Page 29 -- IV.

Chapter Four: ‘Embolden thy steeled heart...’
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Hector shifted at his desk. ‘Uh... okay... So what do I do?’

‘Hmm.’

‘Garovel?’

‘I’m thinking. He looks perfectly healthy, so it’s probably not illness. I can see the aura around him--Officer Mallory, by the way--but the danger doesn’t seem to be immediate. He IS in the middle of a police station, after all. I suspect the exact nature of the threat won’t become apparent until he leaves the building.

‘You want me go to the police station right now?’

‘It looks like his shift doesn’t end for a few hours. You have time. Head down here after school.’

‘Are you sure...? I mean, it’s a man’s life at stake... and I really don’t mind skipping class...’

‘I’ll let you know if the situation changes. In the mean time, you should probably take steps to conceal your identity. If you end up having to take a bullet for this man, it’d be best if he doesn’t see your face when you shrug it off.’

‘O-okay, but... I don’t exactly have a mask or... anything...’

‘Figure it out. Borrow something from a store along the way, if you have to.’

‘I don’t think that’s borrowing...’

‘If you can’t find a mask in time, then. Well. You’re just going to have to risk it. Obviously, concealing your identity is not more important than a person’s life.’

Hector paused a moment, and then quietly sighed. ‘I... think I know where I can borrow one...’

‘Splendid.’

‘It, uh, it might look really weird, though...’

‘Oh. Well. Forget it, then. We can’t have you looking weird.’

‘You don’t have to be mean...’

‘It’s tough love, Hector. Tough love.’