Old friends

Chapter 71

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

11:54 am

(Ivan's POV)

"So I just have to clean my ear?" I ask the tall, skinny man behind the counter. I reach up and touch the earring Fūjin gave me. I felt a tiny sting in my ear as I touched the earring. The man nodded. I nod back and take out thirty dollars. Cleaning my ear should be easy. I hand the man the thirty dollars and walk out of the store. I look around the street and start walking in a random direction. I felt the wind gather around me as I walked through the streets. It felt like the wind whisked away the weight grounding me to the Earth. It felt strange not feeling the weight of my own body. I lightly tapped my ring and stuffed my hands into my pockets. At least I know the gift is working.

I stared at the different shops as I walked aimlessly through the streets. I spot a store across the street named, 'Jeremy's appliances' with a help-wanted sign hanging on the front door. Maybe they have solar panels there. I walk over to the store and walk-in. It was a tiny shop, it was about as big as my bedroom. In the back corner of the wall was an old, frail man standing behind a tiny desk. I look around the store, the left wall had all kinds of tools that I didn't recognize. Some of the tools I recognized, like wrenches, drills, and hammers. I look away from the tools and spot wires, metals, batteries, computer parts. The store had a strong metallic smell lingering around the room. I look at the old man, the man had a kind smile as he stared at me. I notice a small rack of toy cars by the old man's side. It doesn't look like he has what I'm looking for though. The old man took a deep breath before asking me a question.

"Do you need help looking for something?" I turn towards the old man and respond.

"I'm just looking for places with solar panels." The old man nodded and signaled to me to come over to him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny notebook along with a pen.

"I can order them for you, do you already have the batteries, the charge controllers, and the battery, I'm also assuming you have the wires already? Oh! And the inverter. Do you also have the inverter?" I stared at him with a dumbfounded look.

"The what?" The man slowly blinked.

"You do know what you need to make a solar panel work right?" I slowly shake my head. The man slowly nodded and put his notebook and pen on the table. He reached into his pocket again and took out a thick textbook called, 'A Simple Practical Guide to Solar Energy - Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar Electric Systems: 2014'. He put the book on the table with a grunt. "If you don't know what you're doing then take this." I stare at the book then at him.

"How much is the book?" The man shook his head.

"It's free." I lift my eyebrow in suspicion. There's just no way he's giving it for free.

"Do you want me to do something for the book? Of do you want me to get you something?" The man chuckled.

"I already told you it's free." I slowly take a step forward and reach for the book. I quickly put the book into my Inventory and look up at the man.

"I have to get some other stuff for the panels to work?" The man nodded and picked up his notebook. He flipped it to a random page and picked up a pen.

"As I said before, you need batteries, charge controllers, batteries, and wires. Just how out of curiosity, what are you trying to power?" I thought for a bit about how to describe the camp.

"I guess it's the size of a small city?" The man nodded and started to write in his notebook.

"The cost will be thirty-five thousand dollars. The parts will take a while to come in though. I nod and take out the amount of change needed. I hand the old man the money, he happily took it and wrote something in his notebook. "Give me a week to get everything." I nod slowly in response.

"Is that it?" I asked. He nodded silently. I quickly turn around and walk out of the store. I walk towards my right and start making my way towards the surface. I thought that would be harder. Hopefully, it wasn't a scam though. It felt way too easy.

As I walked by an alley I heard the loud sound of metal banging against the brick wall. I take a quick glance towards an alley, my eyes widened as I saw a skinny, wide-eyed teenager shakily point a pistol that could easily fit in the palm of my hand. The teenager had bright orange, curly hair, his eyes were wide as he shakily put his finger on the trigger. I quickly send a wind arrow towards his hand. The arrow pierced the middle of his hand, the teenager screamed. Thick dark blood dripped onto the ground as the gnu clattered onto the ground. The gun suddenly shot a single bullet the second it hit the ground. I instinctively raise my arms to my face and cover my face. I slowly lower my arms and check my body. I breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of my body unscathed. I look up at the teenager.

I took one step towards the teenager, the teenager whimpered as he took a step back. As I gold closer I noticed a thin sheet of smoke covering his body. It took all my attention to keep spotting the sheet of smoke. I take out my shotgun and use the wind to tug at the teenager's shirt. The teenager stumbled forward and fell on the ground at my feet. I swiftly kick at the side of his head, I point my shotgun at him as I weakly stomp on his head.

"Were you trying to rob me?" The teenage whimpered in response. I take my foot off his head and use the wind to force him to look at him. I pick the teenager's gun with the wind, his eyes widened at the sight of my gun inches away from his forehead. I rested my finger on the side of the gun. I felt a tiny smile come onto my face the more I looked at the teen. I lean in forward and press my gun into his forehead. "Did you just try to rob me?" He slowly shook his head. I roll my eyes and slam his head onto the floor. The teenager screamed as a faint crunch came from the bottom of my feet. I let go of the teenager, he slowly lifted his head. He groaned as he shakily lifted himself up to his knees. I put my gun into my Inventory and waited patiently until he was on his feet. I tapped my foot as he wiped the blood from beneath his nose. A loud whistling sound came from his nose as he breathed. It angered me watching him slowly get up. I sigh and use the wind to hold him up. I take out Winter Rose and point it at his chest. "If you don't answer I swear to god this spear will be in your chest."

