Emily trudged through the streets, her steps heavy with a burden that extended far beyond the physical. Clutching her jacket tightly around her, she walked alongside the small male child.
Miley's rumbling stomach broke through the silence. Emily's lips tightened, frustration and weariness etched on her face. "I paid you enough to eat a decent meal," she gritted out, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and desperation. The child's eyes cast downwards.
Silently, Emily directed Miley's attention towards another figure in the distance, someone who may have information. The child, obedient and well-versed in this masquerade, tugged at the man's sleeves with an innocent desperation.
"Mister," he began, his voice filled with longing and a touch of desperation, "have you seen my brother? I can't find him. He looked like this." The child pulled out the holographic drawing.
The man took a moment to examine the drawing, his eyes filled with empathy. His head shook slowly, and regret colored his voice as he spoke. "I'm sorry, kid. I'm sure you will find him soon. But why are you heading in that direction?" He gestured towards the next street, where the commotion and panic were palpable.
Emily observed as people clamored to escape, shutting their shops in a desperate bid for safety.
"You should go back home now," the man advised with a touch of concern in his voice, retreating from the unfolding chaos. And just like that, he disappeared into the trembling crowd, leaving Emily and the child to face their own uncertain fate.
Miley returned to join Emily, excitement and a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. " See I told you ya boyfriend ditched you".
"You should go home," she whispered, her voice tinged with resignation, as the child turned away, He reveled in the credits he had gained for this simple act.
Sneaking through some platforms and past the roads, she found the source of it. Underneath a bridge, there were underlings of the White Swan gang and the blue whalers fighting, mostly university students.
It was then that Emily realised that she could hear the sound of even more fighting going on. This wasn't just a small scuffle between two Underlings, right now she could tell that there was a war going on.
However, before she left another thought crossed her mind. "Wait, there's chaos, too much for the police to handle. In the past situations like these, they would leave it so the gangs take each other out, only coming at the end to arrest the losing side. If that's the case, can't I take advantage of all of this? This is like a huge Exp farm, this might be my one chance to earn big time!'.. but why haven't the system given her a quest?"
[ Darla if you ever want a quest from the system you ask by saying: Initiate Quest ]
"System Initiate Quest "
DING!!
[Defeat the gang Underlings]
[Reward: 50 Exp for each Underling]
*****
In the pulsating heart of the city, amidst the clash of Underlings and allegiance, Hodge jodge, donning the emblematic black suit, exuded an aura of command. The streets, battleground, bore witness to his unexpected intervention.
"Didn't your superiors warn you to tread lightly?" Hodge's voice cut through the tense air, laced with an air of stern warning. His demeanor, a blend of confidence and restraint, seemed incongruous against the backdrop of the brewing conflict.
The chaotic scene unfolded before him—a testament to the ferocity of the clash. Yet, Hodge's presence quelled the storm momentarily. The injured lay scattered, a testament to the escalating skirmish between the white swan and blue whalers underlings factions.
When faced with the imminent swing of a bat, Hodge's reflexes transcended the ordinary. His punch shattered the Metallic weapon effortlessly, leaving the adversaries bewildered. The realization of confronting a Gifted, Hodge's unassuming yet formidable alter-ego, dawned upon the gang members.
Among the colorful chaos, Hodge's interrogation held the weight of authority. "Who do you serve?" His inquiry resonated, demanding accountability for their audacious incursion into the white Swans' territory.
The gangs, cowed by Hodge's prowess, attempted a hasty retreat, only to be thwarted by his accelerated pursuit. His modified legs, a testament to his augmented abilities, cut off their escape route with meticulous precision.
"Now that you're here, answers are due." Hodge's tone remained firm yet collected, a testament to his resolve. His questions cut through the air, demanding explanations for their reckless intrusion.
The gang member hesitated before responding, "Look, man, it ain't personal. We got orders from higher up, and they promised us a piece of the action if we succeeded."
Hodge's frustration simmered beneath the surface, but he pressed on, "And now, the most important question. Have you seen a female teenager, about this height, with white hair?" He held his hand at a level indicating a typical sixteen-year-old.
The gang members exchanged glances. After a tense pause, one of them finally spoke up, "Yeah, we heard some white haired teen came through here a couple of days ago. Said something about looking for someone at the old warehouse near the docks."
******
The night air buzzed with excitement as Stacy and Salle entered the karaoke bar, their black dresses hinting at the special occasion. The transformation Stacy had undergone was evident, her once-shy demeanor replaced by newfound confidence and a keen interest in fashion.
Salle, however, felt out of her element in the tight dress and resisted the allure of high heels. Stacy, undeterred, expertly applied makeup and lipstick, transforming Salle into someone almost unrecognizable. The reflection in the mirror showcased a version of herself that seemed years older, a stark contrast to her usual teenage self.
As they hailed a taxi to the karaoke bar, Salle couldn't shake off her discomfort and questioned the need for such elaborate dressing. Stacy revealed the surprise – they were meeting someone special, Stacy's boyfriend, and his friends.
The revelation unsettled Salle, especially considering the age difference and the fact that they hadn't even met yet.
Upon arrival, Stacy enthusiastically greeted her boyfriend, a tall figure with a beanie and piercings, accompanied by two friends, one of whom was smoking. Alarm bells rang in Salle's mind as she observed the older company.
The invitation to join them on stage for karaoke added another layer of unease for Salle. Despite her reservations, she couldn't bring herself to leave Stacy alone with these strangers. Concerned for her friend's safety, Salle contemplated sending a discreet message noting their location, a precautionary measure in case things took an unexpected turn.
Just in case of anything she typed in a text, noting her current location. She didn't send it out to anyone yet, but it would only require a click to send it to the one person she trusted most.