"A dead body found in-"
"Murderer escaped-"
"An invasion-"
"Stolen property-"
"A family found dead in their house"
"Damn, this country is fucked!" I said to myself
I turned off the TV and stretched. I went to the bathroom and took a shower. I changed clothes and went to the kitchen to cook for my breakfast after showering. I put the cooked food on the table and sat on a chair. I ate alone, alone and quiet, this felt depressing.
I washed my plates after eating. I sprayed myself a cologne, I made sure I had everything in my pockets. I went to the door, ready to go outside. I took one last peek of my cozy apartment room, closed and locked the door. I went downstairs.
"I'm going out now" I said farewell to the apartment owner
"Okay and be safe, you know what's happening out there. A lot of people are getting kidnapped or killed nowadays"
"Understood, I will keep that in mind"
I closed the door and started walking somewhere. The city is loud because of the murmurs and sounds of people around and cars passing by, the smell? I don't know. Let me introduce myself, I am Lucas Davis, a fifteen years old guy and will turn sixteen in the next June. I should be wearing school clothes now instead of some shady, terrorist-looking clothes.
But the thing is, I am not enrolled, yep. You know why? My parents gave up on me because I am being such a little bitch. Without money and doing school is a hard life. No, I was joking, that wasn't really my real story. The thing is, I got kicked out of school plus, I can no longer enroll in any school.
Why? There is this fucking motherfuckers who hired me to hide a dead body of a student they killed like why the hell they killed him!? Did they accidentally kill him? I heard they are bullying him for money, looks, and things. If I don't help them then I will be next to die. They gave me a location they called safe but while digging the grave, I got caught who was wandering around the place.
We went to the police station, I said everyone but they made me join their murderous actions. Why? They said if they are going down, then so am I. The police believed everything they had said. Good thing I was still fourteen that time, teens who are below the age of eighteen can't go to jail. We got released but we got banned from enrolling in any school.
My parents didn't find out about the incident and I played along that I am doing well at school. Good thing they are from another city away from this city. After that, my parents keep sending me money for my allowance and to pay for my apartment stay.
The apartment has known my mother very well since their high school days. She knows what happened at school but at least she believed me that I didn't kill anyone and lied to my mother. What am I doing now? Steali- oh, wait, a victim. I bumped into the worker in front of me.
"Oh, sorry about that" I apologized to the worker
I raised my hand and stole his wallet from his pocket. I hastily reached some money from the wallet, not all and secretly dropped it to the floor.
"Hmm? Who's wallet is this?" I mutter out while picking up the wallet from the ground
The worker turned around
"Oh, that's mine"
I gave the wallet to him, somehow, I don't feel bad to him. I might have adapted to this kind of life or maybe I am a greedy motherfucker.
"Thank you"
I continued walking where I was going, that went smoothly, and undetected. Yep, that's what I am doing today, stealing. I just want to earn something, for my future. My dream is to be rich, I wanted to buy a lot of things. Expensive house, video games, my own gaming PC, clothes, whatever I want.
With this money I steal and earn, what do I do with it to earn more with it? Gambling? Nu uh, too risky. Those online bitcoins? Still risky. Make a story then hire someone to turn it into drawings or comics? Still risky, I am not sure if the story will be a success and all of the money is a waste. My own company? No, I want a work or job that doesn't require me to do a lot.
I want something where you do only one thing then you're rich now like a seaman, where they take the customers where they want and when they come back, they can now afford a house.
"Ei! It's that kid again!" I heard someone shouted
I looked to the right, there are a bunch of young dudes grouped, one is pointing at me. They have angry faces, oh right. I remember them, I stole the necklace of the angry guy pointing at me and the money of the other guy leaning on the wall. Time to run. I pushed through the crowds and started running, I looked behind, all of them were chasing me.
Damn, sorry for pawning your necklace mi amigo, I just want money because I love money. Nothing to fear this time, getting chased is something that happens to me sometimes. I may not be a smart person when it comes to school but I can easily learn something like in games or what happens to me in real life.
Good thing my body is flexible, I can easily do parkours and movements. I ran faster and made a turn to the left, blending in through the crowds, going to an alleyway. Did I lose them? Crowds always helped me from escaped people who chased me, I looked behind.
"I know you went there!" I heard them shouting from the crowds
"Give me my money back!"
"Give me back my necklace! That was given by my girlfriend you little fuck!"
