亚洲综合中美

“What’s good about this?” a shrieking howl, almost like the skin of a person being ripped, rushed into the apartment, “-the whole town’s getting destroyed,” he carefully slipped a curious look outside, “-the slums,” the jaws dropped, “-it’s being torn,” he turned at Cruse then back outside, “-DEBRIS!” *CRASH,* a wooden post slammed right into the room, Odgar barely ducked. Gust howled, rain thrashed – twigs and leaves pinged off the buildings.

“A pinball machine,” added a carefree Cruse, “-don’t bother with the window,” *snap,* a barrier summoned, “-I have news, my dear Odgar.”

“Don’t call me my dear,” he rolled his eyes, “-doesn’t sound good coming from your mouth. Makes me feel dirty.”

“Why not?” he posed seductively, “-do you not like the flesh of young ma-”

“Enough,” Odgar pulled the reigns, “-we need not useless jokes, son of Igna.”

“Don’t get so formal,” Cruse stretched his arms and stared outside.

.....

“What’s the good news?”

“Tonight’s the night of change,” he smiled, “-my associate’s delivered Thoas’ location. You know what follows, don’t you?”

Odgar studied the wet floor grimly. The shattered windows partially reflected his face, ‘-it comes to this.’ Cruse entered the kitchen, “-you got a knife?”

“Pardon?”

“I need a knife,” he glared back, “-how else am I going to kill Thoas.”

“Wait, you’re just a kid...”

“There’s no age in killing a person,” he grabbed the nearest blade and stepped into the living room, “-Odgar, focus on your task. It’ll be more difficult than mine. Taking a life,” he pressed the blade’s top, “-is relatively simple. Good luck, Odgar. Let’s end the Dear Boss Killer affair,” the relative corridor howled. The gust took up speed. ‘-to properly end the affair; multiple cogs must properly sync,’ a strange rubbing against his breast pocket, ‘-what’s this?’ he reached in, ‘-a letter?’ the label marked the Dear Boss Killer’s insignia, “-Dear boss, time comes for us to part. Thoas Duquant is the humble soul chosen for my sacrifice. Thou must understand, dear boss, I’m not one of this world. I represent the hatred and sufferance of the lower-class. Bother not scouring the street nor the high and mighty, for my existence thrives in thy nightmares. I’m omnipresent, I know and I see. Employing the ECA, hiring Odgar Codd, I know much of thine tales, dear boss. To the sorry chief of investigation, Jack, and the poor coroner, Tile, I bid my heartfelt thanks. Justice never thrives, it never does and only acts upon the fate of the chosen few. Thoas Duquant is one remarkable chosen one, he has power, money, and influence. Alas, he has no wit nor courage to endure my treatment. Such will be my last act – I proclaim killers who impersonate my action will be paid in kind, like the marksmen thee hired, isn’t it true, dear Jack? Coroner Tile, I dedicate this victim to thee, for I know the Mayor’s crude action have prevented thy dream as a family man. Awaken, Istra, for thy reputation as the land of lawlessness must be upheld. Justice shackles a man, for when man steps into the battlefield, humanity, and empathy are but restrains. No holding back in the war, dear boss, no holding back,’ signed the Dear Boss Killer. Cruse threw a confused and amused smile, ‘-so father knows?’ he lowered his shoulder and breathed, ‘-he knows they used him as a pawn, he played the part despite being used. How fearsome can you possibly be, dear father? With this, I will end the tale of the DBK, no one needs to know the truth,’ he reached the staircase, ‘-after all, the world is a Haggard’s playground. We are with all the meaning of the word; invincible.’ Cruse set off into the pits of despair – hurricane Toria. A translucent barrier kept wind, rain, and debris away from the lavish suit.

