Sweat began to form on my brow as I stood up and looked at the desert fauna. I pulled my omni-tool and did a diagnostic on my suit's systems. "Ed, Vigilant are you still with me?"
"Yea."
"Affirmative."
"Are we dead? Because if this is what the afterlife looks like for AIs then I demand a refund."
"We are neither dead nor living, this 'afterlife' is an organic illusion to cope with the idea of dying."
"I was being funny."
"So was I."
"Alright, you two knuckleheads knock it off and tell me where we are!"
"No go here," Ed chimed in, "I can't link up to any satellites. The tech that's being used is archaic, but if you find me a port I'm sure that I can work my magic."
"Crafting a recon drone," Vigilant said as my omni-tool glowed as the fabricator went to work.
"Can you guys tell me anything?"
"We're in a desert."
I let out a sigh as I seethed, "This is not the time for you to practice your jokes Vigilant."
"I wasn't joking Fox-Specter."
While I contemplated whether or not I could hurt the bastard my omni-tool pinged and the sphere was created in my hand. I grasped the sphere in my hand threw it into the sky, "Asshole," I muttered as the drone activated and floated in the sky.
"I'm getting readings from the drone," Ed said as my left omni-tool lights up with a map of the area on its interface. "There is a road two klicks to the east. If you follow that to the north there appears to be a settlement of some kind."
"According to the positions of the stars we are on planet Earth," Vigilant chimed in his information as well.
"Well at least we were taken to the right planet this time," Light groaned in my mind.
I said nothing as I looked to the horizon towards the direction I had to go. The sun had just risen above the ground. A deep breath later and a click of a button my helmet slid into place. My face began to cool as the suit's environmental control took effect.
As the sweat began to dry ED chimed in, "You might want to cover your helmet. Don't need to be scaring the locals."
Without breaking my stride I pulled my omni-tool and navigated to the suit's appearance options. A few swipes later and the paint job on my helmet changed back to its gold form.
I walked in silence through the sands, the only sounds that I heard were the ones that my boots made when it crushed the sand. While outwardly I was quiet, inwardly I was buzzing with thoughts.
What do I do now? I'm on Earth but when? I hope that this town has what I need, but then what? If I can be honest, I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting, of killing. Thanks to all of this I never actually got a chance to graduate school. Never got a chance to go to prom.
Never got the chance to settle down.
My thoughts began to wander towards her and our unborn child. I was going to be a dad. The thought thrilled me and filled me with dread. Would I have been a good father? I never really had a father figure in my life. Well unless you counted Shepard, but still…
"If you want my opinion," Light chimed in breaking my thoughts, "I think you would have made a great father."
My lips pulled upwards slightly, "Thanks."
-0-
It was an hour or so later when I reached the outskirts of the town.
"Heavenly Junction," I read out loud.
The sign before me was at one point of time beautiful with its white painted edges. A picture of a smiling family driving into the sunset showed of happier times, but the constant assault of the sun and sand filled winds had chipped away whatever pride the sign once held. With a sigh, I deactivated my helmet and pulled up my hood as I headed into town.
The town itself reminded me of an old western movie that I use to watch. The only difference was that this town tried to modernize. A fifty's style café stood out from the wooden buildings and strip mall. Much like the sign that I passed the environment had taken its toll on the exterior. The paint was faded and chipped and the gas station out front looked like it has never been washed.
"Well, it's a start," I muttered as I made my way towards the café.
The door chimed as I opened the door. With a quick glance, I saw that it was sparsely populated. There seemed to be an old man sitting with an open newspaper, and it looked like he was the only customer in the diner. I spotted a waitress behind the counter.
Behind the counter was a girl fresh out of high school. Her golden hair tied up in a bun. Her diner uniform caked in grease stains that discolored the red cloth so that murk brown spots dotted it. Despite the tattered state of her uniform, the girl herself was a beauty. Blue eye's honed in concentration as she went about her work. Her skin was smooth and without blemishes, and a body of a full grown adult.
Beauty Queen came to mind.
"She's a beauty that's for sure," Light said with a giggle.
With a growl, I made my way to a stool and sat down. The spirit let loose another giggle before she dipped back into my mind. "Be with you in just a second," the waitress spoke. The upbeat tone reminded me of Kelly Chambers.
