Behind the wheel of his Chevy Impala, Jorge sighed a bit as he looked about at the streets that surrounded him. People went by in their everyday lives, many of them hearing “off” the atrocities that man can commit, but none of them having every experienced it. They were lucky. They did not have to stare into the gapping, black maw of the underbelly of society. The majority of them would go on for the rest of their lives, having only seen the evilness in man in passing. They will never have wake up screaming in the night or take therapy just to have a normal life.

Lucky devils. The rest of them, Jorge included, would have to deal with this knowledge that should never escape into the public. They would have to live their lives knowing what horrid crimes mankind can commit against itself.

And lately Jorge was learning just how deep that hell can go. A glance over to his car seat and he spied the file labeled “Agnes Nicholas” across it. He still could not believe what he read in there, of the statement he got from the young teenager. Only one thing was on his mind right now, he needed to find those parents.

But first, he needed to build a case. Agnes had told him that her parents had a congregation, so that obviously meant that those teachings were being passed on to others. It was one thing just taking down the parents, but if he could get all their butts locked up, that would mean just slightly safer streets. To do that, though, he needed information. If others had been attacked in the same way that Agnes was. Maybe social services had some case files. It was tragic that he hoped so because then that meant he could more easily find them all, but at the same time that meant someone else had to go through what Agnes did.

It was a double edged sword and Jorge did want to get cut.

Looking up, he eyed the building that matched the address for the Mutant Social Services…and it looked like hell. Whatever the problem was, it looked like it was still in a stage of rebuilding and cleaning up? He thought back and suddenly remembered hearing something about a riot that happened here. He had not been involved in that case so he did not know the details. He was glad that they were at least still open for business. Takes a lot for people to not get scared away these days.

Pulled off to the curb and parked his vehicle. He then grabbed Agnes file and entered the building.

Once instead, Jorge shook his head as he mind drifted back to Agnes. It really was horrible what she went through and he wanted desperately to help her. Her parents needed to pay for their actions against her, for scarring (both mentally and physically) the girl for the rest of her life. He was not going to let them get away with it, but to do so, to make sure that them and their cronies would be locked up for the rest of their lives, he needed information. If there were others, as sad as it seemed, it would help him.

Another glance and he caught someone else in the building. Quickly he moved towards them.

“Excuse me,” he said as he held up a card with a name on it. “I’m looking for a ‘Tasean Walker’, you happen to know him?”

Tasean was leaning on the security guards desk, discussing the extra security measures there were supposed to be in place when he heard his name. He turned around to see a gentlemen, with some papers in his hand, talking to some random individual. Tasean pushed himself off of the counter and made his way quickly over to the man who was asking about him. The last thing he wanted to happen was a potential new client, or investor getting cussed out for asking about the mutant in the building. Things had calmed down considerably since the mob attack, but there was still a palpable level of hostility brimming. Many of the people who worked for the various businesses in the building were not happy with having their working lives interrupted by the fiasco, and more than most blamed Tasean and his agency.

"I'm Tasean Walker" he said as he reached the man a genuine smile on his face. The guy didn't look like he was homeless, or being abused or mistreated because he was a mutant. He didn't look uneducated or malnutrition, so maybe he was someone who wanted to help the Agency. There were few enough of them as it was, so Tasean was all set to butter the man up to get his help. "How can I help you?"

Jorge was having no luck as he person he was speaking to did not seem to know the exact person he was looking for either. As a matter of fact the man looked a little intimidated around Jorge and, as much as Jorge tried to reassure him that there was nothing to be worried about, it was obviously having no affect. In any case, he was not going to get the information he needed from so, with a friendly smile, he backed away and turned to leave. But as he turned to go find someone else to ask, he suddenly heard a voice announce himself.

>> "I'm Tasean Walker…How can I help you?"

“Ah, Mr. Walker,” Jorge said with a bit of relief in his voice. He was glad he did not have to go around scary anyone else in the building. “Glad I found you.”

The detective, a burly man of 40 with persistent five o’clock shadow salt and peppered hair, shifted the file he had in hand and reached into his coat pocket where he produced his badge. The gold shield shined briefly in the light as he showed it to Tasean to identify himself. His dark brown eyes immediately scanned Tasean, imprinting his first impression of the man into his memory for at least their rest of the day.