Odgar watched from the broken window, ‘-the Haggard’s...’ he exhaled, ‘-just how powerful have they grown?’ he equipped waterproof boots, baggy trousers, and warm pullovers and closed the uniform with a jacket. A poncho and a courage umbrella opened into the cyclonic descent. The engine of a cheap motorcycle squealed, ‘-to the police station,’ fog and rain lowered visibility. ‘-The rain’s making the ride worse,’ he cringed from inside the helmet. Cars drove at a moderate pace – standing out only with the headlights. Corners shop remained open – business was through ajar doors and windows.

‘Doesn’t work,’ the bike gasped to no avail, ‘-the street’s too slippy, she can’t continue...’ he ditched the bike, a simple bicycle with an engine strapped to its already rusty frame. It was no motoring masterpiece – for it is the masterpiece of not a master mechanic, but a humble fisherman. Rain trashed like bullets; each drop pelted with subsequent force. Rogue gales threw people off their feet, literally shoving some against barriers or walls.

“WATCH OUT!” cried a side alley. A man dropped. Odgar glanced, bystanders, rushed to the man’s side, “-he’s bleeding out,” they sought cover, “-he got stabbed by a metallic sheet.”

‘Is that a gun?’ Odgar noticed the outline from the men’s damp shirt. They held some kind of weapons, the terror faced by mother nature’s wrath, “-man, let’s get out of here,” another explosion of sound, scraping of sheets against the rough asphalt, “-I’m not looking to get killed without a fight,” brought the fear from these ruthless killers.

Odgar threw open his flip phone and dialed, “-Luso?”

“Speaking, what’s up, Odgar?”

“Are you working on the case?”

“Not the DB case, why, any leads?”

“I might have one. I’ll need to access the database. Can’t do so without appropriate clearance.”

“Yeah sure,” he dismissed the request, “-the weather’s pretty bad out there. Where are you, I hear a lot of noise?”

“I’m headed to the police station.”

“Oh, the compound, yeah sure. Come along if you can. Should I send an escort?”

“No, no, I’ll be fine. I’m a few minutes away.”

“Man, I’m sorry, but I have something on my plate. I got a fancy lead on this case I’ve been working on. We might have able to reel in that damned scammer,” the voice faded, “-and don’t worry about clearance, I’ll have them grant you special access. Ask for Jack or Tile when you are here, cool?”

“Yeah, thanks, man. Good luck on the crackdown.”

“Yeah, thanks, you too man. Good luck traveling the street. It’s a shitstorm out there, literally. I hear drained were uprooted – I tell you; the walls were covered with shit and piss. Slums man, I tell you, they’re not worth the city’s attention. Anyway, I’ll catch you later, good night.” He closed the phone and waited, ‘-Luso agreed so easily. My gut’s saying no... should I ignore my feelings? I don’t know, well, a deal is a deal, better act on it.’

Contrast Odgar to Cruse, the latter walked as if out in the park. The canals flooded, and people ran up and down the street. He made his way around Cub’s bridge, under the apartment where Vengeance hid with Svipe and Umi, and continued up the hill. The residential soon shifted into stronger, more beautiful manors. A bridge, known as Lion’s bridge, built further up the canals, facilitated access from the hill to the city. Once more, reserved only for the citizens. Trees draped the railings; the river crashed like a waterfall and joined the harbor. Night watch patrolled the area with lamps, “-ahoy, mister,” hailed one, “-the street’s not safe to be taking a casual walk,” two more joined the ranks.

“Evening, gentleman,” rain and window bounced off the lavishly dressed man, “-the weather is absolutely ravishing.”

“Mister, you be a weird one,” he commented, “-do you have your pass?”

“Pass?” Cruse furrowed his brow, “-how very insulting.”

One of the others tapped the night-watches shoulder and whispered, “-look at this outfit man, he’s clearly affluent. The jewelry and the magic, he’s a noble. Let him.”

“My apologies, mister,” jet-black ornate outlines; the gates, crashed against the amber reflection of lamps against the damp stone-brick street, opening to a sensation of deep melancholy and tranquility. The troubled guards said gates.

