Back to square one

"Don't you think this is kind of fun?" (Tara)

"I know, it's always fun to completely tear your foot muscles and ligaments, but training like this is tiring. I kind of wish I was outta here already" (Luis)

"Right, however even if that happened we were able to discover that you can use wind magic and I do think it is pretty fun right now."

"So you say but you aren't the one doing this... then again, I'm still somewhat worried about the future since I don't know if your family will pay for my college and my only friend is my cousin. I'm trying my best studying and now these powers pile up too. But I do think my efforts will be paid off eventually so I'll keep on trying my best in order to have something to look forward to."

"Mhhhhh, don't you think you should focus more on the now?"

"...How so?"

"Well nobody can predict the future, so I just think that you should cherish more the here and now. I'm sure that even if you encounter problems eventually, the future you will do something about it. Try enjoying the now more you know, the same time doesn't come around twice."

With that final thought, we both stare into the darkness with complete silence until it was finally time to head back.

The alarm clock sounds. After Tara made me jump that building for the first time huh. Who would've thought that that would be one of the few memories to go back to. Anyways, looks like it's time to wake up. I gotta go to work, at least it's Sunday today. Usually, she shows up at work today. Ugh, those stupid "NYC vigilantes." Do they have any idea how much they have set me back!? I go out for y morning run and come back to sense a very familiar presence.

"Luis."(???)

"Trevor... need anything from me?"

"Don't speak to me with that attitude."

"Or what?"

He seems angry, I glare back at him for a second he considers his option and just lets it go. He came all the way here to say something. It's on behalf of my aunt and uncle, so then it's about that, right?!

"*Clears his throat* Anyways, we found a relative that will take your sorry ass in."

"When do I leave?"

"The first week of August."

"I see."

"That's all I came here for, I'll be -."

"Did they find him?"

"What?"

"Did they find the shit that killed Tara is what I'm asking."

"YOU DON"t HAVE ANY RIGHT TO-" He didn't finish his sentence since I grabbed him by the collar and brought him down to my eye level. He tried struggling but couldn't break free, I would be more surprised if he did, I am using enhancement magic to my limit right now.

"I asked you a question, did they or did they not?"

"N-no they haven't."

"Then leave, one week into August right?"

"Yes"

I walk away into my apartment leaving Trevor behind. I'm really not in the mood to deal with that family since now I have to start gathering information again and watching the streets. I only have a month to do what I have to find him, WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?! Just finding out about what transpired yesterday took two weeks. Runaway in hope of staying here?! Unrealistic, I won't be able to live without financial support and the police may find me, worst case scenario I get killed due to my reputation around here. I can't think of a way to... I'm freaking out too much.

I touch my white bracelet, breathe in, breathe out. This has become somewhat of a calming routine in order to remind myself of my promise and what I am working towards. I calm down to think, if I only have one month, then I have to use it to the fullest, I will train harder on my sensing, increasing my magic capabilities and using a couple of spells at the same time until it becomes natural for me. Even if I only have one month I will not give up!

I finish my early training and arrive at work.

"Hello Luis"(???)

"Sup Karen"

"You look like you are in a bad mood today."

" I just greeted you, there's no way for you to tell that."

"We pride ourselves in customer service, so I gotta be able to do at least this much."

Karen is the only person I've socialized with ever since the incident with Tara. She's another part-timer like me. Apparently, she's in between getting out of college and her actual job so, for now, she works here. She's about 22-23 years old with brown hair. I usually only see her Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. She's the bit of calmness I get nowadays. Not that she needs to do that.

"If you say so the let's get to work."

"Okay." She said cheerfully

The rest of my workday was uneventful with some small conversations with Karen here and there that disrupted my training a bit, but it's fine.

I make my training harsher today: more simul-casting of spells, enlarging my presence sensing and attempting to hear multiple conversations at a time so that I can hear various things at a time as well as increasing my enhanced hearing range. Even now that is already night time I haven't fully recovered mentally and magically. I did take a small one hour nap though so I should be good. I pass home to put on what I usually put on. And finally I see the gun I was given, I guess I'll take it for now.

I walk down the streets hearing some conversations here and there.

I walk around and hearing things here and there and seeing how things are moving. For now, this is the aftermath of what happened yesterday. Crimson Night is in a pinch for now since they lost there public face. There's talk that there will be someone here within two weeks or so, just as I thought, Jose was replaceable.

The Bloody Crips didn't move at all throughout the whole conflict, so they most likely aren't interested and are staying off of this one or so I would assume unless something major happens.

Lotus Flower has stopped moving for whatever reason. This bit of information I find somewhat odd. Lotus Flower has a chance to broaden its territory a bit with the temporary loss of Jose.

