With Thomas leading the three, they squeezed through the suffocating crowd to get closer to the stage.
"Excuse me… Sorry…"
People weren't too happy about them forcing their way through, grimacing as they passed.
Alexander grabbed Thomas by the shoulder, bringing him to a halt. "You're exposing yourself."
"Right. Uh…" They slipped out from the crowd in front of the stage and moved to the side, hiding behind a food stall while keeping eyes on Schwartz's vice president.
He was just standing there — pinky missing, eyes forward, posture unnaturally perfect — while Schwartz gave his speech.
"While all our respected presidential candidates register, I shall be the first in line to make my declarations," Schwartz spoke with passion, but the speech wasn't the three's concern.
"As humanity, we strive for evolution. It is only the fact that we're divided — the fact that our prowess belongs only to ourselves — that holds us back. I will change that, without tampering with basic human rights. I will unite our strengths and point them toward development."
Tyler listened attentively in the crowd, shaking. His competition's voice carried real charisma.
"Do you know that guy?" Thomas asked.
"No, this is my first time even being in this town."
"What about you?" Thomas turned to Alexander.
"How would I know?"
"He's certainly not from our town," Thomas muttered. It was a new face — and an unwelcome one.
Thomas watched, eyes burning with anger, but they held their position for now.
"We should report this to Ijichi," Wilhelm whispered.
"We don't even know where he is, man." Thomas jerked his chin toward the vice president. "He'll come off stage after the speech anyway — we'll confront him then."
"That's very fuckin' dangerous, Tommy."
"Don't worry about it. We got him."
"Yeah, you got me." Alexander agreed, palm resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Aight…" Wilhelm said, though doubt was all over his face.
———
"I see a future," Schwartz continued, "where humans will develop so much as a civilization that we will no longer need the beast — Ocean's protection — from the horrors beyond. That we will grow to be the strongest species alive, dominating this endless world of ours. That we will rule the tides and steal the stars from the night sky. That's all for my speech. Thank you!" Schwartz gave a deep bow alongside his vice president.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
"Damn," Tyler whispered from the crowd, with both his parents and the grinning Felix Damen.
"Do you have any idea what you want to say for your speech yet?" Felix asked politely.
"Uhhhhh…"
"Tyler, you need to be prepared," his mother warned.
"No worries. You're sixth in line — you have time to prepare," Felix said.
"Okay."
"That's not a lot of time. You'd better start now," his father added.
"Okay."
———
"They're coming down," Alexander said, as Schwartz and his vice president stepped off the stage — on the opposite side.
"Come on." Thomas motioned, and the three slipped away, weaving through people toward the backstage. They made it all the way to the restricted area, where a guard in black blocked their way.
"This is off limits," the guard said flatly.
"We want to see Schwartz."
"You can't do that. This area's off limits." He raised a palm to stop them.
"He stole my shit, man! Let us through."
"Like I said…" The guard shoved Thomas back when he tried to advance. "This area is off limits for voters. Presidential candidates need protection and privacy after their speech."
"Who made that fuckin' rule?"
"Schwartz."
Thomas clenched his teeth.
"Come on, let's just report this to Ijichi, Tommy—" Wilhelm grabbed his wrist, trying to pull him back, but Thomas shook him off.
The fury on Thomas's face was obvious. "Then why can he be there?" Thomas pointed past the guard, making him turn to look.
In that moment, Thomas ducked around him, slipping through.
"Hey!"
"Tommy!" Wilhelm lunged after him but was blocked by the guard's arm.
"No! You're not go—"
A fist slammed into the guard's jaw, dropping him to the ground — it was Alexander.
Wilhelm froze. Shocked — more than shocked — terrified.
"What have you done? You don't just assault guards!"
"Let's go," Alexander said calmly, sprinting after Thomas.
Wilhelm had his eyes widened, seeing the violence Alexander must be capable of, feeling more unsafe than ever. Wilhelm grimaced. He had no choice but to follow.
———
Thomas pushed through buildings behind the stage — the "off limits" zone — peering through windows, searching.
About to check the third house, he heard distant chatter — footsteps getting closer.
More guards in black, sweeping the area. Thomas stopped and pressed his back to the wall, staying hidden behind the third house. Alexander and Wilhelm did the same.
"What are you two doing? This is insane!" Wilhelm hissed, pulling at his hair.
"Shhhhhhh." Thomas aggressively shushed him.
"They're here," Alexander said, peeking through the window. Thomas crowded up next to him — inside, Schwartz stood while the vice president sat on a table. Two guards were inside too.
Thomas scanned the room. "Where the fuck is my disc?"
"It's most likely not here — these are just resting rooms for candidates," Alexander whispered.
"This is crazy, man," Wilhelm whispered, turning in circles.
"Shut up."
"Tsk."
"You think we got this in the bag?" Schwartz asked, as Thomas and Alexander eavesdropped.
"Being the one to pitch the idea is a big enough advantage. Paired with my impeccable speech — yes, we got this in the bag."
"Ego," Thomas muttered.
"You remember our deal, right?" the vice president asked.
"Oh, I do. You give me the island — I'll give you what the island has."
"Did we miss anything?"
"I don't think so."
"We better have not." The vice president raised his bandaged hand — the missing pinky still raw.
"Yeah…" Schwartz lowered his head. "Sorry about that. The source was shady. I should've double-checked. Don't worry, I'll make sure we missed nothing as soon as I'm elected."
"What the fuck are they talking about?" Thomas whispered.
"Beats me," Alexander said.
Thomas frowned. Nothing about the disc. He couldn't see it anywhere either. But something was off — the deal sounded bigger.
"Why do I feel like Schwartz is the underling here?" Thomas said.
"You're not the only one."
"A deal? He gives him the island and gets what the island has? What the fuck…" Thomas shook his head.
"Come on guys, please," Wilhelm begged. "This is insane. Let's just go back."
"No, what the fuck. I'm gonna stab that guy…" Thomas gripped his axe, but Alexander stopped him.
"We should go. I hear guards coming this way."
"You can take them, right?"
Alexander thought for a while.
"...no. We should absolutely run."
"Come on, Tommy!"
Thomas glared once more through the window — then sighed. "…Fine."
They slipped past the unconscious guard from earlier and melted back into the crowd unseen.
"We're in so much trouble…" Wilhelm said, tugging at his brown curly hair.
"We're fine, man. We'll report this to Ijichi later — he'll understand," Thomas said. He looked up at the stage. "Oh. It's Tyler's turn."
Tyler stepped onto the podium, trembling, ready to give his speech.