Maggs nods slowly and I hold my arms out, she rushes in and I wrap her in my arms as she hugs me sobbing. I let her knees falter and slowly help her to the ground, Kori and Matty join us and help her up before checking her face, it's not permanent but she's not a fighter and it scares her. The knife is still in her hands and I wave Vicki over and watch as she takes the blade gently from Maggie before disappearing. I let my girls console Maggs as I step back and look at my crowd of people, almost immediately I spot Yano's assistant from last year and point him out to come forward. He's still a bit preppy but he's a solid student from what I can tell and Ben coasts past me whispering a name.
"Alex, last year you were the assistant to Yano, our former class president," I asked, getting a nod," Now you work for me."
"Ummm you already have an assistant," Alex says, a little confused.
"Alex, someone hurt Maggie, they did it to scare and intimidate her into hurting me. You understand," I ask and he nods," Good, you are now Maggie's shadow. You stay with her and you organize people to be around her in all classes, when she isn't in class you will be there personally. Can I trust you with this?"
"I won't let you down sir," Alex states and I let him past me to talk with Maggie as I address my people.
"Look at what they tried to do, they hurt an innocent girl and why? Because they are cowards, I will be distributing a picture or likeness of whoever did this to Maggie. If that bitch comes back I want her found, I want her dragged out into the light and I want her detained so that we can find the person who is disrupting our school," I state and people start nodding in agreement.
I watch the crowd disperse and note Heather is close to Maggs and they are in a four way conversation with my girls, I pull Ben and Devin aside along with Kyle and Isaac.
"Gather people up, this fucker wants blood and they came here to make sure I didn't forget about them," I tell my friends as they listen intently.
"Get me that description and I'll personally make sure she gets a good smack down," Ben says and all the guys chuckle.
"We want information first, beatings come when we don't get what we want," I explain and Kyle decides to chime in.
"I think they're losing their budget," He says and I look at him funny," think about it, they kept paying people to fuck with you, then all the burner phones they have to buy. Now with the money shelled out to mess with Katy they're losing the war because they can't afford the soldiers."
"He's right, they'll get desperate and they're trying to do too much," Isaac agrees.
We settle for all eyes up especially since a week of school off is coming. My crew disperses and I arrive home to find a package waiting for me with specific instructions to open it alone. I head back to my room and close the door, noting that it's from Mr. Delauter in Texas. There is a file in the envelope along with an update on my cash card and a letter:
Dear Guy,
I hope this finds you in a better state than when we saw you during Christmas. Loretta says you are busy up there and that things are getting more active with your life. I wish I had more news for you but I do have some and it's a solid starting point. I sent a letter to your father and the list concerning the card is your budget. I am hiring you to find your sister for your mother; you are to do this alone as it will be easier for you to convince her that you are truthful and not overwhelm her with her entire family on her doorstep. I didn't find her location per se but I did find that your Aunt Tessa was easy to locate and by finding her you'll find Gwen hopefully. Contact your parents with regular news and when you need me to help bring her in call and I'll make all the arrangements.
Good Luck
Mark Delauter Sr.
I go through the information like a mad man, my obsession kicking in full tilt. I found that my 'Aunt' moved back to the states and used her mother's maiden name. She kept Gwen out of school before settling in town in Wyoming. The town's info is one page long and very agrarian, with lots of farms and local ranchers in the area. I bolt out of my room to find Dad writing a note and Mom talking with Katy. It's not long before all my girls are over and I start going over the plan, well more so Dad is going over the plan. I'm going alone, that was the request by Mr. Delauter, I will be gone for most of spring break and while he had the news earlier I'm getting it now not out of spite but out of time convenience for school, I will have to travel down on my own and if I can't convince Gwen that I'm her family then I come back alone. My girls all start packing me up and I spend the rest of the night in their arms as they whisper encouragement till I fall asleep.
I'm up the next morning early and find that I have all my gear, not much of it mind you, in saddle bags on Pale Horse. My budget is reasonable along with a gas card for basics and for clothing it's standard fare of jeans and t shirts with some clean underwear and my jacket. Imelda said she was making some calls and that I'd have some 'assistance' out on the road. I get a kiss goodbye from all my women and a hug from my family before driving off into the morning south. I'm coming Gwen, hope you're ready for a family reunion.