Chapter 3
Melee kept up for days. She had to, and kept using Tatsumaki's esper powers to hide her and Garou. She wasn't a fool by any means. Every so often a drone would fly by from Metal Knight, trying to peer into the house to ensure his data was accurate. When it found no bio signatures it moved on, but, it always came back, day after day. She would destroy it, but in doing so, it would let him know she and Garou were still alive. She couldn't have that.
However, the hold was getting difficult to manage. The power was draining and she needed to rest her mind to be at full strength. However, she couldn't let go, not yet. Garou in the mean time had kept sleeping. He would stay in such a way so he doesn't disrupt the children as they recovered. None of them have dared to leave him yet. But she would go in and check to make sure they were settled. Garou slept on his back for the whole time. Melee knows he likes to toss and turn as he sleeps, but for his children, he would endure. She would kiss him gently on his forehead each day as he slept. "You are doing a great job." She would whisper. A small smile would creep over his lips but he wouldn't wake.
She wondered though if the reason why he stayed asleep was to keep connected to the children. His esper power worked as he rested too. Perhaps he is assuring them that their parents are not dead, they are alive and well and they have them home.
Suddenly a knock came to the door. "Garou? Melee? Are you home?" It was Bang!
No, she can't have him see them, he would tell the association. When the Association learns they are still alive, Metal Knight will know. Melee didn't know how strong her power was, but she kept a hold on it. She envisioned herself and Garou turning invisible, unable to be seen by the human or skilled eye. Bang opened the door and allowed himself in. Melee stood in the middle of the room, but was relieved when Bang walked right past her. Yet, he would pause and appear to almost stare right at her! He must have sensed her, somehow! Still, he continued on looking through the house.
"Melee? Garou?" he called. But there was no answer. He took out his phone and made a call. "Hello, Sitch. They aren't here either!" he said in a shocked tone. "I don't understand, they are usually home, Melee answers the phone. I don't quite know what to tell you."
Bang left shortly after with the door closed and locked. Melee was weakening, nearly out of energy to hold off the illusion. She just about passed out when she was caught by Garou's tail. "Your turn to rest, I got this."
Garou took over the esper duties in keeping the family hidden. There was one aspect of his power he was trying. It is used in martial arts all the time, abandonment. It removed all restrictions in his mind, while increases his physical and metal status. But this time, it would channel all his focus to metal status. He has to keep his family safe, he has to hide them for the time being, at the same time he has to let someone know what is going on.
There were two that came to mind, and one was a long shot. First one was Metal Bat.
'Metal Bat, if you can hear me, only think this, do not say anything out loud understood?'
'Whoa, are you in my head? Wait, where the hell are you? The association is going nuts looking for you!'
'We have to stay hidden for the time being, so please, not a word. Metal Knight had taken my children and was testing them,'
Silence befell the two heroes. 'Are you shitting me?'
'No, he kidnapped them while Melee and I were lured to a fake meeting at the association. It was his plan all along, which is why I need a favor. He thinks we're dead. We aim to keep him to believing that, until the time is right. For now. I need you to play along with this and act that we are. Can you do that for me?'
'Man, this is heavy. Are you sure it's Metal Knight?'
'Do you know who OWNS that new virtual reality arcade that took my children? It was all his tech!'
'Son of a bitch! Okay, let me know what you need. I'll play along'
'Thanks Metal Bat, you're not so bad when it comes to helping someone like me out.'
'Hey!'
He severed the connection for now, but there was one other he had to reach, and it made him sick to think about it.