Chapter 13: 13 Teaming Up

Running through the maze-like streets of the slums, Conor finally arrived at the old orphanage. Looking from afar, the place didn’t change much over the years which hit him like a wave of nostalgia. 

The cracked stone walls were covered in ivy while dried grass loosely appeared on the yard full of dirt. A large, worn-out tractor tire lay on the ground, serving as an improvised playground.

Yet, everything was strangely silent to the point it felt unnatural. It was the time when the kids would play outside, laughing for everyone to see. 

Putting on a doubtful expression, Conor stepped in front of the entrance door and knocked. He waited for some time but nobody came out. Knocking again, the scene repeated as he was already thinking of leaving. 

However, the next moment, the door slowly opened, revealing a familiar face.

It was the female caretaker that often used to scold him when he came back bruised and beaten. At the sight of him, her expression turned into one of surprise and relief at the same time.

“Conor, is that you?”

“Yes. I was around and thought I should visit.” He replied while scratching his head. It’s better he didn’t say he trekked through miles of forest and multiple city districts to come here.

“Unbelievable, it’s been almost two years. You look… better.” The caretaker said vaguely. Conor grew a lot due to a proper diet and gained muscles. His body was in outstanding shape.

“Come inside, quickly. It’s not good to talk here.” She stated while nudging his back. 

Inside the orphanage, the female caretaker led him to the kitchen where both of them sit down with fresh tea to drink. Then, they chatted a little to catch up on what happened after he left. Still, it was mostly her talking as he couldn’t tell her about the grueling training he went through.

After some time passed, he also asked the question that lingered on his mind ever since he stepped inside.

“Say, why is it so quiet here? It feels like a haunted house.”

The caretaker’s eyes widened at his questions before she sighed exhaustedly. 

“Ah, well. It’s something that happened a couple of days ago. Two kids who were on their way back from school went missing. It seems to be an abduction. Ever since then, we started in-door policies and the kids weren’t in the mood to play anymore.”

“What about the police?” Conor asked but the caretaker just laughed weakly.

“They noted down the incident but couldn’t do anything. It probably ends with an empty report on the desk of their superior.”

After that, silence spread in the room for a while. Conor thought about it for some time but could only shake his head.

Unfortunately, things like this are a common occurrence around here. Child trafficking is something that happened all the time and now, it was bad luck that it was someone from the orphanage. They mostly pick the ones living on the streets as there would be nobody to look for them.

Still, it isn’t something the police can fight against or even wants to fight against. 

Most kidnappings are done by notorious gangs who use bribes to keep the police off their back. With their already low manpower and measly salary, it’s an easy way out.

Conor has seen it before and learned to accept that this is the world he lives in.

However, seeing the female caretaker making such a miserable face made him feel complicated. As he left the orphanage an hour later, Conor was still deeply in thought about his next actions.

If this was before, there was nothing he could do. Maybe that was still the case. 

Still, what he went through the past two years was something others couldn’t even imagine. It was a change both physically and mentally. With that, he assumed that he at least had a chance. 

A chance to find out what happened to those kids and bring them back. 

It would be dangerous, yes, but Conor didn’t pay it much mind. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time.

Plus, it also may be the way to finally make peace with this part of his life. His past as an orphan.

For that, it would be worth it to go through some trouble. And luckily, he still had some time to spare.

…………

As the bright sun hung over the edge of the horizon, the slums began to look more vicious and ominous. It was dawn, the time when most activities that should not be seen in public were carried out.

Conor, who has been backtracking the way from the orphanage to the only primary school in the area, stopped at the abandoned train station not far from the official road.

It should be a typical hotspot for illegal drug deals and meetings of gangs due to being well hidden. Nobody lived around the area and the train station was abandoned after a new one was built a few blocks away, eliminating any reason for others to come here. 

What picked his interest the most, though, was the person trying to hide as clumsily as possible in a bush nearby. He was observing the train station with a frown on his face.

Deciding to give him company, Conor swiftly jumped down from the tall electric pole he stood on, landing at the other person’s side. 

“Hey there.”

“Shit!!” The latter jumped up, immediately being on guard. 

You are reading story Deviant Genius at novel35.com

As Conor expected, it really was the boy he ran into earlier in the day. His shining blonde hair was difficult to miss while also reminding him heavily of that cursed witch, Victoria.

“It’s you,” Adam stated before relaxing visibly.

“Yeah, I saw you here and wanted to say hi. The name’s Conor, by the way.”

“Adam.” The blonde boy replied as he nodded slightly, still wary from before. They both stared at each other for a moment until Conor broke the silence.

“So, what are you searching for?” He asked with a smile.

“... I’m not searching for anything.” Adam rebuked with faked confusion. 

“You’re clearly not from around here based on clothes and behavior. Not to mention, looking around in weird places. It’s clear that you’re searching for something or someone.”

“Oh, really? You don’t seem to be from the slums either.” 

Conor’s clothes were not much different in quality from Adam’s, supporting his words. Yet, the boy in question just shrugged.

“I used to live in the area.”

Adam became more and more apprehensive as he interacted with the mysterious boy in front of him. He was smart and extremely observant.

"While we're on the subject, where did your guard go?"

“Hmm?”

“The other guy who came with you. Where is he?”

Adam was speechless for a second before recovering his expression.

“How do you know that he’s my guard?”

“Wasn’t exactly subtle.” 

"..."

This kid’s whack. 

Adam himself had an inner age of around twenty years after his memories merged with his past life and yet, he felt led around the nose by some weirdo boy who probably hasn’t even hit puberty.

“I told him to stand guard from afar so that we’re not as noticeable and easily discovered. He should have noticed you sneaking up on me, though.”

“I’m quite slippery at hide-and-seek. I even escaped the net of that sadistic wench.”

“... What?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Conor replied as he waved his hand.

Meanwhile, Adam contemplated the best way to approach this situation. He wanted to avoid getting involved with this guy but the feeling he got from him wasn’t normal. Even Zavier told him he was an anomaly. That’s why he decided to tell him the truth.

“Hah, I’m looking for a gang. They should operate around here but I can’t pinpoint a location.”

“A gang? What for?”

“... Personal reasons,” Adam said, closing one eye.

Conor glanced at him for a moment and considered his options. It was a safe bet to say that a gang might be responsible for the kidnapping of the orphaned children. They were organized criminals and had the manpower and resources to carry out such trades. 

The next moment, Conor already made up his mind.

“Okay, I’ll help you out. I was looking for a gang as well.”

At that point, Adam was at a loss for words. He was bewildered at how things suddenly turned out. Did he just get a helper?

“How come you’re looking for a gang?”

Conor just grinned mischievously before starting to walk forward.

“Personal reasons.”

You can find story with these keywords: Deviant Genius, Read Deviant Genius, Deviant Genius novel, Deviant Genius book, Deviant Genius story, Deviant Genius full, Deviant Genius Latest Chapter