Third chapter here... I know the first chapters are always boring (or almost always) but things are going to be a little more intense. Now, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Until then I hadn't had many problems but tons of questions. With all the things that had happened to me, I also had to face with two twins who disappeared without a trace in less than a second. I also had the feeling they knew me and that made me nervous.

But then the real problems started to appear. While I was walking down the street, I saw a sign showing how to identify the main enemy: "You shall know the False Shepherd by this mark!". In the center appeared a hand with a mark of an X and a circle in the center. I looked at my right hand and felt more nervous as I confirmed to myself I had the same mark. So apparently my tattoo was the sign I was the public enemy number 1 of this city (at least I got that conclusion after seeing 1000 posters warning of the arrival of a false shepherd who wants to take the lamb/ girl). I was nervous but also furious... that tattoo had a very personal meaning to me and the fact that that symbol was treated like almost mark of the antichrist...

'Ethan...' - I looked at it and sighed resignedly. I didn't want to get in trouble so I covered it with the sleeve of his sweat. Anyway... how did they know I was coming?

I heard a crowd of people singing a popular song and followed the sound. The Monument Island looked closer so I was going well for now. In the street I met some cops talking and one had something in his arm. Watching him closely, I felt my jaw fell. It was cuff attached to a swivel hook that worked thanks to a 4-finger trigger. I also wanted one of those but from what the police said the only way to get it was by being part of the cops. For obvious reasons, I couldn't. I sighed again and climbed the stairs to the raffle. I went down to a smaller stage and saw people gathered in front of it. They were holding a baseball in their hands and sang merrily while a man was encouraging them. I moved stealthily through the crowd to avoid any attention and tried to get to the next exit.

'Hey mister! Mister!' - I stopped and saw a woman in front of the stage holding a basket full of these balls. - 'Come on! Grab one before it's late!'

'Ok...' - I approached and grabbed one. Turning it saw the number 77. Wait, that number...

'77? That's a lucky number. I'll be rooting for you.'- she told me while she was winking at me but I was too busy watching the ball. Didn't have those Lutece warned me to not pick that number? Then the suited man caught the attention of people.

'Bring me the bowl!' - A pretty smiling blond girl appeared with a bowl and stood beside the man. - 'Is that not the most prettiest young white girl in all Columbia? Haha!' - I frowned after hearing that while the others laughed with the man. That was the most racist thing I've heard in a long time. The host drew a card and looked at the contents. - 'All right then... the winner is... number 77!'

Oh, what a surprise. At that time I would have gone running but the girl from before began to point me excited.

'Over here! Over here! He's the winner!' - Bye to my idea to avoid any attention. Thank you very much.

'Well boy, come and claim your prize!' - as I approached the stage curtain was opened. It showed a mobile decoration and from behind appeared an interracial couple. - 'First throw!'

The couple looked pleadingly people. They were dirty and were wearing broken cloths.

'Please... please don't do this...' - said the woman almost crying.

'It was me! It was all me! Let her go, please! I am the one you want!' - Said the man trying to defend his girlfriend. I paled when I discovered what the people wanted... They used the raffle to throw balls and humiliate people who had dark skin, were different race or had any connection with those who were different. In this case it was an interracial couple and the others were singing a wedding song as a joke. I couldn't believe how they could be so cruel...

'Come on, are you gonna throw it... or are you taking your coffee black these days?' - said the host while he was laughing. I looked at him furiously and prepared the ball.

'I got something for you, you son of a bitch!'- I went to throw the ball directly to his face but then a cop grabbed my arm.

'It's him!' - said as he got off my sleeve and showed my tattoo. Shit, I've been discovered...

'Now, where did you get that brand, boy? Don't you know that makes you the back-stabbin', snake-in-the-grass False Shepherd?' - told me the host grimly and walked toward people. Another policeman appeared on my left. - 'And we ain't lettin' no False Shepherd into our flock, haha!'

Everyone who before was singing merrily now were looking at me like I was a demon. Suddenly the police lifted the sky-hook that I had seen before and it went straight to my face while spinning at full speed. I quickly threw up the baseball that I still was holding up and the right cop got distracted, letting me go. Instinctively I grabbed the man by the neck from behind and stepped him between me and the hook to block the attack. Then the machine crashed into the police's head and didn't expect that thing would cause a real carnage. The wheel literally crushed the man's face to the point of staying engaged and saw the other police release the armband and run to the Monument Island along with the rest of the people. I looked shocked the dead body... The attack hadn't splashed me and but there was a pool of blood under the body. Damn, I didn't want... I turned around and saw police arrive with clubs and sky-hooks, ready to kill me. Without thinking I took the machine and took off from the body. Now I had no time to grieve, those men would kill me if I didn't do something. I dodged the first attack and threw my arm out to the police with the hook. He fell down and I went to the next cop. This one was too slow and the hook hit his neck, decapitating him. After that attack, I was completely alone and I heard whistles in the background, surely from more police... but I still couldn't avoid looking at the dead men. It had been in self-defense because they were going to kill me but... Fuck, why me?!

