CRUDEN: Yes, I just thought I tried to push too much into the story, and was frustrated with the grammar a bit.
xxxxxxxxxx
A splash of cold water hit Marcs face, taking a sharp breath. Looking in the mirror seeing a broken vessel in his eye causing it to turn red. A few large dark bruises covered his body as well, as did a patch or two. His eyes showed he hadn't had a decent sleep in the last few nights. Strolling over to a chair he watched the news on his computer.
'It seems that the streets have New York has become war zones, last night the body of Garfield Lynns was taken down from a tree after he was killed by high degree burns.
He was not the only death as others were found shot or stabbed to death. Police say they are investigating the deaths, and the people are trying to stay out of the shooting...'
Marc sat looking at the screen rubbing a crescent dart in his hand. Gliding alongside the sharp edge, cutting himself letting blood dripoff.
"Black Mask"
Seeing blood running off his finger, setting the blade down.
Warehouse
"Alright assholes listen up!"
Black Masks voice echoed through out the building. Men from all over had came to work for the new crime lord of New York. Standing from his office looked over his new crew.
"In these crates is our ticket to makin money! If I see we short or catch any of you stealin you best make your peace with God!"
The men hung on every word listening to his instructions.
"Now bust them open! And start sellin!!" He shouted
The men broke open pulling out each package. They began to sort through what they had.
"How fast can we start moving?" Black Mask asked his assistant
"We can start on a few places, but we'll have to wait in others" he answered
"Good, now the money can start rollin in"
"Sir? How do you plan to deal with Moonknight?" He asked hesitantly
Black Mask took a long drag from his cigar thinking carefully. Moonknight had taken half his men in the few short weeks he had been in New York.
"New York is a dangerous place, a lot of shady figures" He ordered
"Sir?"
Gotham
Bruce had been kept up on what was happening in New York. What this Moonknight did to Firefly was unspeakable. Mercy wasn't show to him or anyone else for that matter.
Standing looking out his office window giving him the best view of his home. Things had gotten quiet not many crimes were committed, but he still did nightly patrols. Gordon seemed to like his paper load got lighten as did his smoking habit.
"Lunch sir" Alfred said setting a tray down
Not gaining a response the older man looked to see Bruce quiet.
"Sir is something wrong?"
"Alfred I'm thinking of going to New York" He answered
Alfred stared at the younger his back still facing him. A moment of quietness as Alfred uncovered Bruces meal. As well as pouring a steamy cup of coffee.
"Is it because of this Moonknight character?" He asked
"Yes, I've seen what he did to Garfield only a monster can do something like that" he answered taking his seat
"Maybe that is what is needed to keep New York safe?"
"A monster?"
"Men like Black Mask don't fear easily you've proven that, and Moonknight is only protecting his city" He concluded
"Speaking of which, look"
Opening his laptop he saw very little info on the vigilante. No pictures, no videos, only reports made about him. He would come across a few eyewitness accounts detailing what he did. It was unsettling to say the least, but he needed more info.
"Nothing, but eyewitness statements"
"He must be trained, or must destroy all traces of himself" Alfred responded
Bruce looked at the screen of each report. Hundreds dead, more injured, more damage done, those that survived had crescent scars on their forehead. He just couldn't bare the thought he could've been like him.
"I need to keep an eye on New York, just encase"
"As you wish sir, will I be keeping an eye on your properties in New York as well"
"Yes, I want make sure we don't get hit with surprises" He said with a grin
Ginas Diner (Morning)
Sitting by a window Marc stared at his coffee. It was barely empty with a few sips left. The place itself had didn't have many visitors beside elderly. The fesh smell of cooking eggs and bacon filled the diner.
"Hey Jake"
Turning so that he could peak from under his cap, to see the owner herself refilling his drink.
"Oh hey Gina..." replying rubbing the sleep away from his eyes
"How ya doin?"
"Good, you?"
"Fine the boys are stayin outta trouble which is nice"
"Anything happen lately?" He asked taking a sip
"Well..."
Taking the seat across from him, putting the tray down.
"I've been catching a few different folk comin in an' out the neighborhood lately" she answered
"Like who?"
"Like that biker gang from Hell's Kitchen, a few others I haven't seen before"
"Seems that I'll have take my taxi somewhere safer" Jake suggested
"No need to worry they usually stay close to the old warehouses, but keep most to themselves..." she reassured
"That's good to know-"
"That ain't what I'm worried about at the moment"
She scanned around the diner so nobody would eavesdrop.
"Remember Walter? The one that got that hip replacement?" She asked in a low whisper
"Yeah"
"Well he hasn't been here in the past week"
"Maybe he's just takin some time off" he suggested
"Even if he was, Walter always calls ever since his wife died last year" she retorted
Marc thought on it for a moment. He wouldn't normally be associated with private affairs, but if it was real concern he would.
