Chapter 12

"Hey Kane," Atlas said from behind. "Just a minute Atlas I'm on the phone," Kane replied. Ezra walked over and joined them. "Whose he talking to? He seems frustrated," Ezra asked. "I'm not sure. He was on the phone before I got here," Atlas stated. Kane hung up the phone then turned towards them. "Is everything alright," Ezra asked. "It's the High School. They said Axel hasn't shown up," Kane replied. "Didn't we just drop him off there a couple of hours ago," Ezra asked. "Yeah but they said someone came and got him," Kane replied. "Who would do that," Atlas asked. "I'm not sure so I'm going to call him real quick," Kane said. He called Axel and waited for him to answer whenever he didn't he called him again. The fourth time Kane called Axel he finally answered. "Axel, where are you? The school said that you left with someone not long after school started," Kane asked. "I'm with Akito right now," Axel replied panting. "Did he recover already its only been a month," Kane asked. "He hasn't completely recovered yet but he's just about there," Axel stated, panting. "Is everything alright you sound out of breath," Kane asked. "Yes I'm alright," Axel replied. "There he is men. After him," a voice shouted. "Axel what's going on," Kane asked again worried. "I'm sorry I need to go. I'll call you later," Axel said then hung up. "Kane," Atlas said. "He was running from someone," Kane stated. "Did he say anything else," Ezra asked. "All he told me was that he's with Akito. But I didn't even Akito at all and he sounded alone til I heard someone shouting," Kane replied. "Go look for him," Ezra said. "I can't just leave campus without a good reason. You know how strict the rules are here," Kane replied. "We'll help you," Atlas stated. "Go quickly," Ezra said. Kane left quickly while Ezra and Atlas stayed back and decided what to tell the school.

"Bones where is the kid," Snake shouted. "He was right behind me," Bones replied. "The SlitThroats sounded us, sir," Hymir stated. "How they shouldn't have even known we were there," Snake stated angrily. "Are we sure that guy Bones killed was the rat," Fuyuki asked. "Just go find Ninja," Snake shouted. "Yes sir," the other said then left quickly. Snake slammed the door behind him as he went in search of Ninja. During his search, he saw Kane wandering around near the SlitThroats hideout. He snuck up behind Kane and grabbed him. Kane panicked and tried to get away. "Relax Kane," Snake said. Kane froze upon hearing his voice. "I'm gonna uncover your mouth now but I need you to listen," Snake said. Kane nodded then uncovered Snake uncovered his mouth. Kane turned and faced him. "You are in SlitThroats territory. Are you wanting to get killed," Snake asked. "I.i.i.I didn't know," Kane replied. "Why are you here," Snake demanded. "My brother he called me and the background noise put him around here," Kane replied trembling. "Why would your brother be here," Snake asked. Kane stepped back slowly before turning around to run off. But just before he took off he heard a familiar ringtone. He turned back towards where Snake was to see that he had disappeared. Kane sighed but then took off running. "Axel (Ninja) where are you? Kanes also looking for you," Akito (Snake) asked. "I'm not for sure. I know I'm in the woods but I'm up in a tree," Axel replied. "Okay well, I'm headed into the woods now. Try to stay where you are and out of sight," Akito said. Axel hung up and sent Akito pictures of his surroundings.

"Master did you want to see us," Fuyuki asked. "Ninja is hiding out in the woods somewhere. All he told me was that he was hiding up in a tree and then sent me pictures," Akito (Snake) said. "We'll take a look, sir," Hymir said. "Let's go quickly Hymir," Fuyuki said. They quickly went into the woods. After about an hour Akito (Snake) stopped near a cabin. "Akito (Snake) up here," Axel (Ninja) said suddenly from behind him. "Your not hurt are you," Akito asked. "No I'm alright," Axel stated. "Master there are SlitThroats everywhere in these woods," Fuyuki said. "Time to go," Snake (Akito) said. They carefully made it through the trees and out of the woods. After some time they made it back to The Snakes hideout. "Everyone out. I need to speak with Ninja," Snake shouted. The others nodded then left quickly. Akito and Axel removed their masks and hoods. "I'm sorry Akito. I tried to keep up with Bones but he kinda disappeared," Axel stated. "He does that from time to time. Were you two able to find anything," Akito asked looking over the map again. "I found where they are keeping Riot by accident," Axel replied. Akito looked up at him and sat his pen down. "Did you tell Bones," Akito asked. "I wasn't able to cause that's when he disappeared," Axel replied. "Put your mask back on real quick," Akito said as he started to put his on. Afterwards, Akito shouted for Bones to come in. "You called sir," Bones said walking over. Snake (Akito) motioned for Ninja (Axel) to speak. "I saw where they were keeping Riot," Ninja stated. "When did you see him," Bones asked. "Earlier while we were scouting the Slitthroats hideout. There's a small room in the back. That's where they are keeping him," Ninja stated. "Did he see you," Bones asked. "I don't think so. He was looking towards the back of the room," Ninja stated. "Sir what's your plan," Bones asked. "I'm not sure just yet," Snake said looking over the map. Ninja and Bones took a closer look at the map. "Sir you never did say how you got the map of the town or the blueprints of the Slitthroats hideout," Bones said. "I have my way Bones," Snake stated. "Sorry boss," Bones said. "Send Fuyuki and Hymir in here Bones," Snake said. Bones nodded then left the room right as Ninja's (Axels) phone rang. "It's my brother," Ninja (Axel) stated. "You might wanna answer that. He's worried about you," Snake (Akito) said. "Did you talk to him," Ninja (Axel) asked. "He was looking for you earlier and I spotted him at the SlitThroats hideout," Snake (Akito) said. "I knew I shouldn't have answered the phone call but he wouldn't stop calling," Ninja said (Axel) said. Fuyuki and Hymir entered the room. Snake explained the situation to them while Ninja took his brothers phone call.

