The Bruised Ego
#1 of Modern Times
ACT 1. - Cloudy Origin - General Storytelling
The circular table sat in the center of the living room. Having used to be the spool for some monstrous power cord, it'd been refinished, and painted to look like it had always been meant for indoor use. A lone place was set at the table, with nothing too fancy garnishing it's place. Just a styrofoam plate filled with mashed potatoes and leftover spaghetti, and a plastic glass of green tea. Through the sweating cup, a blurry form stood out of what appeared to be a jackal. In a costly suit of white silk and carnation lining, he had a look of both worry and slight annoyance, his gaze looking through the glass at the blurry figure on the other side. A younger hare, about 6 or 7, staring at his plate with grateful solace, wasting no time on prayer as his paw curled around the plastic fork and tore away at the edible contents.
"I don't mean to burst your bubble kid, but this is by no means a permanent solution," Crovac mumbled, his gold and brown-burned tail shifting mildly out the other end of his high-end trousers. "My job pays enough to support more, but this place is more for grown-ups than second graders. I've got.. important guests over here frequently, including tonight. Shit.. er.. pardon the grammar.. you'll need to hide somewhere."
"Oooo, I love hide and seek! One time, my friends and I found an abandoned church around midnight, and had a huge game of it with flashlights and nerf guns for added dramatic tension," the younger fur declared, who's name was apparently Jeremy from what the Jackal gathered. About five feet, plush white fur adorned his average frame, though the tips of his ears were stained with a light burgundy, enough of a contrast that most he talked to asked about if he was okay before anything else. 'Oh yea, I was just born with those,' he'd cooly reply.
"That's great. Really great.." he mumbled, searching for his wallet amid various pictures of past loves atop his fireplace ledge. One picture falls.. but that was just Germaine, no sweat if it breaks. 'Of course, the thing HAD to be behind Ceth,' he grumbles to himself, that white fox having been a particular heart breaker. But no matter, he was armed and ready, setting germaine back up on the ledge, and wearily padding over to where the young one is sat. Crouching was a chore in his get up, but he managed anyway, peering eye to eye with the hare. "Now, Jeremy, I need a big favor of you tonight. You know the arcade down the street which is open till midnight or so?"
"Yes sir.. I go there all the time.."
"Well, if you're not too averse to going tonight, I need you to lay low there until I can fix my business"
"I don't mind at all, but won't they.."
"Don't worry about that, I'm sure they already checked the arcade by now and wouldn't be out that late. Now promise me that if the place closes before I've come to pick you up, you'll find a really good place to hide till I get there?"
"Mhm, I promise and cross my heart and hope to-"
"Yea, don't even finish that, I'm worried enough as it is.." The jackal interrupts, petting behind the boy's ears and ruffling his fur, the 30 year old striking an imposing figure, lean, but shapely in the right places. His raven-like shadow haunts the boy as he adjusts his suit jacket. "So, finish up with that, we're leaving in a few minutes, I'll go get the car ready."
"Sure thing mister, " he chirps, getting back to his equivalent of a gourmet meal, quickly gulping it down with the tea as he makes sure to properly dispose of the platter. One shoe, two shoe, jacket, door open, door shut. The snow crunches beneath his feet as he hops down the walkway to the warming car, frosty smoke belched out from the exhaust pipe.
ACT 2 - The Arcade - Jeremy POV
Mister Crovac seemed in quite the rush as we practically were speeding the whole time, I was most scared at going 50 in a school zone but there weren't any police cars and I figured whatever he had to do at home must be really important is why. His Ford Mustang was really fun to ride in though, I'd only seen those cars in magazines before. Not even my friends dads have cars that nice, only one came close was Bryan's dad had a PT Cruiser which was sorta cool riding to the Counting Crows concert in.
The snow was still falling by the time he dropped me off at "The Laser Arena," which was not only the biggest arcade in town, but had the best laser tag tournaments in 5 states. None of that tonight though, as he only gave me a 10 and a pat on the head, before driving away into the skeletal tangle of leafless trees, arching over the distant highway.
It was too cold outside to falter, so I quickly ran for the door and slipped inside. What was already an abnormal chrome sphere outside only hinted at the fantasy in store. All of the walls and floors were either tilted up or down, not too much though cause they still had to plug in the arcade games. Enough to be mildly disorienting still. And they had that cool light which makes your clothes glow in the dark. My jeans didn't show much, but my tie-dye shirt was super trippy, all the different reds, blues, and purples giving off different brightnesses.
The factory sized arcade was littered with games of all kinds, skill games to the left and all the ones for pure entertainment everywhere else. My trajectory aimed for the right, straight toward the 2-d fighters as those were my favorite, especially all of the FNK games. Personally, I think they made better games than Slapcom, with the exception of the DarkBalkers series, which is amazing on it's own. Another nice thing about the arcade, was you can rent a stool for free as long as you give it back afterwards, making long sessions in front of the game easy. And none of the gimmick free games were ever more than 50 cents which made for even LONGER enjoyment. I stopped in front of Samurai Downtown 5, had a seat, and let my fingers do the talking from here.
