Morgan caught up to the scene a moment later. Seeing Raioten battered and bloodied took her mind back to the tower.

  Morgan: Blue! Are you alright?

  Raioten: Huh? I'm fine. I haven't heard that name in awhile.

  Morgan blushed a bit and cleared her throat.

  Morgan: Oh hush, I was just making sure you were alright.

  Pops: Young man, this town isn't normal.

  Moira: Dad!

  Pops: Listen, there are powerful people out there that know who you two are and where you came from. I recommend that you two leave as soon as possible. Son, I'd dye that hair of yours if I were you. Try a dark color like brown or black.

  Raioten: Hold on a second, what are you saying?

  Pops: You guys stay safe and young man, thank you.

  Moira and her father walked away silently.

  Raioten: Wait!

  Raioten ran up and cut off the father- daughter pair.

  Raioten: Can't you at least tell us what's going on?

  Pops: Listen, my family comes first, I'll do whatever I can to protect them. I will never forget how you rescued my daughter. Just lay low and stay safe.

  Raioten was left stunned by his words. He was overwhelmed by thoughts of his victims in the tower. It never occurred to him in the moment that those men and women had families that they wanted to protect. Raioten began to have a full on panic attack. Morgan ran to him as he was struggling to catch his breath.

  Morgan: Are you ok? Raioten! Say something!

  Raioten: I killed them. I killed so many. They had families. I'm a monster.

  Morgan tried her best to reason with Raioten, but he couldn't hear a word she said. His mind raced with vivid flashbacks of the years in the Tower. He took off at full speed, leaving Morgan alone. Moira and her father saw him running and wanted to give chase.

  Morgan: Don't bother. You couldn't catch him in a car, much less on foot.

  Pops: Listen Morgan, we need to talk.

  Morgan: How do you know my name?

  Pops: Just follow us.

  Morgan was led to Moira's home.

  Pops: Listen, we know about you guys. You and Raioten, Jugo and Kagura as well.

  Morgan rose up off of the couch in a guarded stance.

  Pops: You're right to be on guard young lady, I work for the Futurists. I've read your file and I'll say this; I am no physical threat to you whatsoever. My role was to spy on you all and report back with any information.

  Morgan's eyes burned white hot with rage. She struck down Moira's father and stood on his chest.

  Moira: Stop!

  When Moira ran forward, Morgan grabbed her by the hair and lifted her off of the ground. As Moira screamed out, Morgan stared daggers at her father.

  Morgan: If you hurt Raioten-

  Pops: I won't, you have my word! The people I work for needed information but not about him. He was named as a non-threat. Please trust me; the only three people listed as threats were you, a young man named Kagura, and a man named Jugo.

  Morgan took her foot off her Moira's father and let go of her hair.

  Pops: Please, just get out of this town. Find your friends and escape. You won't want to be here when the Futurists mobilize to bring you three in.

  Morgan: Shit! I gotta go find Raioten!

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Pops: Leave him.

  Morgan: WHAT!?

  Pops: He's of no concern, they only want the three seen as future problems.

  Morgan: We're not scared of you! Let them come at us!

  Pops: They will, but what will your friend do? You may be confident in your abilities, but how will he fare?

  Morgan: I- he...

  Pops: Doesn't deserve to fight anymore. I promise you that he'll be left alone. He should be able to have this chance at a normal life.

  Morgan: But- Dammit! I need to find Jugo!

  Pops: I know where he lives.

  Back at his apartment, Jugo was preparing dinner. He was dancing in the kitchen, listening to music as he tossed ingredients around. Without warning, Morgan crashed through the front door. As she rose to her feet, Jugo had his cooking knife at her throat.

  Jugo: Oh! Sorry little Red. How are ya?

  Morgan: Jugo! We need to go!

  Jugo's disposition shifted completely.

  Jugo: How did you find out?

  Morgan: Wait what?

  Jugo: They are never going to stop hunting us.

  Morgan: You knew! Why didn't you say anything?

  Jugo: What was to be said? You would've wanted to stay out of pride and Raioten would've just followed your choices.

  Morgan: B-

  Jugo: I'm going to stick around. I just need to be here long enough for him to learn to live on his own. Once he can take care of himself, I'm going to take them down. Please, whatever you decide, don't tell him.

  Morgan stood back in shock and silence. Her tears slowly glided down her face.

  Jugo: I'm sorry. Just promise me you won't say anything. . .

