Tracy looked at him, one eyebrow raised slightly '' what kind of something?''
Tyson continued, '' well, it's just…when I got to him, he saw me-with the band on my arm, he didn't look to relieved compared to the little. Normally I would ignore but his gaze as I approached …' he exhaled silently '' he looked at me with hatred.''
''yeah that sounds like him.'' Tracy added, as a soft sigh left her '' He does like certain heroes, in fact I might say he doesn't like all heroes…. Truth be told, he doesn't like many people, especially the people in capes.''
''Why?''
Tracy sighed again leaning back slightly in her chair, her arms folded '' Honestly, I'm not sure, life in the orphanage wasn't easy for him, I believe some of the kids bullied him back at the orphanage or something worse. But from what he told me, he used to be picked on by the kids possessing morale activated powers. And that does something to a kid.
It twists the way they see the world, losing his parents was already a scar he couldn't shake.''
Tyson nodded slowly, finally understanding the type of person Eric really was, but still some, questions still remained, Tyson felt like there was more to Eric's past life than he sees, than what he and Tracy sees.
They both glanced at Eric.
'' I understand that…'' Tyson added '' but it doesn't explain why he hates heroes; he was never bullied by one.''
Tracy continued '' that's all I got from him through my observation and minor conversations with him. He says is ok, that its all in the past. But I can still tell it eats at him, and it fuels his hatred.''
'' Do you mind if I talk to him when he wakes up...? I feel like there's more to him; more he will let out when he talks to me.?''
''Sure.'' Tracy said, '' if you want to.
+++
At that moment, they both sat there in the still noisy silence. The tension had softened. After all that heavy talk. Tyson and Tracy drifted into lighter stories, stories which broke the silence, flooding it with humor and laughter, Tracy talking about Eric's surprising fear of clowns for someone his age, While Tyson shared his hero high school experiences, all good times they thought.
Out of the blue-
WHAM!
The door burst open.
Both turned, alarmed.
A group of men walked in. their boots striking the tile in a perfect rhythm. Each wore a dark navy uniform trimmed with gold and on their chests, gleamed the unmistakable, crest of the house of Ranvier: a golden eagle wing spread behind a shield of red, blue with yellow patterns.
Tyson immediately recognized the authority in their posture. The royal knights of Ranvier- meaning of noble would soon follow. His prediction was right, from their midst stepped a man.
His black hair slicked neatly back, a sharp gaze carrying the silent weight and authority. Beside him stood a lady. Poised and graceful. The man looked around, observing the room before he laid eyes on the people on the far left.
His eyes met Tyson's.
'' Good sir,'' the man said, his voice deep, carrying authority as it resonated. '' Are you the hero they call Grand Marauder?''
Immediately Tyson dropped to one knee, and bowed in respect. '' Yes, my grace. My name is Tyson Grand, hero name: Grand marauder- a system-based morale power, of department 7, Septis. I presume I have the honor of addressing Sir Ethan Ranvier and Lady Helen Ranvier.''
'' You presume correctly.'' The Man replied. He walked further in scanning the bed until he found her. His little angel laid on the bed beside Eric.
''Annabel,'' he breathed.
He strode to her bedside, In an instant he wasn't the serious nobleman anymore, put all that formality aside when he got to her bedside.
'' Annabel'' he whispered
No response
''Annabelle.'' He called.
She opened her eyes, slowly, her gaze weak but happy.
''ANNABELLE!!!.'' He cried.
''mommy!!, father is doing the power thing again.'' Annabelle cried her voice suddenly roaring with energy. Lady Helen rushed over a pulled the husband back by the ear. '' Ethan…you promised.'' Lady Helen yelled. Sir Ethan only laughed '' Sorry, ha-ha, I couldn't help myself, I knew that would work. It always wakes up the kids .''
Ethan let out a laugh, shaky, tears almost in his eyes. '' You're safe…thank goodness, you're safe.''
Tracy and Tyson watched quietly, hiding the smiles on their faces. Just a while ago, he entered with Intimidating presence, enough to make your heart race, but now, standing beside his child he was just a worried father. Lady Helen walked up to him gently, and placed her hand on his shoulder '' Dear, we need to go now, she needs rest.''
He froze, coughed awkwardly and stood- regaining the posture of nobility, though a faint smile still tugged at his lips. '' Yes, you're right we must leave now.''
Straightens his coat, walked over to Tyson and Tracy, still on their knees, '' Sir Tyson Grand, you and the lady may rise. And so, they did. ''Sir Tyson,'' he said '' when Eric Carther awakens, inform him that, whatever he asks shall be granted. The house of Ranvier will reward him handsomely. No deed of such courage and bravery will or should go unrewarded.''