I wonder if she survived or not.
An old, battered menu was placed in front of me as well as rolled silverware. I looked into the eyes of the waitress as she spoke, "What can I get you to drink?" a glass of water was placed next to me.
"Just the water please," my voice croaked from the dryness. I was made aware of how thirsty I was. I wasted no time downing the cup minus the ice. The cup clacked when I placed it down.
"Thirsty," the waitress said with a smirk.
"Depends…Sarah," I said reading her nametag.
"Depends on what? She asked with an amused smile.
"I'm I being charged for it?" I returned with a smile.
Her smile became brighter as she poured me another glass of water, "I'll be back to take your order," Sarah said as she walked away with a wink. I notice that she had an extra sway in her steps that brought attention to her backside.
"Look at you, slaying the ladies," Light said with a giggle.
I growled at her again.
I looked through the menu lazily at the different food items. What caught my eye though was the dollar signs. Obviously, my credits are useless here.
With a sigh, I reached into my coat's hidden pocket and pulled out a leather wallet. My fingers gently caressed the cracked edges. Its plain black body only slightly shined.
Feels like a lifetime ago since I lasted used this, but in reality, it's only been three years. I don't know why I kept it.
I flicked my thumb and opened my wallet and was smacked in the face with a photograph, a photo of me. Well the old me at least, I've changed a lot since then both physically and mentally.
'Enough of this,' I thought as I opened the wallet fully and pulled out cringle bills.
Straighten them out I counted thirty-four dollars. Before I could begin to budget a plate containing a large burger and fries was put before me. I looked up to see the chef was standing in front of me.
"I didn't order this," I told him.
"On the house," his gravelly voice spoke of harsh experience. "We saw you walk into town, drifter."
It wasn't an insult; no he was just stating the face. "Besides," he continued as he pulled up his right sleeve to show off a tattoo of the emblem of the Navy Seals. "Us brothers have to stick together."
I leaned back slightly not out of fear, but out of respect. "Never said I was military."
The chef chuckled as he lowered his shirt. "Didn't have to, the way you walk, the way you scanned the room. It screams Spec Ops." He pointed at my chest, "Armor does too."
I looked down to see that my Nightmare Armor did stand out. Her in this world something like this is one of a kind.
My lips pulled back in a smile. I put my wallet back before I offered him my hand. "Fox, Special Tactics and Reconnaissance, Spectres for short."
The chef took my hand, "Doug, Never heard of Specters," he raised his hand to silence me, "and it might be best if I didn't."
"How long?" I inquired.
"Fifteen years before I took a round to the knee," Doug told me, "Given honorable Discharge and now I manage this diner with my daughter." He pointed to Sarah.
I notice the glare he gave me when he pointed out his daughter. I knew what he was telling me, and his question proved it to me. "You have a girl waiting for you?"
I fought down the chuckle at the question before it died. "And a child on the way, but…I won't ever see them again."
A somber silence fell and I was vaguely aware that we had an ease dropper.
"You have my condolences, "the chef said as he motioned towards the plate of steamy food. "I'll leave it to you." With a nod, Doug limped away.
I looked at the back of the retreating cook and then to Sarah who jumped at being caught. She gave a hurried smile as she dashed away.
A breathless laugh escaped me before I dug into my meal, savory every juicy bite. I can see how this place can stay open despite its remote location. The love and passion spewed from every bite before long the plate was cleaned.
"How is it?" Doug asked from the kitchen.
"Shity, too much damn salt," I called back with a smile.
Doug smiled back catching on, "Well too fucking bad princess."
"Men," Sarah huffed as she collected my plate.
"I'll also have a strawberry sundae," I looked past the waitress's head, "and I'm paying for this one."
"Suit yourself," Doug said as Sarah went to go fulfill the order. While I waited for dessert I concentrated on the television.
On the screen, a woman with a black bowl-cut hair and a blue dress suit. It was a new channel and the lady was giving a report, at least the end of one.
"…and once again the city is saved thanks to the heroics of Superman. This is Louis Lane."
"Bah!" the old man spat, "the world was fine without those freaks. Back in my day, we didn't have…"
"Sure, sure Old Ben," Sarah said in a tone that showed that this is an ongoing conversation.