Do they not have enough manpower? Or are they waiting for something or someone? And Bloddy crips, just as before, haven't moved from beginning to end. There is abit of commotion around the streets though. Some of the minor organizations are stepping up and thinking that they can do take away Crimson Night's seat of power.

Which is ridiculous, in order for there to be an actual chance is by eliminating both leaders at the same time and getting them out of the picture. Since there's no one clearly under them that could easily take over and the direct line of communication to the drug lord would be cut off then Crimson Night would divide into sections trying to take control and fighting amongst themselves, that would be the right opportunity. But it would be hard to catch them both at the same...

That may be what they are waiting for! If you are able to determine when the next person comes then you would be able to catch them both at the same time when they exchange greetings. If I find out when and where from they will come, then I can follow to their hideout and take out the two leaders of Crimson Night and they will be done in almost overnight. If this happens, both Lotus Flower and Bloody crips will have to make a move as well as the smaller of organizations if they want to reap the benefits this way it will also be easier to take care of the smaller organizations as well. But how do I find out this information? That will make them easier to track down. Time to get to work I guess.

I go from building to building listening in to back alleyway conversations.

"Did you hear about the escaped convict?" (???)

"Yeah, isn't he here in the city, do you think he's trying to escape through boat?"(???)

"Really, wouldn't it be easier to go take a plane?"

"But that would be risky."

"So would boarding a plane."

I get out of there after a hear that. That conversation was heading towards an argument. A convict huh, just yesterday the incident with Crimson Night happened and now this. That's not what I'm looking for right now, but until this guy is caught or escapes he will be the talk of town.

Of course, I would assume that the new leader of Crimson Night will be talked about to some extent, but it's easier to talk about the conflict since it's safer and the information is easier to access. And even if he gets caught or escapes it will be the most talked about thing for a while unless another major thing happens. Shit, this is the worst, finding more information about crimson's new leader may be harder now.

Should I just catch him myself to end this quickly? If he's the talk there's a possibility he arrived about a week ago, two max, and since he needs to make arrangements to escape. It will take about a week or two, shit, one month isn't enough time! I touch my white bracelet again, inhale, exhale. I won't be rash for now, I will find out more about this issue for now and decide what to do next.

I went around the streets listening in to conversations. "The convict is charged with murder and rape". "The convict escaped after some bribing." "He's a man of serious skill and is skillful in close combat and with a gun." Rumors like this spread around, of course not all of it is real since it's just word of my mouth. It will be difficult to get good and accurate information.

Just knowing about where to find those people with the suitcases took a whole two weeks of experience, selective hearing and some luck so this will be just as difficult. It's not until I reach the 9th group of people that I hear something different.

"Did you hear about the new convict?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Word has it that there's also a bounty hunter after him."

"Bounty hunter?"

"Yes, apparently the convict fled from upstate to here, a bounty hunter took the request to track him down and he has ended in the same place as him. He's been hanging around these parts lately trying to get some information of the convict."

"Yo, that's crazy, so what's up with that?"

Time to leave this conversation too, sometimes I can't follow street talk here. And if they are just trying to predict I can analyze all the information and do it myself. So then there's a rumored bounty hunter? That itself may be false but it's alright for now. Should I try helping the bounty hunter, but I don't see many benefits for me. Sure the talk would die down, but other than that I won't gain much. I go around the streets until I find someone walking in a back alleyway. He's trying to act confident when he walks but I can tell that he's not used to here.

He's alone, a gun on the coat, not many people have a gun around here. More importantly, he has grenades, or what I assume are grenades based on the shape, I don't think anyone carries those around here, they are too noisy so this guy is clearly not from here. He could be the convict.

I jump towards him and try to punch him to disable him and then to some talk. I mean that's like common courtesy around here. To my surprise he blocks it and hits me in the stomach sending me back, I didn't sense any magic? So just pure physical ability and reflexes?

"You are pretty fast!"(???)

I slowed it down since I didn't think he would keep up but it looks like I underestimated him.

"Thank you, you aren't shabby yourself."

I look at his face, he looks like he's in his twenties. He has a pretty rough face and has black hair.

"So why the surprise attack?"

"You are new around here so since I have heard rumors of a convict I thought I'd give you a greeting."

The man looks at me for a second and then thinks as if trying to remember something.

"You are Dark Menace, aren't you?

"You are new here and already know who I am, I am flattered to know how popular I am."

"Yeah well, you seem to have a lot of fans roaming around here trying to find you, they seem to want to take some pictures."

"Really, how nice."

"Yeah, they are always going on about how they will shoot you if they see you, pretty famous guy aren't you?"

I give a slight smile, which is covered by my small mask. This guy seems to have a bit of humor, however, for now, let's clarify some things.

"So, can you clarify for now why you are roaming around with a gun and grenades."

<He found out about my smokes right from the start!!> (???)

"...Sure, before I do that...can we cooperate?"

Not this again.