Chapter 3: The boy

[Inside the city of Jax]

[Seven days before the Awakening]

"Have you seen the viral video on the internet today?"

"A video of crazed people suddenly attacking and biting another? "

" Yeah, that one. Jesus, was it a promotional video or what? What kind of person creates such a gory movie anyway? I doubt anyone would like it. "

" But do you think it's fake though? I've heard it was real. People have been seeing a lot like that on the internet lately. "

The girl wearing a pink sweater snorted, " There's no way it's real. If it were, the news would have broadcasted it already. You silly, you shouldn't believe anything that's been crawling around the internet nowadays. People will do anything to get attention. "

With a pop of her bubble gum, the other girl changed the topic casually, " Nevermind that. Let's talk about my date today. You're never gonna believe....."

The two left the store, giggling at the topic at hand.

Meanwhile, inside the store stood a 6 year old boy, holding an ice cream in one hand, staring at a strange guy in front of him.

"Mister, why are you buying so many? There are 1..2..3..8 boxes already now. You must be rich!" The boy curiously asked as he counted the box filled with canned foods and water bottles. He licks at his ice cream and at the same time waits for the strange guy to answer.

With a strong lift, the strange guy carried three boxes in total towards the rented truck outside that was parked nearby the store. A moment later, he came back with empty hands.

"Here, get yourself some snacks. You did as I asked, guarding my boxes. Good boy. " The strange guy, now a kind guy, let out a gentle smile as he gave the boy a small pocket money. The boy's eyes widened in delight thinking of many things to buy with the money he earned. Satisfied, he pocketed the money, " No big deal, Mister. I only did what I was told. Thank you, Mister! "

"James!" A voice filled with worry caught the two's attention and turned towards the voice. A lady in a yellow dress was seen walking towards them with worry etched on her face. Only when she reached out to her son did she sigh in relief. It wasn't long before her face changed to anger.

"Mom!"

"How many times do I have to tell you to never run off alone?! I've been searching for you the whole time! "

"But mom—"

"Quiet! Quickly, let's go. "

With a rude glance towards the strange man in front of her, she hastily left along with her child.

A tall man suddenly pops out beside her. The family of three were in a state of panicking as they without hesitation went on a buying spree. Many people inside the shop were caught off guard, seeing their manic actions. Disturbed, murmuring was starting to circulate as they eyed the family of three.

" Quick, get to the car. " After paying for the things they bought, the tall man, who's eyes clearly filled with panic and slight fear, quickly lead his mother and son outside without bothering to take their change.

" Hey, wait! You forgot your change! " Helpless, the staff could only go back behind the counter.

"Just consider it as a tip, young man. Clearly they are not in need of money. Weird aren't they?" An old man narrowed his eyes seeing the family of three. Approaching the staff, he gently revealed two packets of cigarettes." Here, punch mine. "

Nodding, " Indeed. I wonder why. That would be a total of 40 Zen, Sir. "

"Who knows. Anyway, thank you, Young man—"

BANG

A high pitch scream followed after a crashing noise of something.

Many heads turn towards the disturbance.

A pool of blood can be seen splattered before the counter. The staff eyes widened when he saw the kindred old man brutality died before him after being shot.

"HANDS ON THE GROUND! I REPEAT! HANDS ON THE GROUND! "

Two men donning their typical black mask were brandishing their weapon towards the people inside the store.

A robbery it seems.

"Quickly get all the money. We don't have much time!" Yelled the second guy as he pointed his gun towards the people who's now shivering on the ground.

The other guy jumped off to the counter pushing away the staff roughly as he proceeded to rob all the money, putting it all inside a black bag.

While everyone was busy with their thoughts in vexation, no one saw a youth sneakily grabbing a can of corn beef besides him. With quick and precise action, he throws it roughly to the bad guy on the counter. Hitting his forehead quite hard hindering him from digging out all the cash. The other guy watched it happen and got distracted as he was about to quickly shoot whoever did it.

However, it was too late. The youth who was now in front of him kicked the part where all men would hurt the most. Groaning in pain, half kneeled, he lost his grip on his gun. Taking the opportunity, the youth grabs the gun and kicks his head one last time. He then went to transfer his attention to the bad guy on the counter who started to regain his composure and saw how his partner got battered.

Once again, it was too late.

BANG

A scream in pain echoes across the store.

The bad guy on the counter was clutching his left shoulder in pain. Blood spilling out from it.

" Drop the gun or your head will be next. " The youth's voice was so calm in contrast to the situation.