"And you kids make the issue worst," Ben continued his rant, "idolizing them."
I tuned him just a bowl full of strawberries ice, chocolate syrup, and cool whip was placed in front of me.
Sarah gave me a wink, which has led me to believe that this was not a normal serving. As she walked I admired the extra giggle in her step.
"The girl's pheromones suggest that she wishes to mate with you," Vigilant chimed in and Light and Ed started to laugh. I quickly punched the suit to shut them up.
The sound drew Sarah's attention but just smiled and ate the sundae.
The peace of the diner was broken by the roar of motorcycles. I turned around to see three hooligans during around whooping and hollering. One of them drove by and kicked a trash can spilling its contents all over the ground.
"Damn punks!" Dough seethed as he limped behind the count and bend over to grab something, probably the shotgun he had there.
"Dad!" Sarah said running over to her from my side, "Please don't, I'll clean it up later."
"You should have to!" he growled.
I turned to him, "Trouble?"
"Yea, Doug said as he shooed his daughter away, "About a year ago these Desert Snakes took over a bar about a mile from the way you came. They come into town once a month demanding 'protection' money."
"When you say 'took over' do you mean…"
Doug bowed his head, "They were good people."
It took every ounce of control I had to not snap the fork in my hand. "What about the law?" I asked hoping for some kind of justice.
Dough snorted, "Crooked as hell. He was practically running to them for a cut."
Snap
The fork in my hand broke in half "Sorry," I growled and put the broken utensil down underneath the gaze of a wide eye Doug.
Corruption urkes me, criminals disgust me.
Corrupted politicians and law enforcements piss me the hell off. They abandon their duty for the sake of lining their pockets, most of the time off the blood of innocent people, and because of their connections, they're practically untouchable.
'Well most of the time,' I thought with a slight smile.
I didn't bother to look behind me instead of picking up the spoon and continued to eat my sundae. The boys continued to be a loud and a pain in the ass.
No matter how much I wanted to, it would best if I didn't get involved. Yet I need to figure out what I'm going to do with myself.
Fate, of course, had other plans.
"Knock it off Tom," I heard Sarah say with a grunt I looked over to see one of the bikes, a long blond hair boy, getting a little touchy with her.
The other two goons looked more like punk rockers than motorcycle gang. One of them had spiky green hair and metal studs going up his nose. The other one had purple peach fuzz on his head. Almost every inch of his skin was covered in tattoos each of them wore blue jeans and a leather jacket.
Tom, on the other hand, did not have any punk like attributes, his dusty face was clean…ish.
"Still a punk, I muttered trying to eat my sundae.
"Tom! Please let me work!" Sarah pleaded as Tom grabbed by the waist and pulled her onto his lap.
The waitress obliviously wasn't enjoying the attention. "Come on baby."
"The lady said no," I called, "in case you're hard of hearing."
A blanket of silence wrapped the diner. I didn't pay it any mind I just continued eating my dessert. Three sets of boots got up and came in my direction.
'So much for some peace,' I spoke in my mind.
'You could have said nothing,' Light chimed in.
'Yea right.'
"I don't recognize you," Tom said as he took a seat next to me. "You new in town?" his tone told me that he wasn't here to be a good neighbor.
"Was out for a walk in the desert," I answered with a shrug and another scoop of ice cream, "stopped by for some food."
"A drifter eh…" Tome said with a chuckle, "So you're just going to blow on through." That got a round of chuckles from shithead 1 and shithead 2.
"You're hilarious," droned with sarcasm dripping from my mouth. I looked to the side to see Tom clenching his jaw.
"Since you new in town let me…"
"Wait, hold up," I interrupted him with an open palm, "Let me guess. This is the part where you say that you run the town and I need to do what you say? Oh, wait this is the part where you try and extort money out of me!"
A red-faced Tom snapped and flung my sundae to the ground, "Aw what a waste," I moaned at the loss.
That seemed to break the camel's back.
I was roughly grabbed by the shoulder and slammed into the counter. A glint caught the sight of my right eye. Tom had whisked out a butterfly knife and placed it close to my face.
"You're a smartass aren't you,' Tom glared at me with a bloodthirsty smile, "you don't want to know what we do to people like you."
