Komo-Doubutsu

Chapter 19: The Cost for Atonement

By: Midori Ushi Law

The world is full of falsity.

I am a part of that illusion.

I chose a life of fame over a life of atonement, yet I drive an old, used car, live at a run-down studio apartment, and can't even use the abilities I strove so hard to enhance.

Falsity indeed...

California stopped at a stop sign and noticed the sky beginning to grow slightly lighter.

The divorce took a great deal of my early retirement money. Took a great deal of my ambition as well. Who am I anymore? Who was I? Who was I before even that? It seems like my world was a falsity from the very beginning.

Sirens blared and flashing blue and red lights surrounded the worn-out vehicle the former agent was driving.

And it seems as though tips these days are divided between everyone, making it my time to pay up.

"Agent California! We have your car surrounded! Exit the vehicle slowly with your hands up! You are under arrest for armed robbery!" yelled Deputy Chief Trogan from a loudspeaker in one of the vehicles.

Armed robbery, huh? Ten people escaped from holding, yet they come after me?

The burly man opened the driver-side door and stepped one foot onto the ground. The second foot hit the ground. He eased out of his car and stood with his arms raised. Flashlights encompassed him, illuminating him from every angle. The officers had their guns drawn. He heard multiple tiny clicks as the safety feature on their weapons were released. They were ready to fire if he did anything out of order.

California held a calm demeanor initially, but something within his mind caused his body to make a sudden jolt. His eyes widened and his hand shielded his mouth.

Armed robbery. The Great Quest. Him... It has to be him!

With guns aimed at him, rage filled his demeanor. Both his hands clenched into tight fists and fell to his sides. The angered man opened his mouth, emitting a powerful roar.

He will be the one to pay!

Chapter 19: The Cost for Atonement

A year earlier, two cars sped down a dimly lit street. One was a police vehicle; the other, a racecar.

"We're losing him, Johnson!" an officer sitting in the passenger seat shouted, when he noticed the gap between the two vehicles was growing.

Officer Johnson quickly glanced at his partner. "Anderson. You know Northside Parkway is a straight away. We may have slow acceleration, but if he doesn't turn, our top speed will exceed his. It'll just take a little flooring."

After another ten seconds, Officer Anderson noticed they were slowly catching up to the suspect.

The suspect noticed their speed as well. While steadying his steering wheel, he rolled down the driver-side front window and reached for a gun strapped to his sun visor.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," advised a deep voice from the back seat of his car. The suspect quickly snatched his weapon and skimmed the rear passenger area. He saw no one. When he was returning his view to the road, his eyes grazed the shadow of a giant, growling figure of a wolf in his front passenger seat. "Boo!"

Ignoring the fact that he was being pursued by police, the suspect let out a loud shriek as he lost control of the vehicle and the gun fired. The car slammed against a light pole. The suspect opened his eyes as he realized he was unscathed on the ground with a tall man in khakis and a blue polo shirt aiming his service weapon at him. "Stay down, Carl Buchante, former Racer. You're under arrest for the murder of two of your old rivals, conspiracy, obstruction, and texting while driving."