clad men had gathering in an abandoned building on the seedy side of the city, their mouths and noses covered in masks. A man with curly brown hair standing in the midst of the group was smoking a cigarette between his fingers. He inhaled the smoke as he relaxed on a big chair, sitting cross-legged as he watched the execution by beating of a tractor happening before him. He turned his head towards a girl in a collar and chains, who looked scared and was trembling beside him. He exhaled the cigarette and remarked, "Better hope your brother brings in that money soon enough."

______________________

Ethan awoke the following morning from a nightmare. In it, a group of men in black jumped him and his sister as they were returning from school. Despite Ethan's best efforts, they ultimately took Charlotte from him after knocking him out.

"I must get that money right away!"

It was a Monday and honestly, Ethan didn't want to go to school today. But it seems that his institution had other ideas.

One of his teachers was standing in front of his home. Since Ethan hadn't been going to school for a few days, she had been asked to check on him. Not knowing what had happened to his relative, they assumed he might be ill and wanted to check on him.

The teacher knocked on the door and loudly said, "Is anyone in?"

Ethan's uncle opened the door with a countenance that spoke of unceasing stress and big, semicircular discs under his eyes.

She smiled and said, "Good morning, sir. Please, are Ethan and Charlotte available? I'm sorry to say it, but they haven't shown up for class since last Wednesday. I'm hoping they're okay."

Ethan’s uncle gave her a bitter smile. "I'm sorry they haven't shown up to school, but we’re currently in a crisis.”

“My word! What seems to be the matter?!”

Ethan’s uncle heaved a sigh. "My niece was abducted, and my nephew, well, he hasn't been himself since the incident.”

After hearing what the man said, the teacher's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what?" She was speechless from shock.

"Everything we could to get her back has been done. We reported the person missing, but the police haven't contacted us since. I'm at a loss for what else to do."

After hearing this, the teacher wasn't sure how to respond. She managed to get herself together after some moments of disbelieved silence.

"You know what? Why don't I return to the school and inform the principal about this? Maybe he could assist you in some way," she suggested.

Adam pushed himself to look away while fighting back the tears that were on the verge of spilling out. He said, "I'd really appreciate that.”

The two talked for some few minutes before the teacher bidder him goodbye and he shut the door.

He looked at Ethan who was leaning against the wall. “Your teacher came by to ask about you and Charlotte.”

“I heard and I saw.” Ethan sighed.

Adam gave a terse nod before walking away.

"Everything is really getting to him. Seriously, when did he last consume food? He has a more svelte appearance than usual.” Ethan muttered. He heaved a another sigh before he headed to the kitchen to prepare something for the day.

After preparing something to eat and filling his stomach whist he watched TV, Ethan went to his room to study, picking up his Economics book.

"Wait, how does one calculate mean deviation again?" He muttered to himself. He became distracted by his phone ringing and when he checked the time above, he saw that he had been deep in study for two hours. He picked the call up.

“Good day, Ethan. How are you doing? You haven't been hanging out with the crew and I at school. Everything all right?" asked a masculine voice.

Huh. It seemed the school haven’t announced his sister’s disappearance, and seeing as his uncle had decided not to announce her disappearance to the public because of the threatening letter that had been found in Ethan’s backpack on the day of her abduction, the police haven’t announced it yet.

"Yes, everything is good. Simply put, I've been ill lately. Not to worry. You might see me on Thursday." Ethan finally said.

His friend hummed, not sounding a bit convinced but didn’t push. "Cool. Take care of yourself dude. See you when you get better then."

“Yeah, later dude. Thanks for calling.”

Ethan ended the call, heaving a sigh.

“Just one more fight and this'll all be over."