Triple Nightmare /Bakudekutodo

Chapter 67: Arlo!

"If it's true what you believe then your son really is dead, Aiko. But that 8 year old boy lost a lot more then you did. He lost his parents, his home. All he had left was a stranger. So yes, you fucked up. There is no going back. We can't help you with getting your boy back or getting rid of the one in your living room."

"It's nice to meet you then, Arlo. My name is Hizashi." Arlo looked up at him. "Hi, Hizashi." Yamada smiled. "Hi"

(Still no ones POV:)
"Promise you won't tell?" "Can I tell my friend?" Arlo hesitated. "Trust me, he might look scary but he's a really cool guy!" Arlo gave Yamada a smirk. "You know sir I'm not 8 anymore. I've turned 25 a couple months ago." "Sorry" Yamada answered somewhat embarrassed. "Fine, you can tell your Friend. Just please don't say a word to Aiko." "Why not?" " 'Cause then she'd have to realize her actual son is long dead. And I'm the one who stole his corpse." "Fine, but please do consider telling her yourself. Now, how did it happen?" Yamada asked.

"It has been 17 years so I don't remember every detail. But I remember being home in quite a different place then the one we are in now. Me and my parents used to live in a little cabin in the woods. It was a couple days worth of travel to the next town but I always loved it there.

One day a group of young travelers came by and asked If they could stay for a couple of days. Just long enough for them to rest and prepare for their next adventure. Because our house was in the middle of nowhere my parents let them in, knowing they probably wouldn't make it far without our help. I don't remember to much about them. I just remember that they spend a lot of time and playing with me. In the end that group stayed with us for an entire month. Soon they became family. My older siblings I suppose. Everything was fine until our household got hit with a virus. We must've gotten it through a forest Bacteria or something similar. I still remember, ma parents being to weak to travel and a doctor wasn't willing to take a travel that long upon themselves. But instead of caring for the people that have been taking care of 'em, they ran off. I was to young to understand. Day after day I left the cabin looking for those travelers and then when I finally found them..." "What happened?" Yamada asked after Arlo had been silent for a few seconds. "The rest is a blur. I just remember a lot of blood. I was scared. Frozen in terror. Suddenly that terror was broken by something more beautiful then anything I had ever seen before. It was purple and shiny as if you had caught a galaxy in a ball. Stairs with the individual steps floating led up to it. I felt as though I had been sucked into a trance. I walked up to it and as I touched it, all went black. After that I woke up here. That's all I know."

"Arlo?" "What is it?" "I know this might be to much to ask and if you aren't comfortable I won't insist on it. But we have heroes with mind reading quirks. Perhaps we could have a look into your memories?" Yamada asked carefully. "You think I'm crazy don't you?" Arlo asked as if he had been in such a situation before. "Not even close, actually. If I thought that, I'd leave and deem this a dead end. But I believe you. So much so that I believe you could help us save three young boys. They mean a lot to us. Because you know we are heroes but we are also teachers and those kids... I think you know what I am trying to say. But please, don't rush your decision. Take all the time you need to make sure whether you want this or not. Here, this is my number. If you want to try it out, call me." Yamada pushed a piece of paper over the surface of the table. He finished the last sip of his coffee then stood up. In that moment Aizawa entered the room. "You done?" "Yes, we are." Yamada gave Arlo one more smile before the both of them left the apartment. Aiko bowed one more time before closing the door. "Disgusting women." "Shōta." "What? You weren't the one who talked to her." Yamada sighed.

On their way back the two heroes discussed the new information they had gathered.

"I'm sorry sensei, but why are you telling me all this?" Kirishima asked. "I decided that from now on you should get all the information about this case. That way if you ever get the chance to talk to Bakugo again we might be able to find a solution together." Aizawa said. "You think you can remember all of that?" "Yeah, it's not to much." the boy answered. "I'm sorry to put this responsibility on you." "It's fine. As long as I can help!" "Thank you!" In that moment Aizawa noticed a bag next to the hospital bed. "You will be picked up today won't you?" "Yeah, I can go home again." "When will I see you back in class?" "Monday." Aizawa smiled. "Good to hear. Rest well over the weekend boy." "Yes sir!" With that the teacher stood up and left the room. Right after he made his way back to the task forces headquarter in order to talk to Tsukaushi about any new information as well as the one him and Yamada had acquired.

Yamada stopped walking in order to look at his phone. An unknown number was calling. He answered. "Yes? Present Mic here." "It's me." "Arlo!" "I want to help them. But only if you try to help me too!"

To be continued ...