Bloodgate

Chapter 1: Tranquil

Star City. A central city of innovation in the California sun. The city had the lowest crime rate in the country for a decade. The city boasted that their low crime rate was because of their new and improved education system. One of those "new" educators was Michael Gladwell. He taught advanced math to the local private school. He was heading to his apartment a little later than usual because he had to facilitate a couple of detentions. He stopped in front of his bank and thought about his mostly-empty refrigerator at home. Deciding to cheat a little today he entered the bank to withdraw some money to eat out.

The bank was lit up in preparation for Christmas. Michael made his way to the front of the counter where the teller was helping an elderly gentleman. There were more people here then he thought would be at this time of day. The other counters had many other people wanting to deposit money and checking their balances. There was a flustered young woman with her toddler trying to cash a check. Michael was about to walk over and offer his assistance when there was loud bang at the front doors of the bank.

A man in an expensive suit and a mask was standing where the doors used to be. The man's mask was that of a sleeping moon, one that you would see in children's books. The man in the mask dropped his detonator and pulled out a strange gun from a duffel bag. The young mother screamed and clutched her toddler.

"Listen up civilians! You are going to give me all your valuables while I receive my money from these wonderful tellers. Now get on the ground!"

The crowd of people slowly kneeled on the ground. Michael's heart dropped to his stomach. He was wearing his deceased father's watch that had been handed down for generations. His heart started beating even faster as the man started walking to him.

"I have already triggered the silent alarm! You are going to be caught!"

The youngest teller was putting on a brave face for the bank. The man laughed and pointed the gun at the young woman. The room gasped and someone screamed. A man tried to make a run for it. He stood up and started sprinting to the charred doorway. The man in the mask turned and pressed the trigger. The room was dead silent as the runner dropped to the ground. There was no sound or flash, he just dropped to the ground.

"Now my money..."

The man in the mask threw his duffel bag on the floor and people started reaching for their valuables. Michael was distraught, the watch was his only remaining artifact to his father. everything else burned with him when Michael was just a boy. He slowly lowered his watch into the bag.

The man in the mask picked up the large duffel bag full of jewelry, another bag of cash over his shoulder. Sirens could be heard, getting louder and louder. Michael hoped they would get here in time.

"Time to leave, I hope you all have a nice day! If anyone asks, you were robbed by Tranquil."

The man turned and walked away, feet crunching on glass. Michael clenched his fist and stared at his naked wrist. His father would not be proud. He remembered his father's words in his head. 'Your a Gladwell, Michael. We Gladwells never give up.' For the first time in years Michael cried.

A screeching sound outside ripped Michael from his self-pity. Two large armored vehicles had blocked Tranquil's escape. A woman stepped out of one of the vehicles with a handgun pointed at Tranquil. She was wearing a pantsuit and large headphones.

"Malcolm Richards, you are under arrest for armed robbery."

Tranquil smiled and lifted his gun.

"I do not go by that name anymore. I am Tranquil!"

He pulled the trigger. The woman in the pantsuit fired her handgun. Malcolm fell to the ground clutching his shoulder. The woman kicked his gun away as armed soldiers filled the space around her. They handcuffed Malcolm and brought him to one of the armoured vehicles. The civilians were taken care of by the police, who showed soon after the soldiers.