Who I am chasing

So he can, in fact, sense me! Does this mean that he's also! I try to speed up in order to catch up to him but he also sped up. Shit, I am getting pretty tired, it's hard to keep tracking him and I can feel myself using too much magic at once. Some mental strain is also being caused due to the use of too many different types of magic at once. Air step, fatigue relieve, sensing, and body enhancement. The last three I usually do during my morning runs and that becomes tiring by itself. Now that Air step is added, which one of the more difficult spells I know, it is downright impossible to constantly keep it up for long periods of time. I'm not gonna last at this rate...He stopped, did he realize something or is this a place for an ambush.

I'm confident in my ability to run away and in the close combat I've developed this last two weeks, but those came from the fact that I can use magic and no one I have gone against can so if he is another magic user then I will lose the clear advantage I have. Should I not go to where he is then? But there's a chance that I won't be able to find him again and in that case, I won't be able to learn about myself and why I have this power.

I arrive at where he is, he is standing on top of a roof, there are about 4 people taking cover, so it is a trap! Well, technically I am following him without him knowing me so he must have been wary of me. I step onto the roof

"Why are you following me?"(???)

Should I ask him about magic? No, I can't do that right off the bat I gotta confirm which organization he belongs to first.

"I saw you on top of that building overseeing the shoot out between Crimson Night and the cops. I was wondering if you were the one who orchestrated that to happen."

Based on what he says I might be able to infer who does he belong to. There's some quiet for a second he looks at me in the eyes and speaks.

"Kiddo, leave right now, stop your playing around. "

"You know Albert Einstein once said that 'playing is the highest form of research.' " I say as I take a combat stand

Kiddo? That's a first for me, I guess he can tell that I'm a teenager by the sound of my voice? Most people can't tell because I either don't speak or anybody who has heard me is behind bars. Does M. know? He probably does.

A woman comes out behind, what is she doing? I thought they were hiding to ambush me. She then walks out and smacks the man in the head.

"Argus, that's Dark Menace! He's the Vigilante I told you to watch out for. I thought we told you to watch out for a hoodie and a black mask covering only the mouth!" (???)

Argus looks at me and then realizes.

"You are dark menace?! But you are so small and you have the voice of a 12-year-old!"(Argus)

12 years old? Well, he's close but I'm 14.

"So, what is it that you needed to watch out for if you saw me. Also, I know of those three guys hiding as well so they might as well come out." I say trying not to sound too weary.

"Everyone. come out!"(???)

As she said that three people who were hiding at the sides. What the hell were they doing on the side?! Clinging for their lives to have an ambush.

"Anyways, sorry for the late introduction. My name is Sarah, these are Peter, Alexander, and Rebecca." (Sara)

"Nice to meet you."(Rebecca)

"Yo," said Peter as he waved his right hand

"Hello." (Alexander)

"Dark Menace, state your business."(Luis)

"We have a rather rude person here, why are you using an alias with us?" (Peter)

"Says the guy who said 'yo' as his introduction."

That pissed him a bit. I can feel his anger from here.

"Now, now, let's calm down for now. You too Menace, Don't you think you should use your name since we gave you ours."(Rebecca)

"I never asked for them and to me, you are just strangers that could possibly be connected to the underworld so I'd rather have my name for safe keeping." (Luis)

"Aren't you just attached to your 'cool name' as Dark Menace little brat." (Pete)

"Tell that to the underworld, not me, I wasn't the one who came up with the name. Why do I use it? It's convenient since I don't need to give my actual name and people will know who I am. Now, answer my question or I will assume that you are stalling for something."(Luis)

"You little-"(Pete)

"Pete! Calm down will ya?" (Argus)

"...Ok"(Pete)

"And to answer your question, we want to recruit you!" (Argus)

"I decline. If that's all then-"

"Wait, we are not what you think we are."(Rebecca)

What does she mean by that?

"Do enlighten me... Tch."(Luis)

That reminded me of something. I touch the bracelet, and I sigh.

"Well, you see we are not an underground organization but rather people that fight against them. We are Vigilantes just like you! We call ourselves the NYC Vigilantes!"(Argus)

"I see, very creative name. So how come I've never heard of this proclaimed vigilante group?" (Luis)

"Well, we usually do things covertly and usually only minor stuff, this is the first big thing we've done."(Sara)

They reek of suspicions, there are some major holes in their story but I'll listen for now.

