The Gemini

25. Out of Body

Jane-Anne Pearce

"How did you know?" Finn sped past a red light, but at least the roads were empty. He took the next turn dangerously sharp, and I held onto the handle at the top of the car. I thought it was only there for when my dad was feeling dramatic while he taught me to drive, but apparently, it was useful here too.

I only let myself miss my dad for a few moments before turning my attention back to the road and the streetlights that spotlighted their distaste on our speeding vehicle.

"I didn't know, the yuki-onna knew!" I snapped at Finn.

"Okay, but you're the-"

"I'm not!" I protested. "I didn't kill them. I swear I didn't kill them. We're different people."

"Okay, still," said Finn. "How did the yuki-onna know it was some kid we've barely gotten to speak to?"

"Because," I replied. "she just did."

"I'm just trying to make this make sense," said Finn, making another turn.

"You're fireproof, I turn into angry Elsa sometimes, and we are zooming to go catch a sky-tiger. How does any of this make sense?" I demanded.

That was enough to make Finn drop his question. Honestly, I was surprised that I hasn't realized that Hiro was the byakko earlier. He was in the hospital for a while, the same place where most of the sightings were. There was a chance that the missing nurse was Forbidden and had decided to cure Hiro the only way she knew how.

The car skidded to a stop in front of the Tanakas' house, and I clutched the handle above me tighter. Finn nearly threw his seatbelt off before opening the glovebox and grabbing a gun.

"Why would you need-" A horrifying thought occurred to me. "Finn, you're not going to kill him, right? That's a kid."

"No!" Finn exclaimed. "I'm just trying to be safe."

"Put the gun in the car!" I demanded. "Now!"

When Finn complied, I practically sprinted across the driveway, not bothering to see if he would keep up. Before I had made it to the front porch, the door swung open and Mrs. Tanaka hurriedly walked outside.

"Mrs. Tanaka?" I asked. She didn't bother to slow down as I waved in her direction. "We're looking for Hiro. Do you know where he is?"

"Iie." Mrs. Tanaka responded, her keys jangling in her hand.

"You don't?" I asked.

"I...I don't know when he left, but he went to his room and now he's gone. I checked everywhere, Kevin is already out looking for him, and I need to go."

"Does he have a favorite place?" Finn was a little out of breath from catching up, but he had caught on to the conversation quickly.

"I'm not sure, but I found this note," said Mrs. Tanaka, holding up the envelope I had found earlier.

"Can I see it?" I asked.

Mrs. Tanaka nodded, handing it to me.

Dear Hiro Tanaka,

We know who you are, but we have a way to help you hide. Meet us at the big tent tonight at 8:00, and we can help you find a new future.

"So he's at the circus?" I asked. It was almost 8 o'clock.

"There's no way he made it that far," Mrs. Tanaka explained. "We're having everyone search the neighborhood." 

"Maybe Finn and I can head over to the circus, just in case," I suggested.