Ken leaned over Bart's shoulder, his eyes locked on the glowing computer monitor as Bart adjusted his headset and crunched on a potato chip. Bart's screen showed a map of Metropolis, highlighted with scattered pings marking Derek's movements. "This doesn't bode well. His signature is all over the place tonight. Bart fumbled over his words grabbing a handful of chips and pointed at the map with a greasy finger. "Like you said the gas station meet up is here and then he headed back into the city. By the looks of it he is somewhere in the Southern Prefecture.
Leaning back in his chair Bart adopted a serious tone with a mocking nature to it. "Neo Blaze City our beloved city. A city on the edge of greatness but also on the brink of ruin with all of these protest happening."
Laughing dryly, Ken rubbed his temples. "I try to forget those speeches trying to bring everyone together. This city is going to the dumps and moving to the country is becoming more of a reality for me. Dealing with all of this is exhausting."
Bart snorted. "Don't lie..you would miss all this choas? Any who, the southern part of town is no place to be after dark?"
Ken eyes traced the outline of the city map, his frustration painting his face red. "What business do you have there Derek?"
Before Bart could respond, his face suddenly twisted with despair. "On hold!" His fingers tapped furiously up and down keyboard, opening several windows with prompts. "He phone signal went dark," Bart stumbled biting his bottom lip. "He's literally off the grid now."
Ken's eyes narrowed. "Come again you mean, dark? Like he's gone?"
Bart barely cut him a glance, his gaze focused on the computer screen. "Let me try something." His hands flew over the keyboard, opening one window after another. "This is... complicated. Advanced stuff. Stuff they don't teach you in IT training. You learn it when you're neck-deep in a problem and making it up as you go."
Ken leaned over, trying to follow the chaotic flurry of windows and commands. "What the hell is going on?"
"To be honest," Bart mumbled. "I couldn't even tell you. His digital trail was wiped completely off the map tracing back to the gas station. It's like he disappeared from our world.
Ken clenched his right, taking two steps back. "Damn it, Derek. Why is this so hard?"
Bart huffed, slumping down into his chair. We tracked him down to the southern prefecture, and that's about all I can do. After that no signal at all. I wouldn't want to wonder around the southern part of town this time at night. Your essentially looking for a ghost."
Ken took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Can you at least tell me which building he was in before the signal went dark? Something. Anything."
Bart shook his head. "I wish I could. I was just starting to zero in on him when the signal cut. Sorry, man. Best I can do is tell you to stay in the ballpark. He's somewhere in the southern prefecture. It's a maze out there."
"Ugh! Sorry my frustration isn't with you. Just this whole situation is making me feel umm." Ken ran his left hand through his hair, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "What is he doing?"
Bart put his hand on Ken's shoulder trying to reassure him. "I hear you and your frustration is warranted." His tone was more serious than usual. "If his phone comes back online you will be the first to know."
Ken clinched his teeth but let go a slow nod. "Thanks. Can you stay here, just in case? Keep trying to monitor his phone. Let me know if anything happens."
Bart stood, grabbing another handful of chips as he gathered his things. "I've gotta head back to the front desk, but I'll leave a link open between my phone and this setup. If there's any movement, you'll know."
Ken watched as Bart stuffed the rest of the chips into his mouth and started packing up his station. He stepped back toward the elevator, pausing with a heavy sigh.
"Hey, Ken," Bart called out, stopping him in his tracks.
"What's up?" Ken turned, tension building in his face.
Bart curved his hand in a mock military salute. "Just..dont tell anyone about this set up will ya? My tech oasis is the only reason I dont leave this job. Were toast if anyone finds out about this place."
Ken mustered up a fake smile. "Your secret's safe with me. Just keep me updated."
As the elevator doors slid open, Ken stepped inside. Turning back, he raised a solemn hand to Bart before the doors closed. His thoughts were a jumbled mess as the elevator ascended toward the bank's main lobby.
"Derek, Damt it," he hissed, his barely audible over the car on the street. "Wherever you are, just... stay safe. I'll find you. I swear."
Ken sprinted across the parking lot his excited reaching his lips. His muscles tensed as the scanned the parking lot that was dimly lit. I need to slow down but the search is on. Fumble through is pocked he dropped his keys on the ground. Flinging the drivers door open he slumped in the seat and slammed the door shut. Twisting his key the engine came to life as it if shared his urgency to continue on.
"Derek, wherever you are," Ken said gripping his steering wheel. "Buddy, I'm coming for you. Just… don't wonder off."
Looking out the corner of his eye Ken noticed Bart standing at the door holding a hand waving. Putting his hand up he put two fingers and pointed forward. Do I need a weapon? he wondered as he made for the next stoplight. The southern prefecture wasn't exactly the kind of place you wandered into unprepared, especially not at night. It was notoriously lawless, sprawling district where gangs, addicts, and desperate souls made their homes.
