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***
The coming morning was gladdening with its first rays. Night was retreating from New York City, chasing the city's criminal inhabitants home, giving the good citizens of the city a rare fine hour.
That caressing chill that cools the hot body and mind. It banishes gloomy thoughts, allowing me to think less of my own failures.
I didn't even bother to spoil this delightful moment with a cigarette. I just silently sucked in a full chest of air, exposing my face to the breeze coming from the east.
-Justice is done, New York, it's time to rest...
-Oh, blessed one," Grandma Aina, the upstairs neighbour, patted me on the cheek through her mask, and, wailing and applauding, wrapped up some cabbage and bacon, "poor Mary, I told you! If you get mixed up with a criminal, you're in trouble. A sick child was born, what a sorrow... Sorrow, sorrow. Here, take this to your mother and let her eat it. She's probably on edge from you.
-Erm... Yes, thank you, Mrs Aina.
-Go on, go on, honey. Drink plenty of milk powder, I heard from Yank doctors that it helps people like you.... Oh, dear.
Grasping her head, rubbing her grey strands, the old woman, stomping her foot amusingly, disappeared into her flat, leaving me alone on the fire escape.
It's because of neighbours like this that I've developed a strange reputation.
-Well, at least she's piled up a lot of food.
A penknife opens with a fork, and then I sit down on the cold railing, gazing into the sun rising over the city.
An Irish national dish that tastes strange. It's a bit like bicus, except instead of the normal meat, it's bacon.
It'd been a few days since the Marty House incident, and I'd been working my arse off. Whether it was in my hero role or in my life as Sean Sullivan, I don't know where the challenges were greater.
Even in my previous life I learnt that after watching all kinds of violent stuff I should switch on a couple of videos with kittens or other animals, so to speak, to restore the mental balance. I decided to do the same thing here. So, I searched for missing animals, took cats out of trees, turned drunken pick-up men away from noisy girls or caught pickpockets on tourist streets. And today I helped Granny Aina to drag a couple of sacks of potatoes to the top floor.
In general, he didn't give himself a moment's peace, so that he didn't mentally return to that stinking flat again.
In everyday life. Well, Gwen Stacey was not such a modest and quiet girl. Bright-eyed, flashing a smile and constantly in touch with her friends and father, the girl took me in her arms and dragged me to pick out our outfits to match for the two graduations. That's right, you heard right. We had to attend both parties, because I wasn't the only one graduating from high school and the girl wanted to show off her outfits and beau in front of her own. Good thing they didn't fall on the same day.
Thankfully, Qi has a normal effect on my body and I'm now overcoming the stage of rapid growth. Otherwise, I'm afraid the blue-eyed cutie's plans would have gone awry.
The only nice thing about all this endless trying on was the realisation that Pete was suffering as much as I was. By speaking out in front of MJ, I had created a redheaded monster that knew no mercy. Up until this point, the girl had been more focused on her appearance, but hearing how I spend my free hours with Gwen..... Br-r-r-r-r.
Putting my palms together, I pray to the sun in the Eastern manner, remembering poor Parker, who looked like a zombie in the last days before graduation.
Before I knew it, enjoying the cool summer morning, I'd consumed the entire box of Irish bicuspid.
-Sean, get off your perch, it's time for breakfast! -Sean, get off your perch!
-Oh, man.
***
-Thank you for helping me, I think I'd be too tired to carry all this stuff myself," Herman puffed, thanking and shovelling the last box onto the table with a lot of similar ones, "where do you get all this strength?
-Training, my Nordic friend, only training and no cheating.
-I'd better put in a couple of hours a week.
-Oh, Herr Schultz, a couple of hours won't do you any good. My leg will soon be as thick as your torso.
-Oh, no. I hope not.
-You're a scientist, and you're supposed to be skinny or with a potbelly like Doc. -You're a scientist.
-Great.
The level of grumbling has clearly increased. Going over and checking that we had taken everything, Herman slumped into a nearby chair, rummaging through a clipboard of papers.
-Will you show me what this is today? Or are you going to wait till the last minute?
-The second option...
-Well, can you at least tell me what it is?
-No-no-no," Schultz chanted under his breath, and then took his eyes off the papers, "it might not work, so I'd better wait for sure.... I don't want to jinx it.
-Okay, suit yourself, -I shrugged my shoulders, outwardly showing indifference, and turned towards the game dock, where my future mentor was already waiting for me, -then I'm going to play a couple of games with Otto. I'm on time...
-And then it's back to hard labour?
-Yes," I painfully remembered my own decision to go to the ball with Gwen. I've already regretted it a dozen times, - today we go to choose a hire car.
-Isn't that a bit steep?
-Tell that to a woman who's obsessed.
