I follow them out of the park and into the residential area again.
"Are you still not gonna show us what's under that mask?" (Sara)
"You guys know, just the generic face of a 13-year-old. Nothing special." (Luis)
"Maybe he's just ugly and has a complex about his face." (Peter)
"At least I have the decency of acknowledging that and hide my face," I say looking straight at him.
Everybody starts holding in some laughs
"What was that?!" (Peter)
"Now, now. You started it, he got you back." Sara says with a slight smile on his face.
"Are we almost there?" (Luis)
"...Are you one of those kids?" (Rebecca)
"What type?" (Luis)
"The type who asks if 'they're almost there?'" (Rebecca)
"I believe anybody would ask this given the circumstances we are in."(Luis)
"What do you mean by circumstances?" (Sara)
"I'm walking in the dead of night with people I barely know to some unknown place in a city with pretty high criminal activity." (Luis)
"If you joined the Vigilantes then we won't be people you barely know." (Argus)
"I didn't know you could also tell jokes like that Argus." (Luis)
"..."
My distrust of them has lessened, however, I don't trust them completely per se. I only have three weeks left and this is the most efficient way to use them. I also feel like they are part of Lotus Flower, but that feeling has been decreasing little by little. Well, I don't know much about Lotus flower, to begin with.
"*Clears throat* Well, it looks like we are here."
We arrive at some apartment building and they start heading in. I try sensing to see if there's anybody inside. No one, it seems relatively safe, though getting behind closed walls might be a bit too much... I'll make sure to stay by a window just to make sure I can make a break for it if I have to.
The inside has one small hallway with three doors. we head into the first one there is and there's a table with six chairs. I take the chair closest to the window.
"By the way, Dark Menace, I've been meaning to ask you?" (Argus)
"Yes?" (Luis)
"How long have you had your magic for?"
How long have I had magic? Does this mean that this power is an acquired power then? Did he get the liquid directly? Wait, I assumed that he was born with them or something, could I be wrong? So then, how did he get his? Was it by coincidence like me? But what are the chances? This person always sends me into confusion.
"... I don't see why I should answer that question." (Luis)
"Okay... I mean, you must have gotten them for long if you are using wind magic unconsciously...so I was wondering about it." (Argus)
Use it unconsciously? I am! My hard work has paid off! It's probably all that training to maintain me cool while wearing a jacket during summer.
"Actually, now that I think about it. Aren't you always wearing a jacket, is that why you are never hot?" (Rebecca)
"Irrelevant, let's talk about this plan you guys have in mind." (Luis)
"...I...I'm sorry for asking a personal question even though you don't want to answer!" (Rebecca)
This girl apologizing so earnestly. Ughhh, she's such a good guilt tripper.
"...Yes."(Luis)
"What was that?" Sara says with a smile on her face.
"We are here to discuss our plans on how to deal Crimson Night and Bloody Crips, would you guys be so kind as to tell me what are you planning?" (Luis)
"Always business." (Sara)
"Always will be." (Luis)
"So, firstly, we will attack the same Saturday they arrive. I believe it's the best time to catch them both." (Sara)
"Yes, but it's also likely to be the most guarded night of the year." (Luis)
"Yes, but in all due likelihood, a party will take place that same day. And with parties comes alcohol." (Sara)
"I see." (Luis)
"So our plan is to have you enter inside and wait for our signal, at around 1 am or so we'll be using distracting fire at the front gate and busting through. We'll try to lure as many guards as we can. They are very likely to panic because both bosses will be inside so they may send more troops then they should. Luis and Peter will enter- " (Sara)
"Why would I be the one going inside? Shouldn't Argus do it since he's more experienced?" (Luis)
Also, does she not know that Peter is likely to shoot me in the back? This woman crazy
"You are better at stealth than he is so it's better if you try to sneak in. And since he's more experienced he's better of a distraction so we can make it more flashy. Peter Is gong in because he's also very experienced in shooting and sneaking around" (Sara)
Hope this turns out well I guess.
