Mr. Abrams: “You are slightly wrong about that. I DID in fact come to check on your memories, but this doesn’t in fact, take away from my desire to check up on you, whatsoever. Also, my wanting to examine your memories is to search for CLUES regarding our assailants. I do NOT believe you are in league with them. I don’t doubt that every single one of my students are innocent.”

Leos: “Pfft. Innocent...

What a joke! Innocent…

(…HE can’t be innocent. If you knew what he’s done, you wouldn’t be so quick to put your trust in him. Maybe the rest are the same. Back when I screamed ‘murderer!’ A number of those… those kids! They reacted as if I was talking to them!)

Go ahead and believe that nonsense about all your students being innocent if you want, Mr. Abrams. But you aren’t roping me in with that garbage. I just didn’t buy it!”

Mr. Abrams: “It is fine to doubt other students, Leos. Blind faith is dangerous, in many ways. But don’t you ever act out against them based on discrimination alone! In fact, I’d prefer it if you never act out against your fellow non – combatants. I understand if it’s as an act of self - defense, but even then! I will NOT tolerate you finding an excuse to cover up any instance of instigation or bullying! NOR will I overlook you taking matters into your own hands, while completely ignoring the fact that a teacher is in the area; ready and willing to help you out. Neither of these shall be forgiven.”

Leos: “…You act like I suddenly have the strength to endanger the whole class or something. I can’t even touch the likes of Ophelia! Let alone Ri—well, you’ll know soon enough. You said you didn’t believe me when I mentioned a classmate of ours was a killer, right??(If it’s a teacher like him, and Noel is unconscious – then…!) Then teacher Abrams! While I am undergoing that weird, memory check – up thing because of today’s terrorist attack, can you spare a few more minutes to help me with a separate problem? There’s another memory – a specific one from two years ago that I want you to see.”

Mr. Abrams: “I cannot. I must continue to Hero Society’s headquarters and report my findings after I’m done verifying everyone’s safety.”

Leos: “Come on, aren’t you at least a LITTLE curious over the identity of this supposed mystery that’s managed to stump just about everyone over what ACTUALLY happened back at Professor Watts’s Island? The truth behind the so-called ‘accidental explosion’ that occurred on that day, two years ago?”

Mr. Abrams: “...I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.

(Especially since Oliviera’s memories revealed a hint of truth behind my earlier suspicions. If I’d never heard this kid’s reaction today and thought about the 10 families that were present on that day, I wouldn’t have believed any of Leos’s claims–-

…

What the hell am I talking about? I would have learned it anyways the moment I tapped into Oliviera’s consciousness. Still, even if it is them…how exactly did they make 23,000 civilians disappear without leaving a spec of evidence behind? No DNA samples like hair, blood or saliva. Zero fingerprints on ANY of the metallic surfaces around the Island’s center. Not even a freaking ghost for a specialized channeler to speak with! 23,000 spirits moved on that fast?! Ugh, what a pain. What a MASSIVE pain.)

While it is very true that the circumstances regarding your … ‘past’ are officially still undergoing investigation, one that has stumped many, even if I were to hear the truth straight from the source; one of its known survivors; Would I be able to make an ounce of a difference in your favor? Most likely not.

Not since memory-related powers, although not entirely dismissable - no longer serve as a valid form of evidence during court rulings. One certain VILLAIN is responsible for this decision. Unfortunately, even WITH my aid you would not somehow magically accomplish what you are no doubt seeking--“

A resounding ‘bang’ echoes throughout the room following Leos’s tightened fist smashing against a nearby nightstand.

Leos: “*Bang!* Dammit, I don’t need a long winded lecture, so just save it and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine! I don’t want your advice! If you aren’t gonna help me, then leave! I don’t wanna talk to you anymore!”

Mr. Abrams: “If I leave now, then what I came here to get would elude me entirely.

