Like Orion & Spark

18: Questionable Choices

Often times, when creating a villainous plot, I would realize my chances of prevailing depended on a variety of factors, much like a row of dominoes waiting to fall. If I wasn't able to make the first domino topple over, then those standing behind it would stay upright. If I had positioned even a single domino incorrectly, the chain reaction would stop.

Kris, tethered to my side as we snuck through the streets, was the factor I had just shoved into my half-baked plan.

I arrived at the gas station, stopping underneath a street lamp. Its wavering glow made the puddles on the street swirl with the vibrant rainbow colouring of oil.

"What are we doing?" Kris feverishly asked. I didn't have any idea at what point she had decided the two of us were a team, but I didn't have the heart to refute it.

I touched my mask, which was zipped into my pocket. I fiddled with my hands, checking my reflection in the windows. I was nothing but a figure doused in shadows, wearing a Halloween costume that made me look like my father, wondering if I could start the domino effect now and get away with it.

"Be casual," I murmured.

Kris fixed her wig. Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks raw and pink with the number of times she'd rubbed her face. "Okay. What do you need, big boss?"

I held up my fingers as I silently ticked through my list. "Rope. Probably some tape. Maybe some kind of net, if you can find one. And anything that would make a distraction."

She nodded, taking my side, and we casually strode into the store. The bell jingled, signalling our entry. A tired-sounding cashier called out, "Good evening."

"Happy Halloween," Kris returned sweetly. She bounded through the sections without a care in the world, acting more casual than I had expected her to.

She peeked over the shelves and held up a bundle of fishing rope and some wire. "Which one did you say you needed, again?"

"Metal is a conductor."

"That doesn't answer my question." She lowered both hands and continued down the aisle.

I grabbed a roll of tape and continued to the food section, adding a bag of chips and candy to the pile. It made the assortment of items look a bit more unassuming.

Kris passed me a box of fireworks. "I couldn't find the second-last thing." The net. Whatever.

I approached the counter, tapping my foot as the cashier rang up each item. Kris loudly unwrapped her packet of sour candy and flashed her ID when prompted.

"Do you need a bag for that?"

I nodded. The cashier wrapped my totally-not-suspicious items into the generic bag and extended it outward.

I kept it casual as I left before finally reaching in the bag to retrieve my snacks.

"Do I get a fake name?" Kris asked. "If you get to wear a mask and cover your face, I should at least have a cool-sounding name."

I had come upon an intersection, where a set of buildings hung to my left. I noted that the balconies were low enough to climb. Another domino had presented itself.

"How good are you at climbing?" I slunk further toward the building. It hung two storeys above my head—far enough to make a better vantage point, but close enough to see.

"I'm a natural-born assassin," Kris informed me. "Why, I thought you were—"

"Change of plans," I interrupted. Near the edge of the roof, I caught sight of the fire escape and stood directly underneath it, lifting my hands until my fingers grazed the balcony wall. "Boost me."