Out of Your Mind

40

When it got dark enough, you found the nearest alley you could find and went down it. You looked behind you and the lights of the city faded away as you made your way to the darkest parts of society that no one wanted to acknowledge.

At the end of the alley, you could either head back out to the street or keep going through a maze of different alleys. You were sure you were bound to run into someone at some point, so you chose the maze. Eventually you found a homeless man that asked for money, in exchange, you asked him for information about where to go for the particular drug your anonymous source was known for selling. He said that the best place to go was a series of abandoned factories right at the edge of the city, and that only a few select people sold that particular drug. You thanked him for the information and gave him money and his dog the leftovers you had.

You went back to your car and did a little bit of research. The closest you were able to park to the factories was a couple blocks away, so if anything went south, you'd have some ways to run. You parked on a corner where you were sure no one would see the car, and reached in the back to get some things. You had an old worn out shirt and hoodie and a pair of beat up sneakers that you were going to change into, then you threw your hair up and pulled some pieces out to make it as messy as possible. You had some make up that you quickly and messily applied to give you a slightly dirty look and very defined under eye bags.

Alright, you looked the part, now some security. You pulled out a worn out book bag and stuffed a bottle of water, some snacks and money to exchange for information, a taser, and your Cerebra in case you needed to use your quirk on a bigger scale than you're planning for. Your plan was to ask around for the drug and, if necessary, use your quirk to get people talking to you.

You closed your eyes and sat in silence for a couple seconds. It's been a while since you've done anything like this and you'd be lying if you said you weren't both nervous and excited. Once you've calmed your nerves, you got out of your car, slipped out of the shadows, and walked out on the street. You pulled your hoodie over your head and started seeing junkies and prostitutes scattered on the sidewalks. When you worked for the police, you'd often get looks from other officers because you loved to give them money and food. The thing was that these weren't bad people, sometimes they've fallen on hard times, other times this is what they have to do to survive. And it was even easier for you to tell because of your quirk. You were able to see and feel the auras of these people and really only a small amount of people were 'bad.'

You found a pair of women standing on a street corner that seemed friendly enough. One of them offered a 'good time' letting you know they were prostitutes. You declined and asked where you could find the drug.

"I haven't seen you around here before" one of them looks you up and down, you rub your arm and shift from side to side.

"I'm just passing through. I need some pixie sticks to get me through the next couple of days.." The other prostitute gave you a sad look.

"That stuff is getting real popular around here but only a couple-a guys sell it. Have you tried going to Cheeky or Stash?"

"Nah I haven't"

"Cookie, I haven't seen Stash in a while. And Cheeky just went out of town to visit his mother." The first prostitute said, smacking her gum as she talked.

"Ohhhh, you're rigghht. Maybe go to Mickey, he might have what you're looking for." Of all the options, it seems like Stash might be your guy.

"Where would I find these guys?"

"Cheeky usually runs on the top floors of-" Cookie pauses and turns around to point at an abandoned factory. "-that buildin, but he's out of town. Mickey floats around but he's usually seen at the corner of 4th and 5th"

"What about Stash?"

"He's usually hangin around the bottom floor of Cheeky's buildin, they're working on becoming partners" They say it so casually as if it's just a regular business instead of a highly illegal operation. You thank the women for their help and give them some money for the information. As you're walking away, Cookie calls out to you.

"Hey! You seem like a smart girl, pretty too..you don't have to throw your life away like we did..." She was clearly a very kind hearted soul, you felt bad for letting her think you were just a junkie, but you had to play the part.

"I promise I'll stop eventually"

"I hear that all the time out here. We know people who can help low lives like us" it took everything in you not to break character, you just mumbled thanks and walked away.