Dusk Harbor 1999

The Truth

After a brief meeting at the den, Wild Claw sent the team out into the streets for a competition that would determine who would become second in command. It involved seeking and collecting a series of tags that she left all around, within a one-mile radius of the bar. They were hidden in alleyways, along chain-link fences, and in trees. The person who found the most and brought them back in one piece would win.

Ice Breaker, Jitters, and Rhinestone Cowgirl all stayed behind, saying that they didn't want the responsibility of such a role. But Jordan did want it, he wanted more than he wanted first place in the next parkour competition, more than he wanted a heaping plate of french fries drenched in orange cheese because being second was better than being the leader.

Being second gave him plenty of fame and glory with none of the blame. If the team failed, it would be Wild Claw's fault, not his. It would be her that people hated. If they succeeded, he would be applauded as the leader's faithful righthand man.

He was carrying a brown cloth sack in one hand, inside were seven tags. In his other hand, he held his trusty dagger, which also functioned as a taser. Once the blade was in someone, he clicked a little button on the handle that electrocuted them. He was using it to snip the tags from their hiding places, but also in case one of his teammates snuck up on him and tried to rob him.

The sky was red and purple with the threat of dawn, he wanted to find a few more before heading back to the den. He had work in a couple of hours, so he couldn't spend too much longer out here. The air felt neither cold nor warm, and it didn't really smell like anything. His footsteps echoed off of the sides of the buildings around him in an odd way that felt artificial. The world felt that way to him sometimes. Fake.

He watched a man roll past him on an electric scooter. The way he slowed down with great intent, made direct eye contact with him, and then sped back up as if in a sudden hurry.

A white tag was tied to his wrist, fluttering around as he steered away.

Jordan hit the ground running after him.

"Sir! Wait!" He yelled, going as fast as his legs would let him.

The guy turned a corner.

A horrible whirring, grinding noise came up behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he could feel buzzing in his ears. One of Evanesce's portals no doubt. So he ducked his head and put his arms up behind it to protect himself in case she knocked into him.

The weight of her body slammed straight against him, and he fell to the ground flat on his face. The air got kicked out of his lungs, and he entered a coughing fit.

"That one's mine, Megadork," Evanesce said before smacking him in the ear.

"Ow--" he coughed, "was that necessary?"

"Stay down," she replied.

She got up off of him and put her hands out in front of her. The terrible cacophony of gears grinding and electricity whining came back, and a blue and purple portal opened up right in front of her.

He sprung to his feet and jumped onto her back, wrapping his arms and legs around her.

They fell into the portal together.

It felt like being adrift inside a lightning storm, he became aware of every part of his body. A sharp whistling sound filled his skull. The way the lights strobed made it impossible to open his eyes, let alone see anything. It felt like he was latched to her forever, before the portal finally opened back up.

It spat them out on the corner of the street, he landed on top of Evanesce and flattened her on the ground.

"Get off loser!" She screamed, thrashing her legs.