"I was-um" The teenager squeezed his eyes shut as he continued. "I was hired to kill you." I silently stared at him in disbelief. I thought he was just here to rob me. Or tried to capture me to sell me like the first time I came here. But if someone wants me dead, then I would imagine it would be Dominique. I don't know anyone else who would want me dead.

"Who sent you?" I demanded.

"I don't know, he was wearing a mask, I-uh he was black!"

"Was be muscular? Was he tall? Did he have any injuries?"

"He looked strong, definitely tall. He looked fine." He said in a squeaky voice. Dominique is all of those things, but I just have to make sure it actually is him.

"Is that it? Anything else?"

"I have his phone number?" I felt the wind go into his pocket and pull out his phone. I grabbed the phone and powered it on. I swipe up on the screen, to my surprise he didn't have a password. I put Winter Rose back into my Inventory and take out my own phone. I quickly go into my contacts and click on Dominique's name. I looked at the teenager's phone and went into his phone. I scrolled up and down, I didn't see a glimpse of Dominique's name on his phone. I smack my lips and type in Dominique's phone number. I sigh as his phone number came up in his recent. I knew Dominique was going to do something like this. I let the wind drift off as I put my phone back into my Inventory. The teenager's head swayed from side to side as I handed him back his phone. He shakily grabbed the phone from my hands and put it back into his pocket. I stare directly into his eyes and pulled out Tribute.

"Do you know where he is?" I asked the teenager. He slowly shook his head in response. I notice that the color was draining from his skin. I look down at his hands, blood still dripped down his hand but the bleeding was gradually slowing down. I look back up into his eyes and back down at his hands. I could give him a potion, but he did try to kill me. I'll just let him go, if he isn't an idiot then he'll get some help for all that blood he lost. "If you try to kill me again, I promise you'll never see the next day," I growled in a deep demanding voice. His eyes widened but he didn't do anything. He just stood there. I ignore him and turn around. Before I could get out of the alley I suddenly remember the look of disappointment that Goldie looked at me with when she found out I robbed a bank.

A tight, warm feeling formed in my chest. I frowned at the thought of Goldie making that expression. I look over my shoulder and see the teenager's legs struggling to stand upright. Goldie wouldn't know if I just left him here. I felt my eyes soften the more I looked at the teenager. But if she did find out... I doubt she would like what I did. I'm one hundred percent positive Goldie loves children, he can't be that much older than me, I know Goldie would at least try to save him. I groan as I turn around and take out a large health potion. The teenager flinched as I walked up to him and stretched out my arm. He stared at the potion with no reaction.

I groan and quickly open the bottle. "Drink this you idiot, it's medicine." He slowly nodded as he shakily reached for the potion. His grip around the bottle was weak, I don't know if it was out of fear or if I did something but he struggled to lift the bottle up to his lips. I use the wind and helped him lift the bottle. The second the bottle reached his lips, I turned around and left. I didn't bother to make sure that he was going to be okay. Just giving him one of my health potions should be enough for him.

I quickly made my way towards Dominique's gun shop and stop at the front. I guess that 'Kill Dominique' quest is going to be done now. I would rather not do this right now, I would rather be at home sleeping. But if he's going to send people after me to kill me, I have to kill him now before he sends more people. A rush of adrenaline pulsed through my body as I walked up to the door. I felt sweat form on my palms, I take a deep breath and pull out my shotgun. The door flung open as a stream of wind slammed right into the door.

I swiftly run inside and point to where the cash register was. To my surprise, there was a dark-skinned person with a skull tattoo covering the right side of his face standing behind the cash register. In his hands was a tiny I-phone. I thought Dominique would be here, maybe he's at his other shop? He put his hands up as I started to walk towards him with my shotgun aimed at his chest. I let go of my shotgun and left it floating in the air. I leaned over the counter and pointed at the man's phone.

"Call Dominique," I demanded while I tilted my head towards the gun. The man nodded and quickly went into his contacts. I back up a bit and jump over the counter. A gust of wind surrounded my finger as a ball of wind formed at the tip of my fingers. I let the ball float into the air, I held the ball of wind in place as the man's phone started to dial. "Ask where he is." The man had a blank stare as he brought the phone up to his ear and looked straight ahead.

"Dominique, I was jus wondering where you were at? I wanna talk to you about somethin." I hear Dominique's deep voice on the phone but I couldn't understand what he was saying. The man nodded and hung up the phone. The man blankly turned his head to face me. I notice a tiny, barely visible stream of smoke rising from the top of his head. I notice a tiny gray pistol move in the corner of my eye. My eyes widened as the pistol suddenly flew up into the. Before it could point in my direction I quickly use the wind and press the trigger. The man smirked as he raised his hands, my body froze as the sight of twelve tiny pieces of metal floated inches away from him.

