M.'s warning

"Am I acquainted with this person?" (Luis)

"Yeah, he's right here in fact." (M.)

He's searching for me?... Well, this may not be good.

"...I see, to what do I owe this visit?"

"...How about we hold an information exchange."

"I'm not sure I have something you want to know. But you have something I want to know though."

"No, I'm sure you do. I'm sure you know what happened to Crimson Night."

"... Your network always amazes me."

"As I'm sure, so is there anything you need to know?"

I may finally find somethings about Lotus Flower.

"Have some information about where Lotus Flower may be located, any at all?"

"... That's somewhat of a tough one."

"I just need somewhere to start looking, that's all."

"... I can do that I guess..."

"That's great then."

Is Lotus Flower something that even M. has a hard time talking about?... How? He has an immune-like status. As I thought, Lotus Flower is definitely the one organization I should be wary of the most. To begin with, they haven't been acting like an underground organization these last two days.

Is there really something else besides the underground business they are trying to do?... Well, it could also be that M. doesn't say anything because Lotus Flower probably is one of the few organizations left that gives him some big bucks and he doesn't want to lose too much money.

Since he, in all due likelihood, already knows that I was a culprit in bringing down Crimson Night. He probably figures I'll do the same to Lotus Flower and Bloody Crips

"...So about what happened to Crimson Night" (M.)

I only have a week and a half left. I can't let this chance slip by me. Just a small clue will be enough for me to find them.

"Yeah, yeah."

"I used some information I received from the bounty hunter I teamed up with and found the Crimson Night's hideout. Once I got searching the NYC Vigilantes were already on the case," I sense his atmosphere change, his muscles tightened a little when I spoke of the Vigilantes, Is there something wrong with them? " We made a joint front and killed everybody who was in the top, what happened after, you probably already know."

"... So that's what happened..." his voice trailed off as he said that las part.

" *Clears throat* So about Lotus Flower?"

"Oh, yes... they are situated somewhere in lower Manhattan."

Somewhere in lower Manhattan? Does he have any idea how massive of an area he's making me cover?!

"Oy, M., You may have been paid hush money, you may have been not. I'm not sure, but lower Manhattan is a bit too broad don't you think." (Luis)

He looks at me, with that mask I can't tell what he's thinking. If I could just peer into his thoughts. I look at him when all of a sudden I hear his voice inside my head.

'Dangerous....looking for...fiding...'

"That's all I can give you this time around." (M.)

"..."

"Why are you standing there in silence?"

"No, um, nothing. Alright, that may be a good hint I guess. I'll be taking my leave." I say as I turn around to leave.

Was that me actually hearing his thoughts or was it just my imagination. All I heard were very small parts with two words at max. It could've easily been my imagination. I'll try it out at another time.

"Alright, before you leave I have a small warning for you."

"... What is it?"

"You look a bit rushed there, beware of those who seem good to you."

"M., are you some sort of sage," I say irritated

"Huh?"

"What the fucking kind of warning is that?"

"...That's all I can say."

<That was a lot of money so I can't really say much more, it'd go against my principles. But I'll say this kid, good luck.> (M.)

I leave without saying anything irritated. That's honestly annoying, can't you just be more direct?...M.'s words haven't fucked me over yet. So I guess I should probably consider them? Whoever seems good? Right now that would be the Vigilantes I guess?...

But If they wanted to do something they could've done it already. I won't get anywhere like this. I'll head back today, meet the vigilantes tomorrow and on my spare time search for Lotus Flower. For now, I'll go back and sleep, tomorrow may be a long day of searching for Bloody Crips specific base.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The next day was uneventful, just doing my daily training and working. Not much change from my regular day. The only thing that changed was that night was different from the last two.

I arrive at the designated meeting spot that we've had since we started our raid on Bloody Crips.

"I'm here." (Luis)

"Why are you wearing the mask again, we already know how you look like." (Peter)

"That's one hell of a way to greet someone. 'Why do you look the way you look right now?'" (Luis)

"..." (Peter)

"You guys may know but nobody else does." (Luis)

"Sounds reasonable." (Sara)

"Yep!" (Argus and Rebecca)

Another nod from Alexander.

So M. told me to be wary of this? I get that they first come off as suspicious, but I'm not sure they are that horrible... Shit will probably reveal itself with time.

"So then, are we inspecting the east side as we said we would?" (Luis)

"Yes."(Sara)

"Let's go then!" (Argus)

"Slow down there Argus, we have to split up. The east side is too big of an area, it would be better if we worked in groups." (Sara)

"So then...how will we split up?" (Rebecca)

"I will go with Alexander, Peter can go with you and Argus with Luis." (Sara)

"Yes!" (Argus)

"Woah, hold up there. Why am I with Argus? Thinking about the teams being balance wouldn't distributing be more viable?" (Luis)

"No, you both can use magic so that means that neither would slow the other one down much. You both will be given a bigger area to cover due to your mobility while we small groups take smaller areas. This way is the most efficient way of searching." (Sara)

It sounds like a plausible argument. But I found yesterday that being with Argus is dangerous for my mouth! Ugh... I'll have to deal with it.

"... I understand." (Luis)

"Good." (Sara)

"Brat trying to act like an adult by just accepting it without complaint," laughs Peter

"Better than being an adult acting like a brat,' I retort.

"You got me there." (Peter)

Huh? That's not really the response I expected. Did something change these last three days? Was it the raid or the fact that I saved Rebecca's life... I see.

"...Yeah, Yeah. So what're our designated areas," I say looking at Sara

"You and Argus will cover from **** to **** ." (Sara)

"That's big!" (Argus)

"Yeah, no kidding. I feel like it's not humanly possible with the time we have." (Luis)

"Good thing you both aren't human." (Sara)

Everyone starts laughing. Fair enough I guess.

"As for me and Alexander, we'll cover from **** to **** and, Peter and Rebecca will cover from **** to ****. Any questions?" No one answers her." In that case, let's go out there and find Bloody Crips," she says as she puts her hand in the circle.

Are we suppose to... I don't finish the thought when Argus, Rebecca, and Alexander suddenly join in.

After some hesitation, Peter joins in too. I looked down and out my hand on my forehead.

I sigh.

"Are we really doing this?" (Luis)

"Yes!" (Argus, Rebecca, and Sara)

Alexander nods vigorously.

"Just give up, you can't stop them when they are like this." (Peter)

I sigh again. And put my hand in.

"Let's go!" (Argus)

"Let's go!" (Sara and Rebecca)

"Let's go." (Peter and Luis)