The man seemed nice, younger than Jorge had anticipated, but if he could help him, then he really was not going to put any weight in the man’s age. He needed help getting this case for Agnes together so he hoped that this man knew his stuff. Or that he had least heard of a thing or two like this before. Any information he could get to put Agnes’ parents away for the rest of their lives would be useful. Tasean, though, he seemed like the helpful type. His greeting was genuine and Jorge could appreciate that.

As the man inspected his badge, Jorge returned his friendly smile with one of his own. “Name’s Jorge Cervantes, detective for the MRC,” he announced as he held his hand out for the man to shake, “Mutant Related Crimes division.”

Normally Jorge only showed up to people when he was either defending them on the worst day of their lives or he was there to arrest them. He therefore would not blame Tasean if he eyed him suspiciously, but Jorge was quick to diffuse any such thoughts.

“I’m investigating a case and…I may need some to see if there have been any similar past cases,” Jorge said as he returned his badge to his pocket. “Since it involves mutant kids, I have been directed to you.”

Tasean listened intently. His eyes widened in surprise when Jorge mentioned what unit he worked for. Tasean did not know there was a Mutant Related Crimes division, but he filed that information away for further research later.

"Let's go up to my office and discuss this further shall we?" Tasean asked as he moved towards the elevator in the building. When the doors to the elevator opened he held the door for Jorge before entering himself. He inserted his I.D. badge into a slot, and then punched in a series of numbers on a keypad before selecting his floor. These were just two of the many added security measures by the buildings owner. No one could get to the Agency's floor with a badge and the code, which changed weekly.

"So we've got a little bit of a ride up to my floor, though the elevator won't stop for anyone else until we are off," another level of added security, "so you want to tell me a little more about the case, and what I can help you with?" Tasean asked.

This would officially be his first case since opening the Agency. Sure he had helped a couple of mutants here and there, but this was the first time that the police had come to him for help. This is what Tasean lived for, helping others, now specifically helping mutants, was the core of his being. Whatever it would take to help Jorge in any way with this case, Tasean would make sure it got done.

>> "Let's go up to my office and discuss this further shall we?"

“Lead the way,” Jorge responded respectfully as he began to follow Tasean to the elevators.

Jorge watched as the both inserted a code and had to insert an ID card to get to where they were going. He had to admit that he was a little impressed with this place. They had many security measures installed so he wondered just how sensitive the information was in this building. Well, when concerning something like social services he could see the need for it after all.

Being a cop he had to deal with social services on occasion, especially when it came to removing children from unfit homes. Too many times these parents grow bitter and resentful the people for worked for the system. To them, it was all their fault and they are the ones to blame as to why they were suddenly found childless. Whatever the case, though, many times he would hear how these workers became the targets of threats or were actually harmed because of their jobs.

Once he stepped into the elevator, he agreed that good security was more than likely necessary. Especially if this group dealt with mutants…

…there was a powder keg of danger!

>> "So we've got a little bit of a ride up to my floor, though the elevator won't stop for anyone else until we are off…so you want to tell me a little more about the case, and what I can help you with?"

Jorge nodded as he handed Tasean the file that he had been carrying. It was labeled with the name Agnes Nicholas . Jorge did not bother to explain just yet but instead he allowed the man to open the file first. It contained a couple of pictures of Agnes, both showed the extremely thin, sad looking 17 year old with the brightest blue eyes imaginable. The hard part came when the report started to be read. It contained the written account of a young teenager (copied from her own handwritten story) about how her over religious parents had attempted to “exorcise” her. Jorge sighed as he watched Tasean’s face briefly.

It was only when he flipped the page to the few pictures he could convince Agnes to let him take that the real horror of her case came to light.

“She’s a sweet girl. Very sad, though,” he said as he recounted his meeting with her that Gemma had set up. “Her parents, when they found out she was a mutant, starved her for a day, then proceeded to commit an awful ritual on her to exorcise the evil ‘demon’ that gave her the mutant powers she has.” Jorge kept his eye on the numbers as they lit up whenever they passed a floor. “After that, she ran from her home and lived on the streets for a little over a half year. She only recently found her way to Xavier’s Sister School where she is finally starting to get some help. She’s gone through a lot of trauma.”

