The man before me could only stare into my eyes as his life fled away. He slumped onto the ground, due to the sheer amount of blood loss. The loose pipe stuck out of his back like a sore thumb. My only reaction was to back away, breathing heavily.
The two other men in black suits and red ties tried to see what all the commotion was about, "Hey, Corn, what's taking-"
The men stopped in their tracks, "Thi-this kid! He just killed Cornelius!"
"I told you! Even the kids in this neighborhood are crazy!" Both of the men brandished their weapons, simple pistols by the look of them.
I instinctively raised my hands up, I can just surrender, right? "Wai-"
Before I could even get my hands up, a random truck sped by and a second later a loose windshield wiper was lodged into one of the men's throat. All he could do was let out a few gurgles, with blood rushing down his body. It didn't help at all as he slumped into the cold pavement.
"What the-" The man couldn't even finish his sentence as a brick landed on his head and caved his skull in a bit. He fell to the ground instantly.
It happened again, in just the span of a few seconds. I haven't even figured out how the hell I got here, less even somehow find myself involved in a 'street fight', if one can even call it that.
I reluctantly walk up to the two men, maybe there was an off chance they were alive? My breathing became more erratic as I approached the two supposedly dead men. To both my relief and terror, one of them was still alive. The one who was gurgling on the loose windshield.
I crouched down to the gurgling man, I hoped.. I don't even know what I hoped to figure out. I was just confused and wanted to find answers, I guess…
The gurgling man flipped himself over. Oh god, it was worse up close! There was simply blood all over his neck, running all the way down his clothes. I could see in complete detail in how his skin simply tore away for the new hole. I thought I was going to be sick. Yet, there was no reaction from my body. I was just staring at the man, gurgling for his life.
The man hopelessly tried to remove the windshield wiper from his throat, only for his hands to barely move it, but cause a spout of blood to shoot out. The blood hit my clothes, my face, and some landed on my glasses. It wasn't over the top, but I could feel some of it drip down. The man slumped down, dead, immediately after his attempt at keeping his life.
I could only let out a weak sigh. What the hell is wrong with me, I just witnessed three men die?! Maybe I'm expecting an over the top reaction from my mind. Maybe this won't affect me right now, until much later. I'm not sure. It scares me a bit, thinking I have no reaction. Clearly I am having a reaction, right?
I heard footsteps from exactly behind me. This was a double ended alleyway wasn't it? It was probably more of these guys' buddies. I don't think I'll have the fortune of having a strange series of events happen once again.
I slowly turned around to note a very familiar figure under the scattered moonlit night. I could only give it a good two second stare, before I bolted. It was someone that I should no way in hell be trifling with.
It was a silent woman named Neo. I didn't even care where I was going, nor did I even check if she was following me. Goddamnit, no wonder the black suits seemed familiar! I just killed some men that were part of a criminal organization! It was a series of coincidental events really, but I doubt criminal organizations would care whether it was an accident or not. They'll hunt you down for just snooping around, not to mention killing some members.
I'm somehow in Remnant of all places, and I'm pretty sure it ain't a dream. I got no idea how I got here, what was I doing before I woke up here?! What was it, what was it?! Ah! I can't think straight when I'm running!
I got no I.D. No money. No connections. There is absolutely no way to identify me! So what am I supposed to do in the long run?! At the very least I had my backpack. With it contained just a game console and a controller to go with it. I couldn't have anything useful, really?!
I turned a corner without even thinking and saw Neo standing at the end of the alleyway. How the how hell did she?! No, I probably shouldn't have been stupid enough to think I could outrun someone like Neo. But that didn't mean I couldn't try-
I tried to turn back only to have the barrel of a gun pointed at me, or rather the barrel of a cane. I must be unluckier than Qrow if I ran into both Torchwick and Neapolitan this night. In a strange way, I guess it was to be expected, since they're always together.
"Hold it right there, four eyes." Torchwick lowered the cane and pointed it towards my chest, "I would suggest doing what we say, unless you would wish to meet a rather unfortunate demise."
I gulped, I guess I really didn't have a choice now did I?
….
You know… when you're taken to a place against your will, you expect to be taken to a warehouse or something… not a burger joint of all place.. and you certainly don't expect your kidnapper to pay for it all.
It's exactly where Roman and Neo took me, a burger joint, with Roman reluctantly paying the bill. The three of us sat in a booth with Roman to my side to cover the exit and Neo across from us. I reluctantly ordered a burger with a side of fries and a drink, Neo just wanted ice cream, and Roman just ordered a small burger. They even bothered to clean the little splats of blood on me, or at least allowed me to.
