The door nearly knocked Derrick into the small puddle of blood. Kale, noticing someone behind the door, softly nudged it ajar, escaping through the small opening.
"Kid, are you all right?" Kale spoke while slowly squatting down beside Derrick. "I had hoped you would not have seen this."
Derrick trembled. "Why did she have to die? Why did she have to... like that!? What happens if he doesn't get caught? What happens if he gets to someone else?"
"He kills again," Kale responded.
"Why does it have to be like that?" Derrick looked at Kale tearfully.
"Before that happens, I will do something about it," said Kale.
"You will?" Derrick smiled softly at the older man.
"Yeah, kid. Now stop crying." Kale patted Derrick on the head as he stood. He then reentered the building, squeezing through the door again. He headed to his apartment. A promise was waiting for him to fulfill. Kale glanced around his room, looking for Samantha, but she had already left. He sat on his full-sized bed and flipped on a small tv, that sat across from him. A female news reporter with red hair showed on his screen. The reporter pressed the mic to Detective Polly.
"This is the first victim today. Do you think there will be more? Do you have anything to say? How do you plan to catch the perp?" The reporter wheezed, trying to keep up with her.
Polly infuriated, pointed her finger at the reporter. "You know I can't comment on an ongoing investigation. As for catching him, we are doing everything we can! So, scram!"
Kale chuckled at the TV. "She seems and sounds like a tough detective. There is nothing wrong with a woman who has grit." After Kale spoke, he faded into his thoughts. Something had to be done about that man or woman. She was just a child. "I have a funny feeling he or she isn't done, and I'm going to need Derrick's help. I may have to dress him up... Hopefully, gender isn't a deciding factor in targets."
Kale stood and walked over to the old light brown dresser that the TV sat on. He opened two drawers one at a time, pulling an item out of each one. The pieces formed a black sweatsuit. He also found a black ski mask tucked away. Kale placed the items together. It still felt off to him. He glanced around the small room. Finally, his eyes landed on the item he sought. A gag gift along with the Ski mask from one of his friends. Good old Tony. A pair of combat boots.
Derrick knocked on Kale's door but quickly retracted his hand. His chin wavered. He did not know what he had been thinking. The old man probably said that to make him feel better. It wasn't like he was going to be a superhero.
Kale ventured to the door, opening it. He looked down, noticing Derrick. He left the door open while walking away. "Shut the door after you enter."
Derrick slowly walked in with a tense posture. His eyes immediately fell on the all-black gear. "woah what's this?"
"That is what I am wearing tonight. I am going to chase down that creep who killed your friend," said Kale.
Derrick picked up the ski mask. His nose wrinkled. "You can't wear this. You would look like a villain."
Kale chuckled. "Why not? It isn't like I'm going to be lawful about this."
"It will make you look like a bad guy," Derrick reiterated. "You are not a bad guy. Bad guys break promises and hurt people."
"Why not? I am a bad guy, kid. I mean, I will be one. What I am about to do is not sane. And maybe I'm just after an untimely demise, yearning for one last glorious moment," Kale confessed. I suppose it would not hurt to give into him. "All right, kid, you have your way, but I need your help tonight."
"Do I get to help you fight the bad guy, too?" Derrick asked excitedly.
"No, kid, you will be the bait. After you bait, you stay out of the way. Any complaints?" said Kale.
Derrick shook his head. "Hold on, I will be back."
Kale eyed the kid. "Sure, take your time."
Derrick ran from Kale's apartment to his mother's. He darted into his room. Derrick reached under his pillow, pulling out a large domino mask made entirely from black fabric with red stitch marks. He hurried out of his room and apartment and entered Kale's. He showed Kale. "I made it for my Halloween costume, but made it too big."
Kale gently took the mask, turned it over in his hand, and studied it. He tilted his head while frowning. It appeared too big for a child, but It could be used as a child's item if reworked. The design seemed wonky, with one eye bigger than the other. Kale glanced at Derrick as he held the mask. "Are you sure?" He slid the mask struggling with tying it in the back. "It fits kid, Is your mom going out tonight?"
Derrick nodded. "She works tonight for Sugarplum."
"Well, then plenty of time to prepare." Kale untied the mask. He reached for the remote and flipped the TV off. "All right, kid, let's go to the roof. You need to learn a few things."
Derrick perked up. His eyes widened watching Kale head out the door. He scrambled after the old man, who led him through the noisy hall to the staircases. They avoided any conversation the neighbors had. Instead of going down, they trudged up the rubbery black stairs. Derrick's leg burned as he continued to follow kale. At the end of the stairs, after a green tile landing, was a simple grey fire door. Derrick's mouth fell open as Kale opened the door, exposing the waning sun.
Kale walked through the door onto the roof. He closed his eyes and inhaled. He then shook his shoulders out while cracking his neck.
Derrick's eyes widened, taking in the roof. A garden stretched across and around the area. He caught sight of several lawn chairs around an old radio. One of the lawn chairs had an umbrella attached to it. Beyond the lawn chairs rested a worn black standing punching bag. "What is this place?"
Kale opened his eyes. "My friends made this space theirs. It seems the old coots couldn't resist. Now, kid, show me what you got."
"Why?" Derrick questioned Kale.
"In case something goes wrong. I am going to teach you, what I can in the next couple of hours. So, you and I can apprehend him," said Kale.
"You mean it, Kale." Derrick's face lit up.
Kale nodded.
Derrick went over to the punching bag. He punched it lightly with a weak stance.