28 Encounter

"Do we now. So what did you find out?" (Luis)

Looks like we finally know some stuff. I was getting somewhat worried cause I only have 3 weeks left now.

"The name of the guy who's coming over is Rodriguez. He has black hair, a rough face, and a small mustache. He's about-" (Argus)

"I don't think we need to know the facial features, when does he come?" (Luis)

"You are no fun. He's coming in this Saturday. He will arrive at about 5 p.m. or so at the house." (Argus)

We only have a couple of days to work this out.

"Ok, then now that we have that let's work out a plan."

"Dark Menace!"

"What?!"

"You said 'we'."

I get a bit flustered. Even if it was little interactions it was the only interactions that I've had with a person throughout the day. Damn it, am I getting lonely?

"I said 'we' because I already agreed to work with you guys to raid the house. No other reason." (Luis)

"Okay," Argus says with a smile. "Also, we will be discussing things about the Bloody Crips too, be sure too not be late," he says while keeping a smile.

It looks like Rebecca is smiling too. Ugh, this is somewhat annoying.

"*Clears through* For now let's just think of a plan to attack Crimson Night's house and I'll come back tomorrow."

"Okay, I will bring the whole team in tomorrow then." (Argus)

"Alright. See you around" (Luis)

"Bye-bye." (Argus)

"Bye." (Rebecca)

I walk away from them and start my search for that presence again. I already had a plan on what to do to raid the Crimson Night's house but I have to take into account that they have their own plans. That, and the fact that Peter dislikes me a bit. So if I go telling them exactly what to do, he might get too pissed to work with me.

I stop for a minute, they haven't mentioned anything about Lotus Flower, the few times I've talked to them make me less suspicious, should I ask them? I look back... It's still too risky. I don't anything about that organization.

I leave and again I search for clues on the presence with no results. I wonder if they are not in the city anymore... Well even if he is not in the city anymore that doesn't mean he won't be here later. He was here for a reason... actually, why did that shit kill Tara? Was there any reason to do so?

The more I think about it the more confused I get about this. I'm not any closer than I was before I started patrolling during the night a month ago. There had to have been a reason, right? UGHHH! With those thoughts, I continued searching The City with no results.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

I wake up the next day, do my morning routine and head to work. Today we will be going over a plan to dispatch Crimson NIght and They will reveal some information about Bloody Crips. So I guess we'll have to plan for the two occasions. With those thoughts, I finished my morning run and head to work.

Looks like today is somewhat empty, there won't be many problems. Or so I thought, *Clank* *clank* The sound of a stack of cans falls over. I sense to see what happened, is that a family of four? From what I can guess they are a husband and wife with children around the age of 4 and 5. A girl and a boy I suspect, now let's see if my guesses are right.

I hear a cry coming from the where I sensed the family and the cars coming over.

"I'm...sorry, I'm... sorry," both the little children start crying as they say it in between sniffles

"It's okay, as long as you are more careful next time and don't it again." The mother says as she goes down and embraces her children.

"Um, excuse me, is something the matter?" I say with a fake smile.

"I...I'm sorry about y son and daughter, they bumped into the cans." The one who answered was what I assume to be the husband. He has black hair and brown eyes. He is 180 cm, so I have to look up to him, damn he's tall. He's also wearing a collar shaped like a hear, that feels like such a contradiction.

"It's alright, more importantly. Are your children okay?" (Luis)

"Yes they are fine, thank you for your concern." (Dad)

Well, these people are somewhat polite.

"In that case, it's alright. I will be putting these back to how they belonged."

The mother whispers something to both of them.

"Ask him if you can help him. I'm sure he won't mind if you correct your mistakes by helping him." (Mother)

The little children let go of their mother and come up to me.

"Ummm..." The 4-year-old girl starts. She has black hair and brown eyes too, just like her father I guess, she's abit on the chubby side though

"Yes, is there something you would like to say," I say as I bring myself to their eye level.

"Could we help you organizing this mister?" finishes the five-year-old boy. He, also, has black hair and brown eyes. I look at the mother, I guess she's also like that. Well, black hair and brown eyes are common I guess.

"Really, that would be a huge help. I appreciate it." (Luis)

Both of them started smiling

"What can we do, what can we do?" (Girl)

"Ummm... it would really help me if someone were to pass them to me. It might be easier that way for me."

"I'll do it!" (Boy)

"Me too!" (Girl)

"Okay then, If you don't mind, pass me the cans." (Luis)

"Okay!" (both)

They pass me the cans one by one as I rearrange them the way they are supposed to be. As I do so both the mother and father approach me.

"Thank you for going along with our request." (Mother)

She has a bit of a Spanish accent. I guess she's not native born.

"It's no problem, plus I get some help and you get to teach your kids. It's a win-win." (Luis)

"Even though we knocked it down? You are a kind kid." (Mother)

Well, that's the first time I have ever heard that. Usually, when I have conversations before arresting people they call me all sorts of different things, but kind is a first.

"Not really. You are a nice family though." (Luis)

"I know, I'm happy I met Brandon over here, though he does some pretty reckless things sometimes. But even if it's reckless, his ideology is why I married him." (Mother)

"Well, I won't deny doing reckless things. But I'mI'm happy I met her too." (Father)

They start smiling at each other,

"*Clear throat* Anyways, looks like I'm done here."

"It appears so." Says the mother embarrassed.

"Thank you for your help." (Luis)

"Not at all, we were the ones who knocked it down anyways, we should be the ones thanking you for fixing it without complaints and letting our little kids learn something from it. Thank you" (Father)

"We are going to get going then." Says the mother.

"Ok, take care." (Luis)

"Mister, thank you!" (Boy)

"Thank you." (Girl)

"No worries, now take care and make sure not to do it again," I say as I pat both their heads.

They leave and I'm left with a slight feeling of Jealousy. I wonder if my life would be like theirs if my parents weren't dead. Would I smile like them without a care in the world?... Anyways, they were a nice family. Maybe I'll get to see them again in the near future. With those thoughts, I finish the rest of my work days and head out for training.

After my training, I head out to meet the vigilantes at the usual meet up spot. My suspicions aren't completely cleared about that group. But I guess I'm trusting this group a little more. If I had more time I do see myself joining them, but I don't think that's a realistic way of thinking. For now, I should just focus on these two raid plans I guess.

I arrive at the usual place, however, it looks like this time all of them are here.

"Dark Menace, You are finally here!" (Argus)

"Making us wait." (Peter)

He receives an elbow from Sara.

"Well, it was your decision to wait, I got here on time." (Luis)

"So just because you arrived-" Peter starts talking and receives another elbow from Sara.

"I guess we did," Says Rebecca with a smile,

Alexander just nods at me, as talkative as always I see.

"By the way, I've been wondering this," Argus says seriously.

Argus rarely gets serious. Were there some complications? Does he know I suspect them of being in league with Crimson Lotus?

"What is it?" (Luis)

"... When are you going to show us what's under that mask and what your real name is?!?!" (Argus)

Of course, just because he rarely gets serious doesn't mean that whenever he gets serious he says something serious.

I sigh.

"So what's the plan for raiding Crimson Night?" (Luis)

"Ha, Ignored!" (Peter)

"Oh yeah, but before that, let's relocate shall we?" (Sara)

Well, it is too public here. And I don't think they would try something after all this time.

"Sure." (Luis)