Capítulo 23: Unranked
It was raining again. Yet, Zero couldn't feel the rain on his skin; he couldn't break out of his confines. The world was pressing against him, but there was nothing in him that could push back, that could make everything sensible once again.
I'm pathetic.
Number 9 didn't return or call him back. He knew there'd be hell to pay, but he disregarded it. Many things happened for a reason, and standing in the position where he could see the world for what it was, he knew that was a lie.
Some things happen just because. There was no grand purpose, no grand order. They happened and left you to deal with the aftermath. It was like walking in the rain and letting your tears run down. The tears mingled with the rain, and nobody would ever know you were crying.
"If you keep looking dead, I might be tempted to put a bullet through your head and save you from your misery," Alistair spoke, blowing a puff of smoke into the air. Zero noticed the umbrella that'd suddenly covered him from the relentless rain.
"Sir, how are you here?" Zero asked, his voice taking on an edge. Alistair was his boss, but he was also a human with rights. And he couldn't be under Alistair's thumb forever.
"I could ask you the same question. You see, boy, I've had the opportunity to talk to some of the most influential people of this generation. Want to know what their understanding of this world is? I'll tell you for free," Alistair said, blowing smoke into Zero's face, but Zero didn't react.
"People are animals. They will crush you underfoot if you give them a little leeway. Nobody knows what they're doing, and everybody is just pretending. Nobody knows the future, even clairvoyants. Don't be hung up on what's ahead of you and forget what's before you. Look. And this time, try actually to see."
"What are you saying, sir?" Zero wondered, knowing that Alistair didn't have a mind bone in his body; he'd rather die instead.
"You're my property. Your life belongs to me, and until I tell you to go, you can't. You remember the papers, don't you? I have sway over your life. And if I want you to die, you'll slit your throat right where you are. Do not forget; I own you."
Zero shivered, and not from the cold. It was sinister, like facing Cthulhu and realizing how messed up your life is.
"Don't speak; you'll only annoy me." Alistair stopped Zero in his tracks as Zero tried to make a defense. But it was no use, and he knew it. There were a few people he knew who were as powerful as Alistair and others who could break him without a second thought.
Alistair was the better alternative in this case.
"I'll take whatever punishment you have for me, sir," Zero bowed low, even if his pride had taken a huge hit. But there were some wars he couldn't fight, some lines he couldn't cross.
And this was one of those situations.
"I don't know why she dotes on you so much, but I'll allow it," Alistair had a strange look on his face, and Zero knew that he was referring to Number 9. She'd never given him her name. It was forbidden, in case one was captured and drilled for information.
"Do not disappoint me again. You might never get a second chance."
Zero noticed the shapes that materialized out of the shadows of the otherwise empty street, clad in black and white head-to-toe vinyl material, their faces covered with what seemed like a biker helmet, but in better form and lighter, too.
"You've been unimpressive recently. I hope this will teach you a thing or two about how the world works. And Zero," Alistair had a wistful look in his eyes as the Enforcers flanked Zero.
"Don't make the same mistakes I did. There are bigger fish in the sea. Some of them can swallow the sea. I'll return for you in three weeks," Alistair dismissed Zero with a wave of his hand, and the two Enforcers closed in on him.
"What do you mean?" Zero screamed, but Alistair never answered. The last thing he saw was the retreating back of Alistair as the Enforcers bundled him into a van amidst protests.
~~
All was quiet in the van when Enforcer 1 removed the mask, and Zero found himself staring at the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen.
"Stop staring; we need to get fresh air too, you know," she laughed, and it wasn't a sound he'd ever associated with The Order.
"You know what you're doing, so cut it out." Enforcer 2 spoke, a lanky guy who looked like a reed. Zero expected him to be blown out of the van any moment from then.
"You pissed off the big brass. So, you'll work with us for the next few weeks. You'll leave your cushy jobs in the headquarters and live with us. If that isn't providence, I don't know what else is," the lanky guy seemed to be having fun with Zero's dilemma, but he didn't care.
"Lay off him; he looks confused. Are you confused?" The lady Enforcer was before him, almost close enough to touch foreheads.
"If you wanted a kiss, you should have just asked. There's no need for all this," Zero noticed the lanky guy was slightly jealous and wondered what kind of history they had together. He was curious, but that wasn't his scene.
He didn't belong there. He didn't belong anywhere.
He could fake it pretty well, though.
"My name is Valerie, and my partner is Terry." The female Enforcer introduced herself, and Zero looked at the two, wondering what exactly their deal was.
"Are you two.." he trailed off, seeing as Terry turned away and Valerie began to talk about things that weren't even in line with the conversation.
"We're here," Valerie said at last, and Terry pushed his head out of the van, stunned beyond words.
It was a rundown establishment, like something straight out of a dystopian flick. The houses were falling apart, and random sparks of electricity startled him.
"Is this where you live?" Zero asked, still unable to wrap his head around such a thing.
"In the flesh. She looks a little beat up now, but she's a cute little thing," Terry puffed up his chest, defending a place that Zero wouldn't have touched if he was paid to.
"It looks bad from the outside, but it's a cozy place, I tell you," Valerie said, and Zero was instantly sold.
"Also, we have divisions and ranks," Valerie explained, and Zero nodded absentmindedly.
"And what's yours?" Zero asked flippantly, not caring in the slightest.
"We're still climbing the ladder, but Terry is slightly higher than I am. I am at D rank, 1,205, and Terry is at C rank, 1,999. Pretty rad, eh?"
Zero stopped in his tracks, realizing for the first time how powerful he was in The Order. There were only nine numbers, and they had more leeway to make decisions in the organization.
Have I been ungrateful all this while?
"What about you? The boss was talking to you; what rank are you?" Terry asked, his curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Call me Zero."
Valerie stared at him and laughed out loud, disbelief evident in her face.
"Zero? Isn't he a legend? He's called the unranked and known as one of the most powerful people in the entire city. So, stop joking around," she had a fierce look in her eyes, and Zero wondered if he was as impressive as she said.
"That's the only name I've ever had. Zero." He replied, and Valerie kept shut. Zero wondered if he'd said something wrong.
They entered the base, and Valerie bowed before walking away, leaving him with Terry.
"What was that all about? I didn't offend her, did I?" Zero was worried.
"Not at all, sir." Terry seemed to be more respectful for reasons he didn't understand.
"Drop the sir; it makes me feel old." Zero laughed, hoping to put Terry at ease—no such luck.
"You're like an idol here. Tales of Zero, the one who consumes. That's you. And now she's face to face with her idol. It can be... overwhelming."
Terry said nothing after that, leading Zero to a dimly lit corridor as he kept the silence.
Zero was confused and a little bit bothered.
Who am I to the rest of the world?
He wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder