Post by Myrdraxxis on Oct 26, 2010 21:35:36 GMT -5
The city hummed with activity, the night sky illuminated by the many lights of signs and buildings, giving a lasting glow to the air. The city was always full of people, coming and going in such a fashion that it almost seemed that they were a part of the city itself.
Amidst the crowds of a people, a man walked determinedly, occasionally pushing or nudging his way through people, earning him some dark looks. He paid it no mind. Those who saw him would soon simply go about their business, rejoining the almost organic flow of life within the metropolis.
The night life of Synapse was truly a stunning sight to behold, far outshining anything the city had to offer during the waking hours.
Of course, Reaper reflected, he had never been to Synapse during the day, so he really had no frame of reference.
Still, this place could put Las Vegas, New York or any other major city to shame in a heartbeat.
Reaper had tried to find the exact size of Synapse once, but quickly figured out that it was an impossible task. Synapse was enormous to say the least.
The streets and sidewalks were full of shoppers and walkers, browsing shops or talking animatedly with friends. The pleasant aroma from dozens of different cafés and restaurants seemed to cover the entire street, setting a friendly and welcoming feeling to the city. Reaper walked past a group of laughing teens, an older couple, and a small family before stopping at the street corner.
He frowned behind the high collar of his coat. The atmosphere was deceptive. Synapse was anything but a safe place to be. It was simply less dangerous in some areas. The trick was figuring out what those areas were, because –as Reaper had quickly discovered- looks can be deceiving. It was almost as if Synapse itself was trying to mess with him. He entertained a small thought that perhaps, just maybe, it was. It certainly seemed at times like this city was a living being.
Reaper shook his head. It was a stupid thought, and he couldn’t afford to waste time pondering stupid ideas. No time to remain in one place too long. You’d wind up dead.
He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and whirled around quickly, right hand reaching towards the long item strapped to his back. Nothing. Only the typical people walking by. Reaper’s eyes narrowed and he slowly lowered his hand.
He quickly crossed the street, dodged a few random people and came to rest in front of a large shop. There were a couple of children starring dreamily inside, no doubt greedily eyeing some new toy and figuring out how to get their parents to buy it for them. Reaper snorted, walking past quickly. It seemed human folly, in all its grandeur, still applied in Synapse.
Another movement in his peripheral caused Reaper to whirl around, scanning the street. Again nothing. Reaper quickly turned and slid into an alley, cloaking himself in shadows.
He waited a beat then began backing further down the alley. As far as he could tell, this was a safer section of the city, but you could never tell. It was often the most safe-looking places that held the deadliest traps.
The alley fed into a large lot, surrounded on all sides the backs of stores and other buildings. The noise of the city dimmed to a low hum. Reaper glanced up at the maze of fire escapes and catwalks above him. The skyscrapers went up almost beyond sight, with endless tiers and places to hide.
This, Reaper thought clinically, was a good place to ambush someone.
The footsteps that echoed through the lot a beat later made Reaper wince.
‘Me and my big mouth.’ The man thought, turning slowly back the way he had come. A figure stood in the entrance of the alley, bathed in shadows, his features obscured, save for the small pinprick of light coming from the end of a lit cigarette.
Reaper’s mouth twisted into a scowl. “Ranger.” He said dully. His hand was already gripping the shaft strapped to his back, but he didn’t draw his weapon. Not yet.
“Reaper.” The other man greeted cordially, inhaling a lungful of smoke and lighting up the cigarette enough for Reaper to see the familiar eye-patched face of Ranger. “Lovely night isn’t it.” Ranger glanced up. “Never can get over how damn big this place is.”
“You followed me.” Reaper said shortly. Ranger may be one for conversation, but he wasn’t. He knew how this would end.
“No no,” Ranger shook his head, “I was simply minding my own business, taking a walk, when I saw you mosey on down this way.” Reaper could almost see him grin. “How very lucky for me, eh?”
Reaper stared at him. He had definitely sensed someone following him. Or else this city was beginning to make him paranoid. Either way, he needed to go. “I don’t suppose we can just walk away from here can we?”
Ranger chuckled, tapping his cancer stick lightly to loosen some ash. “You know that it doesn’t work that way, man. Sorry.”
Reaper barely had time to dive to the side as he felt a bullet graze his cheek. He rolled into a crouch, quickly reaching for his own weapon. Ranger spat out his cigarette, stamping it underfoot as he drew his second pistol, pointing both revolvers at Reaper.
