That was the problem.
Kratos stood between the lockers, hands on his hips, scanning the space like he was waiting for something to jump out at him. Students passed by, laughing, bumping shoulders, completely unaware of whatever it was that made his stomach feel tight.
Eurika crouched near the lockers, eyes unfocused.
"You feel it too," she said.
Kratos nodded. "Yeah."
She frowned. "I can't remember anything happening here. But my body keeps telling me this is the spot."
"That's not memory," Kratos said.
"I know," she replied. "That's why it's bothering me."
She shifted slightly, peering under the lockers without knowing why. Her fingers brushed something cold.
"...Wait."
She reached under and pulled it out.
A ring.
Kratos's breath caught. "That's Jusuke's."
Eurika turned it over slowly. There was a dark smear along the inside.
She didn't touch it again.
"...That's blood," she said.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Kratos broke the silence. "What now?"
Eurika stood, slipping the ring into a small bag.
"I asked a few students," she said. "They said Jusuke mentioned going back into the school. To see us."
Stolen novel; please report.
Kratos frowned. "But we don't remember that."
"No," she said. "But someone else might."
Kratos tilted his head. "Who?"
"Burajiru," Eurika replied. "A few people said he was probably still in the building. You know... sleeping."
Kratos exhaled. "Of course he was."
The car rattled as they drove through the district.
They weren't in a hurry. Not really sure what they were even looking for.
"Where does he usually go?" Kratos asked.
Eurika shrugged. "Nowhere important. He just... wanders."
Kratos glanced out the window.
Then stopped the car.
"...Hey," he said slowly.
Eurika followed his gaze.
Burajiru was down the street, kicking a vending machine with surprising commitment.
"Isn't that Sleeper Boy?" Kratos said.
Eurika squinted. "Yeah. That's him."
They pulled over.
Burajiru finally shook a soda loose and grabbed it triumphantly.
"Yes."
He cracked it open.
That's when Kratos spoke.
"Sleeperboy."
Burajiru froze.
He turned slowly. "Oh. Hey."
Eurika stepped forward. "We have questions."
"...About what?"
"About two months ago," Kratos said.
Burajiru blinked. "Two months ago?"
"Yes," Eurika said. "You were still in the school."
Burajiru "Oh," he said. "That tracks."
Kratos crossed his arms. "Do you remember Jusuke?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember seeing him that night?"
"Nope."
"Do you remember seeing us?"
"No."
"Do you remember leaving the building?"
Burajiru stared at the vending machine.
"...No."
Eurika softened her tone. "We're not accusing you of anything."
Burajiru nodded too fast. "Good. Because I didn't do anything."
"That's not what we said," Kratos replied.
Burajiru's grip tightened around the soda.
Inside his head:
Oh no.
I forgot.
Jusuke was eaten.
I thought plum said she erased there memories....wait she did say her memory earaser ability wasn't that great.
Eurika noticed his hands shaking.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he said quickly. "I just... run hot."
Kratos watched him carefully. Burajiru didn't look guilty.
He looked sad.
"...Anyway," Burajiru said, stepping back. "I gotta go. Feed my cats."
And then he ran.
Kratos sighed. "That went great."
Eurika stared down the street where he disappeared.
"...He knows something," she said. "Or he was closer to it than we were, I can sense it."
Above them, something shifted along the edge of a rooftop, subtle, patient.
Watching.
Waiting.
To be continued.