"Thanks for taking me home Akito," Axel said. "Anytime," Akito said pulling into the driveway. "Kane won't be happy about this," Axel said. "Don't worry I'll handle it," Akito laughed. "I wish you luck," Axel laughed then got out of the car. He saw Kane standing on the porch. "Kane," Axel said. "Just go inside Axel we'll talk in a minute," Kane said walking passed him. Kane went inside and upstairs to his room. "Akito what the hell. Why did you take him out of school," Kane asked. "Huh, I didn't take him out of school. He showed up at my brother's house with Arlo. I picked him up from there," Akito stated confused. "He told me he was with you. And the school told me a guy picked up him claiming that he was a friend of mine," Kane stated. "He was with me after I picked up from Tokoyami's. Arlo said he found him wandering around near where he works and he works on the other side of town," Akito stated. "I'll talk with Axel and see what happened," Kane said turning to walk away. "Kane," Akito said. "Yeah," Kane replied. "Take it easy on the kid, will you? You know he's pretty smart for someone who hasn't been in school for years," Akito said checking his phone. "I just wanna know what happened today. He sounded like he was running from someone earlier," Kane stated. Akito turned off his truck and got out. "I'll go with you," Akito said. "You don't have to," Kane replied. "I got nothing else goin on right now," Akito stated. "Alright Ezra and Atlas aren't right but Ezra's siblings are," Kane said walking towards the door. Akito followed him inside. "Oh hi, Akito. I didn't know you were coming out or I would have made extra for you," Mila said. "That's alright I won't be here long," Akito laughed. Kane grabbed Akito's hand and led him upstairs as the others were starting to ask him questions. Kane knocked on Axel's bedroom door. "Axel can I talk to you please," Kane asked. "The doors unlocked," Axel replied. Kane entered the room followed by Akito. "Hello again Axel," Akito said. "Hey," Axel replied. "Axel I wanna know what happened at school. They said a man picked you up claiming to be a friend of mine," Kane said. "I...um...I don't know who he was," Axel replied looking over at Akito. "Then why'd you go with him," Kane asked. "I... I... I don't know," Axel looking down. "Kane hold on," Akito said then walked over to Axel. "I'm sorry Axel. I just worry bout you," Kane said. Akito sat down beside Axel as Kane walked over and knelt in front of him. "Axel please tell us what happened," Akito said. "Take your time," Kane added. "The man who picked me up made me go with him. He said if I didn't he'd hurt you and everyone else I care about. When we went across town I escaped. I knew by then that you guys would be at the college and the others at school. When I got far enough away from the man I saw Arlo across the street so I made sure he could see me. When he picked me up I told him I wanted to see how Akito was doing so he took me to Tokoyami's house. In which he called Akito and told him I was there. After that, I just stayed with him til he brought me back home. I'm sorry to have worried you, Kane," Axel said. "Kane, Axel dinners ready. Come down here please," Mila hollered from downstairs. "I'll be down in a minute," Axel said. Kane nodded then went downstairs. Akito stood up and walked over to the door before turning back towards Axel. "Is that man back," Akito asked suddenly. "Yes, and he is not alone. I don't wanna go back to that again," Axel replied his voice shaking and trembling. "You won't have to. Just call me next time or go to The Snakes' hideout," Akito said then left. Axel calmed down before heading downstairs to eat dinner.

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