Lucan had once again gotten permission to go outside and explore, this was an untrue statement, he had snuck out, but no one would notice, anyone that did would likely pretend not to, which was a blessing for him.
Polly had rewritten his memories and buried his psyche, he retained those memories making it easier to compare, she had overwritten his personality with someone else's and unlike the others, which reflected parts of her own personality and now upon closer inspection some of the blondies, he was something else entirely 'It's very likely she mapped over how she remembered the original Lucan'.
The difference between an actual eight-year-old and Lucan was quite large, he also wasn't the actual Lucan from this world so inconsistencies should have appeared in his memories much sooner but they didn't if anything his personality had barely changed 'So what was wrong?'
He jumped over the wall and landed in a pile of fresh snow with a thud, letting out a small grunt, he got up and dusted himself off, with an annoyed look on his face 'Everything is so damn slippery'.
The streets didn't have as many people on them anymore, though no sensible soul should be out in this weather, he was only here because he really needed to consider some things.
He strolled around the city taking in the changes looking over his shoulder every so often 'it's not like I'll actually catch them'
The objective of this outing was to see how far the image of Polly's version of Lucan falls within a reasonable framework.
Running away right now was unrealistic, he didn't want to die barely a full year into his new life. Bradley was a prime example, given how long ago it was that they had stopped seeing him at the orphanage coupled with the time for the murders it was clear he had been on the run.
'Yeah, I don't think I'm strong enough to kill a full-grown man although killing people and being strong don't have to go hand in hand'.
It had been a long time since he had taken a walk outside, a lot had changed about this place. It was still dreary, and the air still smelled terrible, but it felt calmer, maybe it was the cold but there weren't people lurking in corners anymore.
Lucan almost chuckled, 'I guess fear is a very effective deterrent'. Since the appearance of the Dark Knight even the local thugs walking around would have some pause 'What are the chances that he's here though?'
It was unrealistic of him to think he would get any help from the vigilante, he wasn't omniscient, 'he doesn't even have powers' The memes had most definitely exaggerated his behavior somewhat and if they were accurate he would already be aware of this situation.
He looked at his feet and the shoes he wore, the snow was destroying the cheap little things with every step he took. After his little adventure, he would likely not have any good shoes left to wear anymore.
He sighed and just as he was about to look up he bumped into someone and fell backwards. 'Ow, Jesus, what did I just bump into, it felt like a freaking wall'.
He looked up and spotted a tall man in a long-sleeve jacket and a face cap walking with his head lowered, he had a suspicious air about him, as everyone else in this city did, but there was something else about him that made Lucan find him familiar but he brushed it aside for now "Hey are you okay?".
His voice was smooth, he had a well-learned accent and a rather gentle tone, it was reassuring, which only made him seem like a well-experienced kidnapper. The man stretched out a hand to help him up and after some brief contemplation he took it 'Being kidnapped might not be such a bad idea actually'.
He slowly stretched out his arm and let the man pull him up, "You don't look like you're from around here mister, looking for something?". The man tilted his head slightly and responded.
"How can you tell?" he tucked his large hands back in his jacket while Lucan flashed him a sly smile.
"I can't actually, if anything you fit right, so thanks for confirming that for me". Lucan observed the man's reaction but he simply stood there without so much any change to his behavior, in fact he hadn't moved at all 'Ah well whatever, maybe he's just a normal dude'
He turned around and was about to leave when his feet suddenly felt cold. He frowned and looked down at his shoes, seeing that they had practically become worthless "Need some help?". The man asked and Lucan shot him a dubious glance.
"What's in it for you?" He could hear the man sigh, he glanced around for a bit and said calmy
"Let's move somewhere warmer if you don't mind". Shrugging he followed behind the suspicious man into a nearby shop and settled down.
***
The dinner was well lit with red chairs and round cloth-covered tables. There were a lot more people than one would expect inside the establishment but that didn't mean the place was full, it was hard to describe, feeling akin to the glass half full.
The two sat down and Lucan let out an exasperated breath as both of them looked at the menu "There's not a lot to offer, anything you'd recommend?".
Lucan shook his head, this would be his first time in this place himself, he had practically no idea what to expect from any of these dishes and he didn't see any reason to pretend.
"Never been to this particular one?". Sitting opposite him, the man called the waitress over and ordered something small for the two of them, after taking down the orders he waitress looked it over, nodded and walked off.
