Chapter 358: I Don’t Remember

All ten focused on West as he continued. "I actually have two options to offer."

"The first..."

"I can arrange for all of you to enter proper foster care."

"You’ll receive housing, education, medical treatment, counseling... everything you need."

"Professionals will look after you."

Several exchanged uncertain looks while West continued.

"The second option..." he smiled faintly. "You come back to Misty High City with me."

They all stiffened as West leaned against a nearby crate. "I’ll become your legal guardian until you’re adults."

"I’ll make sure you have somewhere safe to live."

"You’ll eat properly."

"You’ll go to school if that’s what you want."

"If you’d rather work... I’ll give you jobs."

"No one will ever sell you."

"No one will ever chain you."

"No one will ever own your life again."

The ten teenagers stared at him in disbelief but West wasn’t finished.

"And if any of you choose to walk the awakened path..." his eyes became firm. "I’ll train you."

"I’ll help you become strong."

"So strong..."

"...that nobody will ever drag you away against your will again."

Silence filled the warehouse until one girl slowly raised her hand. "...Why?"

West smiled. "Because everyone deserves the chance to choose their own future."

Another teenager lowered his head. "...Do we have to decide now?"

West shook his head. "No."

"I’ll be in the city for a few more days. You have until then to decide."

He gestured toward the adjoining rooms. "There are beds."

"Bathrooms."

"Fresh clothes."

"Sleep."

"When you’ve rested..."

"...then we’ll talk again."

The group quietly nodded.

As they slowly dispersed, Sammy walked beside West. "...You really meant everything you said."

West looked toward the sleeping quarters where the teenagers had disappeared. "As I mentioned, I have my own vendetta. But its not something I intend to brute force. If any of them are coming back with me to Misty High... it will be of their own volition."

Sammy smiled. "I think they’ll choose you."

West shrugged. "Maybe."

"Maybe not."

"I guess we’ll see..."

•••

•••

The events in Orizon City spread faster than West had anticipated.

Within twenty-four hours, every major news outlet was carrying some variation of the same story.

~ Mysterious Awakened Launches Raid on Slum Traffickers ~

~ Over Sixty Captives Missing ~

~ Multiple Criminal Organizations Blame One Another ~

No one knew exactly what had happened which was why the descriptions varied wildly.

Some witnesses insisted there had been an entire squad of awakened, others claimed they had seen an enormous beast breathing beams of violet light while some swore a legendary mage had frozen an entire street.

Many dismissed that as pure fantasy but the only details that remained consistent were of the mysterious awakened who wore a black hood and had his face completely hidden behind a mask.

They claimed he possessed a terrifying transformation ability and had somehow escaped the slums despite half the criminal organizations there trying to stop him.

Ironically, West’s greatest advantage was also the thing that confused everyone.

No one had seen his actual face.

The few who had fought him only remembered glowing eyes, blue fur, monstrous claws, and overwhelming strength.

His human appearance remained a complete mystery.

The gangs eventually reached another conclusion.

"It couldn’t have been one person."

"No way."

"There was a summon."

"There was a transformed awakened."

"They’re different abilities."

"It had to be at least two people."

That single misunderstanding completely changed the investigation.

Instead of searching for one individual, the slum gangs began suspecting rival organizations.

Rumors spread rapidly.

"Maybe the Iron Serpents stole them."

"No... this feels like the Crimson Wolves."

"I heard an outside syndicate entered Orizon."

"They’re preparing for war."

Paranoia spread like wildfire, resurfacing old rivalries.

Several gangs even attacked one another over unfounded suspicions.

West, however... couldn’t have cared less.

...

The safe house became surprisingly lively over the following days.

The remaining teenagers were settling into something they hadn’t experienced in years... a normal life.

Every morning began with proper meals ranging from fresh bread to eggs, warm soup, fruit, milk and so on.

West insisted they eat together around the same table.

At first, the atmosphere was awkward. Most of them ate in silence, as though expecting someone to suddenly take the food away.

However, after several days, conversations slowly began, laughter occasionally escaped and someone even argued over who got the last orange.

West considered that a victory.

...

Among the remaining ten, two stood out almost immediately.

The oldest boy introduced himself as Tom. He had been seventeen for quite some time and would be turning eighteen soon.

