Chapter 23: A Rae of Hope

Noel's eyes glazed over the school yard, she had been in the counselor's office all day, but they couldn't help her, they didn't understand. She brushed her hair, she knew what she got herself into, and there was no backing out of it. "You ok?" Noel yelped and looked to her side, Bronny stood next to her, "oh, yeah, I'm fine," replied Noel. Bronny knelt down and sat next to her, the two sat in silence for a while, Noel began to blush, she didn't know why, but Bronny in her presence made her feel something. "I'm sorry, for not being able to get Laura out of there," Bronny said, breaking the silence, "If only I'd been faster, I could have saved her…" Noel shook her head, "you don't need to apologize, its ok," she said, "this, this was going to happen eventually, she was going to do something that got her killed, it was only a matter of time." Bronny shrugged, "I thought you would more upset," he said. "My life has never been great, I'm used to shitty things happening I guess," replied Noel, "you shouldn't worry Bronny, it's not your fault."

Joshua and Jolyne walked towards the group and also sat down, "how are you feeling Noel?" Jolyne asked, "tired," replied Noel, "this isn't normally the attention I like." "Jolyne told me that this hooded man was the one that hired your sister," said Joshua, "did he look, familiar to you?" Noel shook her head, "can't say, didn't really see his face." "We need to figure out who this guy is, and fast," Bronny said, "if he's connected to that white figure, then finding his identity will help us find the white figures identity." "Excuse me kids," the group looked up, seeing the principal Mr. G standing above them, "could you all come to my office for a sec?" Mr. G walked away as the group looked at each other in confusion, "what could he want?" Jolyne asked, "don't know, let's just get this over with," replied Bronny.

The four entered the principal's office and took seats. "First off, I want to give you my deepest condolences to you Noel, losing a family member is incredibly difficult." "Uh, thanks, but I'm fine," replied Noel, "but why did you call us here?" Mr. G chuckled and leaned back in his chair, "you all were there at Castel Nuevo when it burned down, tell me, why were you there?" Bronny tensed up, "how did you know we were there?" "I saw you on the news, you all looked as if you were inside the building before it was on fire, of course I don't know, but maybe you can tell me." "There was a large fire in a building, don't you think that would attract people?" Said Jolyne, "and yeah we were inside, we were trying to get Noel out of there." Mr. G nodded and rubbed his chin, "interesting, tell me Noel, why were you in there?" Noel looked to the floor, "I, uh, me and my sister were both taken there, I was able to get out, but my sister didn't," she said. "Taken? Oh my, a shame this kidnapper is still on the loose," Mr. G replied, "but I must say one thing."

Mr. G stood up and paced around the room, "I do think it is a strange how in the span of three days, you were all involved with these tragedies, maybe it's just a coincidence, or maybe there's something more?" Joshua stood up from his seat, "it is a coincidence and nothing more," he said, "I believe you trying to butt your head into something you don't understand makes you suspicious in my eyes, it's none of your business." Joshua turned and left the room, leaving the rest silent. "Yeah, I'm just gonna…" Jolyne stood up, nudging Noel and the both left, leaving Mr. G and Bronny alone. "Touchy subject, is it not Mr. James?" Mr. G said, "he has a point you know," replied Bronny, "I know you're trying to be helpful, but it's not your place, I think you should just leave us be." Bronny turned and left the room.

"Your tea, Mr. Giovanna." "Thank you." Giorno sipped on his tea and looked to the outside, despite all of the drama, he still found time for peace now and again. "It's times like this where I can just forget about all of these events," he said, "wouldn't you agree Trish?" Trish, who was sitting across from him, nodded, "yes, but we can't put it in the back of our heads, we need to put a stop to this, for all of us," she said, rubbing her stomach. Giorno smiled, with all of these events, he had forgotten about his unborn child. Just then, Jace and Shelby entered the café, "well well, if it isn't the it couple themselves!" Shelby teased, "let me tell you Trish, you look like a million bucks!" Trish chuckled, "thanks, you don't look too bad yourself Shelby." Shelby stroked her hair and laughed, "oh you're sooo kind Trish, I do try my best, especially for this cutie." Jace rolled his eyes and moved off Shelby, "yeah, what she said." Giorno shook his head, "anyways, what's the status on our guest?" He asked. "Already arrived," replied Jace, "dun dun da!"

