09/09/3122 YDB – September 9th, 3122
As Archer neared the school gates he could already hear the rumor mill from the students walking around him. Clearly the stir of what had happened to the animals kept public interest within the school. It seemed that the attempt to arrest an A-rank was also beginning to spread.
Some seemed to know it was Esme, others just knew it was an A-rank girl, others just knew about the arrest. Clearly the other members of the raiding party weren't the best at keeping their mouths shut.
There was a brief moment in which Archer wondered if Julia or Luna held the same gossip bug. Then he felt guilty of thinking like that and decided to keep his trust with them. He then focused back on reality when he met the monitor at the gate.
It was some other B-ranked boy with a bowl cut and glasses, he barely paid Archer any attention the moment he saw Archer's rank on his jacket, "Go in." He said with a grunt.
"Thank you kindly." Archer said with a smile to the unresponsive student committee member. Archer then felt his phone vibrate. Opening it he read that it was Julia asking what had happened, apparently she was privy to some of the more accurate gossip and correctly assumed that Archer might have an idea of what was happening.
He replied back to her that he'll explain everything after school, to both of them, so pick a place for them to hang out somewhere north of the school. Which promptly got a disappointed reply from Luna complaining about how she wanted to get a quick conversation with him. He then texted that they both should be patient and that he might need some help.
Archer put his phone away and saw that Ran Almer was ahead of him with Nick Aldis discussing something. Neither looked very happy about the subject matter, and Archer was able to lipread something about vampire spawn. Archer quickly shuffled past them and into the classroom.
Sitting down he noticed Luna shoot an accusatory look over to Archer, hungry for info. Archer gave a sly smile and looked away causing Luna to pout, before her attention was taken by Joyace and Emmra.
A few minutes later the classroom filled up as the first bell rang and Professor Blackowl addressed the class. Taking out a piece of paper, he read out, "Yesterday the school's garden was ransacked and many animals were killed. It is believed that the culprit is Esme Soto, a first-year A-rank." He said as he showed the class a picture of Esme Soto.
Murmurs began among the students as he continued, "Her current whereabouts are unknown, anyone with information that could lead to finding her, please contact the student council. That is all on that matter."
Well that complicates things. Archer thought. Hopefully they can reverse on that decision. Though Blackowl was not done with his announcements yet.
"As a reminder next Wednesday sparring matches amongst students will begin. Prepare your training equipment for those days." Balckowl added, which drew excited murmurs from the higher ranks and nervous ones from the lower ones.
That's pretty interesting. Archer thought as Blackowl began to teach the morning class. How will I lie about that?
***
As the end of the school day came about Archer walked down the halls of the school. He then spotted Mercy Cowen and Archer flashed a bright smile, "Hello there. Good afternoon." Archer greeted.
"Oh great it's you." Mercy said rubbing her face in exasperation.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Archer asked before coming to an epiphany, "Ah, right Esme usually does this sort of stuff."
"Very good, glad to see you use that thing you call a brain to use." Mercy said sarcastically.
"I try to." Archer said in a friendly tone.
"What do you want?" Mercy asked getting annoyed.
"I was just hoping to know anything new about Esme, or what will happen to her."
"Why? You like her?" Mercy said with a snort.
"Why yes."
"What?"
"Huh? Oh no, I meant that she greets me every day, it was nice having talks with her." Archer clarified.
Mercy gave Archer an exhausted sigh, "I can't tell you much about the investigation, but to ease your concern, I can tell you that Jarold encountered her and she had help escaping."
"Help?"
"Some stranger in bedsheets managed to take out most of the other students, Jarold said he was tough."
"Why does she have help?"
"Don't know, I guess she must be working with someone. We'll be sending an email to everyone about this stranger later today as well."
"Oh, so how did you know Esme did it? I just don't think it sounds like her."
"Evidence pointed to her and we had a tip from a student who saw it."
"Really? They were there when she did it?"
