Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.


I Am Tao (Part 12)

There's nothing to do here. Tao pulled his usual black shirt over his head and let the collar hang off his shoulder. He couldn't investigate the lab without Takeo, but he could look into this student for Frankenstein. It would at least fill his time until school ended, and if nothing else, he could use whatever information he found to appease the boss. Frankenstein would not be pleased about the delay in informing him and M-21.

[-] [-] [-]

Finally, lunch. Regis slipped out of the classroom and left the others behind without an explanation. Right now, Takeo should be on the roof. Students weren't allowed up there, but he would have to break the rules just this once. He ran through the grass to a narrow alley between the fence and the building on the east side. It was vacant except for garbage containers that were neatly tucked away in the corner and the fire escape that attached to the emergency doors. Regis flew up the first flight of stairs, cut across the flat area in front of the door, and ascended to the next flight.

Takeo leaned over the safety wall that lined the rooftop and blocked Regis' path. "You know students aren't allowed up here. Not even you."

"It's important." Regis held up the comic book.

Takeo swung his body over the wall and landed on the top flight. He took a seat on the steps and clicked off his headset. "So, you think it looks like M-21, too?"

"I need your opinion." Regis sat down next to him and turned to the page with the glowing eyed man. "This picture fits the description of a mutant or an infected, but I can't confirm this. I've never actually seen one in person."

"I haven't either. There aren't very many enhanced humans left that are able to create infected beings."

"Yes, and creating mutants is strictly forbidden."

"M-21 has seen the infected. He should know. I never asked, but I'd bet that Frankenstein and his master know all about them, too. About mutants, at least. Tao's never mentioned it, but he use to investigate the union for fun. He might have come across something."

"Ah, yes, I wanted to avoid asking anyone else until we inform M-21. Tao said only the three of us knew."

"Why don't you just read it?" Takeo yanked the book from Regis' hands and skimmed the back cover. "It probably explains that character in the story."

"What are you doing? You can't just read it! It's private. M-21 is-"

"It's not really him, you know. It just looks like him."

"But, still, it seems invasive."

"I suppose it does, but unless you want to ask Frankenstein or M-21, reading it is the best way to find your answer."

[-] [-] [-]

I am your protector.

I am your defender.

I am your deliverer.

I am Tao.

It's just not the same without the others to tease him about saying it aloud. Tao leaned against the wall and propped his computer on his knees. Maybe he should write catch phrases for them as well. Something like Howl, M-21! for a special attack. Or a theme song! That thought made him laugh. They would never sing it, but trying to convince them to would be fun.

But right now, he needed to focus on this mission. The surrounding area was quiet except for sirens in the distance. No one appeared to be home. The curtains were slightly open, but without Takeo of a pair of binoculars, he couldn't see inside from here. A quick search brought up no recent cell phone usage, and nothing interesting appeared on their home computer. He was an average student with little activities outside of school life.

And then, there was the police report. Out of nowhere this kid just takes off. No motive. No explanation. Nothing. And his parents fought the police over their conclusion that he had run away. After a thorough investigation, the police found nothing that suggested he had been abducted. He even had a bag of clothing, a couple days worth of food, and a stash of comic books on him when the police found him under a bridge last night.

Sure, runaways didn't happen every day, but they weren't that uncommon. Why was Frankenstein interested in this kid? Why did he want the health records? If he was concerned about the boy's welfare, he could have just called his parents. There was no need to illegally hack into the hospital's computer system over something like this. What was he looking for?

Still no movement inside. Tao tucked his laptop under his arm and moved in closer. Just a casual walk by the open window. Nothing anyone would find suspicious. The curtains fluttered with a gust of wind. Perfect! Tao glanced though the window from the corner of his eye. A man slumped over in his chair with his face smashed into the tablecloth, and a knocked over glass of water dripped off the edge of the table. The feet of a woman peeked from behind the counter. One shoe missing and the other hanging awkwardly from her toe.

Tao had seen worse, much worse, but it had never surprised him before. He had always expected it. Always known it was coming. And, caused it to some degree. But this? Shoot! He stopped walking! Tao quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and pretended to send a text. He glanced down the street with only his eyes. No one. Keep moving. Don't look suspicious.

"Memmmemmm."

Were they alive? No, don't get involved. Just call the police and leave.

"Mmmmeeemem."

The sound didn't come from either body. Was there someone else? He swept his hand through his hair and used the gesture to hide another look inside the room. There, in the far corner. The boy rocked rhythmically back and forth and hugged his knees to his chest. His head hung down as unintelligible murmurs and groans escaped from his lips.

It's too late to pretend he saw nothing. He couldn't leave one of his students like that. "Hey, are you okay?"

The rocking exploded into violent shaking. He clutched his head and drew it close to his knees.

"Stay there! I'm coming to get you! You're going to be okay!" Tao shot around the corner to the front door. No sign of forced entry. Could the intruder still be inside? He dashed into the house, through the living room, and into the kitchen. His knees slammed against the floor next to the boy, and he gently placed a hand on his back. He soothed his voice into reassuring tones. "Hey, it's okay. I'm going to get you out of here. Are you hurt anywhere? Can you move?"

Blood smeared across the boy's arms and face, and he gnawed on one hand as he rocked. Sweat soaked through his shirt and beaded on his skin. He looked sick and pale but didn't appear to have any injuries. The blood didn't belong to him. Was he in shock, then? No time to think about it. If the intruder's still inside…

"Okay, I'm going to help you to stand." Tao looked around. No one was in sight. Get the kid to safety. Call the police. Find the intruder. No, let the police find the intruder. He wasn't suppose to be there. Call the police then disappear. If the kid was in shock, maybe he wouldn't notice who rescued him? Just like a super hero. Save the day and leave the credit for someone else. "We should hur-"

Power shifted through his hand. Tao ripped it from the student's back and leapt away. The boy aggressively licked the blood from his arms. The distant sirens now roared loudly, and his head shot up at the sound. Light caught in his eyes and reflected a hazy red.

"What… happened to you?"

[-] [-] [-]

"Principal Lee, this is Detective Kim." His voice sounded much too serious for a casual call.

Franken closed the door to his office and sat behind his desk. "Yes, what is it?"

"We have just received a disturbing report concerning the runaway student. His mother called claiming he was showing erratic behavior and then the line went dead. I have sent officers to the scene, but I won't know anymore until they arrive. If the student tries to show up at school, do not allow him to enter. Call me immediately if he appears."

"Yes, I will be sure to do so."

"And, Principal Lee, I'm only telling you this because it's you." The detective hesitated then cleared his throat. "When the line went dead, it sounded like there was a struggle. There has been three similar incidents with in the last hour. All of them have involved runaway students. I really don't know anything at the moment. I'll inform you once I learn more."