His face didn't even waver seeing all the blood splashes in front of him. A gun on his right hand pointing to the bad guy.

Incredulity and fear is evident in the bad guy's eyes. At the same time, he was unwilling. It wasn't supposed to be like this. His plan was perfect. The fact that both he and his partner had guns on their arsenal, they were confident that they would leave unscathed.

Who would have thought that a brat would break their fragile confidence just like that. It's ridiculous to the point that he couldn't believe it.

His eyes then followed a scuffled noise just behind the youth and saw his partner got apprehended by some brave souls inside the stores. The youth was aware of that as well knowing that he could trust his back to them and confidently point his gun at the bad guy.

Everything that had happened from being hit by a can on his forehead to getting shot on his shoulder, it only lasted for a few seconds.

The worst part was that the sound of a siren coming from the police just stopped outside the store.

Before he knew it, he was already wearing a handcuff on his wrists along with his partner. Being maneuvered towards who knows where. Probably to the hospital first. After all, despite them being a vicious criminal, before the law they still need to be treated only then will they rot in jail.

" Alright! No one shall leave the premises under any circumstances. We still have to question all of you about what had actually happened. " A rough looking middle aged cop declared those words with a face coldly overseeing the scene.

Without further ado, everything was already under the police's grasp. Witnesses got questioned left and right.

One thing that befuddled all the cops was that a youth wearing black jacket and faded jeans was actually the one who saved them. From all the witnesses that he encountered, despite his mind logically whispering to not believe their ridiculous story, every word was similar to how each of them stated.

Only then did he ask his other colleagues to find out about the youth. Suddenly, another colleague of his approaches him.

" Chief James, we have obtained CCTV surveillance inside the store. You've got to see this. " A woman with a standard beauty, black slick hair and voluptuous body, solemnly said beside him.

A moment passed, a group of policemen gathered inside the monitoring compartment of the store. Their eyes glued on the screen revealing the scene of robbery.

" Unbelievable. "

" Indeed. "

"How the hell is he that fast?"

" Is that even something a young man can do? "

" He didn't even hesitate to click the trigger. "

Murmurs from different voices sounded inside the compartment, revealing their astonishment.

James frowned upon viewing the footage. Instead of focusing on the incredible act of heroism displayed by the youth, his attention fixated on the firearm clutched by the young man.

James already expected this scene to appear. So he wasn't surprised at all. With numerous witnesses fervently recounting what they had seen, he had no choice but to believe it. However, his concern lay with the gun now in the boy's possession. According to his colleagues handling the crime scene, only one gun had been discovered. This implied that the boy might still have the other firearm, a dangerous proposition given what he had witnessed.

Quick and appropriate action was necessary.

Suddenly, something caught his eyes. The footage was already displaying the scene second time around. A family of three were seen panicking inside the store.

They were very familiar to the extent that he reached out to pause the video. And precisely focused on them.

" It seems you have noticed it as well, Chief. "

His attention then snap back to his colleague, the female cop that brought him here, named Leana. Her words brought clarity to his doubt. It seems he wasn't the only one who noticed it.

He nodded. " The Cannibalism Case in the Rose Mary neighborhood. "

A grave mood suddenly descended inside. The once noisy compartment became silent as the graveyard.

"Yes, Chief. The couple from that case were the first to witness the cannibalistic act and ended up killing the culprit who happens to be their neighbor. The local police force was tasked with finding them, but their search was in vain. They seemed to have vanished. Who would have thought that..."

She didn't continue her words. The Cannibalism Case that had happened a week ago brought great disturbance to the whole police force not only in that neighborhood, their own station as well. It was a case that thoroughly warped their mind in terror. An extremely brutal and at the same time, weird case.

"Should we pursue them, Chief?"

" Might as well find someone to do it since they already appeared in our jurisdiction. Also, inform the neighboring town's police force of their arrival. Notify them that fleeing criminals are heading their way. "

A cascade of commands followed, leaving his subordinates busier than ever.

" And also, I need someone to find out about the youth. He still has the remaining evidence of the robbery case. " He added.

Everyone nodded in confirmation. However, a sudden intrusion disturb their little meeting.

" Chief, we couldn't find any presence of the young man at all. We have already locked down the surrounding premises but we have no idea how he escaped." A lanky young man, with a somewhat handsome face stood at the doorway, stating the words helplessly.

Brows furrowed, silence overtook the compartment once again. He shook his head and could only sigh at the incompetence of his subordinates.

What a busy day it is.