"Is this the part where I'm supposed to be scared?" I said with a deathly calm, "because if it is…" I pressed the steak knife into his groin, "…you're doing a shitty job."
Wide-eyed Tom looked down to see the knife pointed at the family jewels.
I used that opening to grasp my cup of water and slammed it into his head. Tome let out a cry of pain as he fell to the ground. A small grunt of pain left my lips as his knife slit my cheek.
Baldy swung at me, I grabbed his fist and head and pulled them right at the counter. Spiky charged at me and tried to tackle me. As he grasped my waist I held him around the chest to kill his momentum and to move my feet so that I held him better. A solid blow to his spine put him down.
A pair of arms held me together by the chest. Baldy had recovered and was trying to hold me down. With a growl, I flicked my hand upward and a knife shot out of my sleeve and pierced his foot. As he yelled out in pain my elbow came up and broke his nose I reached behind me and slung Baldy over my shoulders and slammed him on top of Spiky
Tom let out a grunt as he lunged at me with his knife. The blade bounced off my armor. I grabbed his jacket and delivered a headbutt. I drew my fist back and…
BANG
A single gunshot stopped everything.
The gun that went off belonged to a newcomer in the diner.
When I turned around I saw that the town's sheriff held up a smoking gun aimed at the ceiling. "Now that's enough," his voice slick and oily like the sweat that dripped off his weathered skin.
"Damn it, Patrick!" Doug roared at the man, "Don't shot that thing in my diner!"
Patrick just calmly holstered his sidearm and looked that the chef. "I'd watch your tone if I was you, Doug," he said as the glare from the sun shined off his aviator sunglasses chilled the occupants in the diner, "Especially since your behind on your payments.
I know that look. I've seen it countless times, from people. People with no conscience, no morality.
I let go of Tom and let him fall to the ground with a groan. "You're the law here?" I asked rhetorically.
The sheriff smiled and tapped his badge, "Yes I am, drifter, and I think you've overstayed your welcome."
And here it is, the crossroad.
I could just walk away and leave this place behind. That would be the smart thing to do. This town's troubles are not mine.
I could also stay. Make a life for me here. Clear out the bandits and lay my roots, give up the life I've lived the past couple of years. I'm still a damn teenager for Christ sakes! I have my whole life ahead of me.
Light let out a hum.
I let out a sigh.
I've made my choice.
"I don't know," I shrugged my shoulder, "I kind of like it." I kicked one of the bodies on the ground and it out a groan of pain. "Just gotta take out the trash and clean up a bit and this could be a nice little slice of paradise." My lips pulled back so that my sharp teeth were on full display. All six of them.
Patrick just sighs and pulled out his gun to aim at me. "You should have taken my offer," he said without remorse as he waved the gun in the direction of the patrol car.
"Come on we're going to take a drive."
-0-
'It's nice riding on the ground again,' I thought.
'I almost forget how it was like,' Light commented.
The car shuttered as it hit something. 'I'm just glad that I don't have to wait in the hot sun.'
The patrol car came to a stop and my view was obscured by sand and dirt. Patrick opened his door and came to my door and opened it for me. "My, my what a gentlemen," I taunted.
The crooked cop grabbed me and threw me on the sand ground. "You have a mouth problem," Patrick grumbled as he unholstered his revolver.
With a groan I pushed myself up to my feet. "it's a part of my charm," I told him when I dusted myself off. "Helps me deal with pissants like you."
Patrick growled, "For someone about to be buzzer food," he pulled the hammer back, "you sure are carefree."
I rolled my head around and popped a few joints, "Well that's because someone is going to die out here," I looked at him face relaxed, "it's just not going to be me."
"Is that so?" he leveled the gun at my head.
"Yep…"
"Kinetic barriers are running," Vigilant informed me.
"…but don't worry," I continued, "…you won't be alone in hell for long. Once I'm done with you the bikers will be next."
The gun went off and time slowed down. The bullet spun through the air as it sliced it like a hot knife through warm butter. The racing projectile continued on its trajectory until it came in to contact with my barrier. When it did the front collapse a little before it ricochets to my left.
Blue field shimmered around me as Patrick took a step back, "Who are you?" he asked with fear in his body. In an instant, I was right in front of him with his gun hand folded over his shoulder by my hand and with another around his throat.