There was an awkward silence between the three of us as we waited for our food to arrive. Once it did, I waited for the other two to dig in.
"Go on, eat. I didn't agree to pay the bill just for you to not have anything." Torchwick had an annoyed tone with me. With no more hesitation, I dug in. Eating quickly as the food was quite delicious. This would probably be a burger place I'd frequent under different circumstances.
It was when I finished a gulp from my drink, to clear out the food that almost got stuck, that Roman once again spoke.
"Quite the glutton you are, four eyes. You haven't exactly spoken either. I hope you aren't another mute weirdo." He smiled as Neo pouted at him.
Well, I don't talk much with strangers. Much less to dangerous criminals, "K-kinda." It was the first word to come out of my mouth.
Roman nodded as he confirmed that I could speak, "Do you know who I am?"
I know you. I shook my head. Yet, I technically don't.
"Don't lie. I'm usually on the news, so you don't have to feign your petty little ignorance. I'll say again, do you know who I am?"
"R-Roman Torchwick." I stuttered again.
"That's right. And do you know what I usually do to people who interfere with my business."
Probably kill them, or something else entirely.
"It… depends."
"Good answer." Torchwick legitimately smiled in approval for my answer, "It depends on what they do. And the punishment is usually paid in full. Did you know what you did?"
"I have no idea." I honestly don't have much of an answer. I had no idea what the hell happened back there.
Roman continued, "You killed three hired men of mine, who were tasked with various things to do. One of them was very powerful. Then I hear from little old Neo over there, that you killed all three of them, brutally. She even sent pictures to go with each of your kills. Got to say, you're crazy. She even said you got up close to one of them just to see him struggle in vain."
I've already made my prayers. If I'm to die here, so be it. I didn't stand a chance against anyone anyway.
"I got to say, even I was a bit appalled by this. Seriously, four eyes, you couldn't go easy on them?" He's probably exaggerating and thinking about ending my life before I can cause more harm to his business.
I breathed in.
"I normally would have you killed for this transgression."
I breathed out.
"However, Neo seems to think you have potential, four eyes."
I breathed- "What?" What is he talking about? I took a look at her to see her smiling a very mischievous smile. I didn't like where this was going.
"I disagreed of course, but then she said you'll be her responsibility." No. It was just an accident, "Who am I to turn down someone else taking the blame? So from now on, you work for me, more specifically Neo, but still me."
What the hell man? Neo gave a thumbs up and winked. It shouldn't be this simple, what the hell.
"Oh and Neo won't take no for an answer. She won't kill you, but she'll pester you till you would want someone to." Neo stuck her tongue out. Roman just laughed and stood from the booth.
"Excuse me as I head to the restroom. I'm sure Neo would be enough company, no?" Torchwick rhetorically asked, "One more thing. You got a name, four eyes?"
I could easily lie… but what the hell would be the point, "Tyler."
"You probably wish you were tiling roofs right now." Roman said as he headed towards the restroom, leaving me alone with little miss ice cream. There's no way I can run out.
She gave me a mischievous look as she pulled a white board out of nowhere and wrote.
I know it was an accident. Or is it a series of unfortunate events?
I jumped a bit and raised a brow.
She erased her previous writing.
I just want to see how far you can get before you get realized. Seriously, I'm doing you a favor.
I sighed as I realized she was right, "Thank you."
Neo put a hand over her mouth and showed a shocked expression. Guess she really was surprised that I meant it. She smiled once again.
You're welcome. Though you will be listening to me and by extension Roman, so don't think I'll go easy on you, Ty.
"Already gave me a nickname?" It wasn't completely original.
If Roman gets to call me Neo. I get to call you Ty. So, do we have a deal, partner number three
Neo erased what was on the board and placed it down, she extended her dainty little hand and wore a smile on her face.
In all actuality, what the hell could I do? I literally have nothing going for me in this world, I don't have Aura, I don't even think I can conceivably get in the graces of the good guys. What the hell can I do? Say I'm from a world where this place is a show? I'll be thrown in the loony bin in a week or so, if not sooner.
What was I supposed to do, other than shake her hand?
…..
There we go. I'm doing something different from my other stories and writing in first person. I don't usually like to do first person as I find it easier to do third, but can't improve if you don't try.
Here's a thing that's been wrapping in my head for a while. It's weird I know, but stick with it if you can.
See ya next time.