  Morgan ran out, making a straight dash for where she had left Raioten. Her heart sank when she found him in the exact same position. He was whispering incoherently to himself. Morgan just held Raioten as she cried. After a moment, she decided to carry Raioten on her back to the apartment. She tried to make conversation despite their tears.

  Morgan: Hey, are you having a good time at school?

  Raioten: . . .

  Morgan: Have you made a few more friends?

  Raioten: . . .

  Morgan: We're almost to your home, Jugo was making food that smelled wonderful!

  Raioten: . . .

  When Morgan got back to the apartment, she stepped over the broken door. She took Raioten into the living room. Jugo walked out with plates of food for them both. Jugo and Morgan masked their emotions, trying to keep a positive setting. Even so, the air was thick and somber. Following Morgan's exit after dinner, Jugo went to Raioten and took a knee. He placed a hand on Raioten's head and rustled his hair.

  Jugo: You can stay out of school for awhile, as long as you need kiddo. You go back when you're ready.

  Raioten remained silent that night, with Jugo trying to act normal and retreating to bed. The next morning, Jugo woke Raioten up early with enthusiasm.

  Jugo: Hey kiddo! I took today and tomorrow off so let's go have some fun!

  Raioten yawned and went to go shower. He got dressed in the outfit Morgan had bought him and went to the living to meet Jugo.

  Jugo: We're going to go on a hike today!

  Raioten: A what?

  Jugo: Just follow me and try to keep up ok? And take this.

  Jugo handed Raioten a pocket sized electronic screen.

  Raioten: What is this?

  Jugo: Its the new W.R.I.T.E (Writing Retention of Ideas Tablet EX). You can write and store all of your ideas AAAAND, this new version has a camera AAAAAAND you can send texts AAAAAND its indestructible AAAAAAAAAND you can record voice notes AAAA-

  Raioten: Jugo! Wasn't this really expensive?

  Jugo: Well, I wanted to get you a smartphone but I couldn't afford one. With this though, I want to to describe everything you do in your days. Write down everything!

  Raioten: You want me to write everything I do?

  Jugo: Yeah! Things you do, people you meet, then come back to me and share!

  Raioten: Oh... alrighty then.

  Jugo: Great! Now just let me get my bookbag and we're all set!

  Jugo led Raioten outside of the city limits. They jogged through the wilderness together for hours.

  Jugo: Isn't nature fantastic? If you get hungry, let me know.

  Raioten: Yes sir, thank you.

  The two jogged together until nightfall, stopping occasionally for snacks. Jugo eventually made the call to set up camp, seeing more and more of the night life around them. After starting the campfire, Jugo motioned for Raioten to lay down to rest.

  Raioten: No thank you, I really shou-

  Jugo: Relax young man and lay down. If you get sleepy I'll stand you up, don't worry.

  Raioten: Ok.

  Raioten and Jugo both began to relax next to the open flame. As Jugo was mesmerized by the starry night sky, Raioten spoke up.

  Raioten: Jugo, can I ask you something? Kinda personal?

  Jugo: You mean in addition to the question you just forced on me?

  Raioten: *chuckle* yes sir.

  Jugo: Go for it kiddo.

  Raioten: In the tower, why were you all alone? I thought only teams of three made it past the first floor.

  Jugo: That's how it was. Every few shipments of prisoners got grouped together on the first floor. Everyone had to fight and kill each other until only three remained. There was this one lady though, she never got counted and tried to avoid everyone.

  Raioten: (Yona...)

  Jugo: In my group, we had banded together from the start. I convinced others that if we stayed together, we could survive. I had no idea that only three of us could make it. By the time the Warden gave us the news, our group had twenty five people working together. He let us eat together, work together and train together for 3 years before he spoke up.

  Raioten: I had no idea, you don't have t-

  Jugo: Nah, it's fine kiddo. At first, nothing changed. We all stayed strong and united. Then, the Warden began sending us into the Pit, two by two. Our numbers began to dwindle slowly. I was noticeably stronger than my allies, so the began to act differently towards me. They began doing favors and tried their best to get on my good side, all so that I could take them up to the next floor.

  Raioten: . . .

  Jugo: Eventually, the Pit wasn't even needed. They all turned on one another and began to slaughter each other right there in the cafeteria one day. I got there just in time to watch the last few of them breathe their last breaths. With everyone gone and that woman refusing to move up, I was sent upstairs in my own. I-

  Jugo turned to see that Raioten had fallen asleep.

  Jugo: (I'll stand him up in a minute. I bet those legs of his could use a break.) Goodnight, Raioten.