"Better not slow me down." (Peter)
"Right back at you." (Luis)
"*Clears throat* After you deem it appropriate go for the two bosses. You can either capture them or kill them, whatever you may prefer. But keep in mind that we only have about 20 minutes before the police are likely to arrive so plan accordingly. Any problems, anyone here?" (Sara)
No one said a word, I guess the plan is good for everyone.
"Now as for the Bloody Crips, Peter if you would explain what you know?' (Sara)
"Of course. According to what Rebecca and I have found, what we believe to be Jefe lives at the eastern side of Central Park. We are not completely sure if it's him but we have seen him along with some bodyguards a couple of times. Sometimes he is alone but is quickly found his colleagues."
Despite being such a shit he does do his work well. I guess that's why he's in this Vigilante Organization for a reason.
"Thanks for that." (Argus)
"No problem." (Peter)
"Then I'll be taking my leave." (Luis)
"... Won't you stay to chat a bit more with us?" (Rebecca)
"I respectfully decline, I'm busy." (Luis)
"...Ok" Rebecca says with a sad face.
She may be a good guilt tripper, but some things I'm not willing to compromise on.
"Just let the fucker go, if he doesn't want to stay then he doesn't stay." (Peter)
Thanks for your assistance this one time Peter. I head out the door and outside in order to do some patrolling.
If I think about it, isn't this a bit too weird? Argus is the leader, so why is Sara debriefing us like that? Is he the leader for some other reason? Like his magic? But having strength alone is not really enough to survive on the dark side of a city. The more I interact with them the less and less it makes sense. I'll try not to think about it too much.
If I remember correctly she said the eastern part of Central Park. I guess I'll head there and Investigate the are while searching for my own objective.
I cut through the park since we are on the western side of the park. As a way of the eat as we can be I guess. She said the eastern side, but the eastern side is huge, they probably would tell me eventually more about the specifics of where exactly is it that he's been seen, but I won't be waiting for that.
I arrive on the eastern side and begin searching for both gossip and that presence. I keep on looking around until I find a familiar presence. What is this person doing in the middle of the night?
I get off the building and decide to walk. I sense a gun on him, this guy works in the underground too. His wife did say that he does some reckless things.
I approach him until I get within arm's length. He notices me.
"Kid, why are you out so late," he says
I get a close look at him, he's drunk. Well, it's fine for now. He also doesn't recognize me.
"How long you gonna keep that mask on, take it off!"
"I'd rather not."
"I guess you have your reasons, well that's fine. Your voice feels familiar by the way... are you by any chance the shopkeeper from this morning?"
What the fuck?! I put my hand on my side to grab my gun and get into a fighting stance.
"Woah, Woah. I don't want to fight kid. So then that means it's true. Dark Menace, a name feared and known by anyone working in the underground, working in a convenience store. How hysterical, take off the mask."
I remain in my fighting stance.
"Tell you what, I will be throwing my gun and you take off the mask, how does that sound?"
"Why would you do so? Don't you think I would arrest you right now?"
"Well, maybe, but you don't seem like a bad kid. Won't you hear me out?"
"...I understand."
"Okay then."
He throws away the gun he had on him. Isn't he too trusting? Maybe he isn't much of a big shot and isn't afraid of going to jail. Anyways I can't really picture him as a horrible person.
"Do I have your trust now?"
"Sure." I take off my mask. But keep my distance.
"I thought I had your trust, get closer why don't ya?"
Should I? Well, I don't think my enhanced strength would lose to a drunk 30 something-year-old person. I get closer to him and sit down.
"What do you want?"
"Not much, I was reminiscing while drinking."
"Hmm?"
"Would you hear a story of a long time ago?"
Should I? Well, he's drunk and since he's on this side of Central Park he's most likely a part of Bloody Crips, this might be a fast way to collect information about it.
"...I don't mind."
"In that case, I would like to tell you a story from a long time ago. About 20 years ago or so, about a kid named Antonio and the day he found his dream."