He sighed as he shook his head and turned to face Tasean again. The file just sat in the man’s hands, mocking the detective because he could not have kept any of it from happening to such a sweet young girl. But at least he could try to make amends now…

“They need to be hauled into jail. I need to get them and their followers off the streets,” Jorge finally said. “But I need evidence. Agnes, she told me that the ritual they performed, she swears they were too practiced at it. That it had to have been done to others before, maybe even since she left. That is why I’m here. I need to see if there is evidence of anyone else having gone through this so I can connect it to those parents and their ‘damned’ church.”

Tasean's face hardened into a look of disgust as he listened to Jorge explain the case while he looked at pictures of the girl. He hated when children were abused, especially for things that weren't their fault. Tasean was definitely one of the people he supported harsher punishments for child abusers.

"I've heard of something like this before, ran across a case or two, though I can't say they were mutant kids." Tasean said as he closed the file and handed it back to Jorge. "I've heard of certain church groups that try to exorcise the so called demon of homosexuality out of kids. They can be pretty nasty, but I've never seen anything like this."

Tasean shuddered at the thought of what that girl had endured. Her parents were idiots, and Tasean was now resolved to do whatever was in his power to make sure they were properly punished, them and whatever religious fanatic group they were with.

Finally the elevator stopped and the doors opened to the Mutant Social Services Agency office. This time Tasean owned the entire floor, though it looked rather empty. Tasean still didn't have anyone working with him, though his number of clientele was increasing daily. The media coverage of the mob attack had done a little good for him.

"I can look somethings up in the system, and make some phone calls for you Jorge. I know some people who would be willing to help. I even know someone at the school your Agnes is at now. Andrew is a friend of mine." Tasean said as he ushered Jorge into his private office.

Jorge watched and saw an expression on Tasean’s face that he was sure he made whenever he was concerned with this case. It showed a mixture of surprise, sadness, and complete and utter disgust. It was hard to not imagine why. Anyone reading the story of Agnes Nicholas, unless they had a heart of complete stone, would feel nothing but sympathy for her. To read how a teenager could be so betrayed by her own parents to the very point of branding her skin in the name of some higher force. It was heart-breaking and at the same time completely angered up the blood.

The detective nodded as he took back the file when it was closed and handed back to him.

>> "I've heard of something like this before, ran across a case or two, though I can't say they were mutant kids…I've heard of certain church groups that try to exorcise the so called demon of homosexuality out of kids. They can be pretty nasty, but I've never seen anything like this."

For a second Jorge felt a pang of fear. The man had never heard anything like this. Cases of similar “exorcism” have happened but not in the cases of mutants; at least not to his knowledge. The fact that it this form of torture existed at all simply caused the detective to clench his fists. He really did not know how people delude themselves into being so wrong? Did they all take the exact same course at the Stupid Academy?

“Well any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated,” Jorge repeated, hoping that this course of action would not lead to a dead end.

As they finally arrived at the appropriate floor, Jorge waited for Tasean to exit and then quickly followed him out. The floor looked rather…empty, but his companion did not seem to be at all bothered by it. Jorge simply followed wherever the man led.

>> "I can look somethings up in the system, and make some phone calls for you Jorge. I know some people who would be willing to help. I even know someone at the school your Agnes is at now. Andrew is a friend of mine."

Jorge sighed a little in relief. Even the smallest bit of help could go an extremely long way. Jorge nodded and muttered his thanks as he followed Tasean to one of the offices, but as he did, he heard a familiar name being dropped.

“Andrew? Andrew…Leroy?” Jorge asked with a very light humor in his voice his head. “I know the boy very well. Good kid.” the detective said as he followed. “I’m unsure if Agnes has actually met him yet. From what the guidance counselor has told me about her, she is very closed off, talks to maybe two or three people at most, shys away from everyone else.”

He sighed as he remembered back to the meeting that Gemma had set up with her. Agnes had looked so nervous and was so quiet. She barely lifted her eyes to meet his gaze whenever they were talking. All she really did was slide over the papers that she wrote out about her experiences and answered any questions he had. Having met her before, though, he knew to expect such for her. Still though, it was difficult to watch a child, a teenager, have to close themselves off that much because they did not want to trust anyone.

