An Outfit and a Bottle Cap Guy

A new day had appeared for the newcomers in the city of Bentham.

Blitz walked along the streets of the city, passing by a sign that said "Carraway Boulevard", and deduced that that is the name of this part of the city. He was following Hammond as the man was walking ahead. Where exactly, the boy was wondering.

"Where is Mr. Kassick?" Blitz asked as they started walked together.

"We're going to get you some clothes Blitz, then the work. As for Kassick, well, he already got his clothes, and he's currently with Smitty and the others on robbing a stagecoach just west of Bentham, the countryside to be more exact". He paused upon stopping at a boutique. "Ah! Here we are.''

Blitz stopped to see a glass showcasing dresses, suits, and even clothing fit for children his age. Many of them were in different colors and he looked in fascination. Upon hearing the door open, he saw Hammond go in and followed him. Inside the boutique there were mannequins up in their positions, some had completed suits or dresses on. He soon saw a woman in a dark red blouse come in.

"Coming!" she said before appearing. "Oh it's you Mr. Hammond. Come to get a new set of clothes?"

"Actually yes, but for my friend here". Hammond said, pointing to the boy. "Blitz, this is Charlotte Thorpe. One of Bentham's finest designers"

"He's just saying that." Charlotte explained as she had a good look at the boy beside Hammond. "Well aren't you a small boy? I'll have to take your measurements first."

"Put him on my tab. I'll cover his payment" Hammond said, giving a sack of coins to her. "Blitz, when you get your clothes, head over to a ruined house just a few blocks from here, that's your work. I need you to help an associate of mine. He's called Griffin. He's pretty distrustful of others but he can get a job done. Give him this bottlecap and tell him I sent ya. Don't ask me why, but that bloke has a thing for collecting bottle caps."

Blitz nodded at Hammond who took his leave, before Charlotte called out to the boy and he replied by going up to her. He stood still as she took his measurements. She had measuring tape, wrapping it around his arms and body.

"Goodness that shirt you're wearing now is very loose, not to worry I know just the right clothing for you. It just so happened I made clothing for a small boy your size. Wait here". She said leaving Blitz, who sought to sit on a stool he found next to a mannequin.

"Mother! I'm home", said a feminine voice. Blitz turned to see a brunette haired young girl wearing a navy blue uniform and checkered skirt. Her eyes widened at the sight of Blitz. "Oh hello there! Are you a customer?"

Blitz looked at the girl in oddity, as the sun from outside went through the window of the boutique and made her hair shine. He nodded at her question.

"Oh it's you Madeline", Charlotte said returning with what seemed like a set of clothing for the entire body. "This is Blitz. He's a customer, and he's just buying some clothes."

"Nice to meet you Blitz. I'm Madeline, but you can call me Maddie. Are you new in town?"

"Yes"

"Well I hope you love Bentham, Blitz. I have to go upstairs now. I have homework to do. Bye!"

Blitz waved at the girl who quickly went up the stairs to her apparent room. Her mother chuckled at the sight.

"She's sometimes excited to meet kids her age. Anyway, here are your clothes. Do you need help putting them on?"

"..I think I can do it". Blitz said as he was given a white shirt, a dark brown overcoat, and black trousers. Charlotte even went away for a few seconds before returning with some shoes.

"These were my husband's when he was your age. I decided to give them to you seeing they aren't any use anymore. Try them on". She gave him the shoes before he put them on. "A perfect fit. Let's see yourself in the mirror then".

Blitz replied by walking in front of a very tall mirror in the corner of the boutique. The clothes on him fit perfectly, and his feet were adjusted to the size of the new leather shoes he has now. He looked toward Charlotte

"Happy to see a satisfied customer. Hammond already paid for you. Have a nice day Blitz."

"Thank you." Blitz said, going out of the boutique and looking around the streets. He stopped and looked at the bottle cap Hammond had previously given him, and recalled the job he had to do.

"I have to find a ruined house". He said to himself before walking along a path passing by some houses. Most of them were in darker versions of bright colors. Some were still in construction. It seemed like a long shot for him to find a ruined house. Until he saw a couple of boys walking around the neighborhood.

They were all dressed in fancy clothing, although they all looked navy blue in a sense. Even had a badge on the right side of their chest pockets.

"Hmm...". Blitz hummed as he approached the boys. They were wearing what looked like school uniforms. "Excuse me. Do you know where I can find a ruined house?"

"Ruined house? Funny, we were on our way there!",said one boy.

