Bab 54: Chapter 53
"Wake up, you lazy pig!" Charles shouted, his expression sour, as he glared at Eric, who was sleeping soundly, clutching his pillow.
Though Eric was born earlier, he never acted like an older brother, most of the time it was Charles who had to be the mature one in them.
As though having no intention of waking up, Eric buried his head further into the pillow, muttering, "Dad, just let me sleep a bit longer. Go wake up Charles first. He's lazier than me."
Charles took a deep breath. He lifted his foot, aimed it at Eric's backside, hesitated, and lowered it again.
Maybe that wasn't the best idea.
Instead, he went into the bathroom. Moments later, he came out carrying a basin of cold water, grinning mischievously. Kicking him awake seemed too kind.
SPLASH!
"Whoa! Help!" Eric screamed, flailing as if he'd been doused in ice water. He bolted upright.
"Hahaha!" Charles doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach.
Eric looked stunned for a moment, then yelled, "You're dead, Charles!"
He leapt out of bed, fists raised, but Charles rolled aside, still chuckling. "Serves you right for sleeping in!"
"I…!" Eric fumed, then stopped, "Fine, let's go!" But Charles was already at the door, flashing a triumphant victory sign.
Ten minutes later, after a quick breakfast, the two were off on their latest scheme, with their sights set on a police car parked down the street.
"Seriously? Your idea is to call the police?" Eric whispered, shooting a skeptical glance at the police car.
"Just watch!" Charles replied. He walked up to the car with Eric, knocked on the window, and flashed a polite smile at the officer inside.
The officer looked surprised but got out of the car. "Hey there, kiddo. What's up?"
"I can't find my dad," Charles said, his expression one of innocence, but in his mind, he was already using his powers to subtly influence the officer's mind.
The officer's eyes glazed over for a second before he replied, "Don't worry, I'll help you find him."
Charles gave him a grateful nod and tugged Eric into the back seat.
"Do you know your dad's name or where he lives?" asked the officer, sliding into the driver's seat.
"His name is George. George Baker," Charles answered, then, pretending to look flustered, added, "I… I can't remember where he lives, though."
The officer's face softened. Charles kept his eyes wide and sad, subtly reinforcing the effect of his abilities. "Sir, you'll help us, won't you?"
The officer nodded without hesitation. "Of course, son. I'll run a search."
"Thank you!" Charles said earnestly, shooting Eric a satisfied smirk.
Eric rolled his eyes, muttering, "Little manipulator."
But the plan worked. After a short wait, the officer found a list of people named George Baker. Charles identified their target, and before long, they had an address.
When the officer offered to escort them, Charles used his powers again to leave him with the impression he'd already dropped them off. Then he and Eric hailed a taxi to the address.
Watching from afar, Mike observed the whole process with a smirk. Those two were cleverer than he'd anticipated.
Driving a safe distance behind them, Mike ensured Clark kept close watch as the boys' "guardian." Half an hour later, the taxi pulled up in front of an old apartment building.
"Are you sure this is the place? Looks like a dump," Eric said, wrinkling his nose. Needles, graffiti, and litter lay scattered around, painting a grimy scene.
Charles glanced at the address, nodded, and said, "This is it."
He pulled Eric toward the building. They climbed the stairs to the fifth floor, their previous confidence now giving way to nerves.
"You knock," Eric muttered, glancing at Charles.
Charles took a step back. "You do it!"
"Look who's scared now!" Eric took a deep breath, raised his hand, and was about to knock when the door creaked open.
"Who are you looking for?" a woman in heavy makeup, wearing nothing but her underwear, leaned against the door frame, squinting at them.
Eric looked at Charles. "Did you get the wrong place?"
Charles, maintaining a polite tone, said, "We're here to see George Baker."
The woman's expression shifted. She turned and yelled back into the apartment, "Hey! You got some kids at the door looking for you."
She glanced back, twirling a blood-red nail and smirking, "Who are you to him? Illegitimate kids? Here to find daddy?"
Eric nodded slightly.
The woman froze, her face contorting. Just then, a tired-looking, muscular man appeared in the doorway, scratching his head. The woman slapped him on sight. "You lying dog! Didn't you say you were single? Who are these two kids, then?"
The man looked bewildered. "What kids?"
"Still pretending? They're right here!" The woman stormed back inside.
He quickly looked at the boys, frowning. "Hang on."
Then, the door slammed in their faces.
Eric turned to Charles, arching an eyebrow. "Is it him?"
Charles nodded, a moment of telepathy having confirmed the man's identity. He matched the image he'd seen in Mike's memory, despite looking older and a bit rough around the edges.
Eric let out a sigh. "Doesn't look like he's a saint, at least."
Charles nodded. "I'll dig a little deeper and find out what we need."
Inside the apartment, they could hear raised voices followed by noises better left unexplained. The two exchanged puzzled glances.
Meanwhile, Clark, watching from a distance, turned beet red and quickly looked away.
Mike noticed his reaction and asked, "You alright there, Clark?"
Clark cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah, they're safe. I'm fine."
He focused on Eric and Charles again, keeping his gaze strictly on them without letting his vision pierce through the walls this time.
After a few awkward minutes, Clark said, "Looks like the man finally called them in."
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