Epics of Noche 3, Limbo

EON CH 13

RAPTORMAN'S HALLOWEEN.

 1775, OCTOBER 31st, MONDAY 5:00pm.

In a children's hospital, a TV was blaring the Rad news. Recently, the pink-haired scorpion-tailed girl's fame has skyrocketed to the point where she started appearing on public television. She stood in the center of the screen as she broadcasted worldwide.

"Hola everyone! Venny Adventura here with mi amor Rad Strider!" She beamed. "It has been almost a year since Edward declared a world war. Today that can be felt more than ever as DeathTech has invaded on of the three major powers of the world."

She pulled out a world map and her scorpion tailed pointed to one of the seven large continents that filled it up. Specifically, the one at the top left.

"Having already wiped out a few smaller countries, Edward is now moving onto the global leaders. Due to this, the United Government es funding the Planet Lance Cult to supply them with soldiers and weapons," she said. "It would seem the moment Cross changed its president, their relationship with the U.G. has spiked dramatically."

The TV clicked off and Raptorman lowered the remote.

"I can't believe DeathTech is crazy enough to invade the land of the free," Raptorman said. "I know they're not Create users, but doesn't everyone there own a gun... I guess it doesn't matter when you have an army of flesh-warping monsters."

A moment later children all dressed up in costumes burst into the room. Most stood stunned, shocked speechless, as the famous hero stood waiting for them. Then an eruption of cheers and shouting.

About an hour later the mayor-king left the terminally ill kids who now had a plastic pumpkin full of candy each. Before he left, he had one more room to visit. He knocked on the kid's door.

"RAPTORMAN!"

"Hey Corey! I brought you some candy."

"Oh wow! Thank you," the kid smiled.

Raptorman chuckled as Corey took out two handfuls of sugar.

"Corey, forgive me if this is a bit personal, but I don't think I've met your family," Raptorman said. "I come to this hospital at least once a month and I've never had the pleasure of meeting them."

"They don't come much," he paused. "I mean. They do when they can... But I don't have a dad. And Emily, my sister, is too young to visit by herself."

"I see," he paused. "And what about your mom?"

"She works two jobs. Even my brother, Evan, works a factory job," Corey frowned. "They tried to hide it from me, but I think he dropped out of college."

"Is that so." Raptorman placed his hand over his mouth and mulled that over. "Well forgive me for prying. If I ever get the chance I would love to meet them."

"I bet they would love to meet you too!" Corey grinned.

Raptorman spent about an hour with the Leukemia kid before returning to his home on the giant television. When he did, he wasted no time in finding Milkman. He wore a box over his chest designed to look like an ice cream truck.

"Sir!"

"Knock it off with that. Sir, really?" Raptorman sighed. "Anyways, I need you to find someone for me."

A few days later, Raptorman stood outside a massive factory on the east side of MoveCity. As a loud whistle sounded workers left the building. It didn't take long for him to find the person he was looking for. The man froze when they met.

"Are you Corey's older brother, Evan?"

"R-Raptorman!" He stuttered. "H-How can I help you?"

"I heard you were in college. Are you working full-time too?"

"No sir."

Raptorman frowned. "How about we go sit down somewhere?"

A few minutes later.

"And that summarizes it," Evan said. "I dropped out to get enough overtime to help with Corey's medical bills."

"Your mom has two jobs and it's not enough?"

"She never got an education. Part of the reason she's so pissed at me right now... She wanted better for her kids," his jaw tightened. "But seeing her come home. How tired she is. How thin she's gotten. I couldn't do it, I had to help."

"I see," Raptorman paused. "Have you managed to visit Corey lately?"

Evan didn't respond; he avoided eye contact. A frown grew its way onto his face.

"No."

"Would you like to?"

"More than anything in the world," Evan said in a whisper.

"I want you to quit this job and go visit him."

"But the bills—"

"Will be paid by me," Raptorman said. "I'll cover every expense for Corey's treatment, personally."

Evan stared at him. He was motionless for a moment, not comprehending the words just spoken to him.

"You and your mom have done enough," Raptorman whispered. "I'll pay for everything."

Evan's eyes shimmered; his lip quivered as his jaw tightened.

"You... But... Can't."

"I can and I will. My financial advisor and I will contact your family to iron out the details later," he said. "Call your mom. She needs to know."

For the longest while, Evan couldn't speak. His body shook as he sat there. He nodded, got up, and walked a fair distance away. A moment later the phone was to his ear. Tears streamed down his face as he covered his eyes.

"Mom, it's me," he muttered. "Corey's gonna be ok."