"Yeah, we want to see if the rumours are true. Some say there's an oddball that lives there. I hear he collects bottle caps!"

Hearing that made him realize that this might be the same person Hammond told Blitz to meet.

"Can I come with you?"

"Well yeah sure! Why not. I've never seen you in town before. I'm Collins. What's your name?"

"Blitz."

"Blitz? What kind of name is that?" asked a friend of Collins.

"Blitz", said a boy with brown hair and a straight face. "It's german for lightning."

Everyone looked at the boy with confusion on their faces, until someone broke the silence. "Noice" Collins said. "Come on everyone. Let's go!"

Blitz followed the boys toward the ruined house, which wasn't like Blitz thought it would look.

The house seemed to be intact, but there were broken windows and paint that had been scraped away, leaving the formerly red house now giving a dirty brown to it. There were bits of broken glass and bricks surrounding the house. Collins took the lead and went around the house.

"There's nobody here."

"Wait...." Blitz pointed out. "Do you hear that?". A rustling sound of someone stepping on gravel was heard.

"Hear what-" Collins' friend asked before a screech of terror was heard. The boys turned to see Collins being held by a thin man with black hair, and a lining of gray on his hair.

"help!" Collins yelled out to the boys and Blitz.

"V-v-v-Visitors... I HATE visitors!", said the man who held a glass shard towards Collins' neck.

"Crap!", said one of Collins' friends who proceeded to run off, one by one the boys began disappearing.

"Blitz! Run!" Collins said as Blitz came face to face with the thin man, eyeing him.

"Are you Griffin?", Blitz asked, holding his hand out showing electricity for Griffin to see. The hostile man was confused at the boy for his act.

"How do you know my name?" the thin man asked.

"My name is Blitz. Hammond sent me", Blitz said before taking the bottle cap from out of his overcoat. "He wanted me to give this to you."

"Hammond eh? What do you want?"

"If you let him go." Blitz started to explain referring to Collins being held. "I'll help you just like Mr. Hammond told me to."

There was silence until Griffin chuckled. "I didn't think he sent a boy to help. Alright then". He let loose of Collins, who ran to Blitz.

"I don't know how you manage to talk to that loonie, but I won't forget this. Thank you Blitz". Was all that Collins said before he ran off far away from here.

Griffin approached the boy without warning. "Gimme that bottlecap!". He took the red bottle cap from out of Blitz's hands. "Ah another cap to my collection."

"You've been collecting bottle caps?"

"For a very while, boy. For a very while." Griffin explained. "The idjits at Blightworth never understood my passion."

"Blightworth? You were a patient at Blightworth?"

"I was, boy. I was. Until I grew the balls to get the heck out of there a few weeks ago. They were trying to make me quit collecting caps. And for what? They thought I was crazy, thought I hated humans, when I didn't. I'm just selective with people as I am with caps"

"I'm from Blightworth too."

That sentence made by Blitz made things quieter before Griffin's eyes widened. Griffin stopped looking at his new bottle cap and had his eyes looking at the boy.

"Are you now?", Griffin asked as the boy nodded. "Well I'll be! What sector were you in?"

"A"

"What was your number?"

"5"

"Heh, just a level above mine. Hang on.", Griffin asked. "You didn't meet Jesper did you?"

Jesper. That name sounded familiar. "I've heard of his name before, but I never met him."

"Good thing then. Trust me boy, there are things you don't want to know about him. Anyway, when did you get out?"

"Yesterday. A riot happened."

"Blimey", Griffin's eyes widened at the thought of a riot. "I don't know how you managed to get here on your own, but I think there's more to you than just a kid". He paused. "Anyway, you said Hammond sent you to help me right? Well I do need your help on something. Follow me".

Griffin went to the ruined house and began taking some rubble out. Blitz followed suite and wondered what was it that the man wanted him to do

"I have a very nice lady friend living in the richer bits of Bentham. The Opulent District to be more exact. I wanted to get her something nice, So I did".

Griffin said, taking a box out filled with pearls and a brooch. "This should fit in that coat of yours. I want you to deliver this to her. I'll let Hammond know you've helped me with this."

"What's her name?"

"Mary". Griffin said with a smile. "She wears a dress as clear as the blue sky". Blitz nodded as the boy took the box and put it in his coat. "Oh and Blitz?"

Blitz turned to the thin man. "Be careful around the streets. You being a newcomer, I suggest avoiding anyone that looks shady, if you get my meaning."