I turn my attention to the ball of wind, I quickly move the ball towards the man's direction. I felt the side of my head turn numb as I quickly duck behind the counter. I felt the back of my head tingle. I quickly use Wind Cannon's to launch myself backward. I let out a loud grunt as the back of my head slammed into the counter. I heard a loud yell come from right in front of me. I look towards the ball and see the ball of wind dig into the man's eye. Tiny spots of blood flew into the air as his skin was quickly torn off. The man was quickly lifted off the ground and flew across the room. The sound of metal ringing filled the room as the man's body was slammed into a wall full of guns. Long, round, bright red scratches circled around the man's right eye. The whites of his eye were bloodshot, the middle of his eye was slit into two. The man groaned as he felt around his right eye.

I quickly pulled out Tribute and aimed the gun at the man. The gun suddenly flew out of my hand and pointed its self at me. I notice the trigger move but it didn't shoot. Thank god I didn't put any Mp into the gun yet. I suddenly felt the middle of my neck start to tingle. I quickly launch myself over the counter, I yelp as I felt a hot throbbing blanket pulse through my shoulder. I felt the wind leave my lungs the moment I fell onto the ground. I took a quick gasp of air and sent a wind arrow at the man. The man quickly got up and scrambled towards the counter. A pulse of adrenaline ran through my body as the guns hanging still on the wall now soared towards my direction. I bit my lip as I saw my wind arrow aim straight into a gun, the gun was knocked back a bit but the wind making up my arrow faded away. I sent a wave of air towards the guns. The guns were all knocked back an inch before they were back to aiming towards me.

Before I could reach a pistol's grip smashed right into my left eye. My head snapped to the side like an army of guns closed in. I quickly launch myself to the side just in time to dodge a shotgun slamming into my shoulder. Everything stopped as I quickly formed a wind arrow on the tip of my finger. They rushed to my side and swiftly lifted me up to my feet. I took out a small pebble and threw it in the man's direction. Everything suddenly started to move. I quickly snap my finger. I felt my body fly back as I felt the heat of the fire reach my face. I yelled as pieces of metal sailed across my skin. The back of my head slammed into the wall as ringing filled my ears. My body shook as I slowly got back up onto my feet.

I took deep quick breaths as I looked around the smoke-filled room. I notice the man slumped over the counter. His arm was bent back, a large chunk of flesh was missing from the right side of his skull. I winced at the sight of his skull piercing his skull. I turn around and search for my gun. I notice Tribute laying on the counter. I walk over to Tribute and pick it up. There wasn't a single scratch on the gun. I look over my shoulder and look over at the pile of guns. Almost all the guns were blown to pieces. There were only a few that actually looked like they could still work. There was no sign of my shotgun. I sigh as I walk over to the pile. There was no gun that caught my eye, I didn't think there was anything worth picking up.

I take out my small, gray pistol and stare at it. I still have this pistol and my M16. I know I have ammo for the pistol but I don't have anymore the M16. I look around the place in an attempt to find ammo. Instead, all I found were tiny pieces of metal scattered all over the floor. I sigh as I put the pistol back into my Inventory and walk out of the store.

I suddenly felt a wave of pain slam right into me as the adrenaline slowly faded away. I felt sharp stings run up and down my body. I look down and notice a hole in the middle of my right shoulder. A burning feeling lingered around my shoulder as blood ran down my arm. I felt the pressure build-up in my head, I felt around my eye and felt a small bump under my finger. The ringing in my eyes faded with each passing second. I blink slowly and take out a medium-sized health potion. I slowly drank it, the second I emptied the bottle I tossed it onto the ground. I wipe my lips and sit right in front of the doorway.

I sigh as I looked over my shoulder to look at the store. If Dominique wasn't at his gun shop then he might be at his car shop, but if he isn't there... I wouldn't know where to go. He might be at his apartment or he could be gone. I stand back up and look down at my arms. A tinge of bitterness swirled in my chest as I stuff my hands into my pocket. A sharp pain ran through my shoulder with each movement of my left arm.

I might as well check his other shop first.

12:17 pm

I walk up to Dominique's car shop. Everything felt eerily quiet. Whenever I came to his shop, there would be people walking around looking at the cars. But now, there was no one in sight. It was like everyone vanished. I walk in between the cars and made my way towards the shop. The sound of my footsteps echoed through the air. I felt the skin in the middle of my forehead tingle. I notice a flash of light coming from the roof. I launch myself in-between some cars. I wince as my head bumped against a car mirror, I quickly caught myself with the wind. A loud bang filled the air as I hugged my body against the side of a car. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins as another loud bang filled the air. I felt a heavy fired feeling fall over my left shoulder, my shoulder filled with pain the more I pressed against the car.

