I don't want to paint Ray as a bad driver. Did we get to our destination? Yes. Did I feel safe the whole ride there? Absolutely not. Ray was full throttle pretty much the whole way there. We were weaving in and out of traffic like we were in a chase sequence. I know it'd be ironic for me to complain about going fast, but you just had to be there. He handling was incredible, though. I never doubted that she knew what she is doing. She just did it all very, very fast.
Rachel parks the hoverbike along the street in front of a casino. I'd been down here multiple times, but my wonder at the scenery hasn't dwindled. Crowds of people, sober and the opposite are bustling down the sidewalk either way. There are numerous casinos, bars and stored all over the Wealth District. Each building with its own blinding wall of lights. I'll bet you're wondering why it is called the Wealth District if it seems like such a tourism focused part of town. I can assure you; it is not. Everything over here is outrageously overpriced. Like… three times more than it would be anywhere else. Needless to say, all the shop and property owners here make bank.
Rachel lands the bike against the curb and shuts off the engine. I hop off and she follows suit. She takes of her helmet and somehow, her hair is still super voluminous.
"Oh… my… gosh!!" Rachel starts dancing in place again. "This place is incredible! So bright! So loud! So…"
Someone, obviously drunk bumps into Rachel. They slur out an apology and continue on their way.
"So crowded," she says, somewhat disgusted. This feeling is temporary, as she reverts to her wonderment.
"I'm glad you like it," I chuckle.
"Like it? I love it! I wanna try everything! Let's go gambling. I wanna drink!"
"I don't know about those," I smile at her. I've never seen her this excited.
"Ugh you're right," she replies, the grin never leaving her face. Then she whips around to face me.
"We have to come back and try all the stuff together, okay?"
I lock eyes with her in that moment. She had such excitement in her face
that it was contagious.
"Yeah, for sure!" I reply.
Ray squeals and throws her arms around my neck for a hug. I get stunned for a moment, then smile and return the hug. For a moment we just stand there, and it's… nice. Like everything is perfect. After another moment Ray steps away.
"Alright, Blue," she says, her tone suddenly serious. Rachel was back in mission-mode.
"Step one is to find a dealer," Ray continues. "But we aren't gonna find the one we need here. Too crowded."
Rachel then takes a pair of sunglasses from her jeans pocket and puts them on. They are bright red cat-eye sunglasses.
"We have to head further out," I say. "That's we're all the trouble is."
"Sounds good. But the bike is staying here. I don't want to have to whoop someone if they mess with her."
"Fine by me."
"Perfect. Let's go."
Rachel and I stroll back the way we drove up. It feels like I've never seen this part of town before. Not while moving at a human pace at least. There are so many stores. Rachel kept stopping to peer into them, so I have to keep her on track. We're down here to find the leaders of the Allure, that's all. While I keep telling myself this, I can't help but begin to enjoy the walk. Things felt normal for the first time in what feels like years, even though this is not the case. Maybe it's okay to live in the moment, at least a little bit. Especially when I'm with…
"We're here," Ray says, snapping me out of my own head.
Just like that, the fun part was over. We're right back to business. I focus once again on my surroundings. The bright, exciting environment has faded away to an empty, gloomy street. The shops seem more like everyday shops, just more suspicious looking… Almost as if behind each door a crime was being committed. In fact, there is an aura of danger everywhere. Every instinct in my body is telling me to get out of here.
"It's so…" I whisper, afraid of what might happen if I raise my voice any higher.
"I know," Ray whispers back. "I feel it, too."
The street is quiet… way, way too quiet. I feel my adrenaline start rising. Every shadow seems like a threat. I can't stop my head from whipping around every other second. I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching us. Ray instinctively takes a couple steps toward me, but I'm too anxious to give it much thought.
"Y-you know, maybe we should…" Ray stammers.
"Yeah, let's go," I reply hurriedly. I turn around and my heart leaps into my throat. There is a tall figure standing right there. I mean… really, really tall. Well above 7 feet. I take two quick steps back. Ray takes a quick hop back, landing next to me.
The figure has a huge black parka on, the large hood is up, casting a shadow over their face. Their legs are so skinny, like stilts. Ray and I stare at the figure, not moving an inch.
"Who… who are you? What do want?" Ray asks, breaking the silence.
We hear the figure draw in a long breath, then they speak in a voice so deep that it almost shakes the air between us.
"I know… why… you're here," the figure says.
I hear Rachel's fists clench beside me. I shift my weight to the balls of my feet, ready to power up and move at any moment.
The figure unzips their parka. The inside is lined with pockets, each pocket housing a faint blue glow. I do a quick count. He had at least 16 pockets. That's a lot of Rush…
"How many… will it be?" the figure says.
I look down at Ray. She did say to let her do the talking…
After a moment she unclenches her fists.
"Y'know," she says, her bravado returning. She takes off her sunglasses. "We're in the market for something more… effective."
The figure grunts and zips his parka back up. He then raises his arm towards us and snaps his fingers. Suddenly, numerous men leap out of the shadows, surrounding us.
"Oh, shit," I mutter. I get into a fighting stance, but before I can react someone whom I didn't notice tackles me from behind. I don't go down, but they put me in a full Nelson. I can't move and I can't focus enough to power up. I hear Rachel cry out next to me. I struggle harder. Not like this…
A hooded figure then rushes me, connecting a punch with my nose, knocking me out.
