Two days later, at a Book Store in the back of Waterloo Station. The store had been long abandoned since the world went to ruin. Some of the books had fallen onto the ground leaving messy piles of ruined novels, the pages bent and warped from damp. White sat on a table at the back of the store, White had his feet leaned on a chair that was standing on two legs as he kept moving it back and forth. His eyes were glued to his phone. Some sort of loud obnoxious music came blasting through his headphones, disrupting the silence of the store. It was 1:15pm, Dean was late, and the kid was getting impatient with worry. He started to wonder if he would even turn up. He bit the edge of his thumb. His eyebrows furrowed. Then the bell from the door chimed signalling somebody’s entrance, it let out a gentle ring through the bookstore. Though music was screaming into White’s ears and he didn’t hear the bell, he could sense someone had arrived. Maybe it was a change in the wind, or maybe he could feel people around him, but he knew someone had walked in. He stood up onto the chair and tipped it forward, he rode it down with grace and he took his headphones off. He turned off the music with a flick of a switch.

“It’s about time.”

Dean’s appearance was pitiful, he was covered in dirt, sweat and had trouble breathing. He was hunched over trying to collect himself.

“What happened to you?”

“Training.” Dean gasped.

“Oh.” To White, Dean looked like he had been playing in the dirt instead of training. White continued, ignoring his appearance. “Take a seat.” He gestured to the chair near the table, Dean agreed and sat down giving his weak legs some rest.

As Dean sat, White called out for the others that were sat in the back. Sam, Avery, Mary and Tabby came out. They had chosen to stay in the back in case someone saw him with them, they didn’t want to complicate things with Fox’s men. Mary and Avery were happy to see Dean again, both of them smiled as they sat down. Tabby was in Mary’s arms, purring with content. It was good to see the two together. However, Sam was cold and gave Dean side eye, barely acknowledging his presence. Dean grumbled; he wasn’t happy to see him again either.

“You could at least say hi to the guy you left for dead.”

Sam crossed his arms and put his feet on the table, “Should have thrown the cat.” Tabby hissed a response, she was smart for a cat and knew what Sam had said. Mary glared at Sam, but it didn’t affect him in the slightest. Survival was more important to him than a pet.

“Did you know Tabby could become a Tiger?” Dean said.

“What?” Sam and Mary both looked just as confused as each other, they had never seen the cat turn before. Avery laughed, hoping to still see this large blue tiger. Sam didn’t know the cat could turn into a tiger, he only thought to throw the cat so they could at least gain some time to run. He knew Mary would be sad for awhile because of it, but as long as they both survived, one dead cat wouldn’t matter. White got between Sam and Dean before things could get flared up, “We have more important things to talk about here.” he said. The kid pressed something on his phone and placed it on the table, a projection came from the screen showing a 3D holographic video. It was a video of Fox talking with his men.

“Fox.” Sam said, his arms still crossed. The projection showed Fox grabbing one of his men by the arm, a blue glow pulsated back up into his own. Sam raised an eyebrow, recognising the scene as how people could exchange points, as long as both parties were willing to. You could take and give as many points as you wanted. The blue glow shined so bright that it meant Fox must have been taking a significantly large amount of points from the man.

“God, how many points is he collecting? With the amount he seems to be taking, no one would be able to touch him.” Sam’s face was strained. The amount of points he was receiving was insane. The rest of them shuddered at the thought. Everyone knew of Fox and the rumours behind him. If he were to keep collecting points at this rate, he’d get to a level where no one would stand a chance against him. White noticed the mood of the room and cleared his throat, stopping everyone before panic set in, “Don’t worry, he isn’t going to spend them on himself.”

Sam raised an eyebrow again, “How could you be sure?”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“He is saving them to buy a Backer at the Backer Selection.”

“You can buy a Backer?” Avery asked in shock, White nodded.

“He is buying one of the worst, he is hoping to buy JealousPeachTree to back him.”

[LittleMoon warns you to be careful of JealousPeachTree]

Avery’s face turned to worry after hearing his name. “My Backer said to be careful of him.” She said.

Dean grumbled, he figured Backers were some sort of strong individual who provided strength to the people they chose. He didn’t know why though. But two of these Backer’s warned them of this JealousPeachTree, none of this could be good.

