"Uuugghh" I grumbled as I felt a bright light piercing through my eyelids forcing me to slowly wake, yet my lethargy had me lay there for a moment listening to the pleasant shouts of the folks in the room next door "WHERES MY MONEY YOU FUU.." "I'm sorry Daddy I'll have it for you by the end of the day i promise!" *SMACK* "YOU BETTER BITCH!". Thin walls Lucky me I thought as I ignored the drama unfolding and debated whether to get the day going or simply stay in bed....
I blinked my eyes open, squinting against the harsh sunlight cutting through a gap in the blinds, slicing right across my face. I’d forgotten to close them fully last night—or maybe I’d just been too tired to care. Cheap hotels have a way of making you forget the little things, like privacy, or a good night’s sleep. The place smelled faintly of mold and cigarettes, and even lying in bed felt like stretching out on sandpaper.
From the room next door, I could hear the muffled, angry voice of someone—"WHERES MY MONEY YOU FUU.." "I'm sorry Daddy I'll have it for you by the end of the day i promise!" *SMACK* "YOU BETTER BITCH!".....likely a pimp from the sound of it—berating one of his girls. They went at it with raised voices and curses, each word breaking through the paper-thin walls. I could just make out his voice, raspy and low, the way a growl sounds when it’s trying to pass as a whisper.
I rolled over, pulling the pillow over my head, trying to drown it out, but Belmont’s voice slipped into my head, cool and unbothered. “Are you really gonna lie there all day, Reyes?”
I exhaled, staring up at the ceiling, as if that would get him to go away. “Maybe. Got a problem with it?”
“Yeah. We didn’t survive the night just for you to waste the day in bed.”
There was no arguing with him, not when he got like this. I pushed myself up, groaning as the springs in the mattress creaked in protest. The floor was cold under my feet, reminding me just how long it had been since I’d stayed in a place worth more than the change in my pocket.
I reached for the remote and flicked on the old, buzzing TV mounted across the room. The screen glowed to life, the static fading just in time for a familiar face to pop up on the news channel. Jill, the anchor I’d seen countless times, was discussing something that made my pulse quicken.
“…Doctor Solomon Morningstar, esteemed Nobel Prize winner, was involved in a tragic accident earlier this month at his library The Bibliotheca Arcana. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, but details remain scarce…”
My jaw clenched. Morningstar. The name was enough to push everything else out of my mind—the cheap hotel room, the sunlight, even Belmont’s voice.
I turned up the volume, leaning forward as Jill’s carefully composed face filled the screen, her voice steady, but laced with that edge of suspense they love to inject into these stories.
“We’re following up on the tragic incident that took place at the renowned Bibliotheca Arcana, the Home/ Private library owned by Dr. Solomon Morningstar,” she began, her words precise, carefully chosen. “Authorities initially believed a gas leak caused the explosion that destroyed the library and claimed the lives of Dr. Morningstar, Lily Gardeene, Belmont Helsing, and Kain Reyes.”
She paused, letting the names sink in, each one a quiet accusation aimed at the screen. I felt a chill creep up my spine as my own name landed like a gavel strike.
“But new information,” she continued, her eyes narrowing as though she were speaking directly to me, “suggests the incident may have been a premeditated terrorist attack. Investigators now suspect foul play and have identified Kain Reyes as a potential suspect. This revelation comes after forensic evidence indicated Reyes may have survived the explosion and is currently on the run.”
The screen cut to grainy footage from a street camera, showing me moving through a dimly lit alley, my figure barely more than a silhouette. The timestamp was from a little over three months ago—right after the blast. They must have combed through every camera in the area to find a trace of me.
“Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. Reyes is considered armed and dangerous,” Jill continued, her voice almost daring me to turn myself in. “As more details emerge, law enforcement officials are increasing their efforts to locate him. Anyone with information on Reyes’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact the authorities immediately.”
She shifted some papers in front of her, preparing for the next story, her eyes flicking up to the camera one last time. “Once a respected associate of Dr. Morningstar, Reyes’ motives remain unclear, though authorities suspect the incident may have ties to extremist ideologies or a personal vendetta.”
Then, just like that, they moved on to the next segment, leaving my name and face on the screen for a few final moments before it faded away. The weight of it all settled over me. I was officially Alive—and wanted.