"So you are saying that you were the ones who tipped off the cops?."(Luis)

"Yes."(Sara)

"And your goal was?" (Luis)

"We want to reduce crime around here so we decided to tip off the police and stop Crimson night."(Argus)

That doesn't sound very convincing. Who decides to do something so dangerous with such a vague goal in mind? I also don't see any benefits for them.

"...I see."

"We want to try and reduce crime in New-"(Argus)

"Then become a cop, problem solved."

"Being a cop comes with limitations sooo."(Sara)

So does being in an underground organization.

"I refuse."

"Wh-why?"(Rebecca)

"I work alone without 'limitations' that's all. Now if you'll excuse me I'll get out of here."

Too bad I won't able to learn about magic from Argus.

"Wait, if it is true that you work alone then you must have the skills to prove so. How about this, if you can't beat Argus then you join our team and if you win... we'll give you a handgun."(Sara)

Are they stupid? Having a gun would be useful but why would they give it to a 'twelve-year-old'. Also, I can tell that Argus is stronger than me. Could I use this to point out about his magic power? I might learn more, a hive to be discreet though

"No thanks, I'll refuse, I already know he can have special abilities."

"How do you know!?"(Argus)

Did this idiot just admit to it? How much of an airhead can he be? He gives the aura of running things here. Can someone like him really work in the underground?

"Argus!" Sara smacks him in the back of the head and sighs, "If you can tell he does then that means you do too."

"Perhaps. So I will be taking my leave."

"What elements?"(Argus)

He just said elements? I thought I was special for being able to control three. Does that mean that it is common for people to control more than one?

"Don't you know that information around here is not free."(Luis)

"Rock Bullet!" As soon as I finished saying that Argus created a small rock. I could block it with a firewall but that would show my hand. So instead I dodge and it grazes the side of my stomach. I jump back and prepare myself for his next attack.

"I saw a bit of hesitation, were you thinking about the situation and tried to find a way to dodge it without showing your hand, impressive!"(Argus)

What is this guy! Dumb off the battlefield and a genius inside one?

"Looks like there's nothing for us to-" (Luis)

"Sara!"(Argus)

"Yes?!"

"Give him the handgun that you promised previously."

"What?!" (Luis and Sarah)

"It's my way of apologizing for what just happened. I know you won't join but if you leave like that you won't cooperate with us in the future. I won't ask you to be part of our team but cooperate with us if the time ever presents itself."

Sara nods and then starts walking towards me. A gun might be useful but I will stay alert. I keep strengthening my muscles just in case she tries something. She walks to me and slowly gives me the gun and holster. I take it.

"Are you sure about arming a '12-year-old' Mr. Vigilante?"(Luis)

"If you were able to dodge that then I think it's fine."

"I see, in that case, apology accepted. Now if you'll excuse me." I leave strengthening my body and jumping from building as fast as I can. While sensing them, they all just stayed there and didn't pursue me. Seems like they are talking, well they don't seem like malicious people but they're very suspicious.

Firstly, how did they get hold of information on this deal? There's no way M.'s information is anywhere near cheap. Heck, I have heard some rumors that sometimes he charges close to 3 million just for vital information. If this deal itself ain't vital information, then I'm not sure what is. How did they know about this happening?

Second, they all appear to be in their late twenties, which means that It is highly likely they are working adults. Why would they resort to a non-profit job like being a vigilante? If they had the goal to deter crimes then they could easily become bounty hunters. They would earn money and still do what they want with fewer limitations than the cops. They may have work during the day and catch crime during the night but no one has noble motives like that this day and age. They must have an ulterior motive for being vigilantes.

And thirdly, the atmosphere of the group felt a bit awkward. Despite looking like a regular group of friends who were joking around a bit the atmosphere was awkward. They seemed not used to each other. Of course, that may be just me and my idea on how friendship should be...Sigh, I touch my black bracelet. Anyways, this could just be my objective opinion since I'm not used to hanging around many people.

Also, this personal opinion but they lack insight. If they knew about this deal then they should have tailed them instead and try to find Ricardo, the leader in direct contact with the drug lord, If they claim to be who they are. With those thoughts, I arrived at the subway and headed back to my apartment.