Chapitre 18: Returning ı
The pitter patter of rain on concrete is almost soothing to the soul. If it weren't for the fact that I'm now wet and cold I probably would have enjoyed this. Wait, cold? Wet? Shouldn't I be dead by now or in jail?
I wrench my eyes open and look around. I'm surrounded by dumpsters and brick walls that sit either side of an alleyway. Im sat directly in the center of the alleyway almost hidden behind a dumpster and some trash bags. I get up and allow the liquid on my body, a mixture of what could be gutter water and something that spilled from one of the bags to roll off my skin.
As I stand I notice that next to me is a black duffel bag. Clearing the trash I grab the bag and rip it open. Inside the nice waterproof duffel is all of my blood soaked combat uniform and my hole filled vest. On top of which is my gun and the rest of my gear. I see a note tucked into the elastic strap around the helmet and grab it.
"Would hate to see a rookie die such a pathetic death. The charges for the medivac have been taken from the mission reward."
The note read as such. "Bastard." I fish my phone from inside the bag and open the map function. I'm about 5 and ½ miles away from the mission site and double the distance from my house. Putting my phone away I check my body. I'm wearing a nondescript plain outfit that seems to be made very cheaply. All of my wounds seem to have been patched with a strange piece of what seemed to be synthetic skin.
Not questioning the methods of the developers as I took to calling them I look around for some protection from the rain so I can check the app without risking damaging phone in the water. Underneath an overhang I pull my phone from the bag once more. Pulling up the familiar app I decide to check my notifications.
[Lowest grade medivac purchased. Extraction squad lands in T-Minus 20 minutes. -$10,000.]
[WARNING: Amount overdraws account beyond debt limit.]
[Administrator credentials inputted, overwriting debt limit]
Sure enough I checked my cash and noticed I was just shy of -8,300 USD. Just one medivac knocked out what I had left in change from my last purchase which, was now nearly ruined but, it also completely negated my mission rewards.
With a defeated sigh I stood up, and put my phone in the duffel. Also, just in case I grabbed my holster and put it on my hip. I doubt anyone will give me trouble. I neither have a car nor do I have any spare cash so I started walking towards my house in the rain. I brought my coat with me from my first mission for good luck when I left so I threw that over my body.
The near endless city scape passed by me in a blur as the sun once more began to touch the horizon creating a beautiful sunset. As I was walking the rain cleared so I had been examining the app since then. As I wasn't paying attention I bumped into someone. I looked up and realised it was a homeless man and I was the only one on the sidewalk at the time. Looking at his sweaty shirt and caked beard I realised me bumping into him wasn't an accident. He began to look irate as he screamed at me.
"Watch where you're going, you damn kid!" I quickly try to de-escalate and be on my way.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention, I didn't mean to bump you." After apologising I had hoped that he would go away and tried to get around him.
I bump into his sweat stained tank top as he moves to intercept me. "Leave the bag" He smirks as he pulls a knife from his pocket. I jump back to gain some distance and he takes this to assume I'm scared "Don't cry now little boy, just hand the bag over and you won't get hurt."
I can't help but stare at him in disgust as he stands there covered in filth and god knows what else. Pulling a small switchblade from his back pocket a cold flash of light reminds me of all that security and comfort I once had. I level him amongst all the faces in my mind and reach for my pistol.
He nearly pissed himself as he stared down the end of my gun. At that moment I felt myself a punisher, a trash collector of sorts. As I watched the man collapse becoming nothing but a pile of waste and grovelling I finally realised my error.
I am no punisher, I kill because I'm told to kill. Without a reward over his head this retch is nothing to me. I not only get no reward, I only gain more trouble.So I left him there dazed, and continued forward. I should easily make it back if I keep this pace up for an hour.
It was dark by the time I made it back to my house. I am going to have a hell of a time explaining this to everyone especially my mom. I have no idea how long its been but i'm sure she is upset.
On the other hand her car isn't even at the house. That gives me some time to formulate an excuse as soon as I can get in contact with my friends and figure out how long I've been out.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone