White Lies

Part 1: Chapter 5

Marco's POV:

   Once I had dealt with the previous issue, my scanner had started to beep once more. It led me back out the alleyway and.. Straight to the diner I had seen the assumed-to-be-couple walk into. I sighed, "Looks like I'm about to ruin someone's date".

   I pushed open the glass doors. I already knew who it was. One half of the couple. The boy.

   The waitress panicked, "Sh-Should I call an ambulance?" I put an arm out in front of her, "That won't be necessary". I took out one of my gun-blades, "I've got this under control", cocked the gun and aimed it at him. He tried to get out from his seat, only to weakly drop to his hands and knees.

    He had just started to turn it seems. Still looked entirely human, besides the infection on his sides. The boy shook with a stammered plea, "N-No.. Please, don't.. I'm okay.."

   In the next moment. I couldn't help but to freeze. I usually had no pity for these things. They were monsters, no matter what they looked like. I promised myself to slice through all of them, no matter who, no matter how much they've turned. But for some reason. I couldn't push myself to do it. Had it been his soft cry? His trembling body, how he was barely mutant? That.. He was still human? Was I feeling sorry? No. As I ran through each and everyone of these thoughts, I couldn't help but to deny it. Had..

   Had it been how he slowly lifted his gaze to me. His hazel eyes full of tears and helplessness. His pale skin now warm red on his nose and cheeks, a gentle rosiness. His fragile body shook, wanting to give into itself, but I.. I didn't want to let that happen.. I.. The thing I fell victim to, my weakness.

   Innocence.

   I felt my eye twitch in annoyance, not at anyone but myself. I clicked my tongue with a slight, "Tsk", slipping my gun into it's holster and knelt down, "You're not okay. And neither are these people, you're a danger to them and yourself". The boy shrunk down, suddenly noticing the symbol on my chest and my scanner, his voice sniffling, "Th-The secret service.. Why?.. But I'm not dangerous! I've had this all my life!"

   All my life...

   No, it was impossible.

   I refused, shaking my head, "That.. That can't be. This illness turns people within twenty-four hours. Maybe forty-eight if you're lucky. Either you're lying to me, or you were born yesterday", yet the boy seemed confused.

   He went to speak up, but his date cut him off, "No! It's true! Ever since he was little he's always had that irritation! I've seen pictures! I-It wasn't up until now that it's started to get worse!"

   My head started to slightly spin. I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't. There was no way! But when I looked to the two, they seemed scared. Even the waitress nodded, confirming that it was true.

   I lifted myself, "Listen.. I want to believe you". Why was I being so nice?.. "But I don't know what this could mean if it was true. How old are you".

   He sniffed, "S-Sixteen.."

   Lifting a hand, I pinched the bridge of my nose in slight frustration, "Sixteen years.. Sixteen years for a process to kick in that normally takes one day.. I need proof. You mentioned images".

   The girl stood, "A-Ah, yes!", helping the boy up, "This is a serious matter, plus your parents need to be aware of this. Let's bring the nice man back to your place and give him the information he needs".

   She spoke to him like he was a child. That only confirmed his innocence. I lowered my hand, turning on my heel, "I'd like to be quick about this. And if you try to pull any funny business, you bet your ass you'll be losing your head and the girl turned into authorities".

   The girl gulped, wrapping a protective arm around the boy,  "Can you walk?.." As he stumbled, he whined, "I-It hurts!"

   No time to waste. I couldn't help but to groan. What was I getting myself into? I hurried to his side, getting down and turned my back to him, grabbing his legs, "Get on my back". He did as told almost immediately. He was trembling. My grip on him tightened to assure he wouldn't slip off and the girl opened the door for us before following suit.

   The boy's chin weakly fell onto my shoulder, clinging to me as if he were scared he'd die if he was dropped. The girl put a hand on his back, giving him a gentle rub, "Y-You'll be okay Thomas. He's a professional, you're in good hands".

   Thomas, huh? Well.. You got lucky Thomas.