The night was cool and pleasant. He'd been wandering the city with his bag in hand for roughly three hours. He'd told his father that he'd be studying at the library and then at Porrim's. It was the middle of the week. He knew that there his father would never suspect him of doing anything like this. He was the good son. Unlike his younger brother he was level headed and well spoken. Seemingly well adjusted. He usually did go to the library when he said he was going. But he knew that none of the cops were in the area tonight.
It was perfect.
He found the spot. Visible enough for his message to be seen, but secluded enough to work on his own. He put his bag down and took out the first can. A royal purple. Nice start. He pulled his respirator out of his bag and pulled it over his head. Remember, kids: Safety first, even when you're tagging. He sprays a fine layer to start out. It makes a nice base. There was plenty of night left, so he took his time to make it nice and even, getting the edges to look just right. He put the purple back in his bag, pulling out the next can as he did.
He started in with some white, fanning out from the middle in a light spray. He wanted a nice, gradated effect. He smiled as it started to blend. It was going perfectly so far. He threw that can back into his bag and pulled out a vibrant red. He outlined the first shapes, getting them to look just the way he needed them to and grinned. He stepped back a little and looked at what he'd done so far. He pulled his respirator off and threw it in his bag. He needed some fresh air while he worked on this part. Taking a deep breath, he smiled and fixed the outlines.
The smell of the spray paint was comforting. He relished in the exhilaration of putting his thoughts on the wall. In the way that only he knew who'd put it there, but how everyone still noticed. This was his life. A life that only he knew about, but it was his. He loved it. He threw the can he was using back in his bag and pulled out the next color he'd need. A darker red. Lots of reds in this one. But as he started he heard something behind him. He packed up his bag, just in case and was glad he did as he slung it over his shoulders, being sure to zip his jacket up all the way to block his face.
A cop had shined a flashlight at him just as he'd gotten it zipped. He ran toward the ledge of the building and jumped over the alley. He didn't quite make it to the opposite ledge, but he managed to grab onto the fire escape. He swung up onto it and looked around. The cop was still chasing him so he scaled the escape to the roof. He ran across that rooftop and looked around. He saw large houses on one side and (sub)urban sprawl all around him otherwise.
He went north. If there was one thing he knew, it was that breaking into a house in that part of town was less likely to get him arrested than breaking into a business. He jumped from the rooftop he was on like he had from the first and landed safely on his feet. He let out a loud whoop of laughter and then went on his way silently, jumping and rolling as he went. Once he made it to street level he jumped up into a tree and jumped form branch to branch until he made it to the houses, looking for one with an open window. He could see a few, but all of them had lights on...
He ran past a dozen houses and could hear sirens in the distance. The cops must not've had much else going on tonight. Great. He looked up and saw his answer waiting for him. He clamored up the lattice work and jumped into a second story window, rolling lightly and looking around. He was doing his best to breath deeply, though the dark figure across the way had him nervous. He moved softly, trying to stay out of view of the window and the figure, but the figure turned.
He kept low to the ground, but it still moved towards him. Once it was in the light from the window he saw that it was someone about his age. He looked familiar. The boy smiled, a handsome grin but he couldn't concentrate on that, he needed to get out of here. "I can't believe it worked!" His voice was loud. The cops were definitely going to hear him. "Who are you? No. No don't tell me!" He looked toward the door. "Dad! Dad come here! It worked!"
He jumped toward the other boy and knocked him to the ground, covering his mouth. He put his other hand to his own lips, motioning for him to shoosh. He realized that the boy couldn't see his face and unzipped the jacket to do it again. The other boy's eyes were wide behind a pair of horn-rimmed glasses and he nodded a little. He moved his hand from his mouth but the boy started to shout for his dad again. He panicked and pressed his mouth to the boy's, hoping that the shock would get him to shut up. He pulled back and was proven right.
He blinked a few times, his mouth still open and all that he said was, "Who are you?"
He sighed. "Someone you shouldn't tell anyone about."
He laughed a little and bit his lip. "Uh, I meant what's your name?"
He searched his face with a growl. "It's not important."
The boy swallowed and looked at the straps of the bag, noticing a symbol. "Oh shit. You're the Sufferer!"
"What?" His eyes widened. "How did..."
"Your bag! Oh my god. Oh my god! Why are you...?"
"Don't you dare tell a soul."
"Uh, I won't."
"Promise."
"I promise."
"Good. Now I'm going to be here until the cops are gone. Then I'll leave." He narrowed his eyes as he sat up and moved back to the other side of the room. The other boy followed behind him and sat next to him.
"I'm Cronus."
He looked at Cronus. "What does that matter?"
He shrugged a little. "I guess I just thought that I could get your name." He bit his lip again. "I think I've seen you in school before... It's... Kan something, I think?"
He frowned deeply. "How did you know that?"
He laughed. "I know things." He swallowed. "And I might've cast a spell to bring someone here. And I basically asked for anyone who stood out to me."
"I stand out?"
"Well yeah you do. Look at yourself!"
He did and sighed. "Just because my clothing doesn't comply with societal norms, it doesn't mean that I stand out."
"Uh, yeah, actually I think it does, Kan."
He sighed. "It's Kankri." He narrowed his eyes. "And if you tell a soul..."
"Don't worry I won't."
"I need that in blood." He pulled out his pocket knife and poked his finger. He grabbed Cronus's hand and did the same thing.
"Oh! What was that for?"
He held out his hand. "Blood promise."
"I don't think that that's..."
"Sanitary? Not at all. Shake."
Cronus scrunched his nose and did as he was told. "I promise that I won't tell anyone. Ever."
"Good." He looked up at the window. There were no more headlights. That meant it was time. "I'm leaving now. I'll trust you to not to say anything, Cronus." He walked toward the window and started to climb out, but he turned back. "Remember, Cronus. IF you break this promise, I will find you."
"I already told you that I won't."
"Very well then." He looked down and jumped out the window, rolling as he hit the ground and breaking back into a run as he went. He ran until he made it to Porrim's house and climbed up to her window as he had at Cronus's house.
He closed the window and walked gingerly to the futon that he always slept on when he stayed there. He threw his bag down next to it and stripped down to his boxers. He flopped onto the futon and slept as best as he could.
If Cronus had told anyone who he was, there was going to be a hefty price to pay.