The Maad Doctor [The Maad Series #1]

|1.1| Like A Spider.

Don crawled up the side of the building using steam-powered mechanical gauntlets. He felt the concrete crunch beneath the sharp hooks popping out of each finger.

If I lose my grip, I die. Don't look down. Don't look down.

He grabbed the railing above him and pulled himself onto the balcony. He let out a deep breath. I'm never doing that again. He put a hand on his chest and felt his thumping heart. It's Ok, little-heart; we're here.

He looked around to make sure no one had seen him. A sea of buildings shorter than the one he was in stood before him. He hadn't realized how high he was until when he started making comparisons.

"Wow," he muttered, his hands gripping the railing while his eyes gleamed from the scenery in front of him. Lights of all colors danced in the sky, giving off the ethereal vibe Virtue City had during the night. "This is..." He couldn't finish the sentence, having choked up. This city is beautiful.

Airships flew over, entered, or left the city. The roar of their engines covered the airspace. Don stared at them like a child, admiring their many shapes and sizes. One day I'll own one. The chilly wind blew on his face, reminding him why he was here.

He took off the gauntlets and placed them in the brown satchel around his shoulder. The fading color and many stitches on its flap showed its age. He loved it, nonetheless. He opened another section and took out a mask. It was black and had small white crystals embedded on its front. When a light beamed on them, they shun like stars.

I hope she forgives me. Don smiled, remembering the charming woman he stole the mask from.

He wore the mask, and it covered the top half of his face, leaving his mouth and chin exposed. He adjusted it left and right until he felt comfortable. Then, he turned and opened the balcony door.

This is it. This is what I've wanted to see my whole life.

The ceiling and floor were all marble, something he only saw in motion pictures. The black and white chandeliers were beautiful. And the long white curtains draped over the windows had an image of a gold mask. The words BE MYSTERIOUS were above it in cursive.

The tune of a piano covered the whole room while men and women of different ethnicities and races walked around. A woman in a blue dress and a giant wig played the piano at the right corner of the room, sitting on an elevated platform.

This is life.

Don pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He was jealous of the extravagant lifestyle the aristocrats lived. His heart ached, and his tongue soured. These people had all the money and power in the world.

Why not me?

Even though he wanted to hate them and kick them where the sun doesn't shine, he couldn't do it. He looked up to these people. He had their autobiographies, hoping to learn how to be like them.

They look perfect.

Most of the men wore identical clothing, though it still looked fancy. They went for either a suit—two or three-piece—or tuxedos, embezzled with glowing jewelry or gems all over. Some added hats and gadgets to their ensemble, but the common thing was they all wore masks.

It was the women who made Don's heart stop beating for a few seconds. If he were rich, he would propose to them all, not minding having a harem to get back to when he finished a job.

The women went over-the-top with large gowns and colorful dresses, but the overbust and underbust corsets were a welcoming sight. Though, the vast wings and clown-like makeup were an eyesore.