He was tall and lean despite years of malnourishment. Tom had short ash-brown hair and calm gray eyes. His left leg still carried an old injury that caused him to limp slightly, but he rarely complained.

He naturally looked after the younger ones.

If someone forgot to eat, Tom reminded them. If someone woke from a nightmare... he was usually the first to comfort them.

West noticed it almost immediately. "You’re used to taking responsibility."

Tom smiled weakly. "When you’ve survived places like that..."

"You grow up fast."

The oldest girl, Nadia, was also seventeen.

She had shoulder-length black hair that had finally begun regaining its shine after several proper meals.

Unlike Tom’s quiet nature, Nadia possessed remarkable spirit.

She teased people, laughed loudly and rolled her eyes whenever West tried making terrible jokes.

"You really think that’s funny?"

West looked offended. "It was hilarious."

"It absolutely wasn’t."

Several of the others burst into laughter while West pointed dramatically. "See? They’re laughing."

"They’re laughing at you."

West placed a hand over his chest. "Betrayal."

The room erupted with another round of laughter.

...

Not everyone remembered who they had once been.

One quiet girl spent most of her time staring through windows.

Whenever someone asked her name, she simply lowered her head. "I..."

"I don’t remember."

West never pressured her.

Several days later, while helping Sammy unpack supplies, he noticed her quietly watching birds land on the warehouse fence.

"They’re pretty."

She nodded. "They always come back."

West smiled thoughtfully. "...Then how about Robin?"

She blinked. "The bird."

"It always finds its way home."

She repeated the name softly. "...Robin."

A tiny smile slowly formed. "I like it."

She looked up at him with eyes that had finally regained a little life. "...Can I really use that name?"

West shrugged. "Names aren’t prisons."

"They’re something you choose."

Robin’s smile widened. "...Thank you."

She ran joyously to the others and told them. "Call me Robin from now on."

When she recounted how West gave her the name, some looked jealous but were still very happy for her.

Nearby, another teenage boy admitted he remembered nothing before arriving at the slums years earlier... not even his own name.

West studied him for a moment noticing how stubborn the boy was... always trying to help carry boxes despite a damaged shoulder.

Always insisting he could manage things himself...

West chuckled. "You remind me of an old oak tree."

The boy looked confused. "...An oak tree?"

"Strong."

"Hard to knock over."

"How about Rowan?"

The boy repeated it several times beneath his breath. "...Rowan."

His eyes gradually brightened. "I’ve..."

"I’ve never had anyone give me a name before."

West smiled. "Then wear it proudly."

Rowan bowed deeply. "I will."

...

Afternoons became unexpectedly enjoyable especially when West occasionally joined them outside.

One afternoon he organized an impromptu football match using an old rubber ball Sammy had found.

West deliberately exaggerated every mistake.

He pretended to trip over absolutely nothing, missed easy passes and even dramatically fell to one knee after Robin lightly bumped his shoulder.

"Oh no..."

"I’ve been defeated..."

"The mighty Robin has conquered me."

Robin covered her mouth while laughing. "I barely touched you!"

"I know."

"I’m very fragile."

Nadia immediately threw the ball at him. "Liar!"

West caught it effortlessly. "Betrayal again."

Even Tom couldn’t suppress a smile.

Sammy leaned against the warehouse entrance watching everything unfold. "...I’m surprised this side of you exists... awakeners are not usually like this..."

West continued juggling the ball. "What side?"

"The normal one."

West laughed. "I was normal before becoming an awakened too."

...

Evenings often ended with everyone gathered together.

Sometimes they watched old movies while sometimes West answered endless questions.

"What was school like?"

"Can awakened really jump across buildings?"

"Is Misty High City nice?"

"Do gangs actually have offices?"

West answered honestly whenever he could and tried to avoid glorifying violence but these kids had already seen plenty... perhaps even more than him.

...

Eventually... several more days passed and West’s return flight approached.

That evening everyone gathered inside the dining hall after dinner.

The atmosphere felt noticeably tense as West stood before them. "I’m heading back tomorrow."

They all stayed silent as he continued.

"So..."

"It’s time."

He folded his arms. "I promised I’d let each of you choose your own future."

"If you want to remain in Orizon..."

"I’ve already arranged placements with reputable foster programs."

"They’ll help you continue school, receive treatment, and build a life here."

"If..."

"You’d rather come back to Misty High City with me..."

"I’ll keep my promise."