Truancy

by Isamu Fukui

  “So then, Student Militia patrols will be going out in what, a week? Two?”

  “Give me four days and I’ll personally lead the first five-person team against the Truancy,” Edward promised.

  “That’s a tall order,” the Mayor observed.

  “And one that I can meet.”

  “Very well.” The Mayor nodded approvingly. “You’ve lived up to your promises before. We can only hope that the trend continues.”

  “And if it does?”

  “Then your position as Chief Enforcer will become public,” the Mayor said, smiling at the boy’s unquenchable ambition. “And you will be given a spot on the City Council, as well as in my cabinet.”

  “That would be nice,” Edward admitted.

  * * *

  “Noni!” Tack called desperately. “Hey, Noni!”

  Tack had been searching all throughout the Truancy headquarters for her, leaving Zyid behind to address the Truancy. Tack wasn’t sure why he needed to see her so urgently. Perhaps he simply couldn’t face the dread of what lay ahead alone. After nearly half an hour of looking, Tack had finally found her lurking in a basement corridor. The moment she spotted him, however, she had begun to walk away at a fast pace.

  “Noni, please!” Tack called out again.

  The figure in front of him stopped abruptly, standing completely motionless. Tack sighed with relief and ran to catch up to her. When he reached her, however, he let out an involuntary gasp. Noni’s face was ashen and paler than normal, and her blue eyes had dulled to gray. Her scarf hung loosely around her neck, and her mouth was slightly open as she stared blearily back up at Tack. It seemed as though the weight of a hundred years had gripped her by the shoulders, pulling her down.

  “Noni…,” Tack whispered weakly, finding his throat suddenly very dry.

  “I’m … I’m going to have to … to kill them,” Noni mumbled, averting her gaze.

  Tack froze, knowing instantly what Noni was talking about, since the same fears commanded his own attention. Tack looked around desperately for any words of comfort that he could find.

  “You won’t have to kill them,” Tack said. “We can talk to Zyid. I’m sure he’ll understand—”

  “He’ll … he’ll need me to kill them,” Noni said, still looking away from Tack.

  “No.” Tack’s voice hardened. “I’ll kill them for you. I’ll kill enough for the both of us!”

  Tack regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth, wondering what sort of madness had made him say them. He knew full well that killing other kids wouldn’t be anything like fighting the Enforcers—he’d be a murderer, no better than Zyid.

  “… I owe him everything,” Noni muttered.

  “Zyid?”

  “If he needs me to kill them … I will.”

  Tack felt a sudden anger surge through him.

  “Why do you feel that way about him?” Tack demanded. “He doesn’t even respect you; the moment I came along he tossed you aside like a dirty rag!”

  “He saved my life,” Noni said softly, one hand coming up to touch her scar. “If I had to … I’d die for him.”

  I believe that love is when you are willing to value someone’s or something’s existence above your own.

  Umasi’s words struck Tack like a hammer blow to the head, and he reeled backwards. Noni would die for Zyid.

  Would he die for Noni?

  No, Tack realized, he had unfinished business on Suzie’s behalf.

  Would he die for Noni after Zyid was killed?

  Yes, Tack told himself, yes.

  “All right, you’ll have to kill them,” Tack conceded reluctantly. “But so will I, and I don’t want to any more than you do! Why are you so down?”

  “I … don’t want to burden you with my troubles,” Noni murmured, though Tack had the sense that she was reluctantly yielding.

  “You don’t have to,” Tack said firmly. “But you don’t have to bear them alone. I’m counting on you, Noni. Don’t let me down.”

  And then, seized by recklessness, Tack stepped forward and swept Noni into a tight embrace. Tack could feel Noni stiffen against him in shock, but a moment later she relaxed, and her arms snaked around his waist. Noni looked up at Tack, who could see color return to her eyes, just before they shut firmly. Noni buried her head in Tack’s shoulder, and he felt simultaneously relieved and elated as he gently patted her on the back, feeling her warmth melt away his own dread. For the briefest of moments, he was reminded of embracing Suzie, and the comfort that had brought him.

  “Takan?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you.”

