Waste Of Time

L.A's Big Run

Thirty minutes passed since the start of the run with the crowd cheering and reporters gathered around documenting the moment. Despite the cheery atmosphere Theodore, Grace, Mary and Sophie we're attentive and calm.

Grace had called in more disguised bodyguards and had set up discreet metal detectors with a Bomb Squad waiting at the first checkpoint.

"Is it too soon to ask for that explanation? Don't worry the mics off and I've censored our mouths in case we got some lip readers in the chat" Said, Theodore

Mary sighed and slowly told her story "September 1978 a global underground tournament had been announced with the prize being something priceless, technology. The technology varied from groundbreaking chip manufacturing to the first-ever smartphone and the foundation of what we now call the internet. Officials caught wind of the tournament and looked into the technology and saw something that would threaten the economy"

"What was it?" Asked Theodore

"Renewable energy. The technology was not only reliable but also affordable. It was because of this technology that we achieved zero-emission"

A light bulb went off in Sophie's head "I remember, it was November 24, 1981, North America had initiated the zero-emission policy. There were a lot of questions on where the tech came from to which the officials replied with 'The United Nations acknowledges global warming as a major concern. We exchanged knowledge and delve deep into sustainable solutions. I and other leaders believe that this is the answer and the first step to a brighter, and cleaner future' everyone accepted it since other countries followed with the same story"

Mary shook her head in disappointment "the technology was spread amongst all countries by the winners"

"Winners as in plural?"

Mary nodded "Yes, the tournament was a 100-day survival game with 600 participants on a man-made island. It took only 30 days for a group of four to come out on top. One of them was my grandpa, Desmond Write the sniper"

"A sniper? I thought it was a survival game, surely he didn't build a sniper?" Theodore asked

"You can't judge Mr Write by normal means. Despite having just a minor healing factor, he had a hawk-like vision and inhuman reaction time but most impressively his sniping ability was something that has never been seen. Mr Write didn't even take two seconds when calculating a shot, it didn't matter what distance or how tough the environment was he always hit his mark. Not to mention he was a survivalist and professional hunter." Said Grace with nothing but admiration

"Yes, code name Sky. He didn't have a sniper but a bow was enough for him. Then there was the rest of his group"

Grace jumped in with enthusiasm "Fatima Patel, code name Mountain. An insurgent leader from India and a close combat monster. She was a typ2 of barrier user, freely changing the shape and size of her barriers. She arrogantly walked through battles with four palm-sized barriers that floated in the air that accurately blocked enemy fire. Once she got close is when she put her daggers to use"

"She didn't wield two daggers, she used a red khanda sword and a Rondel dagger that was wrapped in bandages. It wasn't arrogant to walk it was just easier to follow gunfire and she used small barriers because it didn't take as much stamina. It was efficient"

"Oh sorry, all I know is what's recorded. The third member was Saif Radi, code name Heaven. An unregistered Doctor from Iraq that mastered stealth and had a 300-meter range for his sona power. He willingly travelled through wore torn lands saving thousands amid battle. It's said his hands have never taken a life but that doesn't mean he wasn't dangerous "

Mary corrected her "He acted in self-defence when it came to fights. He was a doctor, not a soldier. He was unregistered back then but he's got a license now. He's now a teacher"

"Lastly Luis Schmidt, code name Mortal. Coming from a long line of chefs he surpassed his predecessors and took on a hobby that matched his ability. His hobby was trap making and his ability pheromones that enticed nearby victims before inevitably being captured or killed"

"No, he was a craftsman. He only built traps because he didn't have any combat training, unlike the others. At the start, he used Pheromones to keep people away but some were just too curious. Anyway, Grandpa and his team won the tournament and took the technology back to their countries which then flourished before releasing it to the surrounding countries. This was considered treason, leading to the group going into hiding. The team would regroup now and then, offering help to dire situations whilst still avoiding officials from thier home country. The team disbanded in the late 90s after the death of Luis"

"And you learnt some things from him?"

"He trained me in hunting and his secret to sniping" Said Mary

Sophie asked in shock "So there is a trick?"

"Sorry it's a family secret," Said Mary briefly

"The first checkpoint is just ten minutes away we should stop for water and watch the runner for any suspicious movement," Said Grace after checking her messages

They continue to keep a steady pace before finely reaching the first checkpoint. They stood aimlessly drinking a cup of water watching participant after the other pass through the checkpoint not setting off any alarms. After twenty minutes all the participants passed through the checkpoint with no alarms which filled everyone with relief. A feeling of comfort washed over their restless bodies.

"An hour has passed since the feeling and there have yet to be any deaths," Said Sophie confidently

Just as the group were about to accept her conclusion a human figure came crashing towards the table of water bottles.

On instinct, Theodore swivelled and caught the figure before he could fall through the table. It was an old man with a panicked look on his face as he grasped Theodore's arm before losing strength.

"Sir are you, okay? Can you hear me? if you can squeeze my hand" Asked Theodore as put the old man's hand in his

He waited but nothing came out of it. He put two fingers on the old man wrist and felt a weak pulse. He quickly put the old man on the floor and did chest compressions.

"Quick call a medic!" Shouted Theodore as he continued to do first aid.

Not long after a small group of medics appear and took over. The head medic put the old man's hand flat on a tablet and retrieved his medical records with a photo.

Seeing his records the head medic took out the defibrillators and tried to get his heart rate to return to normal but it was only getting slower before finally disappearing. He did it three more times to no avail.

The head medic sighed sadly before reporting the time of death and calling it in.

Theodore felt like something was off but kept quiet as he felt a lot of eyes watching the situation. They were not the eyes of curious civilians but people with the knowledge that this was going to happen.

Shortly after the body was removed and the watchful eyes left the scene. Feeling the eyes gone Theodore moved sighed in relief.

"It seems like our killer got what he wanted" Said, Theodore

"Huh was the old man the target, how can you be so sure?" Asked Sophie

"Cause the eyes that were watching just before the paramedics appeared belonged to curious civilians. When the paramedics appeared there was a new group of onlookers watching with anticipation. The anticipation of hunters" Said Mary while squinting at a distant building

"Yo-you we're able to pinpoint them?!" Theodore was beginning to feel like Mary is the one with a system

With a shrug, Mary played it off "It's just a general direction"

"Even then you have to have a long history of fieldwork to differentiate between civilian curiosity and hostility," Said Sophie in awe

Mary casually answered "Curiosity and hostility is not a trait solely in humans"

"I don't want to sound rude but at least we can relax now," Said, Sophie

"How are you guys doing, running in a dress must be uncomfortable?" Said, Theodore

"Are you trying to get three women naked in public, I would have never thought Mr Hunt would be sexual deviant?" Said A voice from behind

Turning around Theodore is met by Zasha in sportswear with a cameraman.

"Like a true reporter twisting words, please stop learning from your peers. Report the real news"

"Oo like Hollywood Fool fails to save the old man. Roll the camera, Rich. Me Hunt can I get a statement on how it felt to be in a situation, where another man's life was held in your hands? And why did you feel like you were obliged to help?"

Theodore patiently answered her questions before she stopped recording and started again this time around asking out the run.