The Masks That We Wear

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Reaching up, Myles’ - or, rather, Cyrus' - fingers brushed against the cold porcelain of the mask that he wore over his face.

Adjusting it once again, he looked around.

He had come to the realization that he had no idea how to join this gang, or where he was supposed to go to do so.

Frustrated, he continued walking down the streets in the roughest parts of Bronson City, then again, most of the city was dangerous, it was hard to specify which area was the worst.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Myles turned around quickly to find a group of three young men, all wearing Masquerade masks.

He wasn’t sure whether he should be happy or scared.

“Looks like a new recruit?” The one on the left replied to the words of the one in the middle, who nodded his head slowly.

“Seems that would be so. What’s your name?” He questioned, taking a step towards Myles, who had to restrain himself from taking a step back in return.

“Cyrus,” He answered, keeping his voice level, and calm. “Cyrus Fehr.”

“I’m Colin, and this is Marcus, and Max.” The one in the middle introduced, gesturing first, to himself, then to the one on the left, then, the one on the right.

Myles nodded his head slowly, brushing his hand warily over the porcelain on his face.

“Not used to the feeling yet, eh?” Max, who appeared to be the youngest, observed, and, Myles could tell by the tone of his voice that he was amused.

“No, not really, I suppose.” Myles replied lightly, and Max crossed his arms.

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long when you have to wear it 24/7,” Marcus told him, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Well, besides for sleeping.”

“Anyways, why do you want to join The Masks? I mean, obviously you do, you’re wearing a mask and I’ve never seen you before, so, you’re not already one of us. So, what brought you down here?” Colin questioned, his voice stern.

“I... I don’t know,” Myles returned, taking a deep breath and taking a split second to think up a story. “I’m down in the slums and figured that this was the best way to go, besides, I find it interesting the way you kill.”

“Interesting? He finds it interesting.” Colin repeated, glancing at both his comrades, who, Myles could tell were amused by their body language, not to mention their snickering.

“He seems like a cool guy, there’s no harm in letting him in.” Marcus told Colin, while Max nodded in agreement.

Colin didn’t seem as eager to accept Myles as the other two were.

“I suppose we can see what The Lady thinks of him, if she doesn’t approve, we’ll just kill him.”

The words of the group leader made Myles swallow nervously, but, he kept a calm facade.

“Great,” Marcus rubbed his hands together before walking over to Myles. “You decided to join on a good night, too.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Myles inquired, shifting slightly as Marcus stuck his hands back into his pockets as he replied.

“Well, tonight’s the party, its a masquerade party. I mean, it is Halloween, after all.”

Myles blinked beneath his mask.