Pitch Black

[valen]

Michael watched the results of his actions, countless dead, many more left in sorrow. No guilt crossed his heart, and Michael wiped away the tears from his eyes. His anger was withdrawing from his head, and his thirst for vengeance was satisfied for now.

Thoughts and memories again overwhelmed him mind. He hadn't had many things that he liked remembering, not even many that he could remember, and even less that he wanted to remember. The Old Man, Caroline, Arthur, they were all in his past, all deserved what they got, but still they troubled Michael day after day, memories that could not be erased, betrayals that were ever present, tortures that will never leave Michael's mind.

But there are some that Michael loved, in a different way than he loved Caroline, there were some that actually treated him like a human being long ago. A special someone, that keeps Michael hoping. Hoping of a time when he will forget his anguish and misery. The Angel as Michael called her, the only one that looked into his eyes, and saw him for what he truly is, a human beings, with emotions, hopes.

"Finally I got out of the ****ing nuthouse! Nobody is ever hooking me up onto those ****ing head scanners! Never! And Caroline, the slut, threw me into there so she could **** around for cash. Yeah I was the one that prevented her from earning a full paycheck, so you needed me out of the way?! I hate youuuuu!!! You hear me!?!" - Michael was talking to himself while walking down the street on a cold night, rain was pouring down from the skies, and he was soaking wet.

As he was walking down the street in the "New London" city, one of the dangerous regions of the city, mostly occupied by the criminals of New London, Michael came across a bar, a shady looking place. He leaned over to the window and put his hands on the glass to sharpen his image a bit. The place was nearly empty, and he decided that it is safe to enter. Not much choice he had, the rain was not about to stop, and he was starting to cough.

Michael entered the bar, running his hands through his hair to dry it a little. While doing this, he glanced his eyes over the bar a bit, to see who is there, and who to avoid. There were three guys sitting at the table and drinking, the two of them were normal looking people, while the third one was a terrifying looking guy, with a long black coat with rolled up sleeves and a tattoo showing up, a serpent of some sort. Michael knew it was best to avoid them.

And there was one other figure in the bar, sitting in a dark corner, blocking Michael's view of her. He couldn't see if it was a he or she, but he kept looking in her direction, as somehow he was drawn to her. She slowly picked up her drink and took a sip, then slowly returning the drink to the table. She was looking at Michael, he only saw her eyes as they reflected the light from the bar. Two beautiful blue eyes, that seemed like the eyes of an Angel in a dark and scary place.

The bar was filthy, every inch of it was as if beasts dwell in there, not people. Michael approached the bartender, and ordered a drink, forgetting that he didn't had any credits with him. After he drank his drink he grabbed his pockets, realizing that he had no credits, "Hello Sir, uhmmm....I don't have any credits with me, could you perhaps allow me a credit, I'll come back tomorrow and pay you."

"Excuse moi?" - The bartender replied to him while cleaning the glass he was holding, "Ye come to MOI bar with no money!? Drink MOI beverage and then say ya can't pay moi?!!"

"I am sorry...I was....somewhere...and they don't allow credits there, so I am broke. Give me a credit will you? I will pay you tomorrow."

"No ****in' credit ya little bugger!!" - He shouted and punched Michael with the glass throwing him off the chair onto the floor.

Michael was bleeding, but he didn't care, he stood up and whipped his face with his hand. And approached the bartender, "Listen you old ****!! I don't have any credits on me, offered you a deal, and you spat in my face!! **** you!!!" - Michael yelled in rage and grabbed the bartender's head and slammed it onto the bar breaking his nose.

The bartender fell onto the floor, blood was spraying from his broken nose, but he was able to shout to the three guys that were sitting in the bar that were looking on what will happen, "Guys deal with this little bugger! Make him pay for his drink!"

They approached Michael and the tattooed guy grabbed him by his neck and dragged him outside, while the two followed. When they got into the back alley they threw Michael onto the floor. Rain was still pouring. Michael got up, and knowing he had no other choice, he punched one of the thugs in the face, breaking his jaw, but the other two grabbed him and pushed him against the wall, and started to hit him in his ribs, head, everywhere. Michael tried to cover his head, but the punches were too strong, it was hopeless.

"Stop." - A gentle, sweet voice was heard coming through the rain. The two thugs stopped and dropped Michael on the floor, he was bleeding, but he managed to look up.

"An....Angel? Arghh." - Michael grunted.

"I will pay for his drink." - She said and dropped 10 credits onto the floor, "Pick it up, and go to your boss. The boy is clean, yes?"

"You have a big mouth girl, but I guess we are good." - The tattooed thug said and the three of them entered the bar.

Michael was sitting on the floor, with his head between his knees, and his hands trying to wipe away the blood. No use, there was too much of it. The rain mixed with tears, and none could see his suffering, none wanted to see it. But the girl approached Michael, and kneeled next to him in the rain.

"What's your name?" - She asked while putting her hand on his wound.

"My....My name? You want to know my name?"

"Yes silly." - She chuckled.

"Its...Michael."

"It is nice to meet you Michael. You shouldn't be here alone you know?"

"You are alone."

"Yes, well....I'm used to being alone."

"So am I."

She smiled to him while looking him in his eyes.

"You should go home Michael." - She said to him as she tended to his wounds.

"I don't have a home." - Michael said with pain.

"We all have a home Michael, here or there." - She said as she finished taking care of Michael's wounds, and slowly stood up. She started to walk away backwards slowly, "All will be well Michael, take care." - She walked into the night, and the last thing Michael saw was her sending him a kiss.

"Wait....Don't go." - Michael said as he tried to get up, but he couldn't, "I.....Love you...."

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