The Average DC Experience #6

'It's just $90. You can do this..'

I tried to encourage myself as I walked the streets of Gotham's downtown, the mad cackles of the Firefly still fresh in my mind, along with images of his victims.

'He's gone. Batman kicked the shit out of him, and he's in Arkham Asylum now.'

I assured myself, taking a deep breath as I nervously turned to the sky, searching for a demented arsonist that wasn't there, luckily. 

'Focused. I need to stay focused.' 

I exhaled the breath I'd been holding as I scanned the surrounding, looking for a juicy enough target to finish my money quest in one go. I didn't want to stay here any more than I had to, not so soon. 

'I wonder if I should get therapy or something?'

I bitterly mused, my eyes lighting up as I spotted a young man in expensive brand clothing step out of a sport, adorned with a shit ton of expensive jewelry. 

However, the bald buff guy in a black suit and black shades stepping out of the other car door made me reconsider my target. 

I walked past the rich young man without sparing another glance in his direction, my eyes darting around as I tried to find an easier target. I was desperate for money, not stupid.

I quickly found an old lady wearing a golden ring, and after some hesitation, another glance at her was more than enough to make me decide not to go for her. 

Her clothes were unremarkable and shabby, and the only thing noteworthy about her attire was the ring. It's probably something that holds more sentimental value than monetary if she was stubborn enough to wear it outside, despite clearly not being rich.

It's not like I suddenly grew a conscience after stealing to my heart's content for an entire week, but if possible, I'd like to avoid taking from people who don't have much. 

It's silly, dumb, and hypocritical, but I needed to set lines for myself or risk turning into something the current me won't even recognize in a few years. 

The DC universe in general and the Gotham City especially were as horrible a place to live as you'd get, and I can already feel myself changing to adapt. 

I was under no illusion that I could continue to live in this world while clinging to the morals and worldview of my past life. I knew I would change and that this world would change me, but I at least wanted to choose what to become.

In any case, I walked past the old lady and resumed looking for a new target for several minutes until I found a middle-aged talking to a young, pretty woman with the most obnoxious smile I'd ever seen.

'What a douchebag.' 

I raised an eyebrow as I saw the man stealthily put his hand into his pocket, only taking it out once he got rid of his engagement and ring, leaving it there.

'Looks like I found my target.' 

I smiled as I walked past the middle-aged man, without pumping into him, or making any physical contact, merely passing by with barely an inch between our shoulders.

[+1 level to the Crime skill]

My smile widened as my metal wire returned to my sleeve, and I turned to my inventory to see the douchebag's ring sitting comfortably inside it.

[Rose Gold 14K engagement ring] 

The steel wire was probably the best thing I could have received as a reward. Dot only did it feel like an extra limb, but it counted as one too as far as the system was concerned, meaning I could use it to store things in my inventory. 

It also gave me a way to defend myself when necessary, with both a lethal and non-lethal option, as I found out the tip of the wire can change shape to be blunt or pointy.

I had spent two days familiarizing myself with its use in an abandoned warehouse in East End where the former Gray used to sleep since I wanted to lie low and wait for the heat (no pun intended) from Firefly's rampage to cool down. Yup, that's why I took a two days break, and definitely not because Firefly traumatized the shit out of me. 

'I should be able to get $150 for this ring.'

I nodded, feeling my mood turn for the better, and immediately paused as I started looking around, expecting Firefly or some other psycho to come and ruin my day. 

'No psychopaths in sight. Good.' 

I sighed, allowing a faint smile to tug on my lips as I made my way towards Old Jack's, already thinking about where I'll move once I sold the ring and finished the quest. 

Old Jack, the owner of the aptly named Old Jack's pawn shop, was an old soul, who had seen everything this city had to offer, both good and bad. There's a rumor he used to be a thief who retired after Batman broke his leg one day, causing him to pull out and start working as a fence instead.

