Eureka Seven Fusion.
                                                         Ch.11;
                                                Somebody told me.


  Mitch arrived at South Aries shortly after noon. He waved goodbye to his fare and proceeded deep into the city.
  At a red light, he pulled a picture from a satchel and ran his fingertips along the child depicted. It really wasn’t all that long ago; eighteen months.  He barely survived the attack as it was. He was told his wife’s body was found, but nothing was ever found of his son, Derek. There were nearly one hundred unidentified children in his age group. Mitch had spent the last year and a half tracking them down.
  A horn blast shook him from his reverie; he laid the picture on the seat and drove on. His first stop today was to the city’s Welfare department. It was across town in heavy traffic so it took a while. The ancient automobile never missed a beat the whole time.
  “That kid did a really good job…….” Mitch thought. As he turned onto the street.
   The welfare department was located in the bottom floor of a large skyscraper near the hospital. The clerk behind the counter peered at him through smudged glasses with a vacant stare as he passed a picture of Derek to her.
  Two hours later, with all the forms signed; he had a list of orphanages to check. It would be better to check in person rather than call; a picture speaks a thousand words.
  It took the most of the afternoon to check all but two of the homes, and they were on opposite ends of town.
  Mitch walked into the door of the first and met up with the curator. The place was impeccable. He hoped Derek wouldn’t be there, this place was more like a boot camp than a children’s home.
  “Mrs. Flinch will see you now.” Said the receptionist.
  Mitch walked into the Curator’s office and sat down. A stern older woman studied Derek’s picture and handed it back to Mitch.
  “I’m sorry Mr. Taylor; your son was not brought to this establishment.” She said, peering over her glasses.
  Mitch let out a silent sigh.
  “Thank you.” He said and left her office. He walked outside and noted the lateness of the day. There was just enough time to make it to the other Home.
  He practically jumped into the car and gunned the engine. His wife, Ester’s body was found but not Derek’s. It didn’t matter how long it took; he’d find him.
  He drove aggressively, making to the Home with little time. He ran up the steps and through the doors. This Home was far less stodgy. It wasn’t a mess, but there were signs of children all over the place; toys, pictures, things children would leave around.
  “Oh! I didn’t know anyone was here.” Exclaimed a portly woman, arms full of toys and clothes.
  “You must be Mitch Taylor.” She said.
  “Yes, I am. We spoke on the phone. I’m looking for my son.” He said.
  She tossed her armload of debris onto a couch. Mitch handed her the picture.
  She peered at it, then pulled a pair of glasses from her pocket and studied it further.
  “I’m sorry, Mr. Taylor; I’ve never seen him.” She said handing it back.
  He thanked her numbly and walked outside in a daze. It wasn’t anything new; one more rejection was one less place to check. He was now halfway through the list.
  “Hey, dude; is this your car?” Asked a voice. Mitch looked up to see a young man in reffing gear. He looked at him with distrust, but there wasn’t anything for him to steal or damage, so he nodded.
  “Wicked! Hey I need a ride.” He said.  Wordlessly, Mitch let him into the back of the car. Climbing in behind the wheel, Mitch asked;
  “Where to?”
  “Downtown. I need more board wax. Big refjam this weekend.” He said.
  Mitch handed him Derek’s picture.
  “You ever seen him?” He asked. The kid looked at the picture.
  “Sorry, dude.” He said. “Your kid?” Mitch nodded.
  “He got lost in the Feres attack.” He said.
  “Oh, yeah; I remember that. That sucks, you know?” Said the kid.
  “Yeah……They killed my wife. My son was taken with the other refugees.” Mitch said.
  “So you drive all over looking for him, huh?” Said the reffer.
  “Yes. I keep going to all the places where the refugees were taken.” Said Mitch.
  Mitch pulled up to the ref shop and stopped.
  “Well, good luck; dude.” Said the kid.
  “Thanks.” Said Mitch. The reffer paid him and Mitch pulled away. He seemed a good kid; but refboarders were associated with that monster.
  Mitch stopped at a burger joint and noticed the magazine left on the back seat by the refboarder. He purchased his food, and idly picked up the magazine. Suddenly his appetite was gone; for on the cover was Renton and Eureka, smiling.
  He read the story inside, the details given from both sides but all he could see was that Eureka was a Coralian; SHE was one of the monsters.
  Suddenly, Mitch felt sick; he shoved the door open and vomited on the asphalt.