“Who stands there?” they cried once more, this time, Cruse watched from the other side. A man, a woman, and a babe wrapped in a blanket ran to the guards, “-please, mister, let us in. We need to see a doctor. Our child, our child, she’s gotten ill. We’ll pay whatever we have, I’ll do anything, just let us in,” begged the man.

A guard inside the city looked at Cruse and then the couple, “-don’t trouble yourself, my lord. These things occur regularly. You might want to cover your ears.”

He crinkled at the remark, *bang, bang, bang,* they dropped, “-bring the body bags.”

“Toss ’em off the bridge,” he cried.

“You stupid, we’ll get in trouble like last time. Get the bags already,” the guard looked at Cruse with a shake, “-told you, my lord, tis a regular occurrence” he ran into a well-lit guard post. Cruse carried on the trip, ‘-they’re ruthless,’ he came to the town square, and the affluent dined in complete comfort and regale. Sooth music, warm drinks, and the not-so-important hurricane.

“Good evening,” greeted a few wandering couples.

“The night sure is present,” Cruse added with a hint of sarcasm, the couple giggled.

“It sure is, sir, it sure is,” and hastily hurried into one of the many restaurants. Hotel Esma,’ a quick scan, ‘-there, I see it,’ he moved northwest. Including the ground floor, the hotel carried at least five floors and was built remotely. The large yard, large street, and thick walls around its perimeter set the tone for its prestige. Each room seemed to have a balcony. The hotel staff worked proficiently. Night had begun for the residents.

“Excuse me,” the guard hailed from inside the gates, “-do you have an appointment?”

“Pardon?”

“I do apologize for asking, my lord, the hotel’s hosting a rather exclusive soiree. ”

“I see,” he looked inside, “-you must think I’m not one of the elites. Suppose not having a car and walking to the hotel is a bit out of character,” he laughed, “-my dear, it will be foolish to refuse my patronage. See,” he displayed a very elaborate crest, “-I’m of foreign nobility.”

“My apologies,” he opened the gates, “-I meant no disrespect, my dear sir. Ever since the DBK’s announcement of killing someone of high standing, the owner and the guests have tightened security.”

“About the soiree, is it a charade?”

“No, no. It’s being hosted and is yet exclusive. Please, hurry inside, you must not catch a cold because of me.”

“Don’t worry, my dear,” he flipped through exa bills and handed a hefty tip, “-for a job well done. And please do not worry,” he opened his palm, “-as you see, the rain barely touches me. Good work, my dear, good work,” such, the handsome young noble entered Esna hotel. Arriving on foot made quite the impression, especially from the hotel staff.

“Pardon my asking,” a suited staff member stopped Cruse at the entrance, “-we’re out of rooms tonight. I will kindly ask-”

“The hospitality sure is apauling,” he added loudly, “-my dear, do you know who I am?”

“My dear sir, please, you’re being a nuisance to the customers,” narrowed the man, with emphasis on two young damsels in the waiting area.

“To whom?” Cruse glanced over his shoulder and winked at the ladies, they both blushed and giggled, “-I don’t suppose a laugh counts as disturbance, does it?”

An older gentleman hurried to the front and touched the younger attendant, “-would you excuse us?”

“Fair,” Cruse nodded respectfully, “-might I take a seat or would that be considered an upfront to this less than mediocre establishment?”

“No sir, please make yourself at home,” the older gentleman accepted grudgingly and hurried into a corner.

“What’s the matter, why would you cause a scene?”

“My, it’s not me,” he threw his arms, “-I was only upholding the standard you set, manager.”

“Well, that man is clearly not someone of the ordinary.”

“He came on foot,” he whispered, “-is that not a sign of-”

“A sign of what?” the older gentleman seethed, “-you and your crooked ways. Look,” they looked at Cruse, “-his outfit is completely dry, his clothes and accessories are worth more than my annual wage. Besides, Marvin granted access, you know as well as I do, Marvin doesn’t open the gate for anyone.”