Chapter 135: Not everyone is a good person when no one is watching

Kellen didn’t go sulk in his room after the conference meeting. Instead, he went down to the level where the rescued Guides were and Charlie, and went to see them.

Of course, Rhys followed him, and so did his Mom to a point. Gunther came with them as well, assuming that Taylor was probably with the Guides and he wanted to let her know that the meeting was done and he was going back to his room in the Medical Bay. Sergei took this as his time to leave, needing to get back to his own Guild at some point. Kellen waved goodbye to him as he broke off from them in the elevator down.

Kellen didn’t really make a comment on any of them following him. Instead, he focused on where he was going and who would be there once he got there.

The large rooms that housed the rescued Guides had become more like a large dorm than anything else. It was nice to hear the Guides talking to each other and others, and even the occasional, shocked laugh. Like they themselves were surprised that it had left their lips.

Food was brought to them three times a day with a healthy supply of snacks set up in both rooms so that they never felt like they couldn’t eat. It was quite the operation, and slowly the groups were growing more trusting of those who kept going in and out of the rooms.

They did tend to trust Guides more, especially Kellen and Charlie. Kellen frowned, deeply, as he realised why he was getting the same kind of special treatment as Charlie. He had thought it was because he was the partner of Rhys, the man who had rescued them, but that wasn’t the case. It was because he…might be an S Class Guide.

It was against their will, in a way, that they were so trusting of him. Kellen hated thinking that for even a second, but the thought lingered in the back of his mind.

Kellen could hear laughter coming from the first room, where most of the Guides congregated. They still used both rooms to house them, but they tended to lean more towards one of the rooms as a general meeting room compared to keeping themselves separated. Only a few remained away from the others. Either due to personal preferences, or because they needed more care compared to the others.

It broke Kellen’s heart to hear how some of them woke up from dreams, but there was nothing Kellen could do about that. All he could do was make sure that those who did this to them paid. Dearly.

Kellen knocked on the doorframe leading into the space after he’d greeted the Espers standing guard outside. They had been allowed to be closer after the Guides realised that they were free to leave, the guards were more to keep shitty people out.

Charlie, who was in a circle with the other Guides, showing them the outside world on a large tablet that Rhys had sourced for him, looked up, and a smile lit his whole face as he saw Kellen.

“Kellen!” He cried, and Kellen felt his shoulders relax. He would always be the first to admit that being around Charlie did soothe a part of him. He had no idea that other Guides could have this effect on him. Or, that was what he thought. There was also the other very real possibility that seeing Charlie come into his own and grow was very fulfilling for Kellen.

The Guides that he was with paused, all turning to look at Kellen and the few Espers that were coming in behind him. Rhys had schooled his face, not letting his own anxiety show while facing these Guides. As much as that pissed Kellen off, it was also happy that he wasn’t spreading his discomfort.

Kellen’s Mom had been in and out of this place simply because her husband was attached and so was Charlie and Kellen. Kellen knew that if his sister was awake, she also would be attached. Who couldn’t be?

They were mostly just kids who’d gone through something horrendous. People would care about something like that.

Gunther was far more hesitant to be in the room. After all, he was an Esper and they had seen him, some had even guided him while he had been a part of the E.A.G. Gunther even quietly whispered to the guards that they should be ready to pull him out if the Guides had a poor reaction.

The Espers who were guarding the room stiffened. After all, the story that they had originally gone with was that Gunther had broken away from Rhys after an argument. Some of the people in the Guild were a little hesitant around Gunther. Especially because nothing had been cleared up yet, at least officially. Pamela was making the mock up of the Guild-wide notice while they were down here.

At least, that was what Kellen read was happening over Rhys’ shoulder that morning. The rough draft was being crafted today, and then it was getting posted.

Kellen didn’t draw attention to the fact that Gunther was following in behind the normal group that was entering the room. Kellen focused instead on Charlie and the other Guides. He watched their reactions, and while a few seemed spooked to see Gunther, none of them had a truly adverse reaction to him.

One even looked like they were going to start crying. Kellen didn’t need to step in, Charlie already on it, his expression confused as he reached out, pulling the water-eyed Guide closer.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked and the Guide sniffed.

