Chapter Eighteen
More Revelations
Some hours ago in Mutopia, the Chicago Knights and Jake were gathered in front of a laptop computer commuting with Hugh from his apartment in the city.
George was also with them.
"Good morning guys!" Hugh said.
"Morning!" Tyroth said "Listen, I'm sorry to call you at this time, especially since you've just come off duty, but we need to speak with you about our nightly activities."
"I think I know what you'll be discussing." Hugh said cocking his head on one side "I had to attend an earlier traffic accident as well take some notes from a few witnesses and they all seem to recall a sighting of a large black bird."
"Diablo..." everyone said in unison.
"Damn." Tyroth cursed realising Diablo had let himself be seen.
"Look." Devina cut in "I'm sorry that happened, but we couldn't catch him in time before he caused the accident."
"There were no fatalities were there?" George asked worried.
"No, luckily." Hugh spoke making the old turtle sigh in relief "But there were some shaken victims, and only one person had to go to hospital with suspected whiplash, but were discharged hours later."
"That's a relief!" Sephie said.
"Relief for them maybe!" snapped Kate "But that damn bird has risked exposure!"
"Quiet Kate!" Tyroth hissed then turned to the laptop "What did the witnesses say?" he asked.
"Well three, including the lorry driver and the van driver along with someone who was waiting to cross the road said they saw something fly around the sky, the lorry driver said he was sure it was a large black bird."
"There's no video evidence to support it is there?" Tyroth asked dreading the answer yet he sighed in relief when Hugh told him no.
"So far there's only been word from people's mouths about seeing a large black bird, yet some believe it might have been someone in a costume or some very weird flying machine."
"Those things to exist!" Amber clarified "Those witnesses might have thought they saw life sized flying bird machine?"
"Like those updated toys from Japan?" Hugh asked "Possible!"
"Anyway, the witnesses are being interviewed as we speak." Hugh said "And ike I said before I'll keep you updated on everything."
"Thanks!" Tyroth replied "We appreciate everything!"
"You're welcome!" Hugh said then he looked grim.
Tyroth saw Hugh's expression but before he could say anything, Hugh spoke.
"After you told me about the other mutants Diablo had with him Big T, I did some more research and found out more on the missing Bouncer and Homeless man who disappeared the other night and how you believe they might be the other mutants Diablo has under his wing!"
Tyroth's eyes widened and everyone else leaned forward in anticipation.
"The Bouncer, Milo T'Challa." Hugh began "He was an African American who lived a pretty much peaceful and normal life In Chicago, until he lost his parents to tragic circumstances, when he was nine, his mother was murdered in a racist attack and his father was shot dead by thieves trying to rob his store three years later, when the police investigated the scene of the crime, they found twelve year old Milo hiding in a cupboard, he had witnessed the whole scene."
"Oh my..." George breathed placing his hand over his mouth.
"How tragic," Amber whispered to which everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Traumatised at having lost his parents, Milo went to stay with his grandparents in Indiana where he attended High School there, but he was often in trouble with school and the police, because he was beating up bullies who were racist to him or gave him grief because he had no parents."
"Scumbags!" Tyroth growled and the other Knights looked furious.
"Shame on them!" George agreed.
Jake said nothing as he thought of how Callum before he became Diablo was similar to Milo not long after Monalisa vanished, mainly because of his temper.
"Despite all the trouble he got into, he graduated High School and took up different jobs before moving back to Chicago after his grandparents passed away."
"Poor guy didn't have it easy." Jack sighed sadly.
"No shit." Kate whispered.
"Is there anything else on the guy?" Jake asked.
"Nothing else after that." Hugh clarified "When people at his workplace were interviewed after he was reported missing, they often spoke good words about him, that even though he was a strong and imitating looking man, he was a caring person and was often there to look after someone if they needed it, one of them was a a barmaid, Sophie Erelah."
"Wow." Percy said.
Hugh nodded.
"She often spoke about how he looked after since she first started working at the club, as most of the customers thought she was one of the dancers there and gave her a hard time, but he always protected her and offered support when she needed it."
"He spoke about what he went through." Sarah said "There's no doubt about it! Now you've confirmed it Hugh, there's no doubt the Panther is Milo!"
"And he mentioned he was murdered by the Red Necks you have in custody!" Percy said "He and his friend who he said was War Veteran!"
"And that brings me to the next one!" Hugh spoke up to which Tyroth leaned in to listen as well as shushed everyone to listen.
"Marcus James Flint." Hugh then looked at the papers before him "He was a Sargent in the US Army, served with them for 20 years and was as loyal and as fearless as a soldier could be, he took his job seriously and he loved it, and he was willing to risk anything to save his comrades, he proved just how brave he was when he was serving in Syria, a grenade had been thrown by the enemy amongst his fellow soldiers and not hesitating he grabbed the grenade and threw it back! Yet it exploded as he let go, blowing off his right arm."
"Wow!" everyone murmured.
Sharky who had been very quiet throughout the whole meeting as he was still upset over being injected with Meth by Diablo, touched his arm remembering how when he was human had tried to commit suicide by throwing himself in-front of a moving train and how it had ripped off his arm, yet the water from the well had grown his arm back after he mutated.
"What a hero." George said "Such a brave soul deserved such praise and acknowledgement for his sacrifice."
"Too true." Hugh agreed "But sadly it wasn't the case, after he lost his arm he was discharged from the army, and he tried to find work, yet no-one would take him because he was disabled."
Everyone looked disgusted when they heard that.