-I'll pass," Schultz spun around in his chair with his hands in front of him, hiding a smile. "My mum's the same way, so you don't have to explain.
-You mean she was raised by a tough cop, too? Stubborn as a lamb and has the grip of a Rottweiler? I doubt it.
Smiling warmly and nostalgically, Herman closed his eyes sadly, and only for a moment did I catch this change in his mood, after which he resumed his usual demeanour.
-Now it is not so, but it used to be so. I remember being kicked out of the Ekundens when I was a kid.....
-What's the Hitler Youth? -What's that?
-You idiot," Schultz laughed wickedly and threw his pen at me, "it's a youth group, the Scouts....-Aha, -Remembering what I had already found out about Otto's and his father's hobbies, I looked at Schultz with the same suspicion, -And they all have the same uniforms, and in the morning you sing the national anthem in front of the picture of the head of state.
-In general, yes," the graduate student-assistant returned his chair to its normal position, straightening his back, "only they didn't issue weapons.
-Huh, your grandfathers would have seen that.... Faterland's not what it used to be.
-Get out of here, you joker.
I waved off the new throw with an eraser, and without a word I said goodbye, running away to the most important corner of the laboratory.
When I opened the door, I saw a curious picture that threw me into a stupor.
With his eyes closed and dancing, Octavius was spinning in place, pouring coffee and preparing snacks to a simple tune.
-Mond, Mond, ja, ja
Vereint wir sind unter dem großen Forscher
Mond, Mond, ja, ja, ja
Heute gehört uns die Galaxie.
The song was definitely fun, but the good old German language created a special atmosphere. The rhythm, the guttural sounds and the diction conjured up in my head pictures of the marching regiments of the Wehrmacht.
-And here I am, sir. Ready to fight and win.
-Oh! Sean, you're just in time," Otto deftly dodged around tables and padded chairs scattered on the floor and fell into one of them, slamming his palm on a neighbouring one, inviting me in. "These Poles have lost all fear, scattering my old team like children. Let's show them not to mess with us!
-Oh, Doc. You're no joke with you.
***
-Namaste, palefaces.
With a ceremonial bow, I greet Rand and Murdoch sitting at the table, playing some analogue of Asian chess. They tried to teach me, but I didn't understand a damn thing about the scribbles, and I don't have time to learn the Gug language. I don't have time for that.
-Apprentice! Danny tried to switch some chips on the table with a wave of his hand, but Matt's cane, which hit his hands, killed the endeavour. Blind people are supposed to be good people.
-Who told you that was so stupid?
-Social advertisements and films from the nineties... -Social advertisements and films from the nineties...
-"Blind Rage."
-Exception," Rand instantly dismissed the argument and leaned over the blackboard in a Greek thinker's pose, "You're not so mean at work. Especially with that cute little secretary..... Ow! Oh, come on.
It was business as usual. Danny was fooling around, relaxing after his own problems, and Murdoch remained a rock of calm, silently welcoming us to his abode.
-I'm ready," I jumped up and warmed up, getting into a fighting stance, ready to attack at any second. I've long been taught to never wait for the official start, and how many times have I been knocked out by Daredevil's cane, thrown before he enters the ring - two on one? Or are you two old boys out of shape today?
-Oh, he's not scared of us anymore, Matt. We should show the kid what happens when he does that.
-Right," Murdock said, taking off his glasses and twirling his cane in one hand as Rand stood up from the table. "Pride is destructive, Sean.
-Yes, apprentice. The dark side stinks of you, hm-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m. Evil sprouts in your soul.
I was feeling the excitement. I wanted to get a little wild and excite my mentors. Two serious, experienced and much stronger opponents with a clear advantage. Just what we needed after all the suffering in the shops.
-Come on, wreckers, show me the bright side-.
His head goes to the side, dodging the cane that was thrust at his forehead. Before I can continue the mockery, a real Qi projectile crashes into the exposed block, twisting my body like a propeller and throwing my already considerable carcass a couple of metres back.
Using the inertia, I spin further after landing.... Or rather, a bulky fall. And just in time. Behind me, I hear a thud on the floor, punching through the boards.
But Murdoch doesn't hesitate. Shifting his weight to the other foot, he pulls his main weapon from his holster and lunges again, trapping me in Rand's grasp.
Flashes of Qi in total darkness. Rumble of blows. Screams and clamour. Murdoch's dojo was on fire tonight as the two martial arts masters beat the shit out of me. It was long and thorough, which only made me feel better. The training's clearly paying off.
I missed another of Matt's punches, avoiding Danny's kick on the turn. I spun like a yule log, flicking the hem of the cloak that had long since become part of me. Of course, such tricks are useless against Murdoch, but sometimes Rand would fall for the trick and unleash a new Qi killing technique into the void, chasing the wind.