"Where does he live? I'll swing by see if he's still kickin" suggesting taking the final sip
"He lives a few blocks east not far in an old apartment building, apartment 306" she smiled
Standing only giving a nod as placed a few bills on the table. Leaving hastily throughout the door. Getting the details last minute, walking down the sidewalk catching each red light. Soon making it to my destination. Entering the complex to an aweful smell of booze and cigarettes. Walking up the spiral stories of footsteps. Finally coming to the old man's home. The door seemed untouched, just grazing the doorknob it opened.
Seeing himself in closing the door behind. The place didn't have much a few things in the kitchen. Nothing unusual pots, pans, and other cooking necessities. Coffee was in still in the pot, picking it up they seemed rotten. Marc then turned his attention to the fridge opening as an unspeakable hit. Heaving as it was almost too much to bare. Another glance as everything within was spoiled. Closing it continuing further in.
The bathroom had nothing unusual, but one thing caught his eye. Pain killers prescription only given a last week. So it aligned with Ginas statement of his week gone. Closing the medical cabinet it he finally made way to the bedroom. Trying to open it with a nudge unable to. Soon using a majority of his strength, finding himself in tattered room. The night table was pushed over with its contents spilled out. A mirror broke, the laying against the door. A sign he was trying to keep someone out.
"Valuables still here, robbery dismissed, bed last minute attempt..." he examined
He then remembered the door, it was unlocked.
"No sign of force entry, he knew the intruder"
Walking back out he spotted a cup under the kitchen table. Getting a napkin from the counter picking the dish up. Rotating it in his hand then to his side pocket. Exiting the trashed apartment, to see the neighbour coming out. An elderly lady just locking her door.
"Hey lady!? Do you know where Walter is?" He asked
"No! Leave me the hell alone!!" She shouted
Ignoring her rudeness making his way down. Making it outside he scanned down both ways of the street. Glancing across spotting a homeless man sitting by a dumpster. Rushing across the man began to doze.
"Hey! Wake up! I need to ask somethings!" Marc said giving him a few gentle slaps
Slurring his words as his eyes seemed to be in a haze. Marc gave one more slap waking him up a bit.
"Yeah?" He slurred
"Do you know Walter is? The old man that lives across the street?" He asked
"Walter? Don't know any Walter, but Lazlo hasn't come around lately" he said again
"Lazlo?"
"Yeah, he comes by every now and then, and goes inside over there" he answered gesturing to the apartment building
"Do you know where he goes?"
"Nah, but he does own a van"
"Does it have a logo?"
"Nah, just a black van" he answered
"How do you know Lazlo?"
"He works as a volunteer at the homeless shelter"
Nodding Marc gave a few dollars leaving the sight. Leaving quickly having what he needed: a cup possible used by victim or suspect, a man named Lazlo, and a black van.
Walking down the street scratching my stubble a bit. Stopping at light waiting for it to turn red, staring as I heard voice.
"Justice must be delivered"
The voice was loud, and like a headache was intense. Pinching the bridge of my nose in pain. As Marc stood waiting a stranger came by my side. It was a woman, and she obviously was heading in a different direction. She wore expensive clothes, and stood with pride not most had. Peaking out the side as she paid me no notice. She waving down a cab, pulling over as she entered. The light turned red as it took off as did he.
Shelter
"So do you anything about a man named Lazlo?" he asked the pastor that worked with the shelter
"Yes, he comes give free medical check ups, works the kitchen most times" he answered handing out blankets
"Check ups? He's a doctor?" Marc asked
"Well he must be, a lot of the sick that come in here go a little brighter" he responded with a smile
"How often does he come?"
"Um...maybe three, four times a week, may I ask why you are hoping to find Mr. Valentin?" He asked
'Valentin? It must be his last name' Marc thought. Saving it as a note for later.
"Oh um...my friend Walter was looking for him"
"Walter? As in Walter Robinson?"
"Yes"
"Oh, he must be horid after his surgery Mr. Valentin was most generous in looking after him" he answered
"Why so eager?"
"May have wanted to do right, but now please I must tend to my flock" he said leaving
Marc needed to find this Lazlo, before he 'helps' anyone else.
Black Mask Building
"How is our shipment coming along?" He asked
"Yes, it seems almost everything is ready to go out tonight" he answered handing a folder
"Good"
Opening the file it had seemed eveything was accounted for.
"So what's next?"
"We ship what we got with proper guns so get mw thw best shot in town"
Black Mask took a glass of scotch and downed it.
"What about Moonknight"
"He will get what's coming to him"
His assistant stood quiet and nodded.
Rewritten