Chapter Four: Dead memories
There once were two cops, a man and a woman, who stood true to justice. They could see in someone's eyes when one was truly innocent, or a full lying lowlife scumbag. They kept the streets of Marrow City safe, and made many enemies the more they served true justice. Enemies most of the people in our world do not even believe in. One day, they did not return... and I was just eight back then, while Daniel was nine and Ella only five years old.
True cop Heroes... Great, loving parents... taken down crooks who could not be touched by the law... murdered by a low-life midget in the lowest ranks of a powerful organization. I was shocked, devastated.
We were blessed with the addoptive father who took the three of us in. Thanks to him, a small piece of sanity and a strong belief in good people still exists in my mind. He was a great martial artist, training me and Daniel to control our anger. He was very succesful with Daniel. Eventually, Daniel would be able to seal his hunger for justice and revenge to a degree that he would join the police force and handle payment for the murderer in a just way. However, as my brother Daniel studied hard to become a cop, planning to follow our parents' path and work, finding out the TRUTH who was behind the murder, I became a more untameable person. Despite our new father and sensei's effort, he could only calm me down to a certain amount. I wanted to find EVERYBODY who was behind the murder. From the scumbag who shot them all up to the fat bastards and their fancy seats, smoking 1600 dollar sigars with a dirty, foul grin. I became a rebel when I was around ten years old. Went out on the streets, literally looking for anyone to beat up. Anyone who committed any crime. My foster dad had to pay for all my fines. I was trouble for him, this I knew. But it all changed when I met them. Our city Marrow is full of nutjobs and plain old wackos. It's ruled by the monsters who killed my folks. They have half the police force in their pockets. However, in all the chaos, there's this gang of motorcyclists, rebels, calling themselves the "Justicrutors"... When I was only thirteen, I beat their leader and claimed leadership. My master's training gave me enough physical power to hold my own against a dozen adult men, and now I controlled a gang of anti-heroes who wanted to save this fallen city. But still, was this power enough to make any difference against the ones on the other side of the chess board?
Aruma sensei's a great man. The perfect foster father. He trained me and my brother, and raised Ella to be a proper girl. He gave us a sweet bulldog, Io. But as soon as we were eightteen, he just left. Our training was enough, as he would say, and we could take over the control of our lives from this point on.
I remember him taking my brother Daniel and me to this martial arts tournament once. An illegal one... just to test us. My first opponent, I could smell his dirt... so I lost it, and bashed his skull in with multiple punches, despite being a kid. My brother Daniel? He won it all by adhering to the rules, while I was disqualified for having broken them right off the bat when I nearly killed my first opponent.
Six years ago, when I was thirteen...
It was after school on my way back home. Smoking my sig, I looked around me. As always, looking for trouble. My family allways knew I would not be home before dinner. Never was. Around eight in the evening, I would show up back home covered in blood and bruises. It was my ritual to keep the anger I had for my parents' murder at bay. The city really has sunken low... SO low...
"Aw come on! Show me what ya got under those damn panties!" Mr Harper shouted. I knew him. He was the father of a son and daughter... a BANKER, for Christ's sake. I approach the alley from whence I heard his voice. Sure enough, I saw him hanging over Debra Walkens from my class. Still a kid, just like me.
"HEY!"I shouted, storming at Mr Harper, ready to bash his face in.
"Th-this is not what it looks lik-" I pushed him down on the ground, and already threw my first punch right between the eyes. Few more punches followed before I got back up, gazed at him then spat on him, turning to Debra.
"Are you all right? Didn't the police warn everyone not to walk alone? Why didn't your parents pick you up?" I ask her.
She looked at me. I was the class' outcast. Seen as a monster, allways hungry for a fight. Her parents probably told her to stay away from me just as much as she was warned for folks like Mr Harper.
"T-thank you... I'm sorry... i couldn't wait for my parents..."
"NEVER walk the streets on your own!" I shouted, then left her. "And call the police. Feel free to use my name. Surely they'll never believe YOU did him in."
I lit up another cig, then looked in front of me. I walked, stepping in a rain puddle. I passed a closed store and took a look to see my reflection. A long, black trenchcoat around my body, collars popped to cover the sides of my face. A Bandana on my head, angry eyes. A deadpan mouth - showing no expression. I then stared in front of me, clenching my fists.
"Hey you! You're the one who beat my father!" Ronnie Harper, the bastard's son called out. Kid went to the same school as I did, three classes above me. How the fuck did he managed that, with his pathetic IQ...
