“Over here!”

Pushing aside an inconspicuous patch of bushes along the orphanage’s stone walls, Clark revealed a small hole leading beyond the walls of the orphanage. He wasted no time crawling through after making sure you were behind him, stopping only once to anxiously shush you when you got caught on a branch. As soon as he was out, Clark took off in a run, steps sure and light.

The orphanage, surrounded by iron gates and stone fences, was perched atop a hill which overlooked the nearby city. It held unwanted problem children—the rejects left on doorsteps before they were old enough to know what family was or those who were thrown out after disappointing their ‘loving’ families. There was only one path out, and it was patrolled constantly by nuns and volunteer workers. If not for the volunteers leaving the orphanage at the end of their shift, one could almost assume that no one ever left the premises of the stone enclosure.

Clark hates this place. He hates the nuns’ fake smiles, the cries of the other children at night, and his own thoughts that remind him of his worthlessness.

Relishing the feel of grass beneath his feet, Clark pushed himself forward. Above him, countless stars shone brightly in the cool open air of the night sky. Yet, despite their shine, Clark’s feet pulled him towards the mesmerizing brilliance of the city. He had discovered the small clearing behind the orphanage accidentally but it soon became one of the few solaces he had when he needed some time alone.

Today, he wanted to share this place with you.

As a new addition to the orphanage, you were the center of attention for a handful of hours before the other children—as kids do, found something more interesting. Clark, on the other hand, was immediately smitten by your hesitancy and an inexplicable desire to help you welled up within him.

Leaning against the flimsy fence at the edge of the cliff, Clark hummed as you finally caught up to him. For a moment, he simply let himself breathe. Then, he reached a hand out, grabbing a hold of the city before him.

“One day, I’m going to grow wings. I’m going to get out there and prove that I’m good.”

Next to him, you echoed his statement. Yet, unlike him, your eyes were glued to the darkness below the cliff.

—

Ditching the disguise’s sunglasses and hat for an unobscured view of his surroundings, Clark followed closely behind the dark coat turning the corner. His cover had already been blown, leaving no doubt in his target’s mind as to his identity as a policeman, but he wasn’t about to give up the lead he’s worked so hard to find. Discreetly checking that he was prepared for a confrontation, Clark kept close to the suspicious figure as he weaved through civilians on the sidewalk.

The underworld’s most recent power struggle has started spilling into the city. Fights, black market dealings, weapon and hostage exchanges have risen in unprecedented numbers, threatening the peace of normal citizens. Clark was assigned to dig into the heart of the matter and it soon became clear that everything could be attributed to the existence of a new face in the underworld. They appeared suddenly, bringing with them a massive amount of followers and resources, destroying the fragile balance that kept each major faction in check.

So, it became Clark’s job to figure out the identity of the new ‘leader’.

Following the figure into an alleyway, Clark clicked his tongue as he was met with empty air and a dead end.

Shit—

Spinning backwards, he pulled out his gun, narrowing avoiding a knife slicing through the space where his throat had just been.

“Put your weapon down,” he began, voice hard. As he finally got a good look at his target, Clark made a chilling realization.

After so many years, this is how he would see you again?

Gritting his teeth, he decided to detain you first and figure out the mess later.

“Put your weapon down.”