“My head...” Richard opened his eyes and groaned. He looked around and found himself back in the motel room. It looked to be nighttime, judging from outside the windows. Fawn watched over him from a short distance and sighed in relief.

“Thank goodness, you woke up.”

“Huh? What happened last night?”

“Well...” Fawn explained to him the events that occurred right until he fell unconscious. “...So, I took you here after that. You’d been out for about a day, I think.”

A whole day passed? But it didn’t feel like it. “The others from work, are they worried?” Richard questioned.

“They probably thought you had a sick day, it’s no big deal.”

“Oh, we should get going!” Richard got up and went to get dressed, when Fawn stopped him.

“I think it’s still very early; work isn’t open yet.” Fawn pointed out.

“Huh.” Richard crossed his arms. “Well, what should we do until then?”

“Why?”

“Hmm?”

“Why didn’t you fight back?” Fawn snapped. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”

“Oh, well, I’m sorry for trying to stay alive and not get reckless!” Richard thundered. “What was I supposed to do while in a panic?”

“Um, fight back?”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds, especially considering my capability!” Richard placed his hands on his hips. “On that note, why didn’t you notice me calling out to you while I was being chased?”

“Ok, calm down. I heard a call from someone.” Fawn explained. “They sounded like my parents.”

“Really? Where?”

“I’ll show you.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

.-.-.-.

Once he readied up, Richard followed Fawn out on the sidewalks until they reached a corner. There, the duo made some turns until they arrived at a large and tall tower in plain sight, with no buildings or signs in its way.

“Do you recognize it?” Fawn asked, pointing at the dark red object.

“I don’t think I do,” Richard replied, scratching his chin. “There are plenty of towers in the city already. Are you sure you heard voices in there? And it’s coming from your parents?”

“Positive. I know my parents are trying to tell me something, show us a sign to help us. But what?”

Richard pondered about the possibility. “Then maybe that’s where the Mayor lives?”

Fawn gasped. “You don’t suppose that...?”

“Well, it’s just a theory I have. I’m not one hundred percent sure yet. Actually, why aren’t your parents here with you?”

“I... I don’t know.”

“Really? Are you serious?”

“Um, excuse me?” A voice neither of them recognized called out to them.

Uh oh... Richard thought as his heartbeat sped up again. He slowly turned and noticed a police officer walking toward him. “Me?” He pointed at himself.

“Yes, you. My name is Rick, and I’d like to ask you some questions if that’s alright with you.”

“Oh, sure thing. I’m not in trouble, am I?”

Rick shook his head. He cleared his throat and got to the point. “There seems to be a supernatural terrorist lurking around in Biostance. They have strange abilities and are a threat to society. Have you seen him around or at least heard of the guy?”

Goosebumps crawled on Richard’s arms and legs. He needed to be careful about what he told the officials and how he could lead them away from his true identity. Richard knew there would be consequences if he slipped up and blew his cover, so he thought about how to respond.

“Well, I’m not sure. What does this figure look like?”

“Sort of looks and sounds like you except with blue skin, no fingers, no legs, and, um... sounded a little raspier?”

“Wow, racist much?” Richard raised an eyebrow and remarked.

“What do you mean?”

“You guys feel the need to arrest this person just because they look different from us? That they have no fingers or legs? An abnormal skin color?”

The statement took Rick by surprise. “Whoa, when you put it like that... that sounds awful!”

“Exactly.” Richard nodded. “At least you understand. Maybe it’s best that you—”

“No, wait.” Rick cleared his thoughts. “That guy’s a terrorist. A bad guy. I can’t feel sorry for him. He’s committed terrible crimes as of late if you’ve paid attention to the Mayor’s announcements. And that’s why we’re trying to arrest this individual.”

At least this guy seems to have his priorities straight.

“Thanks anyway. If you find any traces or info about this creature, please let us know.”

“Alright.”

The two men waved goodbye and went on their separate ways.