𝘞𝘈𝘕𝘛𝘌𝘋//𝘐. 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘺𝘢 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

16. 𝘠𝘖𝘜!

A brand new day and a brand new mattress. That's right, yesterday after my little bust/botched interrogation I took some cash as payment for my services and went on my merry way. Well not so merry. I went home with a suit to stitch and wash thoroughly, a sore body, a missing glove and the distinct feeling that someone was tailing me. But hey, I nicked a nice robe. Seriously though, I checked the entire area before leaving and kept my eyes on every nook and cranny of the street when I walked home, but still, nobody. Maybe it's the souls of everyone I've killed finally coming back to haunt me.

I'm joking, I'm joking. I can't help it, I'm finally getting a new mattress and some fresh food. If you consider takeout fresh. I'm treating myself, last night was rough okay? I decided to get some food first because I hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday's lunch and I was starving. Wandering in the middle of the city was no longer nerve-wracking for me, I'd grown used to the medical masks that covered my face whenever I left my apartment building. I used to feel so visible in them but I've learned that as long as my face was covered, I was just another civilian among the civilians and no one could actually see through the mask. Paranoia is a common emotion with me.

'Oooooh, I haven't had a good street Katsudon in so long!' I thought to myself when I found a stand in the midst of scanning for food. The city centre was amazing, with tall buildings, more stores than I can count (And afford), street food stands with every turn of the head and traffic that'll drive anyone crazy. I loved how lively it was, it was a constant reminder of what I've dedicated my life to protect. "I'll take one bowl please," I asked the woman behind the stand and handed her the money. She smiled widely and told me that it won't take longer than a minute.

"Here you go... enjoy!" I beamed when I was handed the warm plastic bowl. "Thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy it." I nodded before walking off. The smell almost made me melt, it looked so good. I couldn't wait to get a bite of the golden chicken and fresh rice. I basically skipped to the nearest empty roof to eat in peace. After scaling the wall of a small building, I set up camp. Which was basically just sitting down and taking my mask off to eat.

I held up a bite and blew on it, and just as I was about to take a bite– my mouth way even open– I heard a blood-curdling scream come from the town square. I frowned profoundly and set down the plate before running up to the edge of the roof to see what was going on. My eyes widened like saucers and my jaw almost unhinged itself at the sight. It was something that I haven't seen in a long time, an invention of my grandfather, a-

"NOMU! RUN!"

"Son of a bitch..." I snarled setting down my plate on the roof ground and peeling off my clothes layer by layer to reveal my suit. I then scavaged my backpack to find my mask– one that isn't made of cloth. Yes, I had my suit under my clothes for a shopping trip, I told you I was paranoid. "All I wanted was a fucking mattress... and some food..." I grumbled, shoving my feet into my boots instead of the sneakers I had on. "Y'know what, I paid good money on this..." I grumbled, snatching the plate and shoving a mouthful of rice and chicken into my mouth before slapping my mask on.

'Oh fuck it's hot.' I cringed painfully and abandoned my things to run headfirst into the situation ahead. "Worth it," I heaved, launching myself off of the roof and landing with a painful thump on my feet. People screamed and scattered, shocked at my entrance. A few walked towards me to check on me but flinched when I stood up. "Take shelter, I'm fine. Go! Run!" I barked, they stood still for a second but as soon as one of them snapped out of it and began to run, they all followed.

I ran in the opposite direction of the civilians, towards the enormous hunk of flesh that I never thought I'd see ever again. To my, and everyone else's knowledge, all Nomus were rounded up and put down after the arrest of the League. Not of course there were escapees, but they were dealt with years ago when the League first got caught. It was very unlikely that one would still be out almost seven years later. But here we are. When I reached the town square the Nomu had his back turned to me, and the only thing he was doing was...sniffing people?