The room fell silent as the news report ended, the anchor’s face freezing on the TV screen. I sat there, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of it. Being dead on paper was one thing, but a terrorist? I shook my head. The whole thing reeked of something larger, something I hadn’t even touched.
“Seems they’ve pinned you with quite the label, huh, Kain?” Doc’s voice slid in, slick with satisfaction. “Terrorist. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? Makes you seem…relevant.”
“Relevant?” I scoffed, running a hand over my face. “I barely have enough to cover rent. Why would they say I’m some kind of terrorist?”
“You expected them to leave you alone?” Belmont’s calm tone cut through the tension. He sounded like he was explaining something obvious, which only added to the aggravation twisting in my gut. “It was one thing when you were just dead, Kain. The people who run this world—the Conclave, if we’re being clear—don’t just let people like you slip away with the things you’ve seen. Or the knowledge you carry.”
“The Conclave?” The name was foreign, and yet something about it sent a chill through me. I was realizing, with a mix of anger and disbelief, that Belmont and Doc had known about them all along.
“Should’ve known this might happen,” Doc chimed in, sounding almost amused. “They’re always poking around where they’re not wanted, keeping tabs on anyone who might disrupt their precious balance.”
“So, what, they think I’m dangerous now?” I muttered, still trying to grasp the implications.
“They know you are, Kain,” Belmont replied, as if he were stating a fact I should’ve known all along. “We advised you to stay dead for a reason. Now, they want you back in line, or gone entirely. They have the means to make you look guilty of anything if it suits them.”
Doc laughed softly, a darker edge to it. “Can’t say it’s all bad news. If they’re broadcasting your face, it means they haven’t gotten so much as a whiff of you yet.”
I clenched my fists, trying to ignore Doc’s twisted sense of humor. “So what do I do now?”
Belmont’s voice softened, grounding me. “You do what you’ve been doing. Keep moving, stay hidden, and trust that you’re alive for a reason. This isn’t just some bureaucratic mishap. You’ve got the Conclave’s attention, Kain, and that means they're after you for a reason and if I know those stuffy old fools it's not gonna be in your favor.”
I nodded slowly, whatever they thought they knew, whatever game they were playing—I wasn’t going down that easily.
I scowled, grabbing the remote and pressing the power button harder than I meant to. With a snap, the plastic crunched under my fingers, the remote now a shattered mess in my hand. I tossed it onto the bed, ignoring the broken pieces, and stalked into the bathroom, trying to wrestle down the anger bubbling up inside.
I caught my reflection for a moment, then leaned over the sink, turned on the cold water, and splashed it over my face. The shock steadied me, cooling the fire coursing through me. This wasn’t the time to lose control.
Straightening up, I patted my face dry, then glanced at myself as I stood tall. Months of training, nonstop discipline, and focus had pushed me back into prime condition, a sculpted frame that looked like it’d stepped out of some myth. My light tan skin looked warmer under the dim light, and my long black hair framed my face, damp and tousled. I ran a hand over the faint five o’clock shadow along my jaw, my gaze settling on the necklace hanging close to my collarbone, shifting in soft hues of baby-blue and purple, like a storm suspended in glass.
But I couldn’t walk out like this. Not as myself.
I closed my eyes, focused, and felt my form begin to shift, my clothes morphing along with it. When I opened my eyes, Seth was looking back. The loose white V-neck hung comfortably against my shoulders, the sleeves rolled just below my elbows, relaxed, effortless. Black cargo pants fit snug against my legs, and worn-in boots grounded me. The red rosary bracelet circled my wrist, subtle but steady—a quiet reminder of why I was here.
I took one last look, nodded, and walked out, it was time to hit The Bazxar. A location I had drug up through the Coyotes memories and one I was looking forward to investigating.
"So Doc, Belmont anything I should know before I get the The Bazxar?" I mentally asked the two
"What's to know Squirt? You go look around maybe do some shopping...well maybe not the shopping part unless you'd like to rob someone once you get there!" Doc asked rather hopefully
"Mmm, weeell" I began to say
"Come now Reyes, thieving is never the way to go I'm sure with your talents and a little legwork we can find something to earn a days fair wage." Belmont rebutted
Stepping outside the motel was about as pleasant as my night there a couple of aged women were standing around outside giving me what I can only assume was a seductive look for their part although the missing teeth and swelling around their lips made it hard for me to even look at them.