…Clues. Clues that lead to this new incident’s devious orchestrator. To the person or people responsible for hiring that filthy gang of murderers. There’s no way you expect me to comply, Leos. Besides, all I am trying to tell you is that I would not be able to do much with this so – called ‘truth’ your attempting to push on me.

(With all the witnesses that survived, so many factions were involved too… clearly, the important enough members of Hero Society already ‘know’ the truth you’re after, Leos.

But even they can’t change this bizarre lack of evidence that would normally create an excuse for Hero Society to play heavy-handed against anyone involved. Your memories were spared for the same reason that all of the others had theirs spared… Any knowledge you harbor is largely inconsequential.)

Any form of ‘help’ I may be able to offer will not make a difference.”

Leos: “…

’will not make a difference’?

Aha…

Hahahahaha! *Clenches fist* …How… HOW do you know that it won’t make a difference?! Has it ever occurred to you that maybe, just MAYBE I… NEED somebody to talk…to speak with…?! Maybe it won’t change much…*sniff* but if I can… I mean that I just HAVE to—Dammit, I – I don’t know!”

He was frustrated. A mixture of sadness, anger, hatred, helplessness and loneliness burned, melded and collected in a cauldron made up entirely of Leos’s emotions; and he could barely contain it. Who was Mr. Abrams to say this was all fake?! Who was he, to make such an unsupported remark? Such a baseless claim?! It WASN’T pointless to ask him for help against exposing Noel. It would NEVER be pointless! Not so long as Leos found value in the older man’s intervention. After all; nobody knew Leos better than he knew himself. Nobody did! Perhaps a power really does exist that lets someone learn about another person. He wasn’t entirely sure. But could they know you better than you know yourself?? UNLIKELY. This wasn’t a topic that the mere ‘police’ could help him out with, either. He only wanted the world to know the truth. But as his mind calmed its turbulent swirling, he realized that he doesn’t actually KNOW the truth, yet. He was interrupted by that stupid, recent attack, enacted by mercenary – like villains.

Leos: “You said that even if you found out the truth, it won’t magically allow you to help me with what I am ‘no doubt’ seeking.

…

But how would you know what I seek? What do you think gives you the right to judge me – RIGHT off the bat, before even asking me what it was that I wanted from you? Before finding out WHY I asked for you to look at my memories from two years ago? Am I too problematic for you? Eh, teacher?

Didn’t you JUST warn me not to do that to my fellow classmates? Hahaha! My teacher’s a hypocrite!

I also cannot believe that you actually plan on ignoring my needs in favor of your own! Did you forget since it’s only the first day of school?

I AM YOUR STUDENT!! Seriously… turning your back on a student in need isn’t something a proper teacher should ever do, you know?”

Mr. Abrams: “Haah. Look Leos. I am sorry if my words offended you. However, I do happen to know just a little bit about what’s going on. Do you remember what I said? I paid a visit to Ophelia and Oliviera before you. They had their memories read by me, before I came to visit you. As a teacher, normally I reserve my judgments until after I’ve grown accustomed to a person and their behavioral patterns. Once I can learn about my student’s history thoroughly, only THEN would I dare give my opinion about their questions or concerns. You wish for me to overstep my boundaries as a teacher by asking me to invade your personal life? Why this act of desperation?

Well, thanks to Oliviera’s head, I already have my answer. It’s because you wish to take revenge against Noel, am I correct?”

Leos: “...!! …I-“

Mr. Abrams: “Furthermore, You intend to let me to know that he is, in actuality, the very ‘mystery child’ the police have wanted to question regarding the disappearances which Madame Time and others foresaw through special means? That ‘he’ is the mad doctor’s killer…or something. Correct?”

Leos: “…If…if you know, If you know…! Then - then why are you just standing there?! Where is your so-called ‘innocent’ theory now?! He is a MURDERER! ARREST HIM–!! Aren’t you a fucking Super – Hero?! Shouldn’t your duties include LOCKING UP people like him?! Then hurry up and DO IT!!“

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