Nope, this isn't the first time that happened. I continued running, climbed over a chain fence, then did a roll, doing an aesthetic move before landing to the ground. I continued running, they climbed over the chain fence. I made a turn to the right, I bumped into someone.
"Watch where you are go- wait a minute, I know you!"
Oh shit, it's the adult man who I stole his wallet from. He reached for me, I ducked below. I crouched below between his legs and continued running.
"Stop that kid!"
Everybody knows my clothes, I wear all black clothes. A black cap, a black bandana covering my face, a black sunglasses, black shirt, black jacket with a hoodie, black pants and black shoes. I really love black clothes, I'm not sure why they just look good on me and this outfit will cover my identity.
I went to the other side of the road to avoid getting caught by the people from the sidewalk. I arrived at the park, I felt like I am much more faster today, running from victims pays off. Oh yeah fun fact about me, I got turned into the police station fifteen times and learned from my mistakes and how I got caught.
I looked behind, they are farther away from me. Each four steps I made makes them more farther away, really, somehow I am faster now.
*Pak*
Ow! My head got hit by a volleyball ball! People around who saw it laughed.
"Sorry about that!"
"Look how fast he runs!"
Mistake twelve, how I got caught and turned into the police station for the twelve time is getting hit by a ball and fell to the ground. This time, I stayed stron and still standing up. Just a few more meters then I can lose them using the crowd. My legs are aching, they are starting to give up easily. My lungs are running out of air, just a little bit more.
I ran towards the place where it was more crowded, blending in again. Mistake nine, the ninth time I got caught and got turned on to the police station. Trying to blend in the crowds and only taking off the jacket, showing my dark shirt.
I took off my jacket, then my shirt, revealing my sky-blue shirt. I crumpled my dark shirt and fitted it in my pocket. I took off my cap, my sunglasses, then my bandana, pug them in my pocket and put my cap on my waist of my pants and flapped my shirt to hide it.
walked calmly, I used the people who were walking on my side, I used them to disappear. I am already, away from the spot I blended in, the one chasing me has arrived at that spot.
"Where is he!"
"He got away!"
"He is blending in through the crowds! Keep your eyes open!"
"Madame, have you seen a young teenager who is about this size and wearing all black?"
"Uhh, sorry but no, I didn't"
I followed the passersby I blended in into a nearby big mall. I went inside and separated with them. I went straight to a nearby elevator, joining a lonely woman inside. Mistake five and six, the fifth and sixth time I got turned on by the police. The fifth time is where I got caught by someone who was with us in the elevator and the sixth time is by a CCTV I didn't notice.
We are alone, check, I looked up, there is a CCTV pointed at us. Guess I'll pass on this woman. We have arrived at the third floor. I was met by a lot of people walking and scattered around. Going inside and outside of a shop, people buy from stands. The smell of food from food stands, cologne from people and cologne stands, and foods from restaurants filled my nose.
I started walking, walking towards a restaurant I know, Diniella Restaurant. I went inside, I was also met by a lot of customers talking, making loud noise and waiters doing their job. I went straight to the counter, lining up with the customers.
"We will get your order to you in no time. Oh hi there Lucas, what's your order this time?" Aunt Diniella greeted me
Aunt Diniella was a childhood classmate of my mother. She also knows what happened to me last year.
"May I have a chocolate milk tea, one fries, and a fifty pesos of fishballs, that's all"
"Okay, and here is your seat number. There's still a vacant seat on the balcony if you want to go there again"
I took my seat number and headed to the balcony. I sat down and admire the view of the park below.
"Here is your order young man" a worker said to me and put my orders on my table
That was fast, I just sat down. I gave her a smile appreciating her work and she went away, I dined in. Now that's my daily life, I know that's all and I know I just literally ate food about fifteen minutes ago, it is like a hobby, eat tasty foods until I am full.
All I do everyday is to steal and reward myself. Why don't I just take a job or a part time job instead of doing something risky? Jobs are hard to get out there nowadays. Aunt Diniella offered me to work in her restaurant and earn one thousand pesos a day, it should be six hundred.
But I found it not enough for me so I rejected the offer. Thinking about this felt like I am an ungrateful and greedy brat. Meanwhile in stealing, in my calculation, I am like earning about thirteen thousand to five thousand a week which is sometimes more and easier if I hit a jackpot.
It's been a month, no casualties and not getting caught. I am getting a hang of stealing. I may have a lot of money now but it is not enough, I want more. And I want a work that offers easy work and earns a huge sum amount of money instead of stealing. But it is too good to be true.