"It's not like I was planning on stealing or anything Belmont... I was just thinking maybe we run into some assholes that want to give a tribute... besides we're kinda short on money at the moment and it's not like your safe house was exactly full of cash." I defended maybe a little too much considering I had been caught seriously considering Doc's suggestion
"Hmmm, alright I'll admit with young Leo stuck where he is as well as your true identity on the current lamb. It's not an ideal situation to earn money in a more honest manner still though committing robbery?" Belmont considered, although not entirely convinced.
My steps were steady, and firm as I turned away from the women giving them a friendly nod as I picked up my pace, albeit slow considering how fast I could truly move now, sadly daylight was out and so where the people. I couldn't exactly speed through town even being new to this as I was, I understood the kind of panic it would cause if regular folk saw the unnatural happening before them.
"Heh come now robbery is such a strong word, and besides Kain here would be, how did they put it stealing from rich to give to the poor! Just like Robin Hood." Doc justified Belmont in response just stayed quiet which for him was pretty much a reluctant acceptance.
*Beep* *Boop**Call Me** Beep Me* *If You Wanna Reach Me*
"Yo what's up Brosky?" I called after answering my cellphone. "What's up Brosky?!, The Fuck.... Oh nothing much just on lunch, you know surfing my phone, paying some bills, buying some crypto....And wondering why the fuck my Brother who was supposedly Dead, thanks for the heads up by the way had to find out from mom!" My little brothers voice rang from the other line understandably loud as I winced at his justified anger "Ahh yeah sorry about that, you know I've never been the best at communicating and what not." I weakly defended back "Pfft, that and this are two separate things, anyways I took that all in stride it's not like this is the first time you went M.I.A. after all but! This! A Fucking Terrorist!! Yo Da Fuq!" He called out shocked to the point his language was reverting to our good talk.
"Just take care of yourself.... I'm planning a trip back to Bakersfield I'll be there in a month, keep your head down until I get there." He spoke clear exhaustion and wariness in his voice.
"I always do bro... and appreciate you." I said as I genuinely did, after a few more moments of catching up and general wellness check on each other we hung up the call. My little brother was always an intelligent and Hardworking man,he had landed a position in the government a couple years back and had soared through the ranks, how I'm not to sure as he worked within their applied science division the phone I was using was actually an invention he had designed, and gifted for me and the family, needless to say it was untraceable in text, call, or location.... we were a rather paranoid family I laughed at our unusual paranoia that turned out to be working well in this particular situation.
"Was that your brother?" Belmont asked. "yeah." I replied "what did he want?" He pressed curiously "just checking on me, probably wants to help me out of this whole terrorist situation." I mumbled a warm feeling rising in my chest
"That's kind of him Kid, but with the conclave behind this I doubt he would be able to help." Doc said a hint of softness to his usually cold voice
"Maybe, but my little brother has plenty of pull in the government. And stop calling me Kid I'm damn near 30" I snapped back pride in my brother behind my voice, while daring Doc to say otherwise
"I'm sure he does Reyes, but in this instance Doc's right. He'd be up against the Conclave, and even if he were the president of the U.S.A it wouldn't do anything to change their ruling. Right now they want you and the power they hold is not to be trifled with." Belmont intervened
"Aahhh, what the Hell what do they even want." I complained, as if I didn't already have enough problems as it stood.
"The Book, Kain what else...and 30 is a Kid to us" Doc intoned displeasure in his silky smooth voice
"Wwhat, but I don't even have it? It vanished after that explosion.." I muttered in confusion as I decided to ignore Doc's grumbling
"Yeah but they don't know that, or frankly I doubt they would care even if they did your a lead to them or possible in possession of that rare relic." Doc laughed as his voice faded from my mind a small act of revenge he liked to do when he was unhappy with something or another leaving me hanging as I thought over his words.
I grumbled as I crossed the street and made my way towards The Bazxar when the gleam of something caught my attention. A single ATM shone through the window of a gas station an idea sparking to life inside my mind.
With quick steps, I entered the gas station giving the cashier a friendly wave I walked towards the ATM in order to try out an idea that was bouncing around my mind.
*Zzapp* *Ziipp* *Spark*
Guiding my abilities as well as the knowledge I had gained from one of those that I had absorbed I messed with the ATM a bit as a few hundred... maybe a hundred thousand or so of dollars spat out of the machine nothing to crazy but more than enough money to get a little shopping and bite to eat I thought with a a grin so wide it threatened to rip my face in half.
