"Firstly, could you explain what you were doing at a nightclub?" Alexia asked, visibly judging Arthur.
He knew that right now he was in an interrogation, and he only had one chance to pull through. "I went to meet a person I recently befriended at a nightclub. He did not know that I did not like such places, so I just went and made sure to tell him that I am not willing to meet in a place like that again." He said whilst fidgeting with his pen.
"Oh ok I see." Alexia responded. Arthur thought he was able to convince her, but she knew him too well to fall for it. "You know, when you lie or you're nervous, you speak a lot more formal?" She questioned him.
Checkmate. Arthur had no way out other than telling the truth. But he knew that if he told her the truth, she will tell someone else, unless she deems it too secret. However, what are the chances that she'd even believe him though? 'Oh I fell into a ravine in Egypt where I met a man that was sleeping there for over two thousand years and I accidentally let an entity or something out which is why people have powers now. I fell into a coma, and I woke up and he told me to meet him in a nightclub so I did. Ps, I'm also one of these powered humans.'
No matter how Arthur tried to phrase his story, it sounded unbelievable. As he was thinking, she asked another question in a sort of mocking tone.
"Is this 'friend' of yours the one that was with you when you went to the cafe?" 'Yes' but how was he meant to tell her that? She didn't believe his story, so what's the point of exposing Niles' existence when she wouldn't believe him and wouldn't keep it to herself.
"No. I can't tell you the truth right now so I'm asking you, give me some more time." He said, trying to plead with her. He did not like to lie at all, but it seemed as if in the past month that was the only thing he was doing, he had no choice. He did not hold eye contact with her, he felt guilty lying to her like that.
She looked at him with pressed lips for some time. Then she sighed; "Fine. But you'll tell me in the future."
"Alright I will. Thank you."
He had no idea if he would actually tell her.
***
A disheveled figure was standing in front of massive gates. The figure was a man with messy raven hair reaching his shoulders. He was pale faced and just examined the gates with his jet black eyes. He was wearing all black, a hoodie, some jeans and some trainers. He raised his scarred and dry hand up to his face where there was a business card between his fingers. The business card read 'Niles' and behind it was a phone number along with an address.
The address led the reformed thief to an elegant mansion in the middle of nowhere. As he was figuring out how to open the gates, they opened slowly.
Without thinking of it too much, the man walked past the gates where there was a gravel path going past a beautiful fountain to a couple of steps that led to the front doors of the mansion. The doors were wide open, and a man that the thief recognised from the short meeting in the alley, was sat on the steps, smiling at him.
The dark man was emanating a welcoming air around him, but the thief could detect that it was just a facade. When you're in the crime game for as long as he was, you can differentiate between real and fake intentions. The thief was initimadated by the man that was sat happily on the steps, but he just kept walking towards him.
"Welcome!" The dark man proclaimed; "Thought you would take a lot more time to seek me out. I'm Niles, you are…" he said as he held his hand out for the thief to shake.
Shaking his hand, the thief replied; "You must already know who I am."
Niles smiled. "Alright Jack. Let's go in."
Jack followed Niles inside to what seemed to be a kitchen. Niles put some food on the table and signalled Jack to eat.
"Who are you? And what have you got to offer me?" He remained away from the food. He was not about to start eating in a stranger's house, life on the streets taught him to be wary.
"I don't trust you enough to reveal my identity, but long story short, I'm someone that can help you massively in how to use your… powers better. I had a headstart to everyone else." Niles said with a serious look on his face, maintaining eye contact with Jack. "As for what I can offer, I'll tell you now. You have a daughter no? You two can move in here and I'll personally teach you how to use your powers and I can explain what's going on better than anyone else in the world. Plus, I'll give you a weekly allowance. Obviously, there's a catch."
Jack leaned in, giving his full attention to the dark man. The fact that he knew he had a daughter put him on guard, but he reckoned it wasn't to threaten him. Living in such a luxurious mansion was one of the many things he wished for his daughter, he wanted her to have the best possible life she could. He loved his daughter, who was now 6 years old. The reason why he was out stealing is so that he could give her the good life she deserves. The deal sounded amazing so far, and whether or not he'd take it, all depended on the catch.
"The catch is, you work for me. I know very well you didn't even pass secondary school, so you'll work for me using your powers. I am but one man, and no matter how powerful, one man can't do much by himself. I can't give you specifics as to what the work will include, but I can promise you that in the future, your daughter will be proud of her father. If there are any instructions I give you that you deem are immoral, you are free to ignore them. Even got a contract ready for this." He slided a piece paper that was already on the table to Jack.
Jack inspected it and saw that it was indeed a contract. The contract did not go against what Niles said, and neither were there any fine prints. At one corner at the bottom of the page was a signature he believed to be Niles', and an empty space on the other meant for Jack.
"I need time." Jack told Niles.
"Oh yes I thought so. Take it home and think it over, call me when you have an answer." Niles said with a subtle smile.
A couple minutes later Niles was waving off Jack at the front gates.
"See you soon."