The two pointed towards the door and in walked a third person. Giorno smiled and stood up, "ah, it's nice to see you again Axel, it's been too long." Axel nodded and shook Giorno's hand, "agreed, it's nice to see a change of scenery, especially one this nice." Trish stood up to greet Axel, "wow Trish, you really let yourself go…" Trish rolled her eyes, "I'm pregnant you dope." Axel's eyes widened, "great, that's great, and you look great for someone pregnant!" Trish chuckled, "nice save Axel." The group all took a seat around the table. "How are things back in Cali?" Giorno asked, "great actually, things in Somerset are going much better than before, it took a while, but I think we'll be fine." "Good to hear, I wish I could say the same about our situation," said Giorno. Axel nodded, "so I hear," he said, "some sort of mass murder, plus the Arrow pieces going missing, that's gotta be the worst type of combo imaginable." "That's why I called you hear," Giorno said, "we need all the help we can get; we must find who this hooded man truly is, and fast." "Already on it," replied Axel, "one of my crew members is already on route to meet up with LeBron's kid, I'll be working with Jace and Shelby to find some clues about this guy." Giorno tilted his head, "crew member?" he asked, "I thought you came alone?" "Oh, my dear Giorno, I always come prepared," replied Axel, "trust me, this is my closest crewmate, she's a real fighter, your pals are in good hands."

The bell had rung, signaling the end of school. Bronny walked out of the school, meeting up with the rest of the group. "Nice job Josh," Bronny said, "If you thought Mr. G was up our asses before, he's definitely gonna be now with that shit you said." Joshua shook his head, "he was overstepping his boundaries, he doesn't need to pry into our lives like this." "I mean, it's kinda his job," said Noel, "he's supposed to make sure we're safe." "I understand that, but did you hear how he was talking? He sounded like he was trying to tie us to these incidents, trying to blame us." "I mean, he's not totally wrong ya know?" Jolyne said, "maybe, but do you remember what he said, he said there was something more, don't you think that's suspicious?" Bronny moved next to Joshua, "Josh, you're not saying that our principle is the hooded man are you?" Joshua shook his head, "no, not at all, but I'm starting to believe that he knows more then he's letting on. Perhaps…"

Suddenly, a small rock hit Joshua on the back of the head, "the hell?" He said, "who threw that?" "Honestly, if you're gonna be talking about murders, you'd think you be quiet about it!" The group looked behind them, a blond-haired girl sat on the branch of one of the trees of the school yard, "let me see if I remember, you're Bronny, LeBron James kid son, right?" Bronny's eyebrows furred, he nodded slightly, the girl giggled and clapped her hands together, "perfect! That wasn't too hard!" The girl leaped down and landed gracefully on the floor. She walked towards Bronny, brushing by the others, "it's a pleasure to meet you Bronny," she said, bowing slightly. "Uh, who the hell are you?" Jolyne asked, "and how do you know Bronny?" The girl turned and winked at Jolyne, "let's just say that my big bro is friends with his dad once upon a time, as for who I am…" The girl twirled away and pointed at the group, "names Rae Costello! I may be young, but I'll do my best to help you guys out!" The group starred at this little girl, she was definitely way younger than them, Bronny wondered what she meant by her father knowing her brother. "Uh, it's nice to meet you Rae," Bronny said, "this Jolyne, Joshua, and Noel." Rae smiled and waved at the rest of them, "it's a pleasure, sorry about the rock by the way, I just needed to make an entrance is all." "No worry's," Joshua said, "tell me Rae, just how will you be able to help us?" Rae smirked and pulled out a piece of paper, "does the name, Michael Garland Kelly ring a bell?" None of the group answered, "so I thought," Rae said, "this guy goes by MGK for short, hmm, he's twenty-six years old, and it says here that he was a former thug that now works as some sort of bounty hunter, pretty lame if you ask me." "And what are you getting at?" Jolyne asked, "it says here that he was recently hired to assassinate some kids, tough guy killing kids, it also says, that this guy's latest victim was some chick named Laura Vazquez. Noel's eyes widened, "Laura…" she muttered, "you don't mean that this guy…" "Is the murderer, maybe, maybe not, but I think it's worth investigating." The group looked at one another, if this MGK was indeed the murderer, then this was their best chance at finishing him once and for all. "This evidence you've brought us is very helpful," said Joshua, "listen up everyone, if this is the one we seek, then we must put an end to his treachery, once and for all!" Rae jumped in excitement, "oh boy! I love me some action, we're gonna kick this guy's ass for sure!"

To Be Continued