The middle of my back started to tingle. I quickly move another car by my side. I made sure to stay low and keep close the car. I stared at the spot where I was. I squint my eyes as I searched the area. I saw nothing that could hurt me on the spot. Why did Sixth Sense activate then?

I turned around, my body froze as I heard the sound of something slamming into the car. I look over my shoulder and notice the car I was just hiding behind rock back and forth. The sound of ringing grew loud and louder, I stared blankly at the car. The window suddenly shattered, a tiny piece of metal flew out of the car and aimed towards another car. The bullet bounced off another's window and flew to another car. The bullet bounced from car to car. I quickly launch myself out onto the parking lot. I felt something aim down on me from the roof of the building. I quickly put a thick wall of ice in between me and the building. I felt the middle of my chest start to tingle. My eyes widened as the bullet bounced from the window and onto the car mirror. The bullet shot off towards my direction. I quickly jump to the side just in time to avoid the bullet. I felt everything stop as I quickly got back up. I look up towards the roof, I notice a figure covered in gray standing on top of the roof with a sniper aimed in my direction. I form three Wind Arrows. I take a deep breath before sprinting across the parking lot. I felt everything return to normal as I hid behind a car. I sit behind the car and touch the back of my head. I felt a soft, tinder pain cover only a small part of my head. I waited for a bit, the air was silent. The bullet that was bouncing from car to car was nowhere to be seen.

Even the sniper hasn't made a sound yet. I take a deep breath and close my eyes shut. I imagined myself blending into my surroundings. I slowly peek out from behind the car. There was no sign of the sniper. I don't know if my arrow got him or if he moved somewhere else. I take out a poster and close my eyes. I took a deep breath as I felt the wind take the poster out of my hands and guide it to the roof. I opened my eyes and imagined the poster blending in with its surroundings. I felt sweat drip down the side of my cheek as my brain strained to keep track of the poster. I let out a loud sigh of air as the poster neared the roof. The poster's bright blue color stood out. I felt an uneasy feeling come over me as the poster landed on the roof. I take out another poster and drape the poster over my head.

I take out my M16 as my vision filled with white. I hold my gun up to my chest, I rest my finger on the trigger expecting someone to be aiming their sniper at me. Instead, I found a person laying down in a pool of blood. I quickly smile as I lift myself up into the air and down onto the front of the store. I walk up to the glass door and look inside. There were two people inside the building. I saw a car sitting in the middle of the car shop with a person sitting on top of the hood. The second person was sitting on top of the counter with his phone in his hand. I felt the wind bring me the two posters. I quickly bend down and put both of them in my Inventory. I hold the gun to my chest and look through the glass door. The man on the car's hood took out a pack of cigarettes. Before he could light the cigarette, I aim my gun at him and pull the trigger. The pack of cigarettes fell from his hands, I quickly move on and focus my attention on the guy near the counter. He swiftly rolled off the counter and hid behind the counter. I slowly open the door and step inside the building.

I kept my gun pointed at the counter as I slowly made my way towards the guy's direction. I felt my lips go numb. I stop dead in my tracks and look down. Suddenly a leather-like substance wrapped around from the back of my head and onto my lips and mouth. I felt my grip on my gun weakened. I drop my gun and bring my arms up to my face. I felt something thick blocking me from touching my cheek. I felt the air leave my lungs as the thing covering my nose and mouth tightened around my head. I reach behind and feel something flat behind me. I launch a blast of air out of my palm. I felt something grab my hair as I was suddenly launched backward.

I felt pain spread throughout the bottom half of my body as I landed on the ground. I felt something loosen their grip on my head and instead focused its attention on tightening their grip on my hair. I made a small icicle in my hand and bring up my arm. I bring down my arm and swing at whatever was behind me. I felt the icicle sink into something soft. I tried to pry the icicle from whatever was holding it, the icicle refused to budge. I felt something wrap around my neck as its grip around my hair loosed. I kicked at the air as I brought up my hands to my neck. My lungs begged for air the more I struggled to fight against whatever was holding me.

I gasped for air as my vision began to darken. I took my left arm off my neck and held up my hand. I formed a small, weak ball of air in my hand and let it drift behind me. I heard loud gusts of wind surround me as the pressure on my neck was released; I took in a loud gasp of air. I moved the air into my lungs and forced myself to get back up. I notice the guy standing behind the counter with a revolver aimed towards me. Before I could react I felt a sharp burning pain spread through my right leg. I yell as I felt my strength get swept away. I quickly make an ice wall between the guy and me. I fall onto my butt from exhaustion, a pool of blood gathered around my leg. I heard a pair of footsteps suddenly rush up behind me. I quickly picked myself up into the air. I yelp as something hard wrapped around my left foot. The thing yanked at my foot, everything towered above me as my body slammed onto the ground.