"That's what they claimed and the tip turned out to be true. Now are you going to keep bothering me?" Mercy asked getting tired of this useless conversation.
"Oh right. I have other things to do, well goodbye, it was nice talking to you." Archer said waving goodbye and scampering off.
"Whatever." Mercy said as she continued her brief patrol over this area of the school.
***
Entering the café Archer quickly navigated and made his way over to Luna and Julia, "Sorry for coming a couple minutes late. I was talking to a friend."
"You have friends?" Julia asked, "Didn't you say you aren't meant to make any?"
"A figure of speech." Archer corrected himself, "Did help me verify something."
"What did happen with the animals? Was it really Esme?" Luna asked as she enjoyed her trifle.
"First let me order." Archer said pulling up the menu, "Is the fried chicken any good? Also is this place safe?"
"Yes, far enough that most students don't come here." Julia said, "I checked."
"Ah okay." Archer said as he signaled for the waiter who took out a pen with a particular blue and gold pattern, "Lemon-lime soda, spicy kimchi pork bowl, oh, there's chilli. One of those please."
"Okay, anything else?" The waiter with a long, braided, black-haired ponytail said taking his order down. Archer noticed her eyes dart over and study his uniform, eyes sparking with curiosity.
"No that's all for now. Hey, do you go to school near here?" Archer asked.
"Me? Why?"
"Well you're our age right? I was just wondering if the same rumours going around at our school." Archer said causally as Luna and Julia exchanged looks.
"I don't think I would know anything about what happens with superhero schools." The waitress said with a laugh, but Archer could see her curiosity peak as she seemed to write something other than his order down on her notepad.
"Really, you don't have rumors of the monster roaming the streets at night?" Archer said.
"Oh those rumors? You know about them?" She asked.
"Just that there have been people saying that something has been around here during the night. Though not enough for any heroes or police to come and investigate." Archer said with a shrug.
"Yes." She said nodding her head enthusiastically, "Yes, but I think there is a monster around here. I've been trying to keep track this entire time. Even last night there was a spotting near the gas station here."
"The one two blocks down?"
"Yeah that one. Hey, I heard that there was a break-in at your school. Sounds a bit like the monster?"
"It did happen, how did you hear about it?"
"Overheard it." She said quickly seemingly trying to not let Archer pursue his inquiry too much in regard to the matter, "Though it should be on the news by tomorrow, though it won't be focused."
"You've been following this monster for a while now huh?"
"Yeah I-"
"Hey Yeling! You're not on break yet, keep working!" A manager shouted over to the waitress.
"Right! Sorry sir!" She said quickly leaving Archer's table.
"What was that?" Julia asked.
"It seemed like she was really interested in us." Archer said looking back over to the two.
"She was hovering near us the whole time." Luna said.
"Interesting, it follows that she was taking a gander at my uniform. I imagine she was interested in the mystique of being part of Trinity Academy."
"I suppose other people in high school tend to gossip about the school." Julia said.
"I imagine it's more so due to the fact that she wants to play detective. I understand that feeling."
"What makes you say that?"
"Her pen is the type that is only given to high-ranking police officers, like captains or commissioners. I'm guessing she is the daughter of one, and was trying to deduce some sort of mystery. She wrote down what I said on her notepad." Archer then frowned, "I hope that doesn't confuse my order."
"Does this monster rumour have anything to do with what happened at school?" Julia asked.
"Oh yes, I believe whatever monster that's apparently been running around the place likely infected Esme and she caused the whole pig incident."
"So it really was her." Julia said not looking too happy.
"Do you know her?"
"A bit, we were in the same middle school part of the morals committee there too. Honestly, annoyed me more than anything, always wanting us to adhere to her strict dress code." Julia said, "Still she's now what? A vampire?"
"Not exactly vampire, but something unnatural."
"There were rumours that they tried to catch her. Is that true?" Luna asked.
"It is. I managed to intervene in time." Archer said with a casual shrug.