I turn to face him, throwing the cig on the ground. Two, no three more of his goons with him. Your stereotypical bullies.
"Only THREE this time, Ronnie? Or are these "Specials" like those losers you brought along last time!?"
"You don't get it, monster kid. My grandfather OWNS Marrow City! No police or ANYTHING's gonna jail my dad! Hahaha! YOU, on the other hand, for beating the Mayor's son, me dad.." He revealed a nailboard. "But I'll do the work for my gramp's goons" His three friends went at me first, while their goofy leader just watched, swinging his spiked weapon like an idiot. I jump with one foot towards the guy left to me. With my other foot, I kick him in his guts. Dashing to the next, I heard the first guy puking so much, his guts would almost fall out. With my fist, I rammed the second guy in the chest, knocking him back into a pile of trash. The 3rd one was swift, slashing a small piece off my ear with a bowie knife. I, however, did not even flinch, as I chopped my right hand's side against his elbow, dislocating it. With his sceaming amusing me, I turn to face Ronnie.
"It's just SICK, man! How come you're so fucking strong? You can even beat adults like my pops!" The brat snapped his fingers, and some doors opened, ten more assholes showed up, all of them armed with chains, clubs, knives, broken bottles and even a few guns.
"I had a great master." I grinned, fearlessly storming at the 10.
I was trained in some martial arts by Aruma, but... Even for me, this was a fight I could not win. I managed to disable six of them, before they overpowered me, and giving me the beating of a lifetime.
"You see?" Ronnie walked around the mob beating me. "My family OWNS this city! We OWN the streets, monster boy!"
Laying in my pile of blood, there was this sound that made me get back up. The roaring sound of motorcycles.
"I was just cocky, and perhaps a little tired of all the bullies... but you've got minions, Ronnie... well... I've got something better." 30 Harley lights lit up the alley we were in. "...friends..."
The fire turned around. We beat the living shit out of them. I even thought of sparing Ronnie, because he's the Mayor's grandson. But one does not simply beat up Crow's best friend, no matter WHO you are. Ronnie's head is now a decoration in Crow's living room.
Present day. I slow down the speed of my bike, allowing my friends to catch up with me.
"A fucking nobody low-life no-rank midget. A fucking midget..." I mumble as the memories return. "And why the FUCK did I see an illusion of my sensei? Is it a sign?"
It feels like ages before the others catch up to me. Giving me all the time to sink in thoughts. Who was this small person who killed my parents? Who ordered him or her? I grin. "Where the fuck do I start my killing spree?"
"Well... nowhere without me, at least..." Crow says after hearing my words.
"We've got your back, no matter HOW wild you go!" Inceras adds.
"I know, guys... I just still don't fucking get it." I start my engine and roar off, followed by my friends. "They were both strong in more ways... how could one person just take them out?"
"Maybe... the person was even stronger?" Bomb asks.
"No single person in the world could take out both of them." I assure him.
"Maybe this organization, who is also pulling the strings in our city, is just many times more powerful than two good people who wish to change it..." Crow says in his usual monotone voice.
"..." I stare in front of me. "Let's fucking go to the mayor and DEMAND answers."
"You INSANE? You KNOW what happens if we even TOUCH him?" Bomb looks at me, worried.
"I killed his fucking SON, and we're still roaring free." I speed up. "Feel free to stop me, big guy. I'm after the bastard's head."
Daniel stares at some document file on his computer, while a girl of his age, 19, walks in, with a cup of coffee for him.
"Ryanne. You shouldn't have!" Daniel says with a smile, receiving the coffee.
Ryanne ignores Daniel when she sees the file. "Did you find anything?"
"Shh... not so loud. I'm not allowed to hack into these files... but yes, a name... Ronald Jaller.. a small man. Wanted for many crimes. Assault, theft, murder, bribery... though nothing is mentioned about my parents... I don't like the secrecy behind the case... but this guy fits the profile perfectly." Daniel looks at the clock. 4 PM. Time to go home. He gets up, leaving the coffee. "I'm going home." He tells Ryanne. "See ya tomorrow."
But instead of home, in his car, he imagines himself visiting this Ronald Jaller's house, gun held point-blank at him as he opens the door. Flashes of his parents being murdered.
But it was no imagination. Daniel went to another city. His mind was gone for four hours... he drove of, and indeed... made Ronald stare into the barrel of death...