“Nice dodge.” He said. “But you gotta die now, ‘kay?” He didn’t wait for an answer, instead sending a roar through the lot as he unloaded a wave of bullets at Reaper.
Reaper swore and ran, feeling the bullets grazing his jacket uncomfortably close. He just had to wait for it…
The bullets stopped, and Ranger quickly began reloading his guns. Reaper lunged, bringing his own weapon out of its straps on his back. Reaper swung his scythe downward, trying to cleave the other man in half in one strike. Ranger jumped backwards, cursing gruffly under breath as he frantically loaded bullets into the chambers, snapping both guns up quickly.
Reaper was on him before he could fire. The way he moved, the feeling of the scythe in his hand, made Reaper feel almost at ease. Dealing death and brushing close to death in the same glorious dance was where he truly belonged. He was death itself. He was Reaper.
His blade caused a long gash on Ranger’s left arm, making the other man swear again, whirling away from the blade. In the same motion he brought his body around the scythe’s tip in a circular movement and aimed a gun at Reaper’s head.
Reaper brought his scythe up just in time, striking Ranger’s hand and sending the shot wide, skimming over Reaper’s head.
Ranger shakily raised his left hand, blood streaming from his wound, aiming his other gun and trying for another shot. A loud bang echoed through the alley as the shot sliced through Reaper’s cheek. The man hissed, backing up quickly.
He glanced up at the dark labyrinth of catwalks and gritted his teeth. ‘Damn it Assassin. Where are you when I need you?” Reaper growled. That boy was more trouble than he was worth.
Ranger regarded him for a moment, then glanced up. He lowered his guns, chuckling softly. “You’ve sure gotten better, Reaper.” He said lightly. How that man managed to keep such a nonchalant attitude escaped Reaper.
“In a place like this, that’s all you can do.” Reaper replied.
“Or die.” Ranger added.
“Or die.” Reaper nodded in agreement. The two stared at each other for a long moment. Ranger sighed and sheathed both pistols, holding out both hands in a placating gesture.
“I’m done for the night. It’ll be morning soon. Better find a safe place to hunker down.”
“There are no safe places in Synapse.” As if Reaper needed to remind him. Ranger shrugged, glancing up one last time before turning to leave.
“I’ll kill you next time, Reaper. If the others don’t get to you first.”
Reaper snorted but didn’t reply, watching the man walk down the alley and vanish into the crowd. He waited for another minute before strapping his scythe back on his back.
He began to walk towards the alley, but froze mid-step as he heard clapping echo around the lot.
“That was entertaining.” A voice said from the catwalk above him. Reaper slowly raised his head.
“I hope you enjoyed the show, Lancer.”
“Oh, I did, rest assured.” Lancer giggled, reclining in the railing of the balcony lazily. A long barbed spear was propped against the wall next to him. “A pity you didn’t kill Ranger this time.” The man thought for a moment. “Or vice versa.” He grinned widely.
“So do you want a turn now?” Reaper asked. Lancer shook his head, chuckling.
“No no, killing you now would only make this game more boring. I want to thoroughly enjoy myself before this comes to an end.”
Reaper growled. This man had the audacity to treat Synapse like a game? He didn’t voice his opinion, instead he began walking through the alley. “Good night, Lancer.”
“Don’t you mean good morning?” Lancer grinned again, glancing up as a few small beams of light began to inch their way through the wall of buildings. He continued grinning, even as the world brightened and disappeared in a white flash of light.
---
“Doctor? Doctor Klein.” Matt’s eyes snapped open as he was awakened by the young nurse shaking him. He blinked, glancing around. He was in the hospital break room, propped up in one of the chairs that lined the room.
“What?”
“You fell asleep again, sir.” The nurse frowned disapprovingly.
“You really need to stop pulling all nighters. You’re working again in five hours.” Matt nodded.
“I know, Valerie, I know. I..I was heading home anyway.” Matt stood, ignoring his –rather audacious- nurse’s snort of disbelief and made his way to the door.
It was around six o’ clock judging by the clock on the wall outside. A few nurses and doctors were still here covering night shift, but the halls were still mostly deserted. For which Matt was thankful. He didn’t need anyone to see his haggard appearance or hopeless expression.