"Wait, but they sent Jarold, an S-rank after her." Julia said looking at Archer curiously, "Did you fight him?"
"Briefly, I was half blind, he was tough enough that I didn't want to fight him for long and scampered with Esme."
"So where is she now?" Luna asked.
"At my place."
"You have a girl in your room?" Julia asked eyes narrowing in suspicion and Luna looked a bit embarrassed.
"Hey what do you take me for?" Archer said defensively, "She is staying there for both her own and the public's safety. Anyways that is also why I wanted to ask you two for help."
"What do you need?" Luna asked looking excited to participate.
"I need you two to house her and take care of her, at least until I get the whole monster issue solved." Archer said.
"You want us to take care of the bloodsucker?" Julia asked looking unconvinced.
"Relax, she has a medical-grade plasma supply, should be enough to last her this week. I can get her more before she runs out. I just need to house her somewhere safe." Archer explained, "Seeing as Luna is living at an academy building, I was hoping she could stay in your home."
"I guess I can do that." Julia said nodding her head, "As long as she doesn't try to eat me."
"She won't… she will try not to."
"So can I not do anything?" Luna asked looking a bit disappointed.
"Well I was hoping that you could talk to her, considering how the both of you have encountered similar situations." Archer pointed out.
"Oh, I can do that." Luna said nodding her head, "But they're not exactly the same thing."
"Still anything is better than nothing."
"I'll help. It will be fun having a sleepover with you Julia." Luna said.
"I don't think that sleepovers are necessary." Julia said looking a bit embarrassed.
"Well with that settled, I'll bring her over tonight."
"Wait, so she stayed at your place last night? What happened?" Luna asked.
"Like I said, nothing." Archer said now feeling uncomfortable, "Where's the food?" Archer then saw the accusatory look on Luna's face, "I slept on my couch she had my room. That's it."
"Hmm. Okay." Luna said only sounding partially convinced.
"Anyways, once we're done, you two can head back home."
"What about you?" Julia asked.
"I need to figure out how Esme got into her situation." Archer said as he saw his food arrive, "But first, let me fill my stomach."
***
"How do you eat so much?" Julia asked as they left the café.
"I use a lot of energy." Archer said shrugging, "Besides I'm funded by the WDO so I'm allowed to indulge myself."
"That's nice." Luna said looking a bit wistful.
"You know, if you want get you some groceries whenever you want." Archer offered.
"No, no! I'm fine." Luna said quickly.
"Hmm. I'll ask you again later but for now I need to head off." Archer said.
"What are you planning on doing?" Julia asked.
"I'm just going to investigate the area a bit. Try to find the real culprit."
"Good luck, you'll be sending her to my place?"
"You have the space."
"Okay, Luna. Do you want to stay over at my place?" Julia offered her.
"Of course!" Luna beamed and the trio split off.
As Archer began to head towards the park that Esme said where she was caught near, he heard footsteps hurriedly chasing behind him a few minutes in. Turning around curiously he saw the waitress, now out of her work uniform running towards him.
"Oh, hello Miss Waiter. Can I help you?" Archer greeted.
"Yeah… hang on…" She panted trying to catch her breath, "Where… are you heading?"
"Oh, just to look at the places where the monster might be." Archer answered as he began to continue walking.
"You know where? Do you need me to show you?" She said excitedly while following him.
"I think I know where, but having a guide would be helpful. If you don't mind."
"Of course." She said looking at Archer like he was going to be a well of information for her to harvest.
"Out of curiosity why are you looking around for a monster? Are you a journalist?"
"Oh no, I am the daughter of police Inspector Xiao. One day I'll be inspector, no commissioner of the entire organization." She said full of pride.
"Those are lofty expectations."
"You need to dream big."
"So I suppose you already have some information gathered?"
"Yeah, why do you want to know?" She asked with genuine curiosity.
"Good credit for being a hero in training and everything. Unlike my two friends, I'm lacking a bit in it." Archer said with a shrug.
"So that means we have the same motive." She pointed out, "To find the monster."
