Non-Compos Mentis

Full Circle

The ends are starting to intertwine. I've been absent on the vigilante scene for quite some time so tonight I plan to stop a crime. I've been so consumed with helping someone I've helped once before. Showing a care unnatural to me. It all hit me at once as made my way back to my apartment from Harbo and Juju's hideout.

The lengths to which I have gone to make things right. After not even being the cause of them going wrong. I've looked danger in the thickly-accented face and braved it, only to have my courage, wasted...

I see two hooded guys standing in an alley just loitering. The only people that hangout in alley's are criminals and myself. Even though I know they're up to no good, I take up a sentry's position above and just monitor. Standing around in a shady place isn't illegal, not a good enough case for action.

What would count as a justifiable reason to bash some skulls in, would no doubt be trailing a potential victim as he walks past into the alley looking for a way to relieve himself while still feeling the breeze of this windy late August night.

What are they teaching people these days? This man had to walk past two shady looking figures in order to piss and none of what he just did registered any sort of threat? The bars around here must be the best in the world. You're guaranteed to get out of your mind drunk if you stop at a bar in New Roza.

I start to quietly make my descent down the fire escape, getting within striking distance of my foes as they approach their scatterbrained prey.

"Did you find anyone?" One of the hooded figures ask the full-bladdered man.

"I did. She'll be out here in a moment to score. Very pretty, she'll go for top dollar." The man I thought ignorant tricked even me, he's apart of a trafficking ring.

This is going to be perfect. I'll stop them and save yet another woman. Hopefully this doesn't all end up like how things are currently with Carol and I. If this next woman decides to give herself up to the Boss I might just let her stay. I don't have an extra seven thousand lying around for everyone.

Before long a woman wonders into the alley. Brunette hair, slim frame, the type you see glorified by motion pictures and magazine covers.

"Mitch?" The woman's soft voice asks.

"I'm here. Come, my friends have what you want." Mitch waves the woman closer.

I would prefer not to have to deal with the woman getting in the way so I spring into action. I drop down on Mitch, landing a knee to the back of his head as I rapidly descend. His face smashes into the ground knocking him unconscious, and jarring a few teeth loose.

"Ahhh!" The woman screams, thinking I'm the problem. Lady if only you really knew.

"Run! They're trying to kidnap you!" My warning only freezes the lady in place. She just stops and stares at me like I'm crazy.

I'm grabbed by one of the hooded figures, he places me in a full nelson while the other man pulls out a knife. I kick the blade wielder in the shin before landing another kick to the groin. Knocking him to the ground with a final punt to the skull.

I jump in the air as high as I can while grappled and tuck my knees on the way down, rolling my grappler overhead. His hold breaks and I land a few punches to his face.

I get up to walk away as a blade slices the back of my calf. I spin around to see one of the assailants not understanding that the fight is over. I stomp on his hand with the knife, knocking it loose. I then line up a better punt this time, jarring his head back so hard I might have given him whiplash. Out of everyone, he may have the biggest concussion. Or be tied with the guy whose face is stuck in the ground.