Thankfully she seemed to be trusting him a bit more too.

“Anyways, thank you for taking the time to look for me,” Jorge said with a thankful nod and sad smile. “I’m sorry to add to your case load with something like this, but I do appreciate it.”

"Yeah Andrew. He showed me around the Mansion once, and was actually there the day that the mob attacked the Agency." Tasean said, smiling brightly. He continued to count himself lucky that Andrew was his friend.

Tasean waved his hand dismissively at Jorge's apology about adding to the work load. "It is not bother at all" he said sincerely. "This is what I am here for, it's what I started this Agency for. I didn't really know to much about mutants until I came up here to the city, from North Carolina." Tasean spoke as he sat down at his desk and indicate for Jorge to take a seat across from him.

"I mean, I knew I had abilities, but it was a long time before I knew to call myself a mutant." Tasean admitted. He was quite sure that by now it was common knowledge that the founder of the Mutant Social Services Agency was a mutant himself. "My parents didn't know, I never told them, but they accepted me being gay, I'm sure they would've accepted my being a mutant. But when I came up here, I was introduced to how some mutants are treated, especially those that can't blend in with society. So I started this Agency, specifically for people like Agnes, so it's no bother at all. It's my duty, and I'm proud to do it. I only hope I can be of some help."

With that Tasean began to tap away at his keyboard, bringing up old case files on the computer, and quickly looking them over, looking for any similarities with Agnes' case.

>> "Yeah Andrew. He showed me around the Mansion once, and was actually there the day that the mob attacked the Agency."

Jorge had heard about that. He was surprised he had not been assigned to investigate the mob attack himself. But the MRC apparently did not respond the scene at all. He found that very interesting considering that this was an organization that dealt primarily with mutants so why didn’t the MRC jump on it? Especially considering the fact that they would have to deal with Mutant Social Services fairly regularly once things get in motion? He would have to make sure to look into that when he returned to the office.

>> "It is no bother at all…This is what I am here for, it's what I started this Agency for. I didn't really know to much about mutants until I came up here to the city, from North Carolina."

Stepping into the man’s office, Jorge nodded again his thanks as he took a seat in the chair across from him. The place seemed to be pretty organized and the Tasean did seem fairly eager to help. He feared that his request would be too much and would go simply ignored. It was a monumental thing to ask, to seek old case files for signs of abuse that could possibly, maybe be similar to the case he was on right now. It was an unfortunate fact that this was the type of thing that happened a lot. People were sick and there was no cure for everyone.

The most people like him could only do so much. They could watch out for signs, file reports, but they could not foresee the future. It was hard to know whether or not the child waving at you from the back of a car is simply waving out of happiness, or if they will be another victim.

It hard to see the world like that but evitable it happens.

>> "I mean, I knew I had abilities, but it was a long time before I knew to call myself a mutant…My parents didn't know, I never told them, but they accepted me being gay, I'm sure they would've accepted my being a mutant. But when I came up here, I was introduced to how some mutants are treated, especially those that can't blend in with society. So I started this Agency, specifically for people like Agnes, so it's no bother at all. It's my duty, and I'm proud to do it. I only hope I can be of some help."

“I’m sorry that you had to see the ugly side of humanities reaction to us mutants. I work a job where the sole purpose is to see mutants on the worst day of their lives. But I’m glad that you were inspired enough to start an organization like this,” Jorge said with sincere appreciativeness. “And I’m sure people like Agnes appreciate you very much.”

The detective liked the man. He finally decided. Tasean proved so far to have a strong head on his shoulders and real eagerness to help do what was right. He was a fellow mutant, he knew the prejudices of society on two fronts and yet he did not stray away from helping people. It takes some bravery to do something like that, Jorge knew it all too well. People can be swallowed up by the close-mindedness of the world they live in, easily they can be swept up and made bitter and cruel against the world. But he believed that Tasean truly wanted to help still.

It made the detective feel good that there were some good people still in the world.

Watching as the man began to search and type into his computer, Jorge opened the file and looked over some more information that Agnes had given him.

