After Erik finished his lessons, he quickly met with the others at the cafeteria. Aaron was in a bad mood but was starting to get back to his usual self, as he could do nothing but accept his father's death. The group decided to cheer Aaron up by planning a fun activity for the weekend. They hoped it would help him take his mind off things and bring some positivity back into his life.
"Hey, Aaron, do you want to play something at my house?" Anderson asked. "I have some new video games I wanted to show you..."
"Yeah," said Aaron, looking up from his coffee. He hadn't eaten much since his dad had died, and maybe playing some video games could really help him think about something else. All that training was good for destressing himself after all the things he'd been through lately, but the physical stress wasn't helping him cope with everything emotionally.
"That's a great idea!" Amber said. She knew Aaron needed help now, and this was a good activity.
"Do you want to come?" Anderson asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Floyd said.
"Sure," Benedict replied.
Immediately, everyone else decided to go and spend some time together. However, they quickly recalled that Erik couldn't get out of the Red Palace due to the Crystal Cross Gang.
"Do you mind if we go?" Anderson asked his friend. Erik shook his head and told them to go ahead without him, assuring them he would be fine.
"Not at all." The young man knew Aaron needed that change of scenery and time with his friends, and he didn't want to be the reason they canceled their plans. Plus, Erik had some work to catch up on and welcomed the alone time.
"Go and have fun for me, too, OK?" Erik said. Anderson and Mikey exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.
"Yes!" Mikey replied with a smile.
Like that, the others left the cafeteria while Erik headed back to his room. The truth was that the young man was now planning on disguising himself and heading out to the city to find information about Achim. He had been able to learn that he went to Thornton High School, so his best shot at finding the older man was to find information about him there. So, Erik planned to head over there soon and see what he could dig up.
Erik quickly grabbed a casual pair of clothes and his mask, and after changing, he left the Red Palace. It was likely someone from the Red Palace spied on him. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the Crystal Cross Gang members to discover him while he was in the forest. However, if someone was watching him, he could do nothing about him but try to lose him or her in the city.
Erik then left the Red Palace in a hurry, and after having taken the Red Palace bus service, he dropped off the vehicle in Skyline Square.
Skyline Square was a bustling plaza located in the heart of the city. It was a popular destination for locals, attracting thousands of visitors daily. Towering skyscrapers encircled the square, creating a stunning urban backdrop.
At the center of the plaza was a large fountain, which served as a gathering place for people to relax and socialize. There were benches and plants all around the fountain, making it a quiet spot in the middle of the busy city.
In the square, there were a lot of shops and stalls selling a wide range of goods, from souvenirs to clothing to street food. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, tempting passersby with its mouth-watering scent. The sound of street performers and musicians added to the lively atmosphere of the plaza, drawing even more people to come and enjoy the scene. The fountain also provided a refreshing mist on hot summer days, making it a popular spot for families with children. The fountain was lit at night with bright lights, creating a magical atmosphere that drew people in and added to the plaza's charm.
Despite the constant hustle and bustle of the square, there was a lively energy and a sense of community among the people who frequented it. Musicians and street performers entertained crowds with their talents, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
During peak hours, the square was packed with people of all ages, creating a lively and bustling scene. The chatter and laughter of families, friends, and strangers mixed together, creating a symphony of sound.
Erik dropped off the bus and quickly tried to go amidst the crowd to disappear from the eyes of whoever was keeping an eye on him. Erik was sure someone was on his tail already, and he was right. Two members of the Crystal Cross Gang were already there, searching for him.
The two saw him going off the bus and immediately ran toward him. Erik saw them and started running toward the crowd. The two gang members quickly ran toward the crowd, trying to reach Erik. He sprinted through the crowded streets of Skyline Square, his heart pounding in his chest as he weaved in and out of the throngs of people. He could hear the footsteps of his pursuers pounding on the pavement behind him, their harsh breathing echoing in the air.
As he dodged around a street vendor's cart, Erik glanced over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of the two men who were chasing him. They were tall and muscular, with cold, hard expressions on their faces. Erik had never seen them before, but he knew they meant him harm as they were probably Crystal Cross Gang members.
His mind raced as he tried to think of a way out of this. Should he try to lose them in the maze of streets that made up Skyline Square? Or should he try to fight back?
He saw an opening in the crowd ahead and took it, darting between two women pushing strollers. The men behind him were getting closer, their footsteps becoming louder and more insistent. Erik felt a surge of coldness as he realized he might be unable to outrun them for much longer. Would he be forced to kill the two men in front of all these people? Would he be able to do it, to begin with?
The two men weren't very fast, though, so they couldn't catch up to him amidst the crowd.
"Hey! STOP!" One of the men shouted at him. Erik kept running, weaving through the people and dodging obstacles in his path. He knew he had to get away before they caught him.
A few pedestrians heard the commotion and turned around to see what had happened. Some even stopped to watch the spectacle unfold.
However, besides those few people, nobody seemed to care about the young man's situation, as they only observed without doing anything. No one offered assistance or called the police. People just watched and waited. They're all cowards, thought Erik bitterly.
Suddenly, he noticed a group of four teenagers sitting nearby. So, while still hidden from the thugs, the young man changed his hoodie for a white one and headed toward them. The kids' heads were down, and their shoulders slumped forward. They wore hoodies and jeans, an attire that was similar to Erik's, so he took his chance, went to them while the two thugs were still searching for him, and he sat beside them.
"Hi," He said quietly.
"Who the fuck are you?" one of the kids asked.
"No one," Erik replied.
"Then what the fuck do you want?"
Erik then observed the two men get past him without noticing he was sitting amidst the kids. The two went away quickly, and Erik breathed a sigh of relief as he saw them going away. Now he could relax.
The young man smiled and looked at the boys. Both of them stared straight ahead, trying to understand what this guy was doing.
"I was just passing by," Erik said.
"Weirdo," one of the kids replied.
After hearing them laugh at him, Erik immediately left them to whatever they were doing. It didn't matter anyway. As long as he lost his pursuers, he would be fine.
At that moment, Erik donned his hood and white mask. While walking through the crowds with his head looking down, his gaze focused on the ground, but his vigilance was high. If anyone followed him, he'd notice it right away. And if someone came near him, he wouldn't hesitate to attack.
He walked, keeping his pace slow to avoid attracting attention, but he was determined to reach the destination. He needed to reach the school building and get Achim's information. Immediately, Erik went out of the crowd with his mask and hoodie on, making it hard for the members of the Crystal Cross gang to recognize him.
Like that, he took a large street where there were as many people as Skyline Square, heading towards the direction of the school. He kept his speed steady, observing everyone who passed him; however, he noticed many suspicious people along the way. The Crystal Cross Gang was now searching for him with all the available men. All of this gave him proof that someone was spying on him inside the Red Palace.
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