The District (Unfiltered Mess Rewrite)

Chapter Six

(POV switches to Kyden Fosters)

The crowd around me is abuzz with conversing people. Many are speaking loudly causing those right next to them to raise their own voice, which in turn causes those around them to raise their voice, which in turn causes more people to raise their voice, which in turn causes many to raise their voices louder to be heard, causing the volume to go up even more, the cycle repeating over and over again until a sudden silence falls over the crowd, then after a moment, the conversing resumes and the cycle repeats again and again until the next sudden moment of silence. I crane my neck up to see over the crowd towards the small, temporary, foldable stage that is resting between the E-bank and the concrete stairs leading up to a raised pathway where the old abandoned apartment building is, as well as where the back entrance to the Lone Ranger is. Holographic WATCH tape surrounds the perimeter of the stage. A black plastic podium with a small microphone on top stands in the middle of the stage close to the front. On the right side of the stage, a group of two WATCH officers and three men in business suits seem to be in the middle of a discussion with a skinny WATCH officer with a hat and headset on interrupts them. The skinny officer says something to one of the suited men. The man had thin gray hair, wrinkled pale skin, and intimidating eyes.

I immediately recognize the man.

Shiro Yamada

"But he's dead." I think out loud. Several people turn to give me a look of suspicion, then turn back to their conversations. My mind races for a moment. How? Mr. Yamada is dea-the GHOST Pod. Right! I completely forgot! I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm not totally crazy.

I turn back to Mr. Yamada's group. Now, the skinny officer is looking straight at me while making a come here gesture. I glance around to see if he is gesturing to me. After no one moves in the officer's direction, I conclude that the gesture is meant for me. I slowly begin to push my way through the crowd, receiving glares, grunts, and scoffs from the people there as I do. I soon emerge from the crowd right in front of the group. So close I almost collide with the skinny officer.

"Oh! Sorry!" I apologize quickly and give an awkward smile. The officer simply nods and walks off towards the back of the stage. Once he disappears around the corner, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see whose hand it is and find that it is Mr. Yamada's hand. I tense up, uneasy around a man who was dead for two years.

"Don't be so tense, Kyden! I'm not a zombie here to consume your brain!" Mr. Yamada says jokingly, chuckling lightly. A small amount of tension leaves my body, but I am still tense and uneasy. Mr. Yamada must know this because he frowns slightly. "Kyden, I'm hurt that you don't trust me enough to be at ease."

"It's not just you, sir. You see, I was, uh, held hostage four months ago by WSFD. Lost my arm. And..." I trail off, not wanting to say his name. Mr. Yamada's face softens. "Right, Dr. Hurwitz told me about Derek. I am sorry for your loss." Mr. Yamada's voice is soft and sympathetic, which matches his expression perfectly. I look down silently, suddenly feeling like I was going to cry or throw up, or even both. Mr. Yamada remains silent as I slowly calm myself. I look up at Mr. Yamada, his expression somber and concerned. He's sighs deeply. "Kyden, have you thought of maybe donating his body to the GHOST Pod testing program?" Mr. Yamada speaks slowly and cautiously, trying not to upset me. I nod slowly. "I have, but it's impossible."

Mr. Yamada's expression becomes that of confusion.

"I am living proof that bringing someone back from the dead is not impossible."

I sigh woefully.

"That isn't the impossible part."

"Then what is?"

I turn my head to look to the side.

"D-Derek's body i-is m-mi-missing." I struggle to get the words out, stuttering and mumbling.

"What!?" Mr. Yamada's voice has a tone of surprised confusion.

"I said Derek's body-"

"I heard what you said!" Mr. Yamada interrupts me with a raised voice. I flinch slightly. He sighs and I turn my head to look at him. "I apologize, Kyden. I am just a little aggressive after my time in the GHOST Pod." I nod. "Most test subjects are right after they get out of status," I say flatly. "I mean, who isn't angry after someone abruptly wakes them up from what was probably a good dream." Mr. Yamada chuckles softly as he nods slowly. "I suppose that's true." Mr. Yamada's chuckle fades and his expression shifts from amused to serious and concerned. "Now on to a more important matter. Does the WATCH have any clue as to where Derek's corp-Derek could be?" Mr. Yamada stops himself from saying "corpse" in what I assume was an attempt to not upset me. I shift my gaze to the wet concrete beneath and shake my head dolefully. I hear Mr. Yamada sigh solemnly. "God, you poor kid," Mr. Yamada speaks in a tone woven with pity. "You lose just about every guy you fall for."

"Yeah, I do."

Mr. Yamada and I chat for about fifteen minutes before the skinny WATCH officer with the headset from earlier interrupts us.

"Mr. Yamada, sir?" Mr. Yamada turns to the officer.

"Yes?"

"You're on in three."

Mr. Yamada nods and thanks the officer. He then turns to me.

"Guess our talk will have to be on hold for now." I nod and watch as he walks off towards the stairs to the stage. I turn to the crowd and spot Dr. Ace "Acer" Hurwitz in the front of the crowd facing away from me. I begin to jog over to him when he turns his head in my direction. I wave to him as get closer. He waves back and smiles. I finally reach him and halt in front of him, panting.

"Pffff." Acer makes that sound when you blow air out your lips when you're trying not to snicker or chuckle. I look up at him and glare.

"You need to exercise more if a 7 meter jog takes that much out of you." I intensify my glare, still panting.

"I don't need any god damn exercise," I growl.

"Yeah ya do." A female voice inserts itself in our conversation. I turn to where the voice came from to find someone who looks to be a twenty nine year old female. Their bright green hair and dark chocolate skin tell me who they are.

"Jordie! What are you doing here? I thought you didn't like Amery messing with life and death?" I exclaim cheerfully, standing straight and breathing normally.

"I came 'cause I knew you'd be here," They say with a bright smile. "Awe, you missed me?" I ask teasingly.

"Oh hell no! I just missed having someone to tease!"

I let out a small laugh and smile.