I turned onto my back as I felt the tiles crack beside my head. I looked up at whatever was attacking me but there was nothing there, all I saw was bright red goo hovering three feet above the ground. I quickly made a fist of ice on the ground, the fist quickly shot up and punched the red goo in the side. The goo moved to the side as the ice melted. I slowly got up to my feet as the red goo just hovered there. My legs shook as I took out Retribution. I put the two ends of the hilts together and swing at the red goo. I felt the blade sink into something soft, I pant as I take the blade out. Retribution felt heavy in my hands, my right shoulder burned with a fire-like sensation. The red goo suddenly stepped to the side, I felt the air rush out of my lungs as something that felt like a rock dug into my stomach. I bent over and collapsed onto my knees. I groan as something roughly gripped my shoulders. I let out a blood-curdling yell as I felt something round drill into the hole in my right shoulder. I felt my body leave the ground.

I shakily bring up my weapon and thrust at the goo. The blade went clean through the goo, the goo slowly went down. The way the goo fell down looked like it was falling down something. I gasp as my body was flying through the air. A loud crack came from my back as my body slammed into the car in the middle of the room. A loud metallic thud came from the car as my body fell to the ground. I look up and notice a spot of air shimmer around the red goo. I squint my eyes, my eyes widened as I traced the shimmering area up and down. It took me a while to realize that the haze was in the shape of a human. I stare at the red goo that I now realize was blood. How did I not realize that was blood? It even showed up when I stabbed him!

I let go of Retribution and shakily push off the ground. I felt the back of my head tingle as I struggled to pick myself off the ground. The wind rushed to my side, I flew off the ground and hide behind the car. I took dark deep breaths as I took out a large health potion. My health bar rapidly drained the more I bled from my leg. I quickly open up the potion and chug the whole thing in one gulp. The bleeding stopped but everything still felt weak. I felt the side of my head tingle as footsteps quickly approached me.

I slowly get back up and use the wind to bring Retribution back to me. I saw Retribution fly through the air in the corner of my eye. My eyes widened as I saw a haze of air walk around the car. The figure ripped the car mirror off, wires and a tiny white piece of plastic hung off the car mirror. The figure raised the mirror above his head, I quickly raise my arm and use Wind Cannon just in time to block the figure from throwing the mirror at me. The figure stumbled back and dropped the mirror. I used the wind and grabbed at the figure. I hovered slightly above the ground and move back. I reach for the front car door and quickly opened it. I dropped myself onto the ground near the back wheel. The figure stumbled forward and slammed into the car door, the door slammed shut.

The figure stumbled backward. I shakily stood up, I raise my arm up as Retribution landed in the palm of my hand. I pull the figure towards me again, the wind wrapped around the door handle, and swung the door wide open. The figure was lifted off the ground and towards me. I pour all my magic into my arm and thrust Retribution at the figure's blood. I heard a loud grunt as the blade sunk into his flesh. I let go of Retribution and use Wind's Cannon on his legs. I loud crack filled the air as the figure fell onto his knees. I use the wind and lift him off his knees, sweat dripped down my nose as I slammed the figure's head onto the car floor. Blood poured out of his head, I grip the car door and slam the door shut. The figure yelled as the door bounced off his head. The figure whimpered as I brought out Winter Rose, I raised the spear above my head and thrust at the floor.

An obese man wearing a black bullet-proof vest suddenly appeared laying down on the floor with blood pouring out of his head. I left Winter Rose in the back of the man's head, take a step back and sit down. Sweat dripped down onto the floor with each breath of air I took. I take out a bottle of water and drink the whole thing down in less than half a minute. I throw the bottle to the side. I hung my head down in exhaustion. My body ached with each second. I take out Tribute and put in five points of Mp into the gun. I gasped for air and stood up with shaky legs. I pointed the gun at the counter, I wince as my right shoulder felt like it was constantly being beat by a hammer. I let my right arm fall down to the side. I moved my left leg to move, I took in a sharp breath of air as a heavy sensation fell across my left thigh. I put my root foot in front and drag my left leg behind me.

I focused all my attention on the counter as I limped around the car. The guy behind the counter took a quick peek over the counter with his gun pointed up at the ceiling. My finger instantly squeezed the trigger. A bright light went through the middle of his gun, the gun screamed and dropped his gun. I picked myself up with the wind and fly towards the counter. I quickly pour ten points of Mp into Tribute as I softly landed in front of the counter. I slowly climb up onto the counter and point my gun at the guy. The guy had his phone close to his face. He didn't seem all too focused on me, all his attention was focused on his phone. He was moments away from dying, and all he could think about is his phone. I quickly used the wind and snatched his phone away from him. I quickly let go of Tribute and let it float in the air. I grab the phone and bring it up to my eyes. I really, really hope he just didn't tell Dominique about me.

I raise an eyebrow in confusion as I saw the man with two children by his side standing in front of a pond. They all had wide smiles on their faces as the man held up a giant fish. I put the phone down on the counter and stare at the man. The man squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear ran down his cheek as he tilted his head down at the ground. I grab Tribute out of the air. I aim Tribute down at his head and rest my finger on the trigger. I stared down at the man as I let out a deep sigh.