At the red light, Ken reached across to the glove compartment and yanked it open. His hands rummaged through the clutter until they closed around two familiar objects: a can of pepper spray and a small pepper gun equipped with a CO2 cartridge. He sighed in relief and stuffed the pepper gun into the sleeve of his coat, tucking the spray into his left pocket. I could always wave the pepper gun around and hopefully that scares someone.
Stopping the gas pedal, his car jerked forward picking up speed. Wow those cars are far behind me. I don't need to get a ticket tonight. "Gotta be careful," he reminded himself, his voice tight. "Last thing I need is a speeding ticket while I'm out here trying to find Derek."
The city's bright lights began to fade behind him as he turned onto a quieter street leading toward the southern district. He cut a sharp right, the back of his car fishtailing momentarily before he steadied the wheel. "Focus," he hissed under his breath, his knuckles white against the leather. The road narrowed into a two-lane stretch the "back way" into the southern part of the city.
Ken exhaled sharply as he reached the edge of the southern prefecture. The change in atmosphere was immediate. This wasn't just another part of the city; it felt different. Darker. The flicker of broken streetlights cast uneven pools of light across the cracked pavement. A small drugstore caught his eye. He pulled into the parking lot, the hum of his engine dying down as he eased the car into a spot.
"No way I'm driving this nice car through the heart of this place," he muttered, glancing at his car in the rearview mirror. "Being an easy target would cut my night short." This part of town they love to steal catalytic converters. I want to laugh but this is no time for jokes.
Tucking the pepper gun in this pocket Ken put on his overcoat form the passenger seat and zipped up the jacket. The pepper gun, already hidden in his coat's inner sleeve, felt heavier than it ever had. With one last glance around, he stepped out into the chilly night air.
The wind was sharp, cutting against his face as he pulled his collar up. He shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way toward the edge of the parking lot, his head down but his eyes darting left and right. The graffiti-smeared walls and broken-down buildings loomed like shadows, pressing in on him.
"Derek, you've always been bullheaded," Ken uttered under his breath, his voice tender but filled with frustration. "Why do you try to do things on your own? Back in high school it was the same story."
Several years ago
"You know we need to run drills today, Derek. Ken stomped up his right food. "Refusing to run drills or practice fundamentals could get you put off the team."
Derek waved his hand. Being the hero is all that matters. Heroes make three pointers at the buzzer!"
Ken bitterly chuckled, his eyes stinging as the wind caught the single tear that escaped. "Heroes are made in the daily grind, Derek. The crowd doesn't matter if you lose."
Derek pushed the gym door open exiting in the evening moonlight.
Present Day
Pushing his arm up he cleaned the moisture from his eye. Take a right on the corner, a glow of a streetlight illuminated a group of men staging nearby. Their oversized hoodies and low voices marked them as trouble or at least people who might mistake him for easy prey.
Ken's pulse quickened, but he kept his pace steady, his eyes forward. As he passed, he offered a polite wave. "Evening, gentleman."
Tilting his head to the right one of the men cussed under his breath. "Evening," he mocked, his tone wary and flat. "What are you doing on this side of town? That accent is a bit to formal."
Offering a cheerful smile Ken stopped and turned back belaying his body. "Sometimes you have to be amongst the least of these to find yourself," he replied smoothly, reaching into his coat and flashing a small card with a local church's emblem prop he'd kept on hand for emergencies. "Man of the cloth," he added quickly.
The men exchanged confused glances. Huffing one of the other man leaded over spitting on the ground. "We don't need a savior you hear!"
Ken smiled, shaking his head. "Do not worry I'm here like you enjoying the evening. My head is a bit clouded due to recent events. Maybe I will find a soul that understands my woes?"
A faint smirk curved on one of the men's lips. "Alright, preacher. You are a lost soul like us. We won't give you any problems. There are those of us out here that would gut you where you stand. Be on your guard."
My heart is about to burst out of my chest. They believed that lie. Shame on me for lying and I'm surprised it worked. "Thank you and take care." He put his hand out and gestured a sign of farewell.
"Preacher man keep on going and don't look back," one of them called after him, his voice carrying an unsettling tone.
Come on keep focused and don't look back. Putting one foot in front of the other he was out of earshot. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
He glanced up at the flickering streetlights, his jaw tight. "Derek," he whispered, his voice carried away by the wind, "I'm coming for you, man. Just hold on a little longer."
With his head low and his steps deliberate, Ken disappeared into the heart of the southern prefecture, determined to find his friend no matter what awaited him in the shadows.