everyone wants to rule the world

Robin - Chapter 1 - A shadow in the night

People die every day. No one's special or immortal no matter how much they think they are. No one ever was, and no one ever will be. One second, you're alive and the next you're dead. As simple as that. Best part is it all happens before you can think. Slowly withering away before you. You begin to look more tired-wake up earlier as if you are running out of time. Some of us chose to get there earlier than expected. Chosen death, or even accidental. Unexpected choices. Never let them know your next move. A simple game of life. Always on the edge.

My mother used to tell me I'm something special and I'm still trying to understand her meaning behind it. Seventeen years later.

When I watched my school blow up, a burst of happiness washed over me. What a hell hole it was. Filled with all my favorite people. The school will have us in a new building before we know it. Even if it was mid-December and everyone was on winter break. We'll be back in just before the end of January. I'm sure of it. Yet, I still smiled at the obliterated building beyond repairment. The building crumbled onto the streets of Manhattan. Making passersby scream in horror as they evade the falling pieces. I put caution tape there to block off anyone from passing through the street, so they were protected from this exact situation. In a couple of minutes, the rope had broken off and people passed before ever noticing the yellow plastic. So how could it be my fault, right? I mean come on people are getting stupider with the more intoxication of those lovely drugs and booze.

One person caught my eye. They stood there watching the building collapse all the way until the building almost devoured them, until Mr. Snitch came to the rescue appearing in the midst's of the night without fail. Rescuing rescuing the brainless humans. What a gentleman. While I was watching, on the opposite building, swinging my legs in the breeze. Feeling the slight wind trying to push me off of the ledge and away from the plummet of death. I felt sick looking at his special appearance. Turning away, that fucker had to come in and messed with my joy. What an asshole.

He always did that from the months we were tormenting each other. He was always in the way of fun. Always the hero on tv, never me. Always him.

A full view of the starry sky above me. The 300 feet drop below; it always hangs around as the world ticks by. Cop cars flood to the scene while the fire trucks follow behind. The flashing lights overwhelmed the quiet snowy night. Even if was Manhattan after all it is the city that never sleeps. I watch as the police analyze the wreck of the school blocking the street off from pedestrians. I waited until no one was left at the sight. Cars still drive by just not on this street, drunk people still walk the streets screaming at one another oblivious to time. People still walk through the caution tape to get to their destination.

Yet the only thing I was looking forward to watching people have to waste their time figuring out a crime they will never solve. Or think they did, by throwing some moron in jail. I will be sitting here peacefully. I do these reckless things because

1. I want to.

2. I want to find more information about Mr. Hero.

I watch a little longer before I get bored. Getting up from my comfortable position, walking away from the ledge and to the roof. The side leading to a ladder.

I clutch the frozen metal poles stepping onto the only step of support. Hanging onto the sides I drop my feet down 5 steps and land on the sixth one from the top. It was faster than taking the stairs. I repeat this cycle off falling briefly and catching another step a few feet down from my original position. Coming closer to the earth. I move precisely and quickly. I reach the last railing, climbing back into safety and I push down the ladder to climb down and onto the ground. Snow crunches beneath my feet. I turn the corner out of the alley. A hobo screaming as I try to evade his gaze. 

"You all will die" he yells.  

The air feels colder now from his chant. As if mother nature itself is agreeing. I enter the main street and float into the chaos of the lights, cars and noise. Tugging my hat lower and my mask higher. It is able to cover from my nose to my neck. As my brown bangs curve outwards long enough to be tucked behind my ears.

I turn into the entrance of a building smiling through my mask at Joe keeping guard. The vine of tattoos peeking out from the neck of his security outfit. An all-black outfit of a $300 t-shirt and black trousers. He is wearing a winter edition of a black leather coat to warm the employees. Eye contact is our sign of acknowledgement. Countless times I have seen his face. For me I've seen it as always warm and welcoming since I was a little girl. Now I just smile, and nod as I see a twitch of his lips trying to hide a smile.

I pass the malnourished party girls and the creepy men. Opening the door hidden in the dark and to the drunk. The hallway is dimly lit, and shadows catch on all possible places. I close it behind me walking down the hallway as the music gets quieter and some of the walls beside me get louder. Stepping by every door to rooms no one should enter. I hear no noise through the soundproof doors. It is only for specific rooms our work partners can enter. The commoners never get those rooms. They always rub their scent wrecking it with their obnoxious selves.

Walking past all the expensive signature plaques on each door with all different numbers. A lock sits on the door keeping unwanted strangers away.

My boots squeak when I transition off of the brown lush's floorboard to the silvery elevator. Clicking the button Z. The bare silver showing a wonky reflection of my frame. Black blobs make up the colors of me. Pushing off my hood, pulling down my mask. I let out my long hair fixing it up to look presentable. I breathe in the cold air that becomes icy the more I descend.

I step out onto the ground and the gray walls around me. Passing more doors, taking a left to meet a forest green door with its gold knob. Turning the handle to crack open the door. Thorns voice goes from a scream to a mumble of anger the second I open the door. I see Buzz and X all listening to the annoyed Thorn. Thron's red curls bouncing when she sits back in her leather seat. They're playing the usual game of poker.

"What took you so long?" Buzz asks looking up from his cards. Continuing to avoid Thrones' angry gaze.

Her green fist sliding off the table and back to holding her cards. Something about her telling Buzz about the set of cards being rigged. Buzz's straw blonde mop of curls covering his bushy eyebrows. I evade X's questioning stare while Thorne is looking at her card's. Green heat is still bubbling on her skin. I go to the end of the table and take my seat. X dealing the fresh deck of cards. His white chalk hair falling into his ice blue eyes. Only the smirk in his lips telling me what he's trying to hide.

"Just watched the police cars leave. I had to make sure no one caught on because if they did, I would have to evade the cops again.'' I give buzz a cold stare and he shrinks back into his seat.

"It was not my fault you almost got caught last time! I just didn't think the cops would notice me! I could have made it out without your help!'' We all laugh. "Yeah, no I would have eaten shit." He chuckles. When it all dies down, I'm the next to speak,

"Any news?" my gaze targeted at X.

"Nah, just cops and news reports of the school having to shut down for the rest of December until next semester. Then the school allegedly said they will have everyone resituated to new high schools in the city." Anger rises out of X's voice running his hand through his hair.

"Because of your little plan of destruction, I have to convince all of our parents to move us to the same school." X complains.

"There won't be any trouble with that. I just have to convince my dad, and he will tell everyone else because they all follow him like he some fucking king." I swatted all of his thoughts away just at his suggestion.

"You better.'' Thorn says from the opposite end of the table. Her green eyes dug into me.

"Don't worry." I plastered a smile, resting my elbows on the table. We both had the same thoughts rolling around in our heads. I'll do this for her.