He isn't even fighting back anymore, I could just let him go. I thought back to what Goldie said, ' I'm teaching you how to use magic for self-defense'. It's not self-defense anymore if he isn't fighting back. My leg burned with what felt like fire as I looked at him. He did shoot me in the leg. I press my gun into his forehead, I spot his phone in the corner of my eye. I looked at his kids and then down at myself. But those kids don't deserve to lose the person who takes care of them. I felt water fill my eyes as I thought about Goldie. I know I haven't known Goldie for that long but... she's nice to me. I don't know what she wants from me but she's the closest person that I could call a parent. I don't think I've ever thought of her like that, I let out a deep sigh as slowly pulled my gun towards my chest and put it back into my Inventory.

I back up and point towards the door. "Get up and get out of here. If I even see a glimpse of you in the next five minutes, I will shoot you." The man looked up with wide eyes. He scrambled up onto his feet as he reached for his phone. He held his phone tightly to his chest as he jumped over the counter and sprinted towards the door. I held my breath as he left the building, I let out a deep loud sigh as the door closed. I walk over to the counter and slowly climb up onto the counter. I slowly position myself until I was on my back, I took shallow breaths in an attempt to block the pain pulsing through my body. I slowly sit up, a nauseous feeling fell over me as I sat up. I hold out my arm and try to take out an Insta-heal. I felt a gust of wind rush by as my palm was left empty. I blink slowly and stare at my palm.

How do did I even run out of Insta-heals? I groan and take out a large health potion. I slowly drink the entire potion and throw the bottle to the ground. I look up at my entire health bar, it was only seventy-five percent full. I sigh as I lay back on my back. My eyes widened as I heard footsteps echo walls in the distance. I quickly sit up and take out Tribute. I point Tribute towards the front of the door. I squint my eyes and slowly get off the counter. The footsteps still echoed somewhere off in the distance. I look behind me and stare at the door behind the kiosk. I turn around and point Tribute towards the door. The footsteps got louder and louder with each passing second. The door swung open. A man wearing a black coat with a brown vest underneath stepped out of the doorway with a cigarette in his mouth. Everything about him reminded me of how an outlaw would look like. He even had a stereotypical cowboy hat, the stereotypical boots, and the stereotypical revolver hanging by his side. The man stared at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You're a goddamn child?" The man said in a deep gruff voice. The man chuckled as he shook his head. I stayed silent as I pointed my gun at his head. "I thought I would be killing a man, not a boy." I glare at him as I rest my finger on the trigger.

"This boy is going to kill you if you don't get out of my way." The man chuckled as he looked down at me. My ears suddenly rang as the man's gun was suddenly pointed at my head. I slowly blink as I look down. I breathed deeply as I searched for bullet wounds, there wasn't a sign of me getting shot for the third time. I'm still alive, but I didn't get shot. Did he miss? The man slowly put his revolver into his holster and pointed at the counter with a smirk. I glance down, smoke rose out of a small bullet-sized hole in the counter. I look back at him as he closed the door.

"I would rather not kill a child," the man said silently as he grabbed the gun's holster and put it on the counter.

"Just because you don't have your gun no more doesn't mean you're still defenseless." I get off the kiosk and take one step closer to him. The man lifted his chin up as I pointed my gun up into his chin.

"If you're worried about those gifts, then there's nothing to worry about.|

"By gifts, do you mean Soul?" The man wrinkled his nose as he responded".

"Soul, gifts, privileges, whatever you want to call em', I just call em' gifts."

"If you're saying that you can't use Soul, then why don't you get out of here."

"Why do you want me gone so quickly? I ain't even do nothing."

"I just don't trust you, you almost shot me. I don't know if you missed or what, but if you don't get out of here right now then you won't see tomorrow's sky." The man glared at me as he slowly stepped to the side.

"First of all, I don't miss. I never miss, I don't like repeated myself, but I don't like killing children. You're goddamn lucky it was just a warning shot. Either way, even if you did kill me, you wouldn't be healthy enough to kill the people at the end of the hall." I tilt my head in confusion.

"Why are you telling me this?" The man shrugged as he slowly reached for the doorknob.

"Because the man paying me can't even take care of a child. I don't know who you are but I think the person you're after is a goddamn coward if he sends a tiny army against a kid." The man quickly grabbed his gun, before I could react he opened the door. Before I could press the trigger the man turned the doorknob. The man tilted his head towards the end of the hall and smiled. "You know what I'll help you." He stepped into the doorway. I notice the barrel of a gun poke behind a corner. The second a person stepped out behind a corner the cowboy quickly drew his gun and pulled the trigger. I heard a loud thud echo throughout the hall. A door just a foot in front of him swung open. In a blink of an eye, the man's arm flicked to the door. Smoke flowed out of the barrel of his gun as another thud filled the hall.