ACT 3 - The Arcade:2 - Impending Danger
The pitch black Camaro slid up the drive-way of The Laser Arena around quarter till midnight. A pair of green feline eyes were barely visible from the tinted windshield as their vehicle found no problems finding a place to root it's evil. A gristly sludge seemed to bubble from the underside of the car as both figures stepped out simultaneously, their paws moving as one along the icy way, coming up through the back entrance of the place. Most of the other kids had gone home as this was a school night, and the few left here should be the older nerds, catching up on nostalgia.
"This will be too easy."
"Too easy." Javier agreed with Forn, both panthers stalking up the steps and disappearing through the metal 'keep out' sign with no hesitation. Dark hallways with unfinished wiring, insulation pipes draping overhead, there wasn't much that didn't scream OMINOUS everywhere you looked, but these two were unfazed. Hired by Jeremy's parents, they were the only bounty hunters in a tri-state area who'd accept a case involving a male younger than 12, but extra cash was on the line.
Having already checked the houses of his so-called friends, leaving in their wake a bloody mess for those who wouldn't just cooperate peacefully, they'd had to make at least 6 trips to the gas station to wash off. But this time, it must be the place, there was no denying where a child would run if he felt in danger. Obviously he'd want to hide his cowardice and fear in a colorful electronic medium, that's what all the youth were doing these days.
"You really need to stop repeating my sentences.. it's not making either of us sound any cooler," Forn frowned, easily navigating the both of them through the labyrinthine corridors. "I know you're lazy with original dialogue, but I liked it better when you stole phrases from Gulp Fiction. Now it's just annoying."
"First off, I never copied from that.. awesome.. holy movie.. , and secondly I was just agreeing with you since there wasn't really anything else to say in that moment"
"Maybe that was a cue for you to stay shut up then, don't you think?" Forn snarled, the older by a year male having always viewed himself as superior in the duo and make sure to remind Javier of this at every turn. Just a hair taller, just a hair stronger with more agility, he was the alpha and his partner the bitch. 'Hush hush, little bitch,' was a regularly reoccurring thought.
"You're really lucky I need the money too or I'd have dropped your ass a while back," The younger male scoffed, eyes fixed ever steadily ahead as he neared their destination.
Instead of some angrily whispered response, or simply bashing his partners brains in as they had so many others that night, they both just got really quiet, opening the door to the main room as the multicolored lights were blinding in comparison to the previous near-darkness. 'I'll remember that.' he thought to himself...
ACT 4 - The Arcade:3 - Do or Die (Experimental Storytelling)
Answer Key (A.) = Crovac
(B.) = Jeremy
(C.) = Panther's
(A.) It was nearing midnight as the jackal pulled in behind the monstrous arcade. How anyone could find enjoyment in such a large and noisy place was beyond him. Even in the non-peak hours it must be excruciating. His earlier suit had been replaced with a simple pair of grey sweats and a wife beater, his muscular arms easily visible, the tough veins shifting left and right as he steered the car beside that of an extremely dark car. "Death himself must have classier ride than that," he mutters under his breath, the broken down heap looking even more decomposed beside his own, bright yellow and black. A shiver crawls up his back, the exertion from earlier baring sharp contrast to the carefree nature of now. "You'd think someone so overweight would cum a bit faster than he did.. I almost didn't make it on time..."
-timeshift timeshift -
(B.) Checking my watch, the digital numbers blinked 11:34, and so I realized I'd been in front of this one machine for almost 3 hours. To make matters worse, apparently there was another kid who'd been waiting for me to finish for half that time, just watching quietly up till now.
"S-sorry dude, got lost in trying to beat this one boss.. maybe you'll do better than me?" I grinned sheepishly at the younger rabbit. He didn't seem to mind that much, just nodding and climbing aboard a stool of his own as I backed away. 'Hrm, must be autistic or something,' I thought to myself, padding off toward the pinball machines with my remaining dollar in quarters.
Both the Pelvis and Beetlejuice machines looked promising, but I gave in to the swirling ramp of the Pack In The Future table, plopping down there, still in viewing distance of the fighters so I could glance over every so often to monitor what was happening with the little dude. Quarter in, plunger back, and away we go.
(C.) 11:45
"They're closing soon, if you're such a great scout and leader then please, point out what should be so obvious to me. I'm honestly waiting for a revelation, O holy one."
"Not in public," hushed Forn, holding himself back with every ounce of his well-being not just ripping out the throat of his partner and chomping down his esophagus. There would be blood and plenty of camera's everywhere, but no matter, he was completely anonymous in black suit and glasses. Too many times, the agency accused them of aping the Furs in Black but there was no denying the power and presence of two, well dressed individuals.
"Is that?" Javier motions toward the fighting games, where the head-ache inducing lights seem particularly numerous. the sounds of 'HEEYAHH' and moaning chicks filled the air.
"Seems to be.." Forn mumbles, already in stalk mode as the creep up behind the child, claws bared but only to get a better grip of course. They were told not to hurt the target, (again, a reason they don't normally find children), and there was alot of money on the line. "Best guard yourself now, you don't want to lose your temper again, like with the last snot-nosed punk."