Tyson bowed his head '' I will ensure your message reaches him.''
'' Also,'' Sir Ethan continued '' I would like an audience with him at my Manor.''
'' I will ensure the message reaches him.'' Tyson said.
Then Sir Ethan left. His wife followed, but before she walked out, she turned to Tracy, and smiled. '' You have a lovely son.''
Those words made Tracy happy.
Then the Lady left. The guards followed; the Ranvier crest shimmered faintly in the sterile hospital light. Tyson exhaled softly glancing at Tracy. '' well,'' he murmured, '' that was…unexpected, to have nobles here, you don't experience that every day.''
'' I agree.'' Tracy added, smiling as lady Helens words lingered in her mind.
Tyson and Tracy went on with their conversation, continues stories and jokes, further fueling their new growing friendship.
Four hours had past since the encounter with the Noble family. The room was quiet once more. The afternoon sun had mellowed into an orange haze, spilling through the binds, painting soft stripes across Eric's face. Tracy was gone. Left an hour ago, reluctantly by Tysons words.
Eric was awake.
His eyes opened, slowly, unfocused at first. His breathing quickened as he scanned the room- monitor beeping, white bedsheet, white wall, the faint scent of disinfectant.
It dawned on him.
Hospital.
He sat up slightly, eyes darting the room until his gaze fell upon a man next to his bed.
Tyson leaned closer, arms crossed, and a faint smile drawn across his face. '' Hey there.'' He said waving at him. '' Glad to see you're finally awake, I'm Tyson… you must be Eric.''
Eric blinked; his voice hoarse.
'' Yeah that's me…..wait the girl…where's the gir-''
'' Yoo, calm down,'' Tyson pointed to the bed next to Eric, there Annabelle laid, fast asleep, body covered beneath the white sheets. Eric exhaled shortly after, relieved.
Tyson got closer to him. ''your aunt Tracy… she was here. She was really worried for you, but I told her to go and rest. She'll be back tomorrow.''
Eric's gaze turned to him- cold, distant, '' then why are you still here?''
Tyson answered, believing he could reach him. '' because I wanted to have a chat with you. Is important… If you don't mind.''
'' Actually, I do mind,'' Eric said bluntly.'' As you can see, I'm trying to heal. Maybe talk tomorrow I'm not in the mood to chat right now.''
Tyson sighed silently.'' This is going to be a lot harder than it looks.'' He thought.
'' Your aunt,'' he continued, Eric's back turned to him.'' She said you don't like people much, especially heroes.
'' she told you that, huh?''
''Yes.'' Tyson answered his voice calm, trying to defuse the sudden tension between them '' But I'd rather hear it from you.''
'' Id she told you, then theres no point in me repeating it,'' Eric said his voice harsh. He didn't care about what Tyson needed to say, that hatred he has towards the so called, heroes, wasn't gonna change because of Chat, especially with a Hero. he turned his head away laid down on the bed and shifted his blanket. ''Now if you excuse me'' he muttered, ''I'm trying to heal.''
Tyson said nothing. there was something about this boy. he sat on his chair arms crossed, watching as Eric's body finally surrendered to rest.
silence drove in once more, Tyson was quite once more, watching, thinking, waiting the right moment to speak. '' I'd like to apologize to you Eric, for the death of your friend, Annabelle told me about him.''
Eric got up instantly, '' Is he alive?''
Tyson hesitated a little.''...No, his body wasn't found.'' The still silence once again. '' From the information we got from Annabelle , there were bodies everywhere, but... when we got there, no body was found, no blood just ruins and a calamity
Eric froze.
The words hit Eric hard. Not only did you guys come to late, but the man who saved his life, would never get a proper burial. His breath grew heavier, his fists clenched, tightening around the sheets.
'' You should have been there earlier,'' he murmured quietly- then louder. '' You heroes should have been there earlier!''
Tyson starred, slowly frowning.
'' If you heroes are so powerful, so great!, so mighty!! that you get praised for lifting a finger, smiling that you call it 'saving the day' then why weren't you there?!,..., You having powers is never an excuse to be incompetent!''
Tyson's expression changed. His eyes, minutes ago full of curiosity and worry for the young lad, changed. The warm tone in his voice vanished.
''Listen, kid ,'' he said '' The job of a hero isn't Childs play, I'm sorry we couldn't save that mystery hero of yours. I don't know why you hate heroes so much ,but it doesn't give you the excuse to run your about us, you little shit!!''. Were human, were not perfect, were not gods!!, and besides you little shit blossom, it wasn't our mission in the first place.''