  23

  BACKED INTO A CORNER

  “We’re almost there,” Tack said hoarsely, shuffling forward as he supported Noni.

  “I’ve never … never fought anyone like that.” Noni coughed, and flecks of bloody spittle landed on the ground.

  “Neither have I,” Tack said grimly, feeling Noni’s steady grip on his bare shoulder weaken slightly.

  “He can’t be human.” Noni gasped as Tack’s supporting arm lifted her up and forward.

  “He’s a monster,” Tack agreed. The door to the flower shop was steps away, and Tack had never been gladder to see it.

  “Are you all right?” Tack asked as Noni coughed up more blood, though he knew very well that she wasn’t. He wasn’t either, come to that.

  “No,” Noni said, wiping her mouth with her free hand. “But I’ll live. What about you?”

  “I’ll live too, I think,” Tack said evasively, ignoring the pains stabbing his body as he heaved himself to the door, scrabbling for the knob with a burned hand.

  As he pulled the door open, Tack forced himself to stagger forward, dragging Noni along inside. Overcome by relief, Tack and Noni released their grip of each other and crumpled to the floor. Tack managed to catch a glimpse of something dark sweeping towards them before he felt a powerful arm raising him to his knees.

  “What happened to you two?” Zyid demanded, his dark eyes darting back and forth between Noni and Tack, noting their ugly bruises.

  It was Noni who spoke. “Edward,” she said, unable to meet Zyid’s eyes.

  As Zyid let out a sound halfway between a snarl and a hiss, Tack slumped over. It was growing hard to focus, and he could hear the dull thump of his heart pound in his chest.

  “Did you kill him?” Zyid asked.

  “No.” Noni shook her head wearily. “We barely got away.”

  “Unfortunate, but not unexpected,” Zyid muttered. “You two need to lie down.” The next thing Tack knew, he was lying dazedly on his back on the hard wooden floor.

  “Relax,” Tack heard Zyid say, though his voice sounded strangely distant.

  Tack squirmed as he felt something cool but stinging being poured over a gash on his leg, and then he felt his head being propped up by something soft. Zyid was saying something, but Tack was finding it harder than ever to concentrate, nearly exhausting all his reserves of mental energy just to decipher Zyid’s words.

  “I need to know what happened,” Zyid was saying. “It’s important that you tell me if you can.”

  Noni would have to relate the story, Tack thought. For him, it was a chore just staying awake. If it weren’t for the sharp pains assaulting his body, he’d have drifted off to the sweet sanctuary of unconsciousness long ago. As Noni’s steady recital of the morning’s events drifted through the air, Tack was himself brought to remember those painful and embarrassing events with vivid clarity.

  * * *

  “It’s hopeless; we have to go!” Tack shouted.

  Noni’s head snapped around, blood dripping off her knives. She had cast aside her gun a while ago, having exhausted her supply of ammo firing furiously around the corner of the alley where they had taken cover. They were on the border of Districts 13 and 14, helping to slow an Enforcer push while the Truancy evacuated a riverside warehouse. Unfortunately, not only had the Enforcers shown up in force, but the first Student Mili
tia squad the Truants had ever faced had also deployed ahead of them, causing many to hesitate.

  In less than half an hour, the Truants had been pushed back five blocks, suffering heavy losses all the way. Tack and Noni alone now crouched in the alley, though other survivors were doggedly firing back from behind other cover. The Student Militia was still advancing, however, and now two young bodies lay at Noni’s feet, dead from stab wounds as they attempted to rush the alley. Noni didn’t look sorry as Tack knew she was, as she seemed to be shielding her emotions with a sort of cold, mechanical efficiency.

  Though her eyes flashed angrily, she accepted the logic of Tack’s suggestion.

  “Split up,” Noni said decisively, sticking her knives back into her belt.

  Tack frowned, reluctant to part with her, though he too was forced to accept the logic of her suggestion as bullets flew by, chipping bits of brick off the wall behind them. Without another word, Noni leaped up and darted out of the alley, running from the approaching Enforcers. Tack immediately bent around the corner and fired wildly at the uniformed enemies, covering Noni’s fleeing back.

