Redemption (Midas x Reader)

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I looked up at the moon, noticing how bright it was tonight. Almost full. No wonder the tide was so high. I studied it, the craters seeming to be in sharp focus. As a matter of fact, it seemed so big that I started to think that maybe I could just reach out and touch it...

I stood up. Even in the dark I could see my surroundings in sharp relief. The wind felt blissful on my skin, I could feel it blowing across even the tiniest of hairs. All of my senses were heightened, not just my night vision, and I no longer noticed the pain coursing through my body.

I knew this was only temporary, and I needed to hurry. Just because I couldn't feel my wounds didn't mean that they still wouldn't kill me if left unattended.

I made my way down the beach a bit, finding a path over the dunes. The shops and restaurants were still crawling with people. Honestly, if I'd had a choice of which boat to stow away on, the one headed to Sweaty during the height of tourist season probably would have been my last choice.

Beggars can't be choosers, I guess.

I made a quick attempt to wipe the sand off of my face with one of my shirt sleeves, and combed my fingers through my hair roughly, trying to look at least somewhat presentable for my walk through town. I unlaced my heavy black boots, removing them along with my socks, tossing them both aside. The solid black of my clothes should hide the bloodstains well enough.

I started to walk down the boardwalk, barefoot, making a plan as I went. I needed money first. I noticed a restaurant with outdoor seating, completely filled with people.

I walked by slowly. My reflexes were buzzing. I noticed a woman at an outer table who had a purse slung over the back of her chair. Easy pickings. She was already so drunk, along with everyone at her table, that nobody noticed me quickly reach in and pluck her wallet out as I passed.

Wallet in hand, I retreated to a back alley to investigate my prize. Multiple credit cards, along with about a couple hundred dollars in cash. I pulled out her driver's license and briefly looked it over.

Sorry, Melanie from Holly Hedges. Didn't mean to ruin your vacation.

As far as I was concerned, it was for a good cause. I flung the almost empty wallet to the ground as I headed around the corner to a pharmacy. I wasn't incredibly thrilled about heading into such a well lit establishment, but I didn't have a choice. I need bandages.

My drug-induced courage was keeping me from acting too suspicious, and I was able to grab a medical kit, and a few snacks and bottles of water without incident, receiving only a minor side-eye from the cashier on duty, I'm sure regarding my bare feet.

My last stop was a tourist shop. I quickly grabbed a tank top, shorts, and flip flops, not caring what they looked like so long as they weren't black. I wasn't sure at the moment if I would ever be able to stomach wearing black clothing again.

As I waited in line at the checkout, I glanced over at the magazines and newspapers on the rack beside the register. One particular headline caught my eye: "Billionaire Philanthropist to Hold Benefit Dinner on Yacht, Money Raised Will Help Feed the Island's Less Fortunate."

Underneath the headline was a photo of the man in question, arguably the most famous man on the island, maybe even the world, and also the most mysterious. No one seemed to know where his wealth came from, and he was almost never seen in public. This type of high profile event was a rarity for him.

I distrusted him immensely. Nobody got into a position of that much power without stepping on someone else to get there.

Certainly his good looks had also worked to his advantage. Apart from his obviously superior genetics, in every photo I had ever seen him in, he was also impeccably dressed, and wearing a pair of signature black gloves. To most people he was hands down the island's most eligible bachelor.