He drove back to his home, thoughts occupied by another day spent in torture, and another night spent fighting for his life.
Another day waiting for the inevitable return to Synapse.
Amidst the crowds of a people, a man walked determinedly, occasionally pushing or nudging his way through people, earning him some dark looks. He paid it no mind. Those who saw him would soon simply go about their business, rejoining the almost organic flow of life within the metropolis.
The night life of Synapse was truly a stunning sight to behold, far outshining anything the city had to offer during the waking hours.
Of course, Reaper reflected, he had never been to Synapse during the day, so he really had no frame of reference.
Still, this place could put Las Vegas, New York or any other major city to shame in a heartbeat.
Reaper had tried to find the exact size of Synapse once, but quickly figured out that it was an impossible task. Synapse was enormous to say the least.
The streets and sidewalks were full of shoppers and walkers, browsing shops or talking animatedly with friends. The pleasant aroma from dozens of different cafés and restaurants seemed to cover the entire street, setting a friendly and welcoming feeling to the city. Reaper walked past a group of laughing teens, an older couple, and a small family before stopping at the street corner.
He frowned behind the high collar of his coat. The atmosphere was deceptive. Synapse was anything but a safe place to be. It was simply less dangerous in some areas. The trick was figuring out what those areas were, because –as Reaper had quickly discovered- looks can be deceiving. It was almost as if Synapse itself was trying to mess with him. He entertained a small thought that perhaps, just maybe, it was. It certainly seemed at times like this city was a living being.
Reaper shook his head. It was a stupid thought, and he couldn’t afford to waste time pondering stupid ideas. No time to remain in one place too long. You’d wind up dead.
He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and whirled around quickly, right hand reaching towards the long item strapped to his back. Nothing. Only the typical people walking by. Reaper’s eyes narrowed and he slowly lowered his hand.
He quickly crossed the street, dodged a few random people and came to rest in front of a large shop. There were a couple of children starring dreamily inside, no doubt greedily eyeing some new toy and figuring out how to get their parents to buy it for them. Reaper snorted, walking past quickly. It seemed human folly, in all its grandeur, still applied in Synapse.
Another movement in his peripheral caused Reaper to whirl around, scanning the street. Again nothing. Reaper quickly turned and slid into an alley, cloaking himself in shadows.
He waited a beat then began backing further down the alley. As far as he could tell, this was a safer section of the city, but you could never tell. It was often the most safe-looking places that held the deadliest traps.
The alley fed into a large lot, surrounded on all sides the backs of stores and other buildings. The noise of the city dimmed to a low hum. Reaper glanced up at the maze of fire escapes and catwalks above him. The skyscrapers went up almost beyond sight, with endless tiers and places to hide.
This, Reaper thought clinically, was a good place to ambush someone.
The footsteps that echoed through the lot a beat later made Reaper wince.
‘Me and my big mouth.’ The man thought, turning slowly back the way he had come. A figure stood in the entrance of the alley, bathed in shadows, his features obscured, save for the small pinprick of light coming from the end of a lit cigarette.
Reaper’s mouth twisted into a scowl. “Ranger.” He said dully. His hand was already gripping the shaft strapped to his back, but he didn’t draw his weapon. Not yet.
“Reaper.” The other man greeted cordially, inhaling a lungful of smoke and lighting up the cigarette enough for Reaper to see the familiar eye-patched face of Ranger. “Lovely night isn’t it.” Ranger glanced up. “Never can get over how damn big this place is.”
“You followed me.” Reaper said shortly. Ranger may be one for conversation, but he wasn’t. He knew how this would end.
“No no,” Ranger shook his head, “I was simply minding my own business, taking a walk, when I saw you mosey on down this way.” Reaper could almost see him grin. “How very lucky for me, eh?”
Reaper stared at him. He had definitely sensed someone following him. Or else this city was beginning to make him paranoid. Either way, he needed to go. “I don’t suppose we can just walk away from here can we?”
Ranger chuckled, tapping his cancer stick lightly to loosen some ash. “You know that it doesn’t work that way, man. Sorry.”
Reaper barely had time to dive to the side as he felt a bullet graze his cheek. He rolled into a crouch, quickly reaching for his own weapon. Ranger spat out his cigarette, stamping it underfoot as he drew his second pistol, pointing both revolvers at Reaper.