  A short, youthful figure crumpled to the ground, and Tack felt a slight twinge of regret, though it quickly faded as he was forced to duck as the Enforcers opened fire again. Hoping that Noni had gotten to safety, Tack decided it was time to make his own escape. Rising to his feet, he turned and darted down the shadowy alley, but not before he heard a vicious voice shout out an order behind him.

  “Go after the other one; I’ll take him myself!”

  Something in that voice filled Tack with a primal fear, and he pumped his legs harder than ever. As Tack neared a wire fence blocking his way, he heard a gunshot, and a moment later he realized that his ear was bleeding. Seized by a sudden panic, Tack ignored the pain completely and jumped on top of some trash cans, knocking them over as he leaped forward, his feet connecting briefly with the wall of the alley. With all the strength in his legs, Tack pushed off the wall and flew forward, landing behind the wire fence as bullets flew just over his head.

  Falling onto the filthy ground of the alley, Tack felt his gun slip from his hands. Knowing that he had no time to retrieve it, Tack rose to his feet despite the newly acquired pains from the fall, and swiftly lunged forward and out of the alley. More gunshots rang out from behind him. Thinking quickly, Tack turned and ran left towards what looked like an abandoned library. Yanking the front doors open, Tack darted inside, realizing his mistake too late; the doors were slow to close, making his hiding place obvious to any pursuer.

  A sudden calm stole over Tack as he flattened himself against the wall next to the entrance. If he was to die here, there was nothing more for him to do but put up the best fight he could. Tack steadied his breathing and studied his surroundings. Rows and rows of dark bookshelves told Tack that his first impression had been right; it was a library. It wasn’t the type of place he’d have chosen to make his last stand, but he couldn’t be picky.

  Suddenly, Tack tensed as he heard the doors swing open and slow, cautious footsteps enter the library. Knowing that he had just one chance to disarm his enemy, Tack gritted his teeth and prepared himself. A moment later, a darkened figure stepped forward, and Tack lunged, tackling the boy to the ground. Acting instinctively, Tack first seized the boy’s gun arm, and then brought his other fist back for a punch.

  Reacting with a swiftness Tack never thought possible, the other boy caught Tack’s hand as it rushed towards his head, his green eyes glinting predatorily. Only then did Tack realize whom he was facing. A confident, malicious grin, platinum blond hair, acid green eyes, these could belong to no one but Edward, founder of the Student Militia, Umasi’s former pupil, and the only enemy Tack had ever dreaded.

  Taking advantage of Tack’s surprise, Edward lashed out and head butted Tack in the face, hard. Blood started flowing from Tack’s nose, yet he stubbornly held on to Edward’s arm, struggling to keep the gun facing away from him. Then suddenly Edward’s arm went still, and the blond boy let out a laugh.

  “So, you’re afraid of my gun?” Edward jeered. “I see you’ve lost yours. How about I make this fair for you?”

  Edward wrested his arm from Tack’s grip and tossed his gun behind him. Completely shocked at this new development, Tack wasn’t prepared as Edward drew his legs back so that his feet connected with Tack’s chest. The next thing he knew, Tack found himself flying backwards into the librarian’s desk. Edward was up in an instant, and reaching for his belt produced a painfully sharp-looking knife. Tack acted almost reflexively, drawing his sword and swinging it forward horizontally, nearly slashing Edward across the chest.

  “Interesting weapon,” Edward observed, showing no concern about having been nearly cut open. “Ceramic, I take it? The Educators never did find out what you Truants wanted from that ceramics facility.”

  Tack snarled and rose to his feet, infuriated that Edward was getting any information from him, involuntary or not. Before he could attack, Edward lunged forward with startling speed, one foot raised to execute a kick that pinned Tack’s sword to the desk while his arm brought his knife plunging towards Tack’s neck. Tack had no choice but to release the sword and slide to the ground as the knife stuck in the wood above his head. Seemingly expecting this outcome, Edward withdrew his foot and his arm, letting the sword clatter to the ground as he brought his knife forward for another thrust.

