The Aegis of Noah Hart

20-Close to the Hart

It's Thursday morning. A boy wrapped in bright orange flames sits with his legs crossed on top of a Nashville rooftop. Encased by the AT&T logo and two tall peaks on either side of him, Noah like the locals would call his quiet place the top of the "Batman building." As he broods over the previous night in his mind, he finds the nickname all to fitting.

Dad was right. I needed to stop those guys, but I have to keep certain things first in my life.

Noah's memory washes over him. He remembers that past few days, slipping out of class and appearing in underground bunkers. Men would run screaming from the man on fire as Noah swiftly and precisely disarmed the SERA operatives then scooped them up three or four at a time on his shoulders and bounded them toward nearby bases. Sometimes he would have to drop the men and actually fight off some of the soldiers as well, but with time the men be them American or other began to anticipate his deliveries and agreed to his terms that the men face trial and some even be offered plans to redeem their choices. Either by turning the remaining men into informants or by tasking the very men he caught with capturing and disarming the remaining operatives, Noah had toppled terrorism with ease. He had even managed to stop 10 armed muggings, one rape, and three domestic incidents in between the action.

But as his mind scanned the minds of those close to him he found less exciting thoughts. Ty struggling to complete his Calculus homework with Alex doing his best not to shout at him for keeping him up late at night. David and Kay sitting uncomfortably on the couch as they struggle to watch the news, worried about him. 

Looking outside of his home, he finds Lucas putting a hand on Phil's shoulder as he reassures his son. He can hear the pastor telling his dear friend to be patient and show grace to Noah. 

"His life is different now. I know he'll come back. We just have to lower our expectations for him right now."

Noah frowns at the word lower. Continuing his scan of people he knows, he finds several relatives including his maternal grandparents thinking of his mother. Noah finds them clutching each others' hands as they sit beside one another in separate rockers on their front porch. The morning sun starts to glow in the distance before their house making Noah squint. He can feel his gnradmother's shaking hands as he smells the coffee on the table beside her that's start get cold. He sighs.

Bringing his focus to people from school, he finds Molly Beston smiley to herself as she tucks a bag of different colored creams into her backpack. Not sure what she's doing he moves his mind to Gene Larns's home. There he finds the boy standing outside a large three story home, stone and brick exterior with custom landscaping on the yard. Despite all of this and his flashy uniform already on, Gene looks somewhat sad as he carries a trash bag out towards the trashcan at the end of the driveway. When he gets back to the door, a little boy with similar blonde colored hair bounces in place on the front porch waving him back inside. 

Noah moves his focus again to Justin's house. He finds the boy smiling as he texts Sarah from school "Today after school?" to which she replies "Ah, I can't. Tennis. Tomorrow?" Noah shakes his head and this time finds his attention on the Knone home. 

Taking a deep breath, he finds Katie standing in her bathroom wrapped in two towels, one around her body and the other around her hair. As she grips the sink with her delicate fingers, he can't help but feel his heart race as he sees her dark brown eyes blink at the half steamy mirror. Her body which he can feel in his own body feels warm and moisturized after her shower. He can't help but feel caught up in her beauty though she seems quite disturbed herself. Doing his best to stay objective, he waits as her memory of last night unfolds before him.

He finds the brunette walking the halls of her church that Wednesday evening in a dress adorned with white roses over black. The material is fitting though modestly covering from shoulder  to knees though the black heels on Katie's feet show off most of her perfectly groomed toes. Katie's mind reveals this is a new outfit, a dress that she received for her birthday in August but hadn't manage to wear until now.