"They what?" Heather asked.
"Despicable!" Jake growled.
"An ex-soldier denied?" Sarah growled "After all he did for this country?!"
Hugh nodded with a frown.
"According to sources, he was finding it difficult to keep up with the rising rent and bills despite compensation from the Army and other welfares of him being an amputee, and before long he was evicted and was living on the streets!"
Jack, Heather and Amber looked tearful as they listened and the others listened in stunned silence.
"That's awful!" Percy said.
"I couldn't agree more!" George said "After all he did! And almost sacrifice his life to save others!"
"Milo spoke about how his friend was also murdered by the Red Necks and how he was a soldier!" Sephie confirmed.
"There's no doubt about it." Hugh said "That Milo and Marcus are the mutants you spotted with Diablo!"
"Then he really is gathering followers!" Tyroth said in despair "With the water he stole from the well! He's using it to mutate others willing to follow him!"
"And if he gathers enough followers?" Sephie asked.
"Will he return and attack Mutopia?" Jack asked.
"No! He wouldn't!" Percy said "Not with Tyroth!"
"He wouldn't dare!" Tyroth growled "He'd be a fool if he tried!"
Jake said nothing as he looked at the floor and George noticed.
"Jake." he said "I know you feel guilt and shame, but believe me son, you did not know of what was to pass, and neither did your sister."
Jake looked at the old turtle.
"I know." he said "But...But still I..."
"But still nothing." Tyroth interrupted "You did what you thought was right, and Diablo threw it back in our faces!"
"I'll keep you updated if I hear anything else." Hugh confirmed from the computer "In the meantime, do what you do best and make sure you stay out of sight!"
"You got it sir!" Jack said with a salute and Tyroth nodded in agreement "Speak soon and thank you very much!"
"Anytime!" Hugh said as he logged off and the screen went back to normal.
"Now what?" Sephie asked looking at her husband.
Tyroth sighed.
"At least we got some answers." he said "But right now we need to rest, and as Hacker confirmed, all the cameras are in working order and we've changed the passwords to the entrance as well as set up new routines so as long as we keep at it, Mutopia will continue to be safe."
"If you say so!" Kate said, in a voice that sounded unconvinced.
"I trust Tyroth with my life." George spoke up "And as long as we follow his orders and trust in his word, then we will continue to be safe."
"Thanks Gramps." Tyroth smiled at George "Listen everyone, go and get some rest, it's late, or early in our case, get some sleep and in a few hours time we'll speak of our next move!"
"Got it boss!" Jack said "Come on guys!" he beckoned to the others to follow him, yet Jake remained behind.
After the Knights left, Jake turned to George and Tyroth.
"I know you say I shouldn't blame myself." he said "But I can't help but feel I need to do something, and I promise you I will!"
"Jake..." George started.
"I put your home in danger!" Jake said "I might not have done it intentionally, but I did! I will not rest until Diablo is caught and answers for his crimes!"
Tyroth placed his paw on Jake's shoulder.
"We know Jake." he said "And we keep saying it! We admire your courage and we do not blame you nor Mona!"
Hearing his older sister's name, Jake thought again about her in New York.
"Should I tell her?" he asked.
"No." Tyroth cut in quickly "Not now."
Jake sighed.
"Get some rest son." George said "Get yourself to bed, there's nothing more you can do now."
Jake nodded defeated then started to walk towards the entrance of the mess hall.
"Thank you." he said softly as he left.
Tyroth frowned as he thought about all he had been told.
"I will mediate on this." he said to George before walking out the mess hall towards the temple of the well.
Back in the abandoned Church in the early hours of the morning in Chicago, Sophie had gathered herself enough to speak to Diablo, Rex and Samson about her ordeal.
After she had spent a full hour of crying in Samson's arms, she was offered food and drink which she took without hesitation.
Sipping on some water she sat on the sleeping bags with Samson holding her shoulders and he encouraged her to speak.
"You can trust us Sophie." he said "I promise you."
Sophie swallowed hard as she looked at Samson, and she gripped his hands as she began to speak of the events that had transpired.
As she spoke, fresh tears fell and she found herself screaming out her words as well as sobbing whilst all three mutant men were gripped with horror at what they heard.
"No fucking way!" Samson growled "Sophie! You could have told me! I could have helped you!"
"He said he'd hurt me!" Sophie wept "Hurt me and mother!"
"Yet he did it already!" Rex snarled "He is no man! And he deserved his punishment when you clubbed with the kettle!"
"I agree!" Samson added.
Diablo nodded as well.
"When you clubbed him with the kettle?" he asked Sophie "Did you check if he was really dead?"
Sophie went silent for a moment.
"He was just laying there..." she said "He was...still...I don't know...I just fled...After the blows I lead upon him!"
"So that's a no?" Diablo asked.
Sophie looked up at the Raven, feeling slightly scared, yet Samson stroked her shoulders.
"Don't fear anything." he said "He won't hurt you..."
Sophie looked at Samson then he asked "Do you trust me?"
Sophie nodded softly then looked at Diablo who stepped towards her.
"I have a proposal for you, Sophie." Diablo spoke "And it's a offer you either take or leave."
Sophie looked at Diablo with a frown.
"What proposal?" she asked.
So Hugh seems to have gathered evidence to suggest the mutants are indeed the Missing Bouncer and Homeless Soldier for Tyroth and the Chicago Knights, and Sophie has told Diablo, Samson and Rex her story, will she accept Diablo's offer or refuse?
Find out soon!