"Does that mean that we should share some information we both gathered?" Archer offered, "Is that the gas station?"
"Oh yes, so are you going to ask the staff what happened? They didn't answer many of my questions when I did." She asked watching Archer curiously.
"If that's the case, could you tell me what they told you?"
"That depends, what can you tell me?"
"I can give you my opinion on the clues. Another point of view might be useful."
"Hmm, okay. Then let's have a partnership. My name is Yeling Xiao." She said extending out a hand.
"Archer Griffen, I came from Arcadia and currently studying at Trinity Academy." Archer said accepting her handshake.
"Arcadia? Isn't that on the other side of the world?"
"Yes, it was quite the trip. I have been enjoying my time here, despite our hectic first week." Archer said, "Now did they mention spotting the monster or at least a suspicious person around here?"
"They did give me that at least. Sort of. Apparently there were some heavy thumping noises up on the canopy during the night a few days ago. I think it was the monster, prowling."
"When was this exactly?"
"Saturday night."
"Hmm." Archer said as he stared up at the canopy before looking around and seeing a ladder that was leaning sideways next to the convenience store. He then walked over to it and picked it up.
"What are you doing?"
"Uh, trying to get up, can you make sure that they don't spot me?" Archer asked as he picked up the ladder and leaned it against the canopy and climbing up it.
"For what?"
"Thought experiment." He said as he got to the top. The first thing he noticed about the canopy was that it needed to be clean, twigs, leaves, and junk littered the top. The second thing he noticed was a glass vial at the center of the canopy. Looming over it he noticed the vial still had a few droplets of some type of green liquid.
Moving back to the edge of the canopy he called back down to Yeling, "I found something interesting. You should call your dad and have the police come by."
"I, uh. Don't think that's a very good idea." Yeling said as she carefully watched the worker inside the store. Thankfully it seemed that he was too busy playing a game on his phone to look up at anything in the empty store.
"Why not?"
"My dad and the police may not like my investigation. I think I would get in trouble trying to catch a serial killer." Yeling said scratching her cheek.
"Oh you know about the killings? I was going to tell you that they might be related to this monster thing." Archer said.
"Yeah, I know of two of them, are there anymore?"
"Yes, five more."
"How do you know that?"
"These reports are available to the school for any student to try and handle if they think they can help." Archer lied.
"Then get the thing and get down here then!"
"You sure we shouldn't call the police for this?"
"Yes, they've been ignoring everything I've found anyways. I can send the information to my dad later." She assured him.
"Well alright." Archer said as he put on one of his gloves and picked up the vial and searching a little bit more found the stopper. Placing it back in place, Archer stashed it into a pocket and climbed back down the ladder. As he did so he glanced outwards and noticed a grocery store, what looked to be a park and along with roughly where Esme's home would be.
"What did you find?" Yeling asked once Archer was back on level ground.
"A vial that had something in it, the school has a lab I can use to figure out what it is." Archer said as he showed the vial to Yeling. I'll just have Zoe look at it, save me the trouble. Archer decided.
"A vial? Did the monster use a vial?"
"Not sure. What do you think this monster is exactly?" Archer said as he moved the back
"From the drained victims, I think it's a vampire."
"That is the most likely case, but I feel like it might be something more." Archer said as he began to walk towards the park.
"Why?" Yeling said following him along.
"The vial is suspicious, and the fact that the animals that were drained didn't exactly have bite marks."
"Wait you saw the animals?"
"Yeah, I was part of the morning class that discovered them. They didn't have bite marks, or at least ones that looked like they came from fangs. I imagine it's the same with the people that were killed."
"They didn't say bite wounds, just neck wounds." Yeling said nodding her head thoughtfully, "So if it isn't a vampire then what is it?"
"Don't know. Let's find out." Archer said as they headed towards the park.
"This is pretty close to the gas station. Perfect view too." Yeling observed.
"So they might have headed here for some reason." Archer said as they moved down the trail.