First Steps Towards the Ending

Dolon wandered through the cold evening. With his hands in his jacket pockets, he strolled through the streets, perused all the back-alleys, and checked for any evening oddities lurking in dim corners. He listened to the blaring speakers on the jumbotrons. "This evening, Edward Eadberht will be visiting the Eadberht orphanage which he founded last year in April of 2020 to celebrate his astounding contributions to the establishment and to the children there! We have him here today to give us a word. Mr. Eadberht, please." Dolon watched the screen for a moment to catch the billionaire's message. A large man with a bushy mustache, a green button-down coat jacket, and a balding head save for a few blond hairs on the side was on the screen.

"Of course, of course. When I inherited my father's fortune, I knew that I couldn't be the tyrant he was to this great city. I changed my father's crime organization into a family that spreads love throughout the entire city. I put his assets into the new corporation E. Tech, to keep you connected with affordable mobile phones, smarter and safer security, technology to predict natural disasters and even help stop crimes before they happen! I've worked with the police to arrest and rightfully lock up those who used to work with my late father, and I do these things because I know that it will never be enough to atone for my father's horrible, horrible deeds. I thank you for continuing to support E. Tech and the Eadberht family and I will do all in my power to return the favor. That is all." The screen cut back to the cheery reporter and Dolon turned away and grunted.

"Tch. He gives the same ass speech every time. These people're all sheep. Just you wait until he takes you to the slaughterhouse when your wool grows too thin." Dolon continued strolling, perusing, and checking. When he finished, he sighed. "Damn, I wanted to kick another unlucky assailant's shit in tonight. That lying son of a bitch puts me in a bad mood." He muttered to himself. A girl's voice responded behind him. "Don't say that shit out loud. You're just asking to be overheard." Dolon turned around. "Evenin', Zhen." He said. Zhen was a tall, lean, Asian girl with boyishly short hair and no left ear. She was one of Dolon's only coconspirators.

Dolon looked her up and down and scowled. "Don't pull that shit with me." He growled. "You heard that interview, didn't you? Almost no one in this city knows the things he does, and the ones who do don't give a shit. The people he's tortured, and what he's taken." Dolon tapped his left ear and Zhen averted her gaze but Dolon paid no mind. "And how the FUCK did you get to me with the white tank top soaked in red? It's all over your skin and jeans too. Either you found some crooks or you spilled a shit ton of spaghetti sauce. And I don't remember the last time we could afford a meal so fancy as spaghetti with that much sauce." Zhen examined herself. "Well, fuck." She said dryly.

Dolon sighed. "W'ell talk more when we get home. C'mon.." They started walking through an older, more destitute neighborhood. Small eyes peered at them through every window. Silently observing. "How the hell did you even make it to me with those red crusted clothes?" Dolon asked, befuddled. Zhen shrugged. "I was pretty close by and I found my fun right before I found you."

"What'd'ja find?" Dolon smirked.

"It was a couple of old men muggin' a young woman."

"How old?"

"late 50s, 60s, maybe. I went easy on 'em cuz they didn't seem like they wanted to be there either. I bet we'd be similar at that age."

"Are ya kiddin' me? I'd be a cool old geezer beatin' down the same idiots I do now. They'd just be half my age."

"Nah, karma'll get to ya by then. You'll lose an arm or somethin and hang up the tough guy jacket."

Dolon tugged on his black leather jacket. "Like hell I would! This thing's-" Dolon stopped short. He put his arm in front of Zhen. He heard it faintly. The pur of an engine slowly getting louder. He turned to Zhen. "I hear a car on our 7. If it happens to be a cop they'll see your clothes. I'll get them away from here since they know my face. Put'cher mask on and be ready to bolt. #9's is right around the corner. Split up and meet back up at the site, if I'm not there by 10, you know to run." Zhen shook her head. She whispered "That's a shitty plan. I got my clothes dirty, so I'll be bait."