“Ugh…” he said as he flipped pages. “Agnes said the ‘church’ her parents had been involved in was called…‘The Everlasting Eye of God’. If that helps.” Jorge said with a nod.

Tasean gave a little smile as he listened to Jorge. As long as Tasean helped at least one mutant get into a better situation, or at least get out of a bad one he counted this venture a success.

"Yes well, each one teach on and so one" Tasean said quoting something he had read in a book, not knowing in Jorge would recognize the reference or not. "The Everlasting Eye of God hm? Sounds like some crazy kind of movie or video game if you ask me." Tasean said as he typed the name of the religious organization into his database.

The search icon popped up, which was a good sign, since if there was nothing it would immediately say no files matched the criteria. As he waited he looked to Jorge. "So how is Agnes getting along now? Everything ok, or at least better than it was for her?" he asked sincerely. He may not know her personally, but he was definitely now concerned for he well being, he wouldn't be a good social worker if he wasn't.

>> “Yes well, each one teach on and so one…The Everlasting Eye of God hm? Sounds like some crazy kind of movie or video game if you ask me."

“Either way, you’re right about the crazy aspect,” Jorge said with a nod. “I once worked a case where this mutant was attempting to start a cult he called ‘The Order of the Ragnarok’s Flaming Hammer’. Needless to say he was the only member.”

Sitting in the chair, Jorge opened the file on Tasean’s desk and began to look for any more clues that could possibly help him find these psychopaths. Agnes had been fairly descriptive with what her home life was like and where it was that she went to school and at least some of the people that she had met through her parents. The majority of them seemed like average, everyday people whom the detective would have never suspected as taking part in any of this. It killed him that they could be such deceivers.

In a way, it was pretty ironic. They’re actions at being deceptive made them more evil than the thing they were trying to protect Agnes from. It was ridiculous but he also knew that there was no way to really change a fanatic’s mind.

It was just terrible, though, that they could not be wrangled in before they did what they did to Agnes.

>> "So how is Agnes getting along now? Everything ok, or at least better than it was for her?"

Jorge smirked a little as he thought about Agnes. The resilence of some people was absolutely amazing. He doubted that many people would be able to come back from an experience like Agnes’ and still try to live a full and healthy life. But, from what he had seen himself and heard from Gemma, she was actually beginning to thrive.

“She’s…adjusting well.” Jorge said with a nod. “She has a few friends and she has not run away from the mansion. At least that is a plus. There was a minor public disturbance a few months back but she seems to have rebounded from that well.” Jorge sighed as he sat back and pinched the bridge of his nose to ease some tension. “That kid went through hell and the fact that she can come out on the other end of all that and still try at a normal life…just astonishes me. It makes me glad, but at the same time, she should have never gone through any of it.”

Tasean nodded, glad to hear that the young woman was getting along fine. It would probably be sometime before she was completely healed from her ordeal, but as long as she wasn't dwelling in some dark depression, her healing would come.

"I'm glad that she is doing o.k." Tasean said as the search results were finally beginning to pop up on the computer screen. "If she ever needs anything, or anyone to talk to, my door is open."

Tasean's eyes widened in surprise at the number of files that populated the screen. He himself had never heard of the church, but apparently Agnes was not their only victim. Tasean did not know if all of the cases were mutant related, but the Church of the Everlasting Eye of God had definitely been busy.

"Well Jorge," he said as he set the computer to print out all of the files. "I don't know if this is exactly what you are looking for, but I have found some cases for you where your crazy church group is involved. I can't be sure if all the victims are mutants, but with a little digging I'm sure I can find out."

>> "I'm glad that she is doing o.k. If she ever needs anything, or anyone to talk to, my door is open."

“I’ll be sure to tell her,” Jorge replied with a nod.

He would indeed make sure that Agnes knew about people like Tasean. The girl was doing well now that she was at the mansion, but everything that was going to be coming up was going to cause a huge issue. She was going to have to deal with the fact that her parents now knew of her presence, she was going to have to face her past even more now. She was going to have to be prepared and maybe having a someone with a kind heart like Mr. Walker here would be a good thing for the young girl. After all, Gemma, himself and Tasean pretty much were going to be her defense against her parents, as well whatever friends she had gained at the mansion.