"I couldn't help it.."
"And that's why you answer to me for the time being."
Mumbling various obscenities he shook it off, stopping behind the quiet boy, lost in round 2 of the final boss. His paw came to rest upon his shoulder, trying to curl up his fangs in the most.. pleasant way he could thing, working a sweet tone to his regular growl. "You're coming home with us, kid" Javier nearly mewled, cracking even as the last word slipped out.
On last quarter and startled out of winning, just one punch away.. the rabbit sat there, starting to cry, LOUDLY, after watching the 'game over' screen flash before his eyes. Didn't even make it to the high score leaderboards.
"Oh shit, now see what you did retard? That's not even ours, see, no red on the ears," Forn laughs, finding perfect reason for smacking his younger partner upside the back of his head. Which seemed to give Javier the perfect reason to pick up the crying child by his neck, and crash his head through the glass of the machine.
Smoke quickly began to accumulate as he'd clipped his own paw as well, a bloody gash opening, starting to run down his arm as the now corpse of the rabbit shook about, riddled with electricity which served to fry the blood pouring from his eyes and face.
Face in paws, Forn quickly dragged Javier away from the soon to be chalk outline before the cameras could get a better glance. Before the owner could get away. Before their real target which he just realized was right down the way could escape.
(B.) I couldn't believe it.. they'd just.. they'd just murdered that poor kid. He probably was autistic too.. why.. they're probably secret policemen cause they have the same clothes on. But policemen don't kill little kids.. and now they're looking at me.. that one without the blood on him. Shit.. it was me who's head was supposed to be the glass.. or maybe they want to take me home, that'd be worse! I have to go....
(Dizzying map of overall interconnections)
From here, it happened like this. Jeremy fled through the front door, running past rows and rows of blinking machines, oblivious to the violence which had just taken place. He flung open that portal, only to almost knock down his temporary mentor, a look of slight annoyance melting to concerned parent as he can only sense the horror hinted at through the panic stricken eyes of his charge. Hoisting the boy up onto his shoulders, he ran back to the car, tossing him gently into the back as he sped off, back to the house.
In the meantime, the black suited pair had tried limping off towards the boy.. at least one was limping and the other was dragging.. but even this slowed progress was halted by a burly Meerkat who was the owner of the place. Rearing back, his punch connects with the already injured Javier, toppling him to the ground in a bloody stupor.
"Jeezus, ain't it obvious to you who's the larger threat at the moment?" Forn mouths nonchalantly, .45 slipping into his paw and blowing a clear hole through the arcade keepers brain, pushing out a sizable chunk of it out the other end as he flops down foot to foot to Javier.
"Going to be a long night, I suppose...."
ACT 5 - Crovac's House - 1x1
"I'm not trying to be harsh here, but what about 'low profile' didn't you understand? From what you told me, your parents were mean, cruel, and evil, but still found enough use with you to find you valuable. So obviously, even if they're not smart enough to find you at the arcade, there might be others.. well no.. that's my fault.. god I'm so sorry," the Jackal sits on the couch beside the younger hare, pulling him onto his lap in a hug as he cries a little into his headfur. He almost lost a part of himself tonight.. again.
"It's not your fault, mister Crovac.. I dunno who those guys were, never seen 'em before. But they killed a little kid like, right where I'd been sitting a few minutes before.. why do people want to kill me? I.. I didn't do anything wrong.. I just go to school and do what my mom tells me.. well.. except for last night.." he sniffs out too, looking down as his feetpaws dangle over the side of the adults knees.
"Listen.. you told me a little of your story this morning when I found you under the bridge.. but you'll need to indulge a little further for me to be able to help you. You said your parents are involved in the drug trade but mostly leave you alone, right?"
"Yea... my dad mostly just smokes it though, mom actually makes the stuff and sells it to her friends. Sometimes she takes me with her so the people won't think she's a bad person. I know she's just trying to make money for us and that's why I didn't care. I still love my parents.. though last night they.. well I found a dead old guy in our backyard and they were digging holes. Had gotten home from school early and found that.. just packed up some clothes and left before they could see me packing.... I.. I don't know what to do.."
"We'll get this sorted out, just give me time to think, little one. I've got problems of my own but those pale in comparison. The most obvious answer would be the police but I have no idea what sorts of connections your parents have amid criminals, or even the force. You.. you should get some sleep, can rest in my bed, I've got to work on things involving you and my own work. I promise, you'll be safe here"
"Thank you, nice sir... I'm really sorry if I'm putting you in danger"
"Don't sweat it, I'm no stranger to tragedy.. again.. just get some rest, I'll cook you a nice meal in the morning."
The young one nods, feeling his way back to the bedroom, which was smelling nice and fresh after Crovac had spent an hour washing the sheets and shooting Febreeze everywhere.
(So this is Part one. Not sure if I'll get lazy and end it in my next set of 5 acts, or go the other way and stretch it as far as possible. Please comment and rate, it'll certainly boost my confidence. >.