I put Tribute back into my Inventory as he turned around with a smirk. I look over my shoulder and use the wind to bring Winter Rose back into my hands. I pant for air as I put Winter Rose back into my Inventory. The cowboy put his gun back into his holster as he walked around the counter. He pointed towards me as he started to back up towards the front door.

"I don't if we're going to again, but if we do and you're older than thirteen, then I will kill you." He said before turning around and walking out the door. I raise my eyebrow as he left my sight.

I don't understand why he just helped me but I'm not complaining. I take out Tribute again and point down the hallway as I limp through the hallway and to the door at the end of the hall. I walk up to the door and take in a deep breath. If I'm remembering right, which I know I'am, then this should be Dominique's office. I look down at my shoulder and stare at the bullet hole. If Dominique is here, I don't think I'll survive. I can't even walk right. All I have to do is snap my fingers then he's dead. I could just end it right here. I should've just done that in the first place.

I put Tribute into my Inventory and hold my arm up. I put my index finger and thumb together. My left hand suddenly started to tingle. I take a step back as someone with a punching glove punched through the door. I quickly take out Tribute and fire into the door. The arm suddenly disappeared as a bullet hole appeared in the door. I use the wind to turn the doorknob, I push through the door just in time to see Dominique punch a large hole in the wall. He ran out the hole and into the parking lot. I let Tribute float in the air and bring up my hand to snap my fingers.

For a split second I felt my hand tingle, I saw a blur rush past my vision and through my hand. I felt my jaw drop as blood slowly dripped down my hand. I looked down at the ground, there was a tiny hole with a bullet covering most of the hole. I felt my arm tense up with a numb, heavy feeling. I slowly reach for Tribute, I felt my skin reluctantly move around the hole in my hand as I closed my hand around Tribute. I put the gun into my Inventory and quickly limp over to the hole. I watch as Dominique got in a red Honda Accord and started the car. I quickly lift myself off the ground and fly towards the car. I send out a wind arrow into the windshield. Before the arrow could even get close to the windshield, Dominique quickly pushed on the gas and sped out of the Honda's parking spot. The arrow disappeared as I fell to the ground; my left thigh gave out from my weight. I pant for air as I quickly got up to my feet.

"Sombra!"I desperately call out as I quickly limp towards Dominique's Honda, I watched Dominique leave the parking lot. I heard Sombra's hooves clop on the ground as the Kirin approached me. I quickly lift myself off the ground and onto Sombra's back. I point towards Dominique's Honda. " Follow that Sombra!" Kirin snorted before sprinting off towards Dominique. Sweat dripped onto my shirt as I take out Pain B Gone. My arms burned just holding up the bottle. I slowly open up the bottle with my right hand. I bring the bottle up to my lips, I felt three pills go down my throat. I put the bottle back into my Inventory and lick my lips.

I yawn as a sleepy feeling came over my body. The pain that once burned throughout my body faded away. There was still a faint throb pulsing through my body but it was enough for me to ignore. I bring out my M16 and aim at Dominique's car. Sombra slowed down as I put my finger on the trigger. My left hand still burned with pain, blood poured out of my hand and onto my gun. I take a sharp breath of air and pull the trigger. Bullets flew out of my gun and through the rear windshield. Dominique's car suddenly stopped. The front door opened but Dominique didn't come out. I swing my right leg over Sombra and jump off Sombra. I trade out my M16 for Tribute. My arms felt heavy as I pointed Tribute at the car. My legs shook with each step I took towards the car.

I felt adrenaline rush through my body as I approached the front door. Dominique took one look at me. In a blink of an eye Dominique towered in front of me, Dominique quickly dug his fist into my stomach. Spit flew out of my mouth. My head flew back as Dominique uppercut the bottom of my chin. My teeth dug into my tongue, I launch myself back with wind's cannon. The bottom of my shoes scraped against the asphalt. Dominique suddenly appeared in front of me. I hunched over as Dominique quickly punched my chest. The air left my lungs as a loud crack came from my chest. I quickly let out a wind arrow at Dominique's leg. Dominique disappeared and appeared five feet away from me. I gasped for air, I felt something wet come up my throat. Dominique glared at me as he held his arms up to protect his face, he bounced from foot to foot.

I lift Tribute into the air and quickly get out Retribution. The wind pushed the trigger, Dominique disappeared in a second. I blindly swing Retribution in front of me. Retribution suddenly stopped mid-swing as Dominique suddenly appeared. Dominique let out a loud grunt, Dominique had his right arm up as blood flowed down his arm. I let go of Retribution and aim a wind arrow at his thigh. Dominique staggered to the side in an attempt to dodge the arrow. The tip of the arrow slid by the side of his thigh; Retribution refused to let go of Dominique's arm as he quickly stepped forward and drew back his arm.