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Okay, let's see what I earned today, I stole money from 5 people in the morning, 3 in the afternoon, and 4 in today's evening. Minus the food I bought, I played in the arcade, food again, I bought a three by three magnetic magic cube, then other randoms, totalling to 579 pesos earned today. Tomorrow is another day of stealing again.
"Hello there"
A voice, a young voice. I raised my head, there is a guy, about my age looking at me and standing at the end of the alleyway. I hid the money in a hidden pocket of my jacket.
"What do you want?" I shouted back
I have a bad feeling about him, he looked suspicious to me. He might be working under the police, no. I am just being cautious of myself, afraid of going for a one-month jail again.
"Are you Lucas Davis?" He asked
Wait what!? How the fuck he knows my name? I don't know him and I never said my name publicly.
"No" I lied
"I know your Lucas, you don't have to lie"
"No, I am Stephen Tickleman"
Shit, I messed up thinking of a last name.
"Your lies are useless, I know everything you have done today. Steal from people, ate, arcade, bought a magic cube, and always go to the same restaurant you always dine in. I ask the woman at the counter what your name is and what she said? Lucas Davis"
Who is this guy!? The fuck does he care about me!? Did he follow me everywhere? Is he a stalker? Is he a hitman who came to kill me and wait for the right time to assassinate me? I took out my butterfly knife from my pocket and pointed the blade at him.
"So, what do you want from me?" I asked him
"Hold one there, chill out. It is my third day of my job and I don't want to die"
Job? Wait a minute, I knew it, he might be working as a hitman to assassinate me or got hired by the cops.
"If you came here to arrest me, you need strong evidence for that. If you came to assassinate me, then let's fight to the death"
"Arrest or assassinate you? No, I came to you for another reason"
"And what is the reason?"
"You want a job right? A high earning job?"
.... Something is really off with this guy!
"Yes, why?"
"Well, I can give you something, a job, we will hire you. It is more dangerous than stealing but we will reward you a big amount of money, well it depends on what you did"
Hire?
"Tell me more about this job we are talking about"
"Instead of stealing people, how about helping people like turning into a hero but without powers. It might boost your morale of doing good deeds"
Save people? Pfft, pathetic, I left that kind of morale I have last year, people I helped fucking betrayed me, leading to stealing. But, the way he told about this job, caught my attention. This job would bring me back to my good past. Wait a minute, is this job even real? Is he talking the truth?
"Woah woah woah, can you lower that knife down? I'm getting freaked out and getting uncomfortable with it"
"How much money are we talking about?" I asked
"Each mission, minimum is one thousand five hundred pesos, that's all I can say. I don't know the maximum wage, I still didn't do any mission, we are busy recruiting people"
"Is that so? Then how can I trust you? Do you think I would believe this kind of thing?"
"Well, I could introduce you to the leader. It is an organization we are building, he is a nice person. He gave me food, shelter, he saw me on the sidewalk, I was actually a beggar that time. All of my family died in a house fire when I was out to buy the ingredients they asked for. I will lead you there"
Organization huh? My mouth underneath my bandana started drooling, drooling for money. Shit, this thing he is talking about is very tempting.
"Okay, but if you try to kidnap me, remember that I have a gun hiding on my waist"
There isn't really a gun on my waist.
"A gun? Okay I promise that what I am saying is real so please handle your gun with care"
We walked out of the alleyway, he stopped at a car and motioned to me to enter the car.
"That's your car?"
"Yep"
He took out keys from his pocket and pointed it to the car, it beeped and I heard a ticking sound from the inside. Woah, this type of car is a sports car and it has a badass black red color. It was made by a popular car company called Georgeino and this is their first model. They called it George Sport Model-1 and it made a hit on the car shops when it was released.
"How did you even manage to afford this car?" I asked
"The leader is willing to give five million to the first recruit, three million to the second recruit, and one million to the third recruit, then no more. And you are lucky to be the second recruit"
Oohhh, so there's a catch. I went to the back seat. It is so luxurious that I felt like I am dreaming. I have never been in a luxurious something before. Because of this guy, the number one thing I want to buy after getting the three million is to buy a car and I want to get it as early as I could if I don't want to miss the discount sale of the George Sport Model-1 since they want to celebrate it's succession.
"You sure you did not steal this?"
"No"
He started the car, the car made a beautiful engine sound, it's like music to the ear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I waited patiently where he was driving me to. We made a left turn to a side of a destructed building, he stopped the car.