"Death," I said to him as my armor's nails came out. I pulled my hand back and slashed his throat.
-0-
Sarah's stomach was queasy thanks to the smoke in the air and the stench of unbathed men. The waitress found herself in the lion's den. Slung around her should was a sour Tom. The waitress took some amusement at the beaten state of her captors.
She went with them in order to calm Tom down when he finally came to. Sarah looked at Tom who took a swig from his bottle. She lamented at the guy's fall. He wasn't always like this. There was a time when he was a kind and sweet boy. When they graduated high school something in him changed. He became angry and arrogant. In other words, he became a prick
Trying to get her mind off her current situation Sarah looked around the bar. It was filled with a bund of middle age men, and a few women, and a lot of leather. Some were playing pool and darts, others were drinking. She was reminded by the fact that these animals were enjoying themselves off the back of hardworking people.
Sarah's mind began to drift towards Fox she wasn't going to lie she found the man really handsome and was going to offer the drifter a place to stay. In her mind she fantasized about having a romantic experience with the 'wondering soldier looking for his purpose in life', but the reality is harsher than romance books.
She had hoped, of course, that Fox would be the Knight in Shining Armor.
Unfortunately, the knight was defeated by the dragon and was swallowed whole.
"Hey Boss the pig is here," someone yelled.
"Looks like he's taken care of the guy you kicked your asses," another biker laughed at Tom's group.
Tom's grip on Sarah tightened as his ego was bruised. "Let this be a lesson," he growled in her ear, "your mine and mine alone."
Sarah didn't reply but accepted the fact of life.
"That ain't the sheriff," someone yelled over the music which chooses that moment to stop playing. After that everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the door.
FOOT STEPP!
The door swung opened to reveal a boy dress in a black hooded trench coat over armor. His face except for his eyes was covered.
Sarah was filled with joy that Fox was alive, but that feeling was overcome with shock and most importantly...
…Fear.
The Fox she met at the diner wasn't the same as the one that stood in the bar.
Fox looked around the bar appears to be on the search. When his eyes landed on Sarah's the girl felt a chill go down her spine. With slow deliberate steps, he walked towards her.
Tom stood up and charged at him, "You…" Fox simply grabbed Tom's hand and snapped it back. The sound of bone break echoed the bar, followed by a scream of pain before it was silenced by Fox's boot slammed Tom's head into the floor.
Without break his stride Fox went up to Sarah who unconsciously sunk into the couch. "Can you drive?" he asked.
In her current state, Sarah could only say "Wha…?
"Can. You. Drive," came the short and sharp response.
"Yes," she squeaked.
Fox tossed her a set of keys that landed in her lap. "Get in the cruiser and go home, your dad is worried about you."
"But…"
"Go," Fox cut in when he turned his back to level a glare at her, "now."
Sarah could see the soft eyes that she saw back at the diner. They spoke volumes of was about to happen. Just as quickly the eyes harden as her dad did.
The eyes of the warrior.
"Okay," the waitressed whispered before she stood up and ran out of the bar. A few of the patrons began to move in on Fox.
-0-
Benny sat at the bar with two glasses before him. One filled with spit and tobacco the other filled with whiskey.
He watched everything unfold. The leader of the biker gang smiled with his tainted teeth when this 'Boy in black' took down Tom. He allowed the girl to leave; she was Tom's issue, not the gang's
"Now," the boy began as he looked around, "Who's the leader of this bag of dicks?"
Benny let out a small chuckle as he spat a glob of tobacco before he reached over the bar and grabbed a sawed-off double barrel shotgun.
"I am boy," Benny said stepping off his bar stool gun in hand. "What do you want?"
The boy turned towards Benny and pierced him with his glare. Meanwhile the bikers the way seeing the shotgun in the boss's hand. "You going to leave this town right now and never come back."
Benny chuckled which morphed into laughter the gang followed his example and the whole bar erupted. One of the more intoxicated members threw a beer bottle at the boy.
Without looking, Fox grabbed the bottle and crushed it in his hands. The sound of shattered glass and bubbling liquid hitting the dirty floor quieted the room. Not by much as a few were still chuckling.
Benny waved his hand to the largest man in the bar towards the boy. "Get this clown out of here.