I desperately ducked, his arm went over my head. I take out Winter Rose and thrust forward. Dominique's fist burst into flames as he aimed towards Winter Rose. I quickly put Winter Rose back into my Inventory. Dominique took another step forward and held up his arm. My arm instinctively crossed my chest. I clenched my fist as a sword with a brown blade appeared in my hands. White cloud engravings went down the middle. I felt the wind gather around me as I swung my sword. Dominique's fist slammed into the side of my face, I watched his everything felt like it slowed. I felt the fire spread across my face but I didn't feel the usual fiery hellish feeling that would spread across my face. I know fire was spreading across my face, but it didn't feel like I was the one feeling it, it felt like I was sharing a numbed-down feeling with someone else.

My sword slid across Dominique's chest, he jumped away and held his chest. I quickly take out a water bottle and throw it up into the air. I slice the bottle open with the wind and let the water fall onto my face. I felt pain gather around my chest and my face. I glared at Dominique as he glared back. The whole world didn't feel real. It didn't feel right fighting someone who was there for me at the beginning. The person who first fed and housed me when I had nowhere to go.

I bit my lip and point my sword at him. I furrowed my eyebrows in anger as Dominique held his chest. Blood poured onto his shirt as he panted for air. I form a wind arrow and aim at his leg. He hunched over from exhaustion, sweat dripped down his cheeks. Dominique disappeared and reappeared five feet to the right. The arrow's direction turned and shot straight through Dominique's left thigh. Dominique fell to this knees. I gasped for air as I slowly limped towards Dominique.

I hold my sword over my head, Dominique glared at me as I got closer and closer. I quickly bring down my sword, Dominique leaned to the left and punched my stomach. I grunt as quickly bring up my sword and aim for his chin. Dominique was barely able to lean back as my sword grazed his chin. I held my sword over my head and take out Winter Rose. I thrust forwards. His eyes widened as blood dripped down the shaft. Dominique's fist was suddenly slammed against my nose. I weakly bring my sword down on his left shoulder. His arm went limp as his fist that was slammed into my face was now at his side. Unrelenting Forgiveness got stuck into his shoulder. Dominique desperately punched my lip. I stumble backward and use Wind Cannon on his legs. His leg was swept out under him. I put my weapons back into my Inventory and make Tribute fly back into my legs. Before Dominique could react I put a point of Mp into Tribute and shoot his leg.

Dominique screamed as I put another point of Mp and shoot his other leg. Dominique whimpered as he crawled back. I felt the area above my eye swell up as I limp to him. I put five points of Mp into Tribute and point the gun at him. Dominique's boxing gloves disappeared as he put his hands up.

"Hold on, hold on!" I glare at him as I limped forward. I said nothing as Dominique crawled back more. "I know having people trying to kill you look back, but I thought you were gonna track me down." I stay silent as I rest my finger on the trigger. Dominique shakily put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "I, uh, got people that owe me money. You can have all the money! If you just let me go." I let out a sigh as I pull the trigger. Dominique's body fell onto his back. The paper flew into the air. I quickly use the wind and grab the paper out of the air. I put Tribute back into my Inventory and look at the paper.

On the paper was a list of five names, next to each of their name was the date 'May 20th' written in large red letters. I guess these people owe him money. I put the paper into my Inventory and look at Dominique's body. I take out my skull ring and stare at him. I squeeze my eyes and take off my left glove. I put the ring on and put in a point of Mp. The ring glowed a bright blue Dominique suddenly appeared right above his body. Dominique looked down and stared at his dead body with wide eyes. Dominique looked towards me and backed up.

"I'll let you go, but you can't send people to hurt me, and when I ask for money you'll give me money." Dominique nodded and backed up towards his car. He slowly got into the car with his gaze trained on me. He closed the door and started the car. I collapsed to the ground, I felt Sombra snort behind me. I look up at Sombra, I smile as I stare at Sombra. I look back down as I notice a box appear.

You killed Dominique and completed a quest!

Rewards:

215 xp

$250

10 points

Marksman

I close the box and open up my Profile tab. I go to my titles and click on Marksman.

Marksman-

You are 50% more accurate with guns, guns also do 10% more damage.

I close the box and look up at Sombra again. Sombra lowered his head. I gently laid my hand gently on Sombra's head. Sombra stumbled as I slowly lift myself up. I moved my hand on Sombra's side as I limped to Sombra's side. I take out a blanket and place it on Sombra's back. I use the wind and lift myself up onto Sombra's side. I groan as I lay on Sombra's neck. My head spun, I felt all my energy leave my body as a fuzzy feeling covered my body. I take out a pillow and place it behind my head. I yawn as I took out another blanket and placed it on top of my body. My eyes slowly closed as Sombra began to walk. Before I could feel my consciousnesses fade, I quickly open my eyes.

"Sombra just take me to the train station."

12:34 pm

(Michael's POV)

I stare at the wooden circular hatch trapdoor in the dirt. I stand up and look around the garden. I look towards Weiss with a confused face.

"You think we should get someone?" Weiss slowly nodded.

"Probably."