  Seeing that his life was in danger, Tack lashed out suddenly and violently with his legs, successfully catching Edward in the stomach. Edward staggered backwards a few steps, and Tack leaped to his feet and picked up his sword, swinging it furiously at Edward’s head. Edward stepped backwards to avoid the sword’s superior reach. Undeterred, Tack lunged forward, aiming a stab this time. Edward merely continued backing up in short leaps, infuriating Tack as slash after slash narrowly missed his blond adversary. As Edward reached the first aisle of bookshelves, he seized a thin storybook and hurled it at Tack.

  Tack struck the book down with his sword before it reached him, and shredded pages spewed into the air, floating gently to the ground. Another book flew through the air at him, and Tack slashed at it as well, only to have yet another streak towards him. Edward laughed as he hurled book after book at Tack, filling the air with bits of paper like confetti. As Tack slashed at a book particularly violently, Edward lunged forward without warning, sweeping his knife in an arc at Tack’s thigh. The attack drew blood, cutting through Tack’s clothes and skin, though the Truant had backed up at the last minute just in time to avoid serious injury.

  Tack snarled and swung his sword at Edward in retaliation. Edward, however, seized a thick leather-bound book and blocked the blow with it. Lashing out with his feet, Edward kicked Tack in the belly, forcing him backwards. Edward took the opportunity to turn and dash down the aisle, sweeping as many books as he could onto the floor as he ran.

  Tack immediately gave chase, leaping over the piles of books that Edward had dumped onto the floor. But as soon as Edward was in striking distance, he spun around and dived, passing right between Tack’s legs and slashing with his knife as he did. The blade cut a gash across Tack’s right leg, and Tack let out a roar of pain as he spun around to bring his sword down on Edward. Edward raised his foot to block the blow, and Tack’s sword sunk into the thick sole of Edward’s boot, biting the footwear but not penetrating it.

  A growing suspicion that he was outmatched sneaked to the surface of Tack’s mind, and as Edward kicked the sword off his boot and jumped to his feet, Tack turned and ran, sheathing his blade and reaching into his jacket as he did so. Drawing a lighter from his pocket, Tack whipped a bottle out of his jacket, spun around, and lit the cloth stuck in the neck of the bottle. Edward skidded to a halt, and his green eyes widened as Tack hurled the firebomb at him. As the bottle flew through the air, Edward lashed out with his foot and kicked the bottle up and over the shelf to another aisle. A moment later, there was a loud noise and a burst of flame, and Edward still stood before Tack
, grinning triumphantly.

  “Nice try, Truant.” Edward laughed.

  “Lucky bastard,” Tack snarled, lunging forward recklessly.

  Ignoring the growing flames that hungrily lapped at the dry wood of the shelves and the crisp pages of old books, Edward repeated his dodging routine while Tack slashed repeatedly at him. The fires became steadily larger, spreading to adjacent shelves, filling the dark library with flickering orange light and gray smoke. Soon Edward and Tack were fighting between two flaming bookshelves, coughing while they struck and dodged.

  Suddenly, Edward reached out and seized a book that had only just caught fire, and threw it at Tack. Taken by surprise, Tack didn’t see the heavy volume, which struck him, lighting his shirt on fire. Batting at the flames furiously, Tack had no choice but to remove the shirt and cast it aside, but while he was distracted Edward tackled him to the floor and brought his knife to Tack’s neck.

  “Well fought, Truant,” Edward breathed. “Yours will be a death worth remembering.”

  * * *

  Tack was painfully snapped back to the present as he felt a bandage being tightened over his leg. He blinked, and then realized that his head was feeling much clearer, and the pains had dulled, though they were still very much present. Tack sat up to see Zyid applying a bandage to Noni’s limp arm. Tack gingerly rubbed his bruised chest as the Truancy leader stood up, muttering under his breath.

  “Did I miss anything?” Tack asked.

  “Eh?” Zyid looked distractedly over at Tack. “Nothing much. Noni passed out while relating her part of the story to me.”

  Tack immediately felt guilty. Tack looked over at her still figure, her scarf pulled down to her neck as she slept. Noni had saved his life, risking and nearly losing hers in the process. Tack was sorry about that, and yet couldn’t help but feel pleased at the same time.

  “We have a problem, Takan,” Zyid said, spreading some papers out on the table sitting in the corner.