The giant man stomped over to the boy. When Benny turned around to spit in his glass he heard something hitting flesh and a sharp snap.
"Oh fuck!" someone exclaimed while someone else emptied their stomach.
The boss turned around to see the boy standing over a corpse that its head completely turned a full 180 degrees.
"I wasn't asking," he stated. His tone was cold as ice and his glare like steel.
Benny had to admit he was impressed. Dylan was seven feet tall and 350 pounds of pure muscle, and yet this boy took him down like it was nothing. Perhaps he could use him in his gang.
With his free hand, Benny reached into his vest's pocket and pulled out a fat bundle of cash and threw it at the boy. He caught it and examined it.
"There is more where that came from," Benny said, "Here's my offer. Since your here and Patrick isn't I'm assuming you killed him?"
The boy looked up but said nothing.
Benny took that as a yes.
"Well, that means that we need an enforcer in town…"
The next few words died in Benny's mouth as the roll of cash in the boy's hand burned. Slowly he turned his hand over and let the burning cash fall to the ground.
"Here's my offer," he said when he stomped on the money and grounded it into the floor, "If any of you want to live, leave now."
Benny knew a meta when he saw one, and he also knew how much trouble they can be if left unchecked.
So without a second thought, the boss man raised the shotgun and pulled the trigger. The force of the shot caught the boy in the chest and launched him into the air. A satisfying crunch followed when the body landed on the ground. When the body slumped Benny lowered the gun and said, "How's that for a counter offer."
He looked to a few of the guys and pointed at the bodies with his gun. "Clean this mess up and get ready to ride," he lips pulled back in a snarl. "Looks like we're going to have to teach the townspeople a lesson."
"You should have taken my offer," everyone looked to where the body of the boy was at, and with horror, watched as the boy stood up and straighten his coat. He looked down his chest before he gave it a pat.
"That stung a little."
For the first time, Benny felt powerless, weak.
A golden helmet began to piece itself together around the boy's head before the color changed to black. Then a pair of red eyes 'blinked' opened before a pair of 'lips' cracked opened to show a row of sharp teeth. Some kind of orange constructs formed around his arms as he pulled his hands up. When he punched the air with both hands the sound of two shotguns racking a round reached his ears.
Benny then knew he was going to die, and so his final words were…
"Fuck me…"
-0-
With the hose, I sprayed water all over my body, helmet and all. My free hand moved around my body and scrubbed lightly. When I was done I set the hose down as the last few drops left the tip. A quick flash of fox fire dried me off instantly. With a quick tug, I straightened up my jacket and gave myself a quick look to make sure that I got all of the blood and gore off of me.
'Probably should have done that before you dried yourself,' Light commented dryly.
'Whatever,' I said back as I reached down and picked up a black duffel bag, and slung it around my back. The bag was filled with money that I collected from the safe in the office. Most likely it was the 'protection' money that the gang collected from the town's people.
On top of the duffle bag was a set of keys that I snagged from the remains of the 'Boss'.
Thankfully the keys were on the bottom half of him has there was nothing left from the waist up.
With keys and bag in hand, I sauntered over to the bike that was all by itself in the shade. I'm assuming that this was the boss's considering that the rest of the bikes were clumped together around the front of the bar.
"Well, only one way to find out," I said out loud as I came to the motorcycle.
Harley Davison was etched on the main body and my finger traced the charcoal black paint. Boss took real good care of it that was for sure. There wasn't a speck of dirt on it except for the bottom.
With a twist, I mounted the bike. I put the key into the ignition and gave it a turn. My foot worked itself on top of the kick starter and with a stomp, the engine came to life. I revved the engine a few times letting it roar. "This is a nice bike," I said as I drove forward.
'Don't forget your helmet,' Ed reminded me as my suits helmet slide into place.
"Oh before I forget," I said my voice distorted by the helmet's voice scrambler. I turned around with my left hand stretched out an omni tool wrapped around it. With a slight twitch, an incinerate drone flew out and landed inside the bar. The drone landed on top of the alcohol that doused the bar with. Turned around I speed off towards the town without turning my back, even when the bar exploded.
