Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 16, Anonymous Tip

A mind full of static. All senses muddied, as if being filtered through a murky mesh film. A complete lack of uniformity and cohesiveness. Clarity was nothing short of a privilege. That is until, slowly but surely, it was all becoming clear. Slight, sound, feeling, thought, and memory. It was all coming back. Not that it was pleasant though. It was if his mind was being jolted, flashbanged by reemerging senses. The metallic smell of his own spilling blood. The pain of a compressed chest containing lungs longing to breathe once again. And most importantly the burning sensation of faceless eyes staring down through the clouded fog. 

Then Daniel's eyes opened. 

He was lying in a soft bed. Bandages wrapped around his broken body. An IV drip planted inside his wrist. A heart monitor beeped at his side. Daniel was in a hospital. And with a mind as fogged as his, he couldn't be sure of much, but he was sure of that. Many different faces stood around Daniel and his bed. Some familiar, some not. Daniel could recognize Derick, Catelin, and Lilly, but there were still two other men and one other woman. Daniel strained his body to scratch at his head.

"What the hell happened?" It was only then that the others noticed Daniel's wake. Derick sighed with relief. 

"Oh thank god. You're finally up." He smiled softly. 

"You had us all worried sick! When I watched the news I rushed over here as fast as I could to see you, but you were still out for another three hours!" Catelin scolded.

"News? Three hours?" Daniel pondered.

"After we found you and got you to a hospital it wasn't long before the different news stations wanted their own version of this breaking story. Me and Lilly gave them very vague answers, but I guess that was enough to write on. On top of that you've been out of it all night. So needless to say, we've all been worried." Derick explained. 

"Right, definitely feels like I just woke up from a long nap. But who are those guys?" Daniel pointed to the three unidentified faces. 

"Where are my manners?" Derick apologized. "Daniel these are the other leaders of the main districts, like Lilly. Meet Jason, Elliot, and Alex. Leaders of the games, visual, and auditory districts respectively. Jason here is the son of Alyson and Jax."

"It's very nice to meet you all." Daniel politely and painfully said. "Wait, if you all are here, then is anyone out chasing Anonymous?" 

"Anonymous?" Elliot asked.

"Our killer." Jason clarified.

"Not that I know of no." Derick answered. It was then, if on que, a home phone next to Daniel began to ring. Catelin grabbed it for him.

"Hello?" There was a brief pause. Catelin pulled down the phone and covered the speaker. "It's for you Daniel." She handed him the phone.

"Yeah?"

"This is the current guardian Daniel Brown, correct?"

"Correct? I'm sorry who is this?"

"Introductions are unnecessary, what's important is the information I'm about to give you."

"Information about what?"

"About your killer Anonymous of course." Daniel fell silent, as did the rest of the hospital room. 

"Go on..." 

"Despite what you might believe, Anonymous isn't a great killer. There's always a struggle. There's always bloodshed, for both parties involved. If it weren't for the fact that he's superhuman, one of Anonymous' victims would've killed him by now."

"And how exactly am I supposed to believe that?! If that were true, then he would've been caught with clear DNA evidence."  

"That's why I hid his tracks."

"Wait what? Are you working with him!?" 

"I work alone. I'll be frank with you Daniel, I'm a hitman, an assassin for hire. The only reason why I've never been caught, well besides skill, is because I never leave a trail. A quick alteration to the nucleotides and boom, a literal victimless crime."

"You... change the DNA in their blood?" 

"Precisely. Change the genetics, hide the body, and forensics can't figure out who did what or even who died in the first place. My best work is altering the DNA to make the most solid framing tool in criminology."

"You're a monster, just like him!"

"Oh no no no, you misunderstand me, Daniel. I'm not a monster. I'm a savior. I only take the jobs against people that deserve it. If some psycho wants to whack their boss over a two dollar raise, I won't take it. But if a disgruntled parent wants to get back at the pedophile that ruined their kids, then it all comes down to a matter of price."

"I- uhm..."

"Which brings me to the real reason I called you. Anonymous is residing at a small farm just outside the arts district. I suggest you go over there and try to talk some sense into him."

"Wait wait wait. How do you know that?"

"Why I'm watching him right now."

"Then why don't you go take care of him? You're an assassin after all."

"Did you not just hear me, Daniel? I only take action against those who deserve it. I dish out a certain brand of justice that he does not qualify for. He may be a killer now, but it seems very clear to me that wasn't always the case. I thought that would've been clear to you as well." Daniel's heart sank, Derick nearly choked, and Lilly took Alex's hand. "He needs your help. Find him and bring him back onto the right path. If you do, you'd be protecting him, you'd be protecting your citizens, and you'd be giving me less work to do. And besides, I've got much bigger fish to fry. Ciao." And with that, there was a click and the hum of a disconnected call. Daniel handed Catelin the phone, who hung it up back where it belonged. 

"So, what now?" Alex asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Daniel sat himself upright, and pulled the IV out from his arm. 

"Hey hey hey!" Catelin grabbed onto Daniel, keeping him in bed. "You are in no condition to fight! What if you get hurt? I don't think you could afford another trip to the hospital."

"I can't just sit around and do nothing. I need to go after him." Daniel pushed forward and planted his feet on the ground.

"Is he always this persistent?" Alex questioned Derick.

"You don't even know the half of it."

"Then if you're going, I'm going too." Catelin demanded. "Let's just hope I won't have to save your life again." She smiled softly at Daniel, clearly concerned.

"Now hold on, both of you are inexperienced. Daniel especially. So, I'm coming with you." Derick exclaimed. "Besides, the kid's my responsibility anyway." 

"Alright, let's go get him!" Daniel shouted.