Chapter 14: Kaiser

I lounged around but these lackeys didn't seem to be the boisterous types. Apart from the initial words of relief they expressed, there was nothing that piqued my interest.

"So you haven't found the perp yet a?" I heard a voice with a faint accent say in the distance.

I also heard multiple approaching footsteps likely following whoever had spoken. Soon, a man donning a suit appeared. He lit up a cigarette and glanced around the room.

His classic mafia attire made it evident he was some sort of boss. He neared my area making me subconsciously break into a cold sweat.

"You there, tell me what happened" The man pointed towards me as he put the lit cigarette in his mouth.

What I feared had come to pass! I was panicking internally but somehow restrained it. I tried to show reluctance and adoration to make it seem as though I was one of his lackeys.

"Some- someone broke into the office" I replied from my corner of the room.

Click.

"Malcolm, stop the search. I've got the culprit." The man said as he aimed a revolver at me.

My fight or flight instincts kicked in and I decided to charge at the man before he could have a chance to react. What I didn't expect, however was…

Bam!

The man had smacked me straight on the back of my head. He then grabbed me with the other and lifted me by the collar of my shirt.

"Little boy, you are not even past the first grade and you dare challenge me?" I could only look at the man with widened eyes amazed by his strength and reflexes. It was then that I finally processed what he had just said.

He was an altered! Not only that but this was crucial information! There were grades and I was only at the first one!

"I'll tell you what." He aimed the gun at my head as he started to speak.

"Altered folks are hard to come by. Not to mention ones capable of hiding like you, even irradiates can't pull that off." The man spoke while still holding me at gunpoint. I listened attentively to his words as they were evidently filled with new terms and information.

"I'll give you a chance. Tell me why you are here" The man then dropped me just to remove his cigarette while still aiming his gun at me.

I wanted to get my self off the floor at least but I then heard a bunch of clicks. All of the nearby members were now also aiming their guns at me. Without a second option, I decided to just lay there.

"I was searching for a way to unlock a stolen phone which led me to this place." I nonchalantly replied.

Some of the thugs started to show expressions of ire. They probably thought I was making fun of them.

"Boss, let's just blow his top" One even angrily suggested.

"No need. Show me the phone." The boss turned down the thug's offer and extended his hand towards me.

Under the wary eyes, I checked my pant pocket for the phone.

"Here you go." I said while handing off the phone. The man gripped it and instantly realized that the battery was gone.

"Where's the battery?" The man asked with a questioning glance.

"It's fried." I truthfully responded and shrugged. My nerves had significantly calmed down at this point since the man clearly had no plan to eliminate me.

"Anybody has this model?" He turned around to ask his subordinates. Not too long after, one of them came up with a similar phone battery.

The man inserted the battery into the phone and waited for it to slowly start up. The phone powered on and revealed a locked screen.

"This is a government phone, where did you get it?" Some of the thugs flinched once they heard the word government. They were probably afraid that I was working for them disregarding my young age.

I wasn't sure if I should honestly answer this question but...

"I took it from someone's body" I did it anyway, sort of.

"You are a bold one eh?" The man said amusedly as he hid away his gun.

"My name is Kaiser. I am in charge of the slums around here." He then started to introduce himself under the confused gazes of his subordinates.

"Dan Owens" I returned in kind. The man simply nodded and signaled for the others to put down their weapons.

"Danny, come with me" The man calmly said. The sudden familiarity was a bit weird but I regained my calm and stood up. I dusted myself off a bit and Kaiser began to make his way upstairs, the office up there was likely his.

I went up the stairs with him and we continued down the corridor. He opened the office door, turned on the light, and sat down at his desk. I didn't even get a chance to sit down before I was asked a question.

"So, what are your thoughts?" I couldn't help but feel a bit confused, my thoughts? Did he mean my thoughts on joining him or…?

"Yeah, that's right. I am interested in you." Kaiser smiled and finally put out his cigarette. His expression also became solemn.

Well, I doubted he was talking about dating me so he was indeed interested in getting me to join his mafia gang.

Realistically, I didn't have much of a choice. I was supposed to be dead, my apartment was a no go. Without an identity, I couldn't get a job and any job here was clearly not worth doing. If I declined his offer I would end up starving.

"I can't say I am not intrigued as well but…" I had to at least put up an act. Altered were apparently rare so I could only blame my bad luck for meeting this man.

The man wanted me to help him expand his crime empire or… whatever, who knows? Regardless, the point was that I was valuable. Too many times have I been cheated by others out of optimal conditions. I couldn't allow the same to happen here.

"I don't see a good reason to join you. Why would I choose to go up against the government?" I played the smart*ss and threw the man a provocative glance.

"You looted the body of a government official" Kaiser didn't take long to answer as he stared at me with narrowed eyes.

Yeah alright, that's my loss. It became plainly obvious why I was so often cheated by others…