-0-
The trip back to town was a quiet one with only the hum of the cycle underneath me. Even my mind was quiet during the trip. Nothing had changed since my decision back at the diner.
In no time at all, I pulled into town and parked at a gas pump in front of the diner.
If I was going to leave town I'll need to fill up on gas first.
As I came to a stop at a pump a chime went off inside the station, but no one came out.
Not that it mattered to me.
My helmet collapsed into my suit as I looked around on the bike to see if I could find the gas hole.
"It's right there," Sarah said from the side a small finger pointed at the silver cap at top of the fuselage.
"Right," I grunted as I used the motorcycle's key to open the cap before I reached over and grab the nozzle and began to pour gas in. As gas pumped into the two-wheeler I slung off the duffel bag and handed it the waitress. "Here is the money that I took from the safe," I told her as Sarah took the money, "It won't be enough to replace the amount that they took from you but at it should be at least enough to get the town back on its feet."
"Thank you," Sarah whispered.
I tapped the leather seat in the rhythm of the ticking gas pump.
"So you're leaving then," the waitress said breaking the silence.
With a sigh, I looked around the town before my gaze landed on Sarah, "Yes," as the simple reply.
"I guess I can't convince you to stay…" she trailed off a twinkle of hope in her eyes.
"Sorry, but no," I told her as I readjusted in my seat, "If you would have asked earlier maybe, but…there is something I have to do." My lips pulled up slightly, "Perhaps afterward I could come back, you do make a nice strawberry sundae."
"I think I can manage that," the waitress smiled as bounced a little, "So where will go next?"
Isn't that the million dollar question?
I know where I had to go…eventually, but what to do in the meantime? Should I just hang around Jump City until the time comes? Perhaps I should explore the world? In fact, the world is open to me now.
'You could always go to Japan,' Light commented helpfully, 'I'm sure the clan would welcome you with open arms.'
I leaned forward as I contemplated my options. A flicker of light in the side of my eye caught my attention. My eyes shifted towards the light and saw that it was the television in the gas station. On the screen was a news report that said:
Head of the Falcone family found innocent.
"I was thinking about heading to Gotham for a bit," I said straightening up at the same time that the gas stopped flowing. I pulled the nozzle out of the tank and put it back before I resealed the tank.
"You're going to kill again aren't you," Sarah said when I twisted the key.
My finger paused over the start button as I took in her words.
I respect the heroes and heroines don't get me wrong, but there is only one way to handle people like Falcone. Yea, I know who he is. It has been a while but I remember that name very well.
"I'll do what needs to be done," I said to the waitress as I pushed the ignition button.
The bike roared to life I was about to pull away when something warm and slightly wet pressed against my cheek. Wide eyes I turned to the source only to see Sarah walking towards the diner.
'Hehe…'
'Shut up!' I growled at the spirit as I took off down the road nearly missing an unmarked black van, my helmet slide into place as I raced down the dirt highway.
-0-
"Damn kids," the driver of the van muttered as the biker drove past him. He scratched his white goatee as he drove into the parking lot of the diner. When he came to a stop he threw the car into park and got out of the vehicle. Heavy combat boots crushed the gravel as the man stepped toward the diner.
Inside, sharp blue eye scanned the room until it landed on the chef.
Doug looked up and saw the man standing in his diner. "Sarah, go home," he said not breaking contact with the man.
Sarah, who was in the process of going through the duffel bag, looked up, "Why-?"
"Just do it!"
Sarah looked at her dad and the man in the diner and nodded her head. "Okay, I'll get started on dinner see at home." The waitress scurried out of the diner. When she left Doug spoke to the man.
"I'm guessing you're here about the job," Doug began when the man cut in.
"That someone already completed," he said with such detachment in his voice that sent chills down Doug's back.
Doug let out a sigh and prayed that he would live through the encounter with the world's most dangerous mercenary. "I'll still pay you for the job since you're out here."
"Don't," the man said as he walked towards the counter and took a seat, "Instead tell me who took my job."
Doug swallowed, he didn't want to sell the boy out, but he didn't want to die and leave his daughter all alone either. "Was it the white hair kid that pulled out of town?" the man inquired as he leaned forward his head rested on his clasped hands.
'Shit,' Doug thought.
Slade Wilson honed his glare at the chef. "Tell me everything about him."