"Never been to a restaurant actually" Lucan sat back in his chair and the man turned to him and stared in silence "What? It's not like I have anyone to take me". The man appeared to be quite interested in this particular branch of conversation.
"No parents? Family?". Lucan just shook his head..
"None that I know of sir". The man went silent for a moment and then leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed, it seemed like he was deep in thought or maybe he was assessing whether anyone would look for me if I went missing, he didn't really feel like asking which it was.
The food arrived soon after, steam wafting off the plate, the scent travelling directly into his nose. He could feel the saliva building up in his mouth, he hadn't realized how hungry he was, having not eaten normal food in a while, and portions that would make rats look luxurious, it had brought him to the point where he was just about to lunge at the plate in front of him, but composed himself before his baser instincts could strip him of reason and put on his friendliest smile "Thank you so much Mister".
The man nodded and he ravenously dug into his food, the man simply watched in silence until he had eaten about half of his food and started to slow down and he calmly asked "So if there isn't anyone taking care of you what about an orphanage? There should be a lot of them around here right?
Lucan heard that and raised an eyebrow, quickly swallowing the food in his mouth he quickly retorted, in an attempt to correct any strange thoughts this man might have about this place.
"What are you talking about? I don't know who told you that or where you heard it from but there aren't that many, from what I hear, There's a lot more gangs picking up strays to use as pickpockets and other stuff the entire upper district so I hear, but as far as actual orphanages go, there's maybe like two or three real ones around here" Lucan recalled some of the conversations he would hear in passing from the former orphanage staff, people who went outside or whenever The Blondie and Polly would update him on things, which was of course before he stopped being able to see either of them.
The man seemed intrigued as he leaned on the table "Oh, and how did you hear that? If I may ask"
"I don't see how that's important." Lucan paused, swallowing another mouthful of his food and changing the grip on his fork, observing that the man slowly inched away from the table.
"I'm just wondering if you at least have a place to sleep, it's not exactly safe these days ". Lucan looked at the man strangely
"I don't think a man who looks like he snatches purses and picks random kids off the street should be lecturing me about safety, I'm sleeping plenty fine thank you"
"The irony isn't lost on me" he could almost swear he saw a smirk as the man pushed his plate toward him and stood up.
'Well, at least he's aware of it'. The man placed some cash next to his plate which made Lucan's eyes dart around, before he quickly stuffed it into his jacket's inner pocket "This is for?"
"The food's been paid for, that… is to get yourself some new shoes and as a thank you for the company" The man waved at him after patting him on the back as he calmly exited the establishment pulling up the collar of his jacket and crossing the road, watching him while he ate he had only turned his head away for a few seconds before he suddenly lost track of the man.
'Well, that was strange' A waitress slowly walked over to the table with a curious look, when she couldn't bear it anymore she asked
"Someone you know, kid?". Lucan shook his head and shrugged, not even bothering to turn around as he took the last bite out of his food
"Met him today, don't even know his name, seemed new in town" The lady nodded, picking up the now-empty dishes from his table
"Not a lot of people coming to town this period, new faces are pretty rare, especially since Mr No Name there paid in full and upfront so you don't owe us anything, and since you're done" Lucan rolled his eyes at her and rose from his seat
"Yeah, yeah don't gotta tell me". He grumbled under his breath walking out of the diner and then started moving towards the old metro 'People have no respect for paying customers these days'
Lucan tapped his pockets, making sure his money was still there and toyed with the thought of whether he should actually buy new shoes or see if he could actually make it to the library this time. Kane town was pretty large, despite how it may have looked on a map and the cold that threatened his toes was no joke 'I just hope I don't regret this or something'
He scratched the back of his head and continued his stroll around town, his goal having been altered slightly, he would now be looking for a cheap shoe store to cover for his feet's lack of proper protection.
***
P.O.V
The cold wind blew past his face as he watched the boy he had just met leave the diner, patting his clothes down before he scratched the back of his head and kept walking in the direction of the old metro.
The man had simply swapped out his caps and thrown a scarf over his neck, and the fact that the boy had not gotten a good look at him was more than enough to constitute a vanishing effect since the human mind tended to overlook things that didn't match what they were looking for
"Hmm". The man looked down at a small rectangular screen with a map and a moving, blinking red dot that was heading in the same direction as the boy he was observing 'sorry kid but I might just have to see where exactly it is you sleep today'
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.