(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 471

Chapter 471: The ride down

Kellen was brought down to the lower level where he had normally met his students when they came back from the front lines. He hadn’t seen the other side of this place, and when he got there with Casper, he found that they weren’t alone.

Another Esper was waiting there. It wasn’t Morrison since he was pretty sure he remembered someone saying he was in a gate when everything went down. It was another man who Kellen had seen around and spoken to but they didn’t run in the same circles.

"Kellen, this is George Winston. He’s been with the Guild about as long as I have. He’s also been transporting people to and from the front lines for a long time as well. Rhys asked for him specifically to drive you to the front lines. He is a former member of a hate group." Casper told him.

Kellen scanned the dirty blond hair and brown eyes with a different tone. It wasn’t one of judgement, more of calculation.

"I’m assuming that means you’re at least somewhat reformed?" Kellen asked and Esper Winston chuckled.

"Somewhat. I’m how Gunther was able to get in a lot easier then if it had been someone else. Even if it’s in the past, my old name carries some weight." He admitted, and Kellen noticed that like Carlos, he had a large slit across his throat. Was that just something they liked to do to people they didn’t like? It was ridiculous.

"I see. Well, I’m glad that’s the case." Kellen told him and Casper nodded as he looked between the two of them. Kellen glanced at Casper and noticed how his eye was twitching. He wondered for a moment why that was happening until Casper reached over, grabbed Kellen and pulled him in for a hug.

Kellen was a little stiff, having not expected that the other man was going to hold him. Casper wasn’t much for hugging in all the time that Kellen had observed him.

Casper gave him a tight squeeze, pulled away, and opened and closed his mouth. His eyes weren’t spilling over with tears, but he did look emotional.

"You’re going to be as safe as possible, right?" Casper asked and Kellen nodded. "You aren’t going to rush into any more danger, right?" Casper asked and Kellen felt his lips twitch. He reached up, placing his hands on top of Casper’s, giving them a squeeze.

"This is my job, Casper. I have more experience than everyone else who went into the gates combined. That includes those who have gone in before now. I will do my best, and I promise I won’t go out of my way, alright?" Kellen told him and Casper nodded, sniffing.

"Okay. Good. I just...I know there is already so much pressure on your shoulders, I just..." Casper trailed off. "We’re already down so many people, and I don’t think the Guild would survive with you gone as well." There was a deeper meaning to his words, and Kellen didn’t need to be warned.

He knew.

Kellen let out a shaky breath, nodded, and gave his hands another squeeze.

"I know." Kellen said softly. "Thank you for seeing me off in his place. Take care of him while I’m gone, alright? And take care of yourself as well, Casper. If I come back and you’re a damn stick again, I’m going to be pissed." Kellen warned and watched as Casper’s lips wavered in a smile. He dropped his head, breaking eye contact and nodded.

"Okay. I understand, Kellen." He turned to Esper Winston. "Take care of him, alright? Make sure you both get to the front lines safely. Now would be a great time to attack." Casper said and Esper Winston nodded.

"Understood, Sir. I’ll be safe, but efficient." Esper Winston confirmed, sliding his gaze to Kellen. He gave a soft smile when he met Kellen’s gaze.

Casper finally extracted himself from Kellen, stepping away and giving a heavy sigh. Then, Kellen turned and followed Esper Winston to the car.

It was nondescript, simple. A blend in kind of car. Kellen took his bag off and placed it at his feet as he got into the passenger side of the car while Esper Winston got into the driver’s side. The only thing of note was that the windows were tinted. All of the windows.

Highly illegal for other cars, but permissible for this type. The two didn’t say anything to each other, but Kellen didn’t consider it an awkward silence.

"I’ve got some older music for when the connection cuts and we don’t have the stations anymore." Esper Winston said. "They’re in the glove box. Have your pick." He said, and Kellen nodded. He waited until they were moving out from under the Guild building and out onto the street before he opened the glove box.

~ freewebnσvel.cøm

It was a chilling thought, especially since Kellen didn’t really believe in higher powers. Not in the traditional sense, anyway. How could he? What higher power would allow this much change and devastation happen to a place they were overlooking unless they were fucking terrible at their job?

He didn’t say these things out loud, since it never had a good response. More people had turned towards believing in higher beings during this time, since it gave them comfort. He was fairly certain his parents did, as did many others.

He’d never discussed this with Rhys. He hadn’t seen a point to have that conversation with him. Kellen didn’t care enough about it to make a big deal about it, and honestly? If it brought him comfort, he didn’t care.

Kellen let out a soft exhale, coming up from his nap for the last time, stretching out, his muscles twitching and aching in ways he hadn’t experienced before. He made a face, wondering if every time was going to be like this, or if it got better the more you did it, like other exercises.

He’d only have one way to find that out, and currently, his partner was hundreds of miles away, like he wanted him to be.

His heart ached at that thought, and Kellen shifted in his seat.

"We’re almost there." Esper Winston said. "Roads were pretty clear this time. It probably has to do with the attack recently on the front lines. When something like that happens, the smaller ones draw back so as not to anger the bigger guys that come through. We were in luck. Means we made really good time." He sounded pretty happy about that and Kellen just nodded.

It just meant that Kellen getting his head torn off by Hill and Taylor, and hell, let’s throw Sergei and Pamela in there as well for good measure; was approaching faster and faster. He was going to be scraps when he actually entered the gate.

He hoped that would be enough to get everyone to safety. He stared at the backpack before him. He hadn’t actually checked it, hadn’t had time to. He would have to give himself a second to do so once they fully arrived, before he stepped inside the gate. He didn’t know if he needed anything else, but he had a feeling he didn’t.

He’d taught them how to pack a bag. He needed to have faith in them, and trust them. They weren’t setting him up for failure. They were setting him up for success.