"Well that's neat." Doc laughed back despite himself
"It really is, but don't make a habit of it Reyes money should be earned Honestly." Belmont spoke although I could tell even he was impressed by my idea
"Of course Belmont, heh come off it Doc you know it's way cooler than just neat." I mentally smirked and promised to them. Then I made my way to the freezer in order to grab myself a drink.
"Grab a cold one Kain," Doc voted
"It's 7:00 Am!" Belmont scoffed
"What a buzzkill, we're all grown men here... besides it's 5'O clock somewhere." Doc petitioned the smirk evident in his tone.
"Look I like a nice frosty one just as much as the next guy, but Belmonts right at least for me never cared to drink much... I was never able to hold my liquor without a story or two to hear in the morning" I grumbled as I reached for a Celrius "besides Belmonts right it's way too early Doc." I finished
"Aahh the lot of ya, just don't know how to let loose a little." Doc complained as I headed up to the counter swiping a piece of Jerky and a croissant as I walked.
"How are you doing my Friend!" The overly friendly man said a bright smile plastered in his face even if his teeth where slightly yellowing his attitude was quite refreshing.
"Not to bad, my Friend." I smiled back as I placed my items on the counter giving him a 50$ bill in the process "go ahead and keep the change." I called as I walked out the door "Aahh no I.. well thank you than Friend!" He started trying to refuse however as I walked out the door he had no choice but to take the money I had left.
"Look at you Mr. Big shot." Doc chuckled as I walked out of the gas station
*cough* *cough* "well I mean who wouldn't like a couple extra bucks and I do have them." I replied a little defensively
"That's a very kind gesture, Reyes... it would be a lot more meaningful if you had actually earned that money." Belmont began
"Everyone's a critic." I mumbled as I continued my walk, stopping at a bus stop that wasn't too far from the gas station. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long. The bus pulls up with a loud, tired hiss, its brakes wheezing under the strain, and I can’t help but take a step back as the doors clatter open. The inside is beat up and covered in layers of graffiti—initials, tags, and strange doodles overlapping each other, an endless tapestry of people who’ve been here before me. Someone’s drawn a crude cartoon face on the window next to the driver’s seat, a bat by the looks of it, open mouth lined up perfectly with a jagged crack in the glass.
Inside, it’s cramped and loud. A guy, maybe in his early twenties, is slumped in a seat near the middle, earbuds buried in his ears, his head bobbing to some beat only he can hear. Across the aisle, there’s a pregnant woman, resting her hand on her stomach as she stares blankly out the window, her expression heavy and far away.
Up front, an old man sits gripping his cane, body swaying slightly with each bump as he stares down the row, maybe hoping someone might ofer some conversation to brighten his day. No one does. Near the back, a couple of kids—teenagers, maybe high school age—are laughing, their voices loud and sharp as they mutter something under their breath. One of them looks up at me, smirks, and goes back to scrawling some new piece of graffiti on the seat in front of him. Further up, there’s a woman quietly reading a book, her head down, oblivious to the chaos around her.
“Well, you getting in or just admiring the scenery, honey?” the driver calls out, her voice warm but with just enough sass to make me snap to attention. She’s an older Black woman, maybe late sixties, with that look like she’s been driving this route forever and could do it with her eyes closed. She raises an eyebrow at me, a playful glint in her eye, waiting.
I step up, digging into my pocket and pulling out the last of my loose change. I could use one of the fresh twenties I got from the ATM, but there’s something almost sacred about this routine—the little jangling handful of quarters and crumpled dollar bills that I pass her way. She glances down at the coins in my hand, counting it before I even drop it into the fare box.
“Barely scraped it together this time, huh?” she says with a wink as I drop the coins in.
“Yeah, you know how life goes,” I reply, managing a grin.
She chuckles, her laugh low and full of life. “Sure do, baby. Now go on, take a seat. Don’t want you fallin’ over the first bump.”
I give her a nod and move down the aisle as the bus lurches forward, feeling the last bit of change settle in the box behind me. I make my way down the aisle, the bus lurching forward before I’m seated, making me stumble as I grab the nearest bar. The bus isn’t packed, but it feels full, each person locked in their own little world.