"Here we are, it is below this destroyed building"
I went out of the car with him, he locked the car. I followed him, going inside of the building. There are a lot of rubble everywhere. I heard this building was bombed for a reason but we still don't know why. I just followed him. Suddenly, he disappeared with an eerie sound. There is this kind of invisible wall he entered.
I raised my hand to it, it bent, it is like water. I pushed my hand in with a little struggle, it went in and disappeared. I pulled my hand out, it bent like pulling a strong spider web. I followed him inside, it is still the same but there is an elevator revealed in front of me.
"How- what is this? How the fuck does it work?" I asked, trying to mention the invisible wall behind me
"You see that?" He said
I looked behind where he was pointing, there is some kind of big white thing on the wall. I think where this invisible wall came.
"It is a high tech technology the leader made so that we can hide this elevator"
He opened the elevator, I went inside with him. The elevator has only one button, he clicked it, the elevator door closed. We waited, I could feel that we were going down.
"Why do we have the place hidden underground?" I asked
"Well of course, hide it. We just don't want people to just enter it mostly there's just the two of us. Three if you join in"
"So, all what we are gonna is just helping out people?"
"Exactly"
"Like from crimes, killings, druglords, gangsters or whatever?"
"Yes, those are rising up today and we don't know why so of course we have to act and lessen or stop these things"
"What are we going to do if the killer or enemy has a weapon or guns?"
"Don't worry, the leader is a smart person. He can create weapons for us to use. To produce more, we need more recruits for him to teach if they are interested. They can invent other useful things for us to use"
"So that means, these missions involve killing people?"
"If necessary"
We waited, waited and waited, it felt like a five minutes ride on the elevator. Five minutes may be short but in an elevator, it is long. The elevator stopped, the elevator doors opened. My eyes were met by a long empty bright white hallway, a very long and big hallway. No way this thing fits underground, who made this place anyway? He came out of the elevator, I followed. We walked on the long hallway, then made a turn hallway.
This place is very plain, no people on sight even tho it's big. It is a very big cube of an empty white place. We went to the left, going towards the door. We entered, I was met again by a very big place but this time, it is not plain. There are things, cabinets, cogs, machines, rifle parts, swords, and things you can find in a scientist lab and those who are obsessed with making things. I could hear tinkerings. Somehow, this place doesn't have a smell, maybe a work of technology?
"Aideeeen, I bought someone! Maybe he is interested!" The guy shouted
"Wait really? Okay, give me a second!" A male voice shouted back
The tinkering stopped, we could hear footsteps echoing goin nearer towards us. There is a guy about the same age as us. He has a towel hanging on his neck, wiping sweats on his head.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Aiden Elias" he said and hand Shaked me
"My name is Lucas Davis"
"If this dude didn't introduce himself to you, his name is Ethan Cole"
"Okay, so, why did you pick me?"
"You want money right?"
"Yes but how did you know?"
"Isn't it obvious? Stealers love money, aren't I right? So since you want money, then of course this might be an opportunity to work with us. We promise to reward a high price every time you do good deeds. This also might bring your real humanity. So, interested?"
"You're really sure that's all to earn money here?"
"Yep"
Let me think, even tho I got a hang on stealing, it is still a pain in the ass sometime. Got caught, run, CCTV, the feeling of failing to steal a victim, sometimes not stealing much, then okay.
"Okay, I will join your crew"
"Follow me then"
He turned around and started walking, we followed. Oohhh damn, this place is really long and big, there are a lot of projects here that I couldn't identify. There is a door at the end. Aiden opened the door for us, we entered. It is a small office, a lot of papers around, a Philippine flag, a table and a chair in front of us, cabinets around.
"Just wait for a minute"
He went to the cabinet on the right and started searching in the pile of papers.
"Where is it where is it..... Contracts... Contracts..... Contracts..."
He started searching all around the room.
"Aha! Here it is?" He shouted, carrying a big pile of papers to the table
He took a paper from the pile and put it on the table facing me, he also put a pen on top of it.
"This is a contract, read it carefully. It is okay to change your mind"
I went to the table and took the paper.
*
Contract of Service
This contract of service, hereinafter referred to as "Agreement" is made and entered into this fourth day of May, 2024, by and between (Organization Name Still Not Made).
