The Once and Gifted King [ON HIATUS]

Chapter Seventeen: Zeke Here!

Hey there, readers. I know you're not used to this. Gwen hasn't really written to you guys outright like this. Kinda breaks the fourth wall, you know. But us boys didn't want her to know exactly what happened this night. She didn't deserve it, and never will. Try to help us keep her out of the loop, okay? I'm trusting you.

It started because, despite my tiredness, I decided to stay up late. I know, Gwen just barely chastised me about staying up late, but I have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places. So I decided to go back to the computer lab to do some more research.

The room was not empty when I got there. In fact, Gawain and all of his entourage were huddled around most of the computers. They were too busy laughing about something to notice me (thank goodness), so I found an empty computer near the door.

I had to know what they were laughing about, so I pulled up one of their desktops -- just to watch, not to mess with what they were doing. It took me a little bit to realize what they were up to because it was absolutely horrid. I silently seethed.

Apparently someone on Gawain's team knew how to hack into the cameras. Yes, there were cameras all over Swinton Academy. They were watching Gwen and Neil at that very moment. When the two kissed, there were catcalls to raise the roof. One girl made the dirtiest suggestion I had ever heard.

And that was enough. I left the computer as it was and ran. I got Blake first 'cause it was on the same floor, and then we went up to Neil. I told both of them what I saw while trying to catch my breath.

"Why didn't you stop them?" Blake demanded.

"I can't! Can you imagine what they would do to me if they knew I was there?"

"Good point," Neil said grudgingly. "If they didn't know it was you, could you stop them? I mean, can you erase their files or something?"

"Depends on how many and how far spread. Fortunately I don't think they can access the internet. If it's all on the same network,  it's easier to remove."

"Okay. Then all we need is a computer." Neil said. "Are there other computers?"

"There have to be administration computers."

"There are probably some in Ground Zero," Blake added.

"Of course!" I said. "I just hope I can get to the right information."

"Don't hope, just do it," Neil said. I nodded.

By the time we found another computer, the jerks had already created some ridiculous footage. One girl had a picture of Gwen's face taped in front of her own and three other guys wore pictures of Neil, Blake, and even Axel. Wait, I even saw me! Those dirty bullies! I can't even mention what they were doing in the movie, let alone what they were saying.

"How can anyone be so cruel?" I wondered. I got to work deleting what I could, trying to get rid of it before they figured out what was going on.

"You didn't tell me about this..." Neil said. He was pointing at a frame which showed him kissing Gwen. I deleted it immediately.

"You kissed her?" Blake asked.

Neil blushed. "Yeah, I did. I couldn't help it. I like her. A lot."

"I didn't know you liked her that much," Blake teased. In the back of my mind, I was relieved he wasn't angry.

"I didn't either."

Another person, probably the hacker who obtained the camera feed, started trying to stop me. All of a sudden I was in a battle.

"What's going on?" Blake asked.

"Someone else is there." I couldn't say more because I needed to concentrate.

"What do you mean?" said Blake. "You're a master hacker. Get rid of them!"

"It's not that easy!"

"Maybe I should go get them," he said, smashing his fist into his palm.

"I'll go with you."

"There are too many," I argued. "It's fine. I just -- I'm almost --"

The screen went black.

"There."

"Where'd it go?"

"I killed it. That should stop them for a little bit while the network reboots. I can clean up any extra crap after, but I'm pretty sure I got the main offenders."

"Brilliant."

"I know." I sat back in the chair and put my hands behind my head.

Neil messed up my hair. "Thanks, kid."

"Yo, watch it," I joked. Neil was all smiles.

The next morning the three of us got up early to intercept any retaliation on Gwen. It's a good thing we did because not long after we took guard at her room, a mob showed up.