“Nice dodge.” He said. “But you gotta die now, ‘kay?” He didn’t wait for an answer, instead sending a roar through the lot as he unloaded a wave of bullets at Reaper.
Reaper swore and ran, feeling the bullets grazing his jacket uncomfortably close. He just had to wait for it…
The bullets stopped, and Ranger quickly began reloading his guns. Reaper lunged, bringing his own weapon out of its straps on his back. Reaper swung his scythe downward, trying to cleave the other man in half in one strike. Ranger jumped backwards, cursing gruffly under breath as he frantically loaded bullets into the chambers, snapping both guns up quickly.
Reaper was on him before he could fire. The way he moved, the feeling of the scythe in his hand, made Reaper feel almost at ease. Dealing death and brushing close to death in the same glorious dance was where he truly belonged. He was death itself. He was Reaper.
His blade caused a long gash on Ranger’s left arm, making the other man swear again, whirling away from the blade. In the same motion he brought his body around the scythe’s tip in a circular movement and aimed a gun at Reaper’s head.
Reaper brought his scythe up just in time, striking Ranger’s hand and sending the shot wide, skimming over Reaper’s head.
Ranger shakily raised his left hand, blood streaming from his wound, aiming his other gun and trying for another shot. A loud bang echoed through the alley as the shot sliced through Reaper’s cheek. The man hissed, backing up quickly.
He glanced up at the dark labyrinth of catwalks and gritted his teeth. ‘Damn it Assassin. Where are you when I need you?” Reaper growled. That boy was more trouble than he was worth.
Ranger regarded him for a moment, then glanced up. He lowered his guns, chuckling softly. “You’ve sure gotten better, Reaper.” He said lightly. How that man managed to keep such a nonchalant attitude escaped Reaper.
“In a place like this, that’s all you can do.” Reaper replied.
“Or die.” Ranger added.
“Or die.” Reaper nodded in agreement. The two stared at each other for a long moment. Ranger sighed and sheathed both pistols, holding out both hands in a placating gesture.
“I’m done for the night. It’ll be morning soon. Better find a safe place to hunker down.”
“There are no safe places in Synapse.” As if Reaper needed to remind him. Ranger shrugged, glancing up one last time before turning to leave.
“I’ll kill you next time, Reaper. If the others don’t get to you first.”
Reaper snorted but didn’t reply, watching the man walk down the alley and vanish into the crowd. He waited for another minute before strapping his scythe back on his back.
He began to walk towards the alley, but froze mid-step as he heard clapping echo around the lot.
“That was entertaining.” A voice said from the catwalk above him. Reaper slowly raised his head.
“I hope you enjoyed the show, Lancer.”
“Oh, I did, rest assured.” Lancer giggled, reclining in the railing of the balcony lazily. A long barbed spear was propped against the wall next to him. “A pity you didn’t kill Ranger this time.” The man thought for a moment. “Or vice versa.” He grinned widely.
“So do you want a turn now?” Reaper asked. Lancer shook his head, chuckling.
“No no, killing you now would only make this game more boring. I want to thoroughly enjoy myself before this comes to an end.”
Reaper growled. This man had the audacity to treat Synapse like a game? He didn’t voice his opinion, instead he began walking through the alley. “Good night, Lancer.”
“Don’t you mean good morning?” Lancer grinned again, glancing up as a few small beams of light began to inch their way through the wall of buildings. He continued grinning, even as the world brightened and disappeared in a white flash of light.
---
“Doctor? Doctor Klein.” Matt’s eyes snapped open as he was awakened by the young nurse shaking him. He blinked, glancing around. He was in the hospital break room, propped up in one of the chairs that lined the room.
“What?”
“You fell asleep again, sir.” The nurse frowned disapprovingly.
“You really need to stop pulling all nighters. You’re working again in five hours.” Matt nodded.
“I know, Valerie, I know. I..I was heading home anyway.” Matt stood, ignoring his –rather audacious- nurse’s snort of disbelief and made his way to the door.
It was around six o’ clock judging by the clock on the wall outside. A few nurses and doctors were still here covering night shift, but the halls were still mostly deserted. For which Matt was thankful. He didn’t need anyone to see his haggard appearance or hopeless expression.
He drove back to his home, thoughts occupied by another day spent in torture, and another night spent fighting for his life.
Another day waiting for the inevitable return to Synapse.