I didn't really care about the rumors or Old Jack's history. I only went there because he offered reasonable payment for my stolen goods, and he was prudent enough not to ask any questions. 

'Should be right around the corner...' 

After several minutes of walking, I exited an alley and turned to where I knew Old Jack's was, only to freeze as I locked eyes with a middle-aged man leaning on the wall near the pawn shop's entrance.

He knowingly grinned, eyes lighting, and I immediately recognized him as the middle-aged man whose watch I'd stolen before Firefly's attack and the fact he was clearly waiting for me.

'Shit, I got to get out of here. Quick.' 

I turned back and burst into a sprint into the alley with a rapidly paling expression as the man reached into his inner pocket and started walking toward me.

I was barely halfway through the alley when I heard a gun and felt something pass by the back of my head at incredible speed, hitting and knocking down a trash can ahead of me.

'The bastard's got a gun. Of course, he's got a gun. Why wouldn't he?'

I cursed under my breath, halting my steps and raising my arms in surrender. 

"Smart kid." 

I heard a mutter as the man slowly walked towards me, putting a hand on my shoulder, to which I stiffened. He forcefully spun me around and shoved me against the wall, and the first thing I was the gun in my face.

"You're the punk that stole my watch and wallet." 

He blankly stated, gesturing with his gun and only showing his teeth with a twisted smile when I showed him the nervous expression he expected to see. 

"I'm- I'm sorry. I already sold the watch, but I can pay you back!" 

I hastily replied, deliberately stuttering as I raised my arms even higher, much to the man's satisfaction, and my growing frustration as he smugly grinned. 

Psychopaths like Firefly might scare the shit out of me, but a mere thug like this guy was barely a threat. Even with a gun pointed at my head, I could end his life or knock him out with but a thought. My steel wire would gouge out his eye before he could even think about pulling the trigger if I willed it. 

'And then what?' 

I bitterly mused while watching the man take pleasure in my faked stuttering and fear. Like the other areas in the city, Gotham's Uptown was under the influence of one gang or the other. 

Unless I kill this guy and make sure no one finds out about my deed, I'd find myself hunted by whatever gang this guy belonged to, and I wasn't ready for that. Not by a long shot. 

Even if I had the power to fight off the gang and destroy it, there's nothing for me to gain since someone else will swoop in and claim their assets before I could even say what the fuck.

I needed power and, above all else, people before I could even think about taking on gangs, so I'll have to grit my teeth and take whatever this guy throws at me.

"$2500," The man said, pushing the gun against my temples. "You owe me $2500. Better cough up quickly," he added, grinning hideously at my widening eyes. 

"The fuck?! That watch was barely worth $200, and the wallet only had $50. There's no way-" I unconsciously snapped despite myself, only for the man to cut me off with a gut punch that drove the air out of my lungs. 

"Are you calling me a liar, punk?!" he exclaimed with a scowl as he removed his fist from my gut. "Besides, that watch had uh- sentimental value, so you'll have to compensate me for emotional damage," he added, smiling as I heaved for breath while holding my stomach. 

"I- I only have a couple of hundreds! Here, take it!" 

I stammered in between coughs as I reached into my pocket, taking out exactly $523 from my inventory, and offered it to the man. A rounded number would have only made him suspicious, so I chose that exact number to throw him off.

He took the money and began counting, only putting the money away a minute later as he reached into my pockets and started searching me for more money. 

"Fine, I'll give you a break this one time, but..." He took a step back and grinned, leveling his gun at me. "I'll be seeing you later for the rest of my money..." he calmly added and fired the pistol, grazing my shoulder.

"YOU FUCKING SHOT ME!" I screamed in pain, clutching my shoulder and watching the man turn to walk away as I felt something snap in my mind. 

I grit my teeth hard enough to make them chatter as hate and anger took over my mind, clouding my judgment with my steel wire coming to life beneath my clothes. 

...

Author's note:  And here comes the cliff hanger, what do you guys think will happen next? XD