MHG-V1-2 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 5 - Let me protect you

A.5

Ken walked apprehensively into his classroom and sat down at his desk. The two boys that sat, one next to him and one in front of him, were already seated and eyed him evily as he sat down. They were among the group that had tormented him yesterday, and Ken was eager to avoid them altogether.

"Ready for some more today?" The one in front asked. Looked like there would be no avoiding.

Ken didnt answer and turned on his notebook. The boys snickered.

"A and B." The teacher called after he had entered the room and the class had quieted.

The two boys looked up at the teacher.

"The principal would like a word with you two immediately."

"About what?"

"I dont know, but I heard its serious. You'd better go now."

"This better not have anything to do with you." The boy next to him said meanacingly to Ken as he stood up to leave.

Ken felt his blood turn cold.

"Dont worry." He heard Teruko suddenly through his earpiece. "He wont touch you."

She could talk to him even here?

The boys left and then class continued as normal.

Ken waited the whole day but he didnt see the boys again. Finally it was time to go.

"What did you do?" Ken asked, talking to Teruko as he left the school gates.

"You'll find out tomorrow," She said. "But dont worry. No one will be hurting you again. Ill make sure of it."

Ken walked into the classroom the next day and sat at his seat. The boys were till absent and remained that way until the teacher arrived.

"I have an announcement to make before we begin today," the teacher said. "A and B were involved in an accident yesterday that cost them their lives. It think its a good time to all be reminded of how dangerous it can be to cross multilane roads during heavy traffic, and to all be more aware of our surroundings."

Ken's blood went cold again as he listened. What had she done?

"You killed them!" Ken said as quietly as he could so that he wouldnt be overheard.

"I did more than that." Teruko chuckled in his ear. "I set an example to anyone who tries to cross you, what I will do to them."

"Its not right." Ken said. "They were horrible people, but killing is a crime."

"But no one can catch me because i live here. And im impecable at covering my tracks. Even this link I have with you.. its encrypted using miltary grade encryption. Theres no way someone can eavesdrop on us."

"Thats not the point." Ken said. "Its wrong to kill."

"And it wrong to bully. So two wrongs.."

"No, because killing is a bigger wrong than bullying."

Teruko went silent.

"So.." she said after a while. "What do you want me to do? Let them just treat you like that? Let them walk all over you like you're rubbish? I wont have it."

"Then at least you have to learn to be more subtle. Surely you can protect me without resorting to killing?"

Ken didnt know what he was saying, but he felt like she needed to hear it anyway.

"More subtle?" Teruko laughed. "Sounds like a challenge. Alright then, Teruko the Protector will protect you with subtlty. I will be the Subtle Protector."

"Are you teasing me?" Ken asked.

"No, I've accepted your challenge." Teruko said. "Maybe you dont know it yet, but I cant resist a challenge. And you've just made me one I cant refuse."

Ken sighed. He was glad she had changed her way of thinking. But it didnt change the past. Because of her..  because of him.. two boys had lost their lives.