After my first fight, I went to the Monument Island but just when I was going to pass the bridge, it was blocked. I had to take another long way, full of cops who I had to face with no other choice. All the calm I had before was completely gone and now I couldn't go a minute without another enemy appeared trying to killing me. With the gun I got in the lighthouse, I could easily get rid some groups but every time I progressed, the number increased. I also found a turret that began to shoot me without stopping and I had to cover myself behind anything. I heard the police coming and cursed. If I fought them, I was going to suffer a lot. Then I had an idea and I looked out the side. Before the machine could shoot me, I threw possession and it stopped. Then it turned to the police and fired at them, killing some and forcing others to retreat. I left my hiding place and fired several times to clear the way. When there was no enemy, I saw a vending machine and approached to it. I saw there was something like an improvement of the vigor and bought it. I picked up the ammunition from the policemen bodies, feeling terribly bad for do that, and walked toward a gate. I didn't know why but as I got closer, I felt that the temperature had risen considerably and smelled like burnt.

'It's too hot. What's going on?' – I opened the gate and then I understood everything. I saw a man or something like fuming and with a red glow that I quickly figured that was emanating heat. He jumped to where I was and shot a fireball. - 'Oh, shit-' - before the ball could hit me, I jumped to the side and the ball broke out against the wall, exploding. Okay, that wasn't a fireball. It was a fucking grenade!

'BURN FALSE SHEPHERD!'

Wasting no time, I ran while he threw me incendiary grenades. I ran to a pillar and covered there. I counted mentally and left my coverage while shooting at my enemy. He stepped back and sent me another grenade but I dodged and loaded the ammo from the gun. I shoot again and finally he fell down. When I saw he didn't move, I went to check if he was dead but then I saw his body glowing and ran back without hesitation. The body exploded and disappeared without any trace. Only one bottle was in its place and I realized it was vigor. The bottle was shaped like a devil woman blowing fire and the head was the lid.

'Devil's Kiss... Well, you only live once.' – I removed the lid and drank the content. The liquid was thick and very spicy. Then I felt a strong tremor in my hands and looked at them while frowning. Saw my fingers scorching slowly with a red glow and were consumed until a flame came from both palms and my hands burned. – 'Shit! SHIT!'

My fingers were consumed until the bones and then my hands did the same. Then I blinked and jerked…My hands were normal again.

'Woah... That was intense.' - I realized I was shaking a bit and I took a minute to regain composure. I took all the ammo I found and followed the street that was burned thanks to the fireman. Then I came across and a turret started to shoot me. I ran to a signal and covered there. I looked at my palm and then a grenade was formed. I quickly looked out and threw it into the machine, making it to explode instantly. I smiled satisfied. - ' That looks better now.'

After following the street, I walked into a restaurant called "The Blue Ribbon ". It seemed to be a popular place but thanks to my arrival, there was nobody... or so I thought.

'We have company.' 'We do indeed.'- Raised my gun but went down when I saw the twins.

'Why are you following me?' - I asked confused.

'We were already here.' 'Why are YOU following US?'

'I… forget it.' – I said tired. - 'Could you could tell me at least who you are?'

They both looked at each other and then at me.

'Rosalind Lutece.' 'Robert Lutece.' - Responded both. After listen the last name, I looked at them furiously.

'Finally I've found you... Thanks to you I'm in a mess and people treat me like a kind of the public enemy so you're already giving me explanations. Like how I have stepped back in time and why people knew of my arrival.'

'The sooner you find the girl...' – said Rosalind and walked into the kitchen.

'…the soon you will find your answers.' - finished Robert while he was cleaning the bar like there wasn't nothing more to do.

'Can you at least tell me why you chose me?' - asked a little desperate. - 'I mean… sure there were others who were better than me.'

'That's the problem.' – said the woman who had returned with a tray and a bottle.

'You were the best candidate.'

'Come on...' – I was feeling too tired. After everything that has happened to me, not having clear answers wasn't good.

'Aperitif?' – I looked at the woman and approached to her.

'What is it?' - I asked not feeling sure.

'You'll find that handy in a pinch.' – told me Robert.

'The difference between life and death.' - I grabbed the bottle and opened it. There was no smell at all and when I drank the liquid, also had no flavor.

'What's supposed to -?' - A force pushed me so hard I hit back against a table and broke it. While I was trying to get up while whimpering, the twins looked at me curiously.

'Hmm... Surprising.' - she murmured thoughtfully.

'Surprised that it worked?' - The man asked.

'Surprising it didn't kill him.' – Finally I got up and staggered a little.

'Okay, what was that?' - I asked confused. I felt like something was covering my body but didn't feel any weight on me.

'A magnetic repulsive field around your body. May be useful.' - Robert said.

'If it doesn't kill you.'

'A fair point.' – I looked confused at my hands and shrugged.

'Thanks... I guess.' – They both nodded and returned to their duties. I walked out of the restaurant through the back door and found a dead end. I cursed and I despaired but then I saw a metal claw on the top of a building. I looked at my sky-hook and then at the other. - 'Okay, I don't know if this is gonna work but if not...'

Swallowed and took a few steps back. Then I ran and jumped. In less than a second I prayed to all the gods of all religions to make it work. Instead of falling over the edge, my sky-hook impulsed me up and went directly to the piece of metal.

'WOAH! This thing must be magnetized.' – I moved using the other claws and saw a soldier in the next platform. Without hesitation, I jumped into him and the hook threw me to man. I could hit him in the air and finish him off with the sky-hook. Another soldier appeared and shot me with a machine gun before I could avoid his attacks. But I was surprised to see how the bullets were repelled. I just felt a little tickle... I took my gun and prepared myself.

'This already makes a big difference.'

After writting this chapter, I have to admit I love the Lutece scenes. Their scenes are simply weird and funny, and also are great characters.

In the next chapter, Marc maybe meets Elizabeth so things can be really interesting... Promise to udpate soon!