“I thought they killed him.” She whispered. “I thought they killed him because of what he did for us.” That caught Kellen’s attention, and everyone turned towards the man who was attempting to blend into everything. Gunther gave a shrug, looking like he was embarrassed to have so much attention on him. He gave a nervous smile, and then chuckled when Kellen didn’t take his gaze off of him.

“There were just some things I couldn’t let pass.” Gunther said. He was being so casual, as if not letting them pass wouldn’t get him caught. As if staying close to his morals while surrounded by monsters who could easily manipulate others wasn’t something to be praised for. Wasn’t something that he should be awarded for.

Kellen swallowed, nodding, and Gunther glanced at him and then gave him a lopsided smile.

“Besides, if I didn’t do the basics, I knew you’d just beat my ass when you saw me next.” Gunther joked. “You scare me more than Rhys ever could.” He was making a joke of it, trying to diminish what he’d done. Kellen frowned, but it was Rhys speaking up behind him that had Kellen freezing.

“You’re right that you should answer to him more than me. He’s the moral pulse of the Guild.” He said and Kellen huffed. He turned, glaring at Rhys. The powerful man smiled at his partner, his yellow gaze warm. Kellen glowered more.

“You have morals, Rhys. I’ve seen you follow them before we really met.” Kellen protested and Rhys shrugged, smiling at him still.

“I did most of that so that you would like me.” Rhys admitted. Kellen’s Mom let out a laugh, covering her mouth and turning her head away as if she knew that her son would pierce her with his glare.

“Mom.” He warned and she turned to him, her shoulders shaking slightly.

“I’m not laughing at you son, I’m laughing at the hole my son-in-law is digging for himself. Rhys, my advice? You shouldn’t ever admit that to your Guide. I’ve already done it once, and Henry wouldn’t stop lecturing me for over an hour.” Kellen didn’t like hearing that from his Mom either, but it was clear that she had already gotten her lecture.

Rhys glanced at Kellen, his smile not fading for a second as he got lectured and could feel the angry aura that was coming from Kellen.

“I’m digging my own hole so that Kellen knows that he has a lot more power over the Guild than he thinks. I’m mostly better, since I have a guideline thanks to Kellen to follow, but in the beginning? It was ridiculous to me that a child had higher standards for themselves and for how others treated them. So, I adopted them and realised that he was right to have them.” Kellen did not like being referred to as a child by his partner.

They were only a few years apart in age, it was a fucked up thing to say. However, Charlie and the others were eating up this display, and even Kellen’s Mom seemed to like that Rhys was acknowledging their difference in age.

“I don’t like this conversation. We were talking about Gunther, remember? Not whatever the hell Rhys is talking about.” Kellen grumbled and Rhys smiled.

“Of course. We can’t let Gunther free, especially since that is what the introvert wants.” Rhys said, turning to his friend. Gunther flinched.

“I didn’t do anything grand.” Gunther muttered and the Guides who had been silent, quietly began to protest.

“He snuck us more food.”

“He adjusted the shackles we were being held with.”

“He chased off a few of the creeps.”

“He was kind during our guiding sessions.”

Hearing the words from their mouths had a great impact on everyone who was listening. They had been rather quiet about their treatment thus far, and hearing it now? They were truly kids who had gone through hell. Gunther was not unaffected. The man looked like he had swallowed something vile, his face distorted as they explained basic things that Gunther expected all Guides to get.

Kellen felt his shoulders relax slightly. Gunther truly thought he was a monster of sorts, but it was clear that even when he was alone, away from everyone who could hold him to his morals, he was still a good person. A good person whose mind had been warped, who just wanted others to have a good upbringing.

“See?” Kellen said softly, moving towards Gunther and placing his hand on his shoulder. “You aren’t a monster, Gunther. None of you are.” Gunther had to turn his face away, his breathing ragged before he excused himself and fled the room. Kellen watched him, then his gaze slid to Rhys. The man went without much prompting, knowing that his friend needed him right now.

The Captain and Lieutenant were leaving the room just as Taylor was coming in, clearly having either been in the room next door or on her way down. She looked a little surprised, glanced around the room and realised nothing was in complete disarray, and smiled.

“Ah. You’re meeting has ended, I take it?” She asked casually and Kellen nodded.

“Can we talk privately after this?” Kellen asked and she nodded. Easily agreeing to speak to him. Kellen sighed quietly. He wondered if she was anticipating this conversation?

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