An Enigmatic Past (Pt. 5: Two Weeks Later)
Two weeks had passed since Rane had entered Westopolis, his funds now running low from useless tips off of doctors who seemed to have no clue about a cure for the blood disease. All the knowledge and facts were just history on it, basically stating that it had begun to appear only ten years ago.
Rane was sitting at the desk in his room; he had almost spent all of his money to taxi himself around Westopolis looking for doctors to help him. Unfortunately none had seemed to have any answers. Currently he was looking through the web trying to find articles on anything that might help. He continued to search, until he came across an old news article about a former G.U.N. research facility located in outer space, apparently called the Ark. Nothing much was said, just that an accident had happened on board that end in casualties. It was unfortunate that it was shut down almost 50 years ago; due to the fact that medical research that could've benefited the medical field and help cure Rane's disease might've been taking place aboard. Rane decided not to delve further; seeing as how the colony was no longer in operation it was of no use to the hedgehog to learn anything about it. Rane shut down his laptop and placed it in his bag. He then got up and started for the door of his room. Before he left he grabbed a metal baton that he'd bought in case anyone tried to jump him. The clothing he had worn to Westopolis was in his bag; he now wore more modern clothing to blend in. In particular he was dressed in sleeveless navy blue shirt over top of it was a black hoodie. He also wore baggy tan cargo pants, along with red sneakers. Over his eyes he wore a pair of reflective sunglasses to cover his eyes. Soon he was out the door and down the stairs as he was reaching the end the man at the front desk called him over.
"Hello sir, I'm sorry to have to say this but the hotel had to end the deal early. Not enough people were jumping on. What I mean to say is, this weekend will be your last stay. I'm sorry for your unfortunate luck. I hope you enjoy your remaining 2 days." The man said with a false smile, trying to hide emotions of sympathy.
"I see, well I don't blame you. And I would like to thank you for the hospitality. I guess things will just be a little tight from now on." Rane said as he left the building.
He was soon out into the midday of the thriving metropolis, looking around he saw thousands of people just walking all around. The skyscrapers helped to sculpt the beauty of the city. Rane stopped looking at the surrounding, knowing full well what his situation was now. Soon he would be living on the streets barely surviving amongst the countless number of homeless who filled the streets at night, begging for money just to get by. Though today and the next two, he would at least have a place to stay. His mission right now was to meet with a doctor located on the east side of the city, as he understood he would be walking through a myriad of back alleys just to get to this doctor's house. The crimson hedgehog began his route to the doctor's house by starting with one of the many alleyways.
Only around twenty minutes had passed and Rane was already feeling uneasy. His senses told him that caution was the best choice as he was beginning to come across the longest alleyway and the one that would lead him to the doctor's home. Just as he was reaching the end, a quick snap and the sound of metal beating against a dumpster was heard.
"Hey you, turn around and come over here! Your money is ours!" Someone shouted.
Rane spun around to see three men. All of them were dressed in a punk fashion of studded leather vest, torn jeans, black leather boots and outlandishly dyed hair. The leader apparently was a scrawny looking guy with a chain in his hand. He also had a Mohawk that was only dyed a single color, a deep purple. Probably somehow signifying his importance. The other two just had long hair down to the middle of their backs that was dyed an assortment of greens, purples, and oranges. One carried a 2x4 with a nail and the other held a switchblade.
"I have no time to bother with you, I was planning to meet with someone today." Rane stated calmly.
"I'm hoping, it wasn't that doctor that lives on this street. Cause we just robbed his ass only about an hour ago. That guys dead or lying in a hospital wishing he was." The leader said in cocky tone toward Rane.
"Well, I guess you three just pressed your luck too far!" Rane yelled as he rushed toward the men, pulling his black steel baton and extending it out.
The guy holding the 2x4 took the first swing at the hedgehog, but missed due to the hedgehog's faster reaction. Rane rolled off of the man spinning to face his back and took an all out swing putting the guy down instantly. The next guy to come at him was the one with switchblade who attacked with an assortment of quick thrusts and slashes. Rane managed to counter a hit and jumped to kick the man to the ground. Just as he was going to put the guy out of the fight, the leader came and blindsided Rane using his chain to choke him from behind. Rane tried to fight the man, but was having difficulty overcoming the man's overpowering grip. As he was beginning to black out, his baton fell from his hand. Rane's strength was almost spent when an idea came to him. The man who had been carrying the switchblade was back up, a perfect moment for the hedgehog to execute his plan. He was soon rushed; the thrust of the knife came quick. It barely scratched Rane, as he lifted his body up. Soon a scream was heard and blood could be seen dripping to the grown. The man who had his grip on Rane now dropped him. In an instant the tides had been turned. The man with switchblade had stabbed his leader and was looking over the body. In a rage he came furiously running toward the hedgehog. He once again tried to hit him, but all his energy was spent from the moment in which he had tried to kill Rane. Rane dropped below the man's thrust, put his leg between his opponent's legs and threw him to the ground. Then he went over picked up his baton, only to go back and break the man's wrist, destroying all the nerves located there.
"Let that be a lesson to you and your group. Your actions caused you this pain, I hope you can live with it." Rane says as he walks away towards the hotel, pushing his baton back in.
He was now back in his room, an unfortunate string of events had left him no closer to achieving his goal. The men who had maimed the doctor who might've had the answers only depressed him further. Feeling the loss of hope was overwhelming, an emotion he wished he never had to feel. Tears came pouring from the hedgehog's eyes as he cried over the guilt feeling that he had failed not only himself, but his dear mother too. The pain was hardly bearable, a feeling that he never wanted to feel again. As quickly as the tears had come, they stopped. He then wiped the remnants away with the back of his hand and stood up. Feeling determined and not wanting to have the emotional pain come back, Rane jumped into his bed and went to sleep. He knew his adventure for what seemed like a quest for the Holy Grail was only beginning and that the day would come for when he would have the cure.