White pressed a button on his phone, the video changing to a one of silhouettes. Tabby tried to paw at the images but Mary held her tight so the cat wouldn’t interrupt.

JealousPeachTree was a man with darkness inside him. He had heard his friend had been offered an elixir of immortality for his astounding feats, but he wanted it for himself. When his friend was out hunting, he took the opportunity to break into his house to take the elixir for himself. But the house was not empty, the man’s wife was still inside. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to put up a fight with the strong man, she drank the elixir of immortality so it wouldn’t fall into his evil hands. But as soon as she took it, she was sent drifting into the heavens, for no immortal could be left on Earth. His friend returned, his wife gone, his elixir drank. He lied to his friend that his wife took it for herself, making him fall into despair. His love had betrayed him, he couldn’t trust anyone expect his close friend. Years later, the man took JealousPeachTree in as a disciple to teach him the skills that got him the elixir. He didn’t want his skills to die off when he pasted of old age. However, after JealousPeachTree learnt his friend’s skills, he still couldn’t keep up with him. It wasn’t because he performed the skills poorly, it was merely a difference in talent. He became even more jealous. Full of rage and malice. And took the life of his dear friend with a stick from a peach tree. JealousPeachTree, the strongest Backer, was one of the darkest and in the wrong hands, his skills could cause dire consequences.

After the video ended White continued, “After Fox bribes JealousPeachTree to back him, he’ll be able to take other’s Backer skills for himself.” The rest of them gasped, wide eyes covered the room. Backer skills were rare and though some of them could be obtained by special means, some skills only belonged to the Backer’s themselves, it made them very special.

Sam raised his eyebrow and asked: “Kid, how do you know this?” White’s face went dark, his eyes were as if they were about to shed tears, “They have my mom. Her Backer gave her foresight.” The video changed and projected an image him and his mom.

“Foresight, huh?” Sam said, none of them were surprised that someone could tell the future. With everything that had happened, foresight wouldn’t be that much of a stretch. White was trying his best to hold back the flood of tears that waited in his eyes. He was young, and it was surprising that he managed to be brave and survive this far, everything was much harder to bear for someone of his age. Dean put his hand on White’s shoulder. He felt the warmth from Dean and clenched his fists, pushing down his fears and steeling himself. Mary and Avery felt sympathetic for the boy, but they didn’t move in, they didn’t want to risk him crying. He was already trying as hard as he could to keep his tough facade.

Sam was indifferent though, he felt nothing for the kid. Sam looked at him and asked, “So what do you expect us to do?” White walked forward; Dean’s hand dropped from his shoulder. The kid went and pressed a button on his phone. The image that it was projecting then changed to a picture of the large hanging clock in Waterloo Station, counting down until the backer selection.

“We attack as soon as he bribes JealousPeachTree. He’ll have spent all of his points and he won’t know how to use his powers as soon as he gets them. It’s our only chance.” White explained. Sam took a moment to weigh the odds, and then nodded that it sounded like a plausible plan to him. Everyone knew what Fox was like from the rumours, he’d do anything he could to succeed. Anyone would want to survive, but Fox was different, he went to extreme measures just to make sure he’d come out on top.

“So why did he keep you alive?” Sam asked. Avery disapproved of his attitude towards the boy and stood up, “hey!”

It was a rude thing for Sam to ask a kid, but he was right - why would he keep the kid alive?

“I can see other Backers.” He replied.

“Ahh.” Sam leaned back on his seat.

“Then why did you let me in if it didn’t work on me.”

“Because you’re strong, that’s why I let you and Dean in.” Sam let out a short laugh, the kid thought Dean was strong? It was hilarious. Dean was annoyed but he let him continue, now wasn’t the time to bicker. Sam only wanted a reaction out of him but after he saw Dean wasn’t phased, he stopped. Falling back to his cold expression.

“Kid, if we’re to do this, then I’m going to be in charge.” Sam said.

White nodded, he didn’t want to lead the group, he only wanted their help to save his mom. No one else seemed to mind Sam taking charge either. He may be mean and arrogant, but he was smart. He was the best choice out of them all. White smiled, he was happy that they agreed to take out Fox. Dean may be the only one who could relate to him, but Fox was a danger to them all. He picked up his phone, pocketing it “Let’s continue.”