WHEREAS, Recruiter desires to be employed by Organization; and
WHEREAS, Organization desires to employ Recruiter for services as detailed below;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services
Recruits agrees to perform services for the Organization as a Recruiter, as directed by the Organization's Leader, Aiden Elias, or his designated representatives. These services may include, but are not limited to:
- Mission Assignments: Recruits agrees to accept and complete missions as assigned by Organization, including those that may involve danger or risk of death or injury.
- Upholding Mission Goals: Recruits agrees to uphold the Organization's mission to protect the innocent, even if such activities require the use of force, including deadly force.
- Confidentiality: Recruits agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to Organization's operations, members, and missions. Recruits will not disclose any such information to any third party.
2. Compensation
Organization agrees to compensate Recruits for services rendered as follows:
- Mission Payments: A minimum payment of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (₱1,500.00) will be provided to Recruiter for each completed mission. Additional bonuses and incentives may be awarded at the discretion of the Leader for missions that are deemed particularly dangerous, difficult, or successful.
- Payment Schedule: Payments will be made to Recruiter upon the successful completion of each mission. Organization reserves the right to adjust payment terms based on operational needs or changing circumstances.
3. Risk of Injury and Death
Recruits acknowledges and understands that the services outlined in this Agreement may involve significant risk of injury or death. Recruits voluntarily assumes all risks associated with these services.
- Waiver of Liability: Recruiter hereby releases Organization from all liability for any injury or death that may occur during a mission, regardless of the cause.
- Medical Support: Organization agrees to provide reasonable medical care and support to Recruits in the event of injury during a mission.
4. Confidentiality
Recruits agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to the Organization's operations, members, and missions. Recruits will not disclose any such information to any third party.
5. Term and Termination
The agreement can be disclosed any time.
6. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.
7. Amendments
This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Organization Recruiter
Aiden Elias, Leader Lucas Davis
Witnesses
Witness Name
Witness Name
______________
Signer Name
*
Ahh, reading contracts is boring
"I'll soon sign the witness name" Elias said
"So, interested?" Aiden asked
Something off with this contract, death.
"If you're shocked by the number three there, I hate to say it but yeah. This organization involves very dangerous missions. We can't promise you that you will return from a dangerous mission, alive" Aiden said
Should I..... Should I sign it?
"You can't take the contract to you home and have a decision there"
I mean, I have 2 brothers and a sister living with my parents. So if I die, there is still someone who will be with them. But still, the urge. My mind is saying don't sign it and sign it. I am half afraid of death and half wanted to sign it for the money.
My insanity is going up. My hand raised on its own, I started signing the contract.
"Are you sure about this Lucas? Remember that we won't always promise you that you will finish a mission alive?" Elias said
I stopped signing, and started thinking again. My hands moved again and completely signed the contract.
"That settles off them, remember that you can quit anytime if you want. Since you will be our second recruit, your nickname will be Second Recruit, and of course, three million. I can also give you a room"
He took out a table from his table drawer
"Which room would you like? We have one thousand rooms, the first room is already occupied by Elias"
"I will take the second room" I replied
"Okay, when you go out of my shop, there is a door near the exit door on the left. That's the recruits room place or dorm"
All of us came out of the office
"Oh right, before you go, here is a weapon for you" Aiden said
I looked behind, he threw me some kind of a white goods. I inspected it, it looks different, very geometric, I feel like this gun transforms into something.
"And here are some ammos, take good care of it and please don't shoot us with it. The three million will be in your room"
I nodded and started walking towards the exit, leaving Aiden and Elias in this workshop. I got out of the workshop and headed to the left, going to the nearest door. I opened the door, I was met by a dark big and long hallway with blue LEDs. There are doors on the left and the right, the hallway is very very long. The longer the smaller I can see the distance, it looked endless.
I walked forward, the floor is smooth, there is a blue line LED in the middle of the floor going towards the long hallway like a road. I looked at the door on the right, room one, maybe that's Elias' room. I looked to the left, second room. Maybe this is my room
I touched the door, it felt so smooth. I looked around it, it is not using a doorknob, it's like these things use pull to open a car door. I put my finger in it, I clicked something then pushed the door, it opened. I was met by a dark beautiful room with blue LEDs around, I am in amazement, it felt so modern. There's a dark colored bed, a dark colored table and a chair that looks like a workplace, dark colored cabinets and other more.
Somehow I am very tired. I put the gun and ammo Aiden gave me on the floor. I jumped on the bed flatly, I bounced and landed, so comfy! My eyes are very weary, and I drifted to sleep.