When I come to, I am in a large room. A throne room? The room is wide, with a high ceiling. A large chandelier is hanging in the center of it. There a numerous hooded people lining the perimeter of the room. About 10 paces in front of me sits a large chair, and in that chair is a man with black, slicked back hair, in an all-black suit. He had one leg crossed over the other and is staring directly at me. I try to move my arms, but they are cuffed behind my back. I attempted to stand but am brutishly shoved back onto my knees. I wince.
"What's going on…" I say. "Where am I?"
Something strikes the back of my head, and my eyes start to water.
"You will not speak unless spoken to!" a gruff voice says behind me.
"Now, now…" a voice says from across the room. It's the dude on the throne. "That's not how we treat our guests."
"Apologies Lord Lucius," the voice behind me says.
That must be Lucius Ark. Looks like we found our guy. I look around. Wait a damn second…
"Wait… where's Ray?" I say, trying to stand. The men behind me press down on my shoulders, holding me down.
"Who? Oh yes, the young lady that we found you with?" Lucius shakes his head, almost as if regretful of something. He speaks in a light British accent. "She caused us a great deal of trouble. She hospitalized 6 of my men today all on her lonesome. Quite impressive, I daresay."
My blood starts to boil. "If you hurt her, I'll…"
"Do calm yourself, boy. If you wanted to see her you should have just said something. Oh, Mr. Ghant!"
The wall of the men against the wall to myself separate, revealing a set of double doors. The doors open up and the dude in the parka from before walks in carrying Ray over one shoulder. His hood is down now, revealing a pasty-white bald head, and a pair of small glasses perched upon his beak-like nose. He has a noticeable bruise on the left side of his face. He walks to the center of the room and tosses Rachel onto the floor. She's unconscious…
"Rachel…" I try once more to stand up. I am met yet again with resistance.
"Let the boy stand," Lucius stays from his throne.
I feel the hands lift my shoulders and I race over to where Ray is slumped on the floor.
"Oh my gosh…" I say.
I barely recognize her face. One eye is swollen shut; the other is bleeding. Her mouth seems full of blood and her nose might be broken.
I can't breathe… this is terrible. Suddenly, my breath returns, and it's burning hot.
"Looking a little red there lad, may I offer you some water?" Lucius asks, beginning to chuckle.
"You…" I lock eyes with the man on the throne. I have no idea what kind of face I was making, but it makes Lucius do a double take.
"Goodness boy, that's not at all a flattering look. Mr. Ghant, fix his face please."
The tall man groans and begins to walk over to me.
"…Evan."
It's Rachel.
"Oh my gosh, Ray I'm so sorry," I say, tears welling up in my eyes. "If I was faster, you'd…"
"Hey… don't sweat it," she says hoarsely. "Just get em good for me," she shoot me a weak smile, before slumping back down again, unconscious. She needs help…
In my peripheral vision, I see Mr. Ghant reaching for me. Not this time. I power up and whip around to face Mr. Ghant.
"I'm gonna make you pay," I growl. I pull my fist back and launch a full force punch on Mr. Ghant's nose. His head rocks backwards and he staggers back a few feet.
"GET… HIM!" the man roars.
All the men lining the room suddenly spring into action, coming at me with fists, knives and guns. I know I can't take them all, and I have to get Ray back to the station. I need to move faster than I have so far. I need more… more power. I ignite my blood. I don't care about the side effects. I need the power…
Cold… then boom! That's one. More…
Cold… boom! Two. More…
Cold… boom! More… more!!
Cold… boom!
Cold… boom!
My whole body is crackling with energy. I feel it from the tips of my toes to the ends of my hair. Let's move.
I hear two guns go off to my left; I turn to face the sound. I can see the bullets traveling through the air towards me. It's like time slowed down, but just for me. I pick up Ray and move her to the door Ghant came out of. That'll be our exit. I turn around to face the army ahead of my, just now turning to face my current location. I race into the fray, letting my rage take over. I'm delivering blows to everyone I lay my eyes on. Two punches to the face here, a punch to the gut here, a kick to the nose, a knee to the face! Nobody is safe. Before I know it half the gang is doubled over in pain or unconscious. I ease up on my power for a moment, allowing time to carry on as normal.
"Incredible," Lucius says, doing slow, dramatic claps. "The Blue Blur, infiltrating the Allure's headquarters under my watch. My superiors will be most intrigued."
Superiors? So, he isn't the boss?
I race over to where Lucius is sitting, getting right up in his face. I grab him by the collar of his suit and lower my tone.
"What do you mean 'superiors?'"
Lucius starts cackling. "Who are you to interrogate ME, boy? While I appreciate the effort. That is not what you should be worried about right now."
He gestures over my shoulder, and I turn around just in time to see Mr. Ghant walking out the door with Ray over his shoulder.
"NO!" I yell. Racing across the room to the door. But one of the goons I took down grabs my ankle. I trip and go sprawling. The door closes shut a few feet from me.
"Damn it!" I yell, pounding the door with my fists.
I speed back across the room, giving myself room to charge the door. I lower my shoulder and barrel full speed through the door. The door opens to a spiral stairwell. I hear the faint whooshing of helicopter blades at the top of them. The roof. They're getting away! I race to the top and blow through the roof access door. The helicopter is already in the air, departing. I can't let them get away. Mustering all the strength I have left, I take a running leap at the helicopter. I can reach it…
As I near the helicopter, Mr. Ghant leans out of the helicopter and lands a solid punch to my temple. I'm sent spiraling towards the ground, but I never feel the impact.