Chapter 32.

Noah got up and retrieved the iPod from his bedroom. He opened his laptop and searched for music, selecting songs and albums with familiar names. Noah set the iPod on the table next to him and turned it on. After a moment, he remembered that he hadn't heard the news yet today. Noah switched off the iPod and called up the newspaper web site and clicked on the audio link.

"In other breaking news," said the announcer, "Japan's top criminal investigation agency has announced that it is investigating the disappearance of a prominent Japanese businessman who went missing last week."

Noah felt his stomach drop to his feet. It was bad enough that he couldn't save his parents, but now another innocent man might die. A sense of dread filled his body. Noah shook his head and sighed heavily. He was tired of being powerless.

He was still sitting at the table when Mrs Ryuko and Mariella returned. They both looked anxious, as if they expected to hear bad news. Noah watched his mother sit in her chai