Welcome to the Masquerade

Chapter 2: Training begins

"T-th-they still c-can't find her body." I choke out, tears streaming down my face. Brittany envelopes me in a hug, whispering over and over "Dane it's ok, everything will be ok." Minutes pass in an awkward silence, my body quivers every now and then, she grasps onto me tighter, "I couldn't imagine what it feels like to see that and continue going on without knowing who the man was." 'See the thing is, I didn't tell her I knew who it was or anything other than "I couldn't see him clearly." Reason being you may ask, it's because I will find him', opening my eyes I look across the horizon, 'and I will avenge my parents for this injustice.' I stand bringing Brittany up with me, glancing at her I state "Let's go inside before your mom comes looking for us, ok?" She nods in reply. Both of us make our way to where her window is placed and with a hand I motion for her to go first, slowly shifting into the correct position she starts to descend down. "Dane the window is shut, pull me up." I get down on my stomach and tell her "Wrap your arms around my neck and I'll pull you up." Doing as she's told I feel her arms snake around my neck,reaching for her waist I begin to bring her up on the roof. "How are we going to get in? It's a ways down." She gives me a quizzical look. Silently moving to the window I look down at the window ledge 'Won't be able to hold myself up long enough with one hand to open it up,so I'll have to find another way down.' Thinking to myself I stride to the side with a nearby tree. Analyzing the distance from the tree and the roof I feel as if I can manage it. Taking a few steps back I stop "Dane what are you doing?" Brittany anxiously questions, concerned by my silence. "Dane!" She says louder as I rush to the edge of the house, taking a leap of faith off the building and bracing myself for the impact. At the apex of the jump I tighten my muscles up and drop on the sturdy branch, turning towards the window the window I see a good place to put my foot while i open the window. I see Brittany looking at me in a terrified and shocked way as I move to the foothold and make sure its secure. Moving to the window I arch an eyebrow wondering how the window got shut since I'm positive that it was open when I climbed up to the roof. Pushing the thought back I get the window open and climb in. "Hey Britt it's open you need me to help you down?" I wait a bit for a reply, not hearing anything I open my mouth then I hear her quiet shaky voice "Y-ye-ah" I help her inside then we walk downstairs to grab a bite to eat. After grabbing some sort of nibbles to eat I grasp the door handle and call out to her "Hey I'm going out, be back in a little while." Hearing a form of acknowledgment from her I open the door and walk out of the house and into town, which would take some time just walking but I've been working on parkour and free running to help keep my mind off the events that had happened, and also the fact that I will find him and he will atone for what he has done. Pushing those thoughts away I continue until I reach a small shop; walking in I walk to the front counter to where an older man is stationed. "Hello, you're back I see." the man smiles and grabs a few items from under the counter, placing them on the surface my eyes widen in astonishment "I-I couldn't even pay for all of this sir. You have the money I asked for right? Yes sir I do. Well then consider it payed in full." He smiles as he pushes the items towards me he then states "I have been in business for a long time my boy, I've helped many people but I can see that you've been'through some things. What it may be I have no idea, but hopefully this will help you out some." The way this man said those words showed he was serious, I hand him the money and grab the items; which are a few throwing knives with a holster that is perfect for placing on your shoulder, a collapsable baton, and a jacket that has a few pockets on it. Also there are a few things inside the pockets that I couldn't make out, I look at the man astonished, he in turn smiles and places his and on my head. "Hey, want to know how to use these efficiently?" he nods to the equipment he gave me. "I would love to sir. First, tell me what you will do with the knowledge I will give you?" I look at the items in my hands and look him in the eyes "I will protect the ones who can't protect themselves." He smiles and hands me a slip of paper, "Good meet me here everyday at 4:00." I nod and thank him.