He prayed it would be enough to aide her. She was going to need every last friend she could after this story breaks. There was no way the press was not going to have a field day with it.

Going over the file again, Jorge sighed, trying to find something, anything that could help him. He could bring in the parents easily with Agnes testimony. But according to her, others had suffered the same fate. He needed as much as possible information and evidence as possible to make sure that they were buried in the deepest, darkest hole they could find.

They did not deserve to see the light of day again…

>> "Well Jorge…I don't know if this is exactly what you are looking for, but I have found some cases for you where your crazy church group is involved. I can't be sure if all the victims are mutants, but with a little digging I'm sure I can find out."

Obviously interested, Jorge got up from his seat and walked around to look over Tasean’s shoulder at the computer screen. He glanced at several the files, all of which had mentioned the church Agnes’ parents had been involved in. Apparently most of the cases that were documented here also involved horrible beatings, scarrings, even a few deaths. Few evidence was collected that could really be attached to the church but general consensus was that the members were involved in it.

It was not a lot, but it was worth it to investigate a bit further.

Jorge happily clapped Tasean on the shoulder and returned to his seat on the other side of the desk. This was indeed a happy break and hopefully would lead to resolving some issues he had been having with the case. It was a godsend…

“That’s perfect,” Jorge said with a nod. “I’d appreciate any help you can offer with investigating. I can do some footwork myself and see what I can find. If someone else can come forward, we can put those bastards away till the sun burns out.”

Tasean grinned as the printer hummed while spitting out the physical files on paper.

"Since I've opened this Agency many people have shunned me, but then some other avenues have opened up as well. I'll check them out as well" Tasean told Jorge.

He didn't know if the detective knew Lori, but Tasean was going to ask her as well if anyone in Sanctuary knew anything about this church. He would also put a bug in Andrew's ear, as well as the few people who worked for the city who still talked to him. One way or another, Tasean was going to gather whatever evidence he could to help Jorge put this people under the jail. People like Agnes' parents and this church group were the worse kinds of people in Tasean's eyes. Anyone who intentionally harmed children, and stole what little innocence life grants them were scum in Tasean's eyes, and he would make sure they got what the deserved.

Quickly Tasean scribbled his various numbers and emails on a piece of paper and slid it over to Jorge. "Thats my contact information" he said. "Anytime you need me, or Agnes, you call me, day or night." and Tasean genuinely meant every word.

>> "Since I've opened this Agency many people have shunned me, but then some other avenues have opened up as well. I'll check them out as well"

Jorge nodded. “That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for sharing your resources.”

The detective really was appreciative of everything the man was doing. Even though this was the age of technology and it was not as difficult to hunt for information, still, the very idea that he was checking all these old case files for what was possibly a needle in a haystack, only proved to him how dedicated a man he was. Jorge was thankful to have a man like that on his side. Well, not only his side but on his and Agnes’ side. That young woman would need all the help and friends she could get right now.

Jorge began to collect the papers then man printed for him and looked them over closely. They were already proving to have a vast wealth of information, more than he was expecting to find in this endeavor. It seemed that the antics of the church were not unknown but always there was a lack of evidence in convicting them. Ever since the church, which was located in small pockets all over the country had been narrowly slipping in through the cracks of the system. It was a horrible thing to know, that try as they might, they were simply having no luck in stopping these horrible activities.

But he knew that without these cases, the conviction would be harder to come by. He didn’t want to just stop the parents, he wanted that whole damn congregation behind bars for allowing this to happen. This was one step closer to making it a reality.

>> "That’s my contact information…Anytime you need me, or Agnes, you call me, day or night."

Jorge nodded as he gratefully took the man’s card. He would indeed make sure to keep the man on file. He already proved to be a great help so he would make sure to turn to him in the future if he needed similar help later on. As he thought on this, Jorge immediately opened his coat and reached into his pocket which contained his contact cards, containing his name, work number and cell number. He gently handed it over to the social worker an appreciative smile.

“Here’s my information as well. You can call me day or night, if you need help with anything,” Jorge said with a nod and meant it. “You’ve been a great help today. I don’t know how to thank you.”