Planet X Vulcan

Cody Hills

He stalked the alleyway, looking for his next target. As the sun began to set, women rushed home in a hurry, avoiding the dangers of the dark. That was how he chose his next victim. He spotted a young girl rushing home, crossing the street in front of him. He smiled inwardly and silently followed her. Through the run down houses and dim lit walkways he followed close behind. She didn't have a single clue that she was being followed. Expertly hidden in shadow, he waited until she got the keys out if her purse, and jiggled them in the doorknob. Once she had gotten the door open, he pounced. Quickly from behind, he leaped forward and closed her mouth from behind. She screamed into his palm as he pressed two fingers into the side of her neck and applied pressure, causing her to faint. He looked to the side and quickly stepped into the home. It was a run down and shabby building, but who was he to judge? At least she had a home. Nowadays, all good homes and healthy parts of town were stranded atop a mountain. The rest of civilization was thrown to waste everywhere. Unhygienic places, run down homes, dirt and desease. Not everyone could get a job, but those who did could only work as assistants to the rich merchants and businessmen. That was why Cody did what he did to survive. His parents had left him when he was a boy. His mother sold her body to the rich for a living. And his father was a criminal. Just my luck, he breathed. Shaking his head to clear the thoughts, he walked further into the home. The single bedroom door hung loose on its hinges, and the walls were leaky. He scanned the living room, looking for anything valuable. Nothing. He sighed. The pickings were hard these days, no one had anything of value. Those who did would sell it for the money. He wandered into the kitchen, hoping to grab a snack. As he fished through the cupboards, something caught his eye. He picked it up in awe. A silver spoon! To his luck, he wouldn't have to return empty handed. He could easily sell it at the Hub and make a few bucks. With that thought in mind, he hurried out, passing the women's unconscious body at the doorstep.

He raced home. He had to get there before his enemies found him. He owed the group money, and when he realized he couldn't make it up to them, he ran. And now they are on his trail. Along with who knows how many other people that hated him. Passing alleyways and dark streets, he finally arrived at his living quarters. It wasn't much of a home. A run down apartment complex, and he occupied the top floor. The apartments used to be inhabitable, but once the viruses struck and the rich fled to the top of the hill, he decided to occupy one room and claim it his own. He slowly walked up the stairs in the dark. No one could afford the lights here, much less water and food.
Once he reached his room, he jabbed a toothpick into the keyhole, and when he heard a satisfying click! he opened the door and walked in. Any new comer would gag at the smell, but he was quite used to it. It smelled of watermelons and dirty laundry. With the dim light coming from the windows, he plopped down on the floor in a heap of stolen laundry. Opening up his last ration of canned beans, he chugged it down his throat. He lay there a few minutes, satisfied. With his last portion of food gone, he'd have to go out again and steal from a vendor. Which he hated doing. The old men needed the money and food, and they worked their backs off for it. He didn't have the right to steal it from them. But he didn't have a choice. He'd need to be alive to complete the mission he had in mind since he was a young boy.
He had told his friends a while back his idea, and they had told him that he was crazy and should give up the effort if he wanted to live. His only goal in life: Hunt down that detective that had arrested his father and sentenced him to execution. His father was not a criminal. It was not his fault. The rich didn't do justice to his family, and his father seeked it out.
Fuming from the violent train of thoughts, he stormed to the bathroom to cool down. Stepping onto the cool, dirty tiles, he stood in front of the mirror, his hands resting on the side of the sink as he bent down, splashing his face with the little droplets that leaked from the tap. Cupping his hands to collect the droplets, he drank what little he could gather in his palms. Straightening up, he glanced at the dirty, smudged mirror. His ice blue eyes stared back coldly, filled with hatred and loathing. His raven hair was ungroomed and messy from countless nights with no sleep. His eyes were drooping, and small bags were forming under them. Taking a deep, shaky breath, he stood up straight and dragged himself back out of the bathroom. Just....maybe a little nap....
Settling down on the floor and wrapping himself in a warm caccoon in the stolen rug, he drifted off into a good sleep for the first time, intending to carry out his plan when the sun rises the next day.

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First chapter, fellahs! Get ready for a whole new adventure. (^.^) I miss Aaron already (╯3╰)

Question:

Which character do you miss the most?