On my way back from the meeting with the Trinity I was relieved they were satisfied with the maps. Other than that, the Manager just told me to let him know if anything new popped out and that they would pay "gladly" for it, his words. I was just satisfied he wasn't going to have my head chopped off and thrown into the sea for taking too long.Out in the yard in front of my building, many kids were running around with laser guns and VR headsets shooting each other while pushing and bumping into the people passing by.An empty-handed kid ran into me hard as he chased a tall girl who had a big replica of a Force weapon. The mini cop ran away but her stalker stayed behind, butt on the ground and with a frown on his face.
"What happened?" I asked him."Why do you care?" Grumpy, with eyes staring at where the girl went, he didn't move at all."Because you, sir, ran me over.""She won't let me play with it." He wasn't older than eight, a small little guy with a shaved head and one hell of an angry face."What's your name?""Wei2997." With a sloppy move, he tried to wipe the tears that started to fall off his dirty face.
No matter how tough he looked, he couldn't control his feelings."How did you escape?" I got down on one knee to have a better look at him.Black stains circled his eyes as a result of adding water to a dirty face, he looked like one mad Panda. It was clear the kid hadn't had a shower in a long time.I was about to invite him to come up for lunch but the moment I reached to get his hand, Wei ran off scared and disappeared into an alley.
There were so many of them everywhere. Some young like Wei, others older, either way, it was easy to find them with the always recently shaved heads. Basic lice control. Everything about those kids had to be simple and practical, clothes, hair, names—if a series of numbers can be qualified as a name.
On my feet again, I resumed my journey through the yard. A few steps away from my door someone wrapped their arm around my neck and forced me to bend over while the same person jumped over my back."Yo, the camper has left the tent.""One of these days I will knock you unconscious!""You would never. Now carry me up the stairs!"
Jake had mounted on my back and was pointing to the horizon. His nerve was admirable, resilient as a young baby but I wasn't. Merciless, I hit him in the gut with my elbow, making him dismount, falling dramatically on his ass.Of course, he screamed like he had just been shot while rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach.
"You'll pay for this!""That's what you get for facing someone stronger than you." Alert for any surprise attacks, I turned my back at him to head inside."What were you doing outside in broad daylight? Aren't you some neovampire?" He got up, unharmed and followed me up the stairs."Had some business with the Manager. Did you know his name is Needle?""Yes, didn't you?""No." I shrugged, looking back at Jake who was just a few steps behind me. "At least we won't starve for a couple weeks.""That much, huh?"
On hot days, all the doors stayed wide open to let the air circulate inside the tight four walls.An average of four to five people lived in each apartment, when it was meant to accommodate a maximum of two.For many that was an upgrade, who couldn't afford rent had to live in public shelters offered by the City. Buildings filled with cabins the size of coffins that could only fit one person lying down.Those who saved enough for a tiny space in the slums were grateful they could stand up straight in their homes.
Climbing all the way up to the fifteenth floor always got me distracted. There was always so much going on, I even forgot Jake was behind me.After we started another set of stairs, my guard was down and suddenly I felt a localized pain, like a sting, so strong it made me jump forward.I lost balance, almost falling on my face if it wasn't for the wall being so close."Oe, careful there!" Jake shouted while his hand was placed right where I felt the surprise attack."You pinched my ass, you mischievous creature!""Never let your guard down, bro."
I had the higher ground, I could kick him off the stairs and he wouldn't be able to do a thing about it but there was no honor in that.Accepting defeat was a part of war. Puffing to myself, I restarted my journey but my revenge would be served, when he least expects it.
"Where were you these past days? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages." Making conversation was the way I found to hide my resentment."Working.""What kind of work?""Delivery?!" He didn't sound very sure."No Mask business lately?""Nah… The city is crawling with pigs. More than usual, can't even cross to the top tier without being searched at every corner.""Why? There were no new attacks lately."
We passed a group of people chatting, Jake and I high-fived two of them before moving forward."No one knows. Some members say they were harassed just for hanging around downtown in groups." Jake shrugged."Why did you stay in the city then?" That boy seemed off, evasive even. Normally he would narrate in detail everything he did the day before, where he went, who he saw, how tiring work was, all things I didn't care about."I had to work. Can't stop my life because cops are going feral." I made sure to look him in the eye while he answered and he didn't look away. "Now move your ass, I'm hungry."
Our way to the top was quiet from then on. Many points in our conversation kept me thinking until I reached the apartment.I went straight to my workspace eager to dig into the Sargent's computer.The Mask wasn't attacking so why flood the city with cops?