Jailbird

"This morning marks the 7th year, The Archer, Tormenter Protector and Monarch have been missing. The Archer family was apprehended 10 years ago but the child had kept tormentors protected, " the TV said as Katsuo and I walked into the room, "The Police Chief Don is with us now. Good morning Chief Don, great to have you here, " said the reporter.

"Great to be here," the Chief said with a smile.

"What are your thoughts on The Archer's disappearance?" the news reporter said.

"I believe they're just laying low for the time being and when we least expect it they will pop up, continuing their reign of terror," said the Chief.

"What makes you think that?"

"The father's last words were as follows, my child I know it's a lot to bear but our people need us to live, no matter what you must do continue the bloodline, "

"That was just before their execution?"

"Yes,"

"What about the mother? What were her final words?"

"She gave a message to the Tormentors she said as follows, I'm sorry I failed you but remember the will of the archer will live on to protect the child and they will lead you to the freedom you deserve, "

"What do you think she meant by freedom?"

"I'm not afraid to say that Tormentors give the public an uneasy feeling,"

"Could you elaborate on that?"

"He's referring to how unfair we're treated, the stereotypes about Tormentors. Like how were all bad people, " someone said behind the chief.

"Are you a tormentor?" the reporter asked the teenage boy.

"I don't identify as the social construct society gives me. Savior or tormentor, we're all people so why do we get treated worse?"

"Chief how do you respond?"

"Um well, I don't-" The chief tried to speak.

"You can't answer that, can you? The Archer will be back and when they are you'll all be sorry," said the boy as he walked away.

"Well you heard it here folks it's been confirmed The Archer will be back, " the reporter said as the channel cut to commercial.

"This is what you wanted me to see? The Archer is of no use to me missing," I said.

"That's not all I wanted you to see, there's more," Katsuo said folding his arms.

"The time is 10:05 am and I'm Nicky Dean. Breaking news this morning police have apprehended a 16-year-old girl linked to 8 missing person cases. Police believe she is the cause of the disappearances," the reporter explained as Mayumi's photo appeared in the upper left corner of the TV screen, "As of right now the police are looking for her parents or guardians if you know this girl give police a call,"

"Ah, shit," I said sighing, "That's gonna be a lot to explain, "

"Hey, what's Mayumi doing on the tv?" Luciel came into the room fully changed.

"She's in custody for 8 missing person cases, possibly even more," Katsuo explained.

"I also need to mention the head of the health and safety department is coming to go over what happened with Cher," Katsuo said.

"Can you deal with her?" I asked Katsuo, annoyed.

"What's going on?" Luciel asked.

"Long story, you're with me let's go, " I said dragging Luciel along with me down to the police station. I explained the situation to him in the car as I went to go get Mayumi. "Yes, hello I'm here for the girl that's allegedly involved in 8 missing person cases," I said to the officer at the desk.

"Ah the one that won't talk, also the number has risen to 20," the officer said getting up from her chair. I almost fainted hearing that, but Luciel helped support me. The officer called us over and Mayumi sat in a room by herself looking bored. Luciel and I walked into the room and took a seat across from her.

"Looks like you guys found each other, I fulfilled my end of the deal," Mayumi mumbled under her breath but it was loud enough for both of us to hear.

"So why did you do it and where are those people?" I said folding my arms across my chest.

"It wasn't me I promise," she said.

"Well if it wasn't you what were you doing all this time?" I questioned her. "I came looking for you, you know,"

"I was looking for something but I swear I have nothing to do with those missing people,"

"But your m-" Luciel started as I covered his mouth and shook my head.

"Alright, I'm going to try to get you out of here but you've gotta tell me what's going on," I said looking at her dead in the eye. She looked as though she wanted to cry.

She nodded her head at told me, "I'll tell you everything, just get me out of here alright," the officer came back into the room and escorted both Luciel and me out. I then spoke to the investigator working on the case. After hours of talking, she finally agreed to let me take Mayumi but she did have to check into the station every so often until her trial.

"So what's going to happen to me?" Mayumi asked as we exited the station. I kept silent until we got into my car.

"You're being tried as an adult because none of the people that have gone missing were found your looking at a max of 20 years. If they find anyone dead you'll serve more but as of right now at best, you're looking at jail time," I explained. "I'm surprised you didn't speak a word until I got there, why is that?"

"Because I'm a Tormentor, they would just use my words against me anyway,"

"Do they know what you're manifested with?" I asked.

"No, I never told or showed them,"

"Good, if they knew they'd twist it around," I sighed as I started the car. "We have a week until your trial, so we're going to work overtime to prove your manifestation couldn't be the cause of all those missing people," Mayumi nodded her head.

"Can I ask something?" Mayumi asked as she put on her seatbelt.

"Go ahead," I said driving out of the parking lot.

"Why did you..come to get me?" she asked timidly.

"I couldn't just stand there while you were in trouble, with you being born a Tormentor they could've placed you on death row," I explained I looked up at the mirror to see Mayumi looking down, "That and I would miss out on tons of research material,"

"Mayumi gasped "You government dog! I knew it, you just wanna experiment on me!"

I giggled. "You bet I do and this is a perfect opportunity to,"