Daredevil is serious. Today is clearly not an easy training session. He presses on, not letting the distance be broken, all the while close by, hitting the most painful places. His cane flashes like a professional fencer's rapier, constantly forcing me to stand with my back to Rand, who was no stranger to hitting me hard in my blind spot.
I drop to a knee, missing another of Murdoch's blows. The cat hook, hidden until now, finally comes into view, hooking Danny's leg, hanging him upside down.
-Your maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
It's just the two of us. A simple telescopic baton pops into my hand from my pocket, a backup in case I lose my weapon, and I lunge forward boldly, feeling my body slowly begin to give up, unable to keep up with the wild pace. The chi comes to an end, wearing me down even more.
-Good trick...
-But it won't work a second time.
-It's good you realise that.
A smile lit up the blind guy's face for a brief moment, and then he lunged forward again, using my favourite trick against me. Murdock grabbed my coat and pulled it with all his might, forcing me out of the sleeves.
Then a rolled-up ball of clothing flew into my face, knocking me to the ground.
A baton was held to my throat, unfurled to a staff.
-Great, Sean. That's just great.
-Oh, well, I'd tell you," I took his outstretched hand and caught sight of a satisfied Rand behind Murdoch's back, easily free of the trap, "you're both up and alert, and I can barely feel my hands and feet.
-Pfft, you've only been training for a little while and you're getting results," Danny rolled his eyes and snorted, returning to the table with the game, "you should improve your Qi source and then you'll be good.
-Danny's right, Shawn. Your kicks are good, you have great intuition in combat, not to mention improvisation and reaction. But as the fight went on, I could directly feel the punches getting weaker. You were on par for the first minute of the fight, and then you started to give up.
-Well, there's only control left, so... -Well...
-I don't know," Rand interrupted me, scratching his chin thoughtfully as he peacefully laid out the chips for a new game, "I've got a couple of ideas, but it's too early to tell.... I'll see what I can find out. If it works out, we'll make you a normal fighter, not a glass cannon.
-Thank you. Well, I'm going home, then. I'm sleeping pretty good after your punches.
-Wait, Sean," Murdoch stopped me at the doorway, but he was still moving his chips around the board without looking, "I wanted to warn you. I'll be gone for a few weeks, so training is cancelled for now....
-Yeah, I'm off on business too," Rand waved his hand and once again tried to cheat, but instead of succeeding, he cradled his hand, "tz, cheater mole.... Anyway, you rest for now. We'll let you know when we get back.
***
-Who's here?
Shining his torch on the sculptures and some of the expensive exhibits, the museum guard exhaled tiredly, mentally berating himself for being suspicious. Jack Kavken was an immigrant who'd worked his way into the position thanks to his brother's connections. He'd asked a mutual acquaintance to hire his brother, who'd arrived from Europe, so Jack wouldn't starve to death.
It was his turn to go round the guarded area, checking every corner, but no matter how much he looked, he couldn't find anything.
And he really wanted to. After a series of thefts that had swept through the city, the bosses had put a lot of money in his pocket..... In general, was clearly dissatisfied and demanded to bypass the protected objects constantly. And it would be all right if only rich people were robbed, but no! Libraries, museums, institutes, government centres and other strange places were the target of the unknown gang's raids, from which they were stealing absolutely unrelated items.
Jack understood the paintings, jewellery and other things that rich people kept in their houses. But why the hell did the thieves need historical records of the city's founding or an old writing pen that came with the position of head of the art institute?
-That doesn't make sense. It's probably just some junkies gone wild.
Calming himself with such a thought, the man walked through the museum one last time, already anticipating how he would take his shift and fall asleep in a small room. He had brought a terrycloth blanket to work today, which would definitely add some comfort.
Waving the lantern from side to side, finally relaxed, he strolled through the main hall, glancing round at the exhibits, especially at the main star of tomorrow's exhibition - the hat of one of the conquistadors.
The wide-brimmed beauty, decorated with a feather, was still in place, and the protective glass was still intact.
Making sure everything was in order, the man quickened his step, flashing a satisfied smile.
-Oh, honey. I should have been more careful.
Dangling her feet off the parapet, Felicia stretched seductively, yawning contagiously. The elegant, ancient hat had slipped to the side, and the old feather that the experts talk about so much was slumped to the side, threatening to fall out at any moment.
-It was too easy," she tapped her lips with her index finger and hung down, holding her weight with one foot. The hat sliding smoothly through the air was deftly intercepted by graceful fingers in tight-fitting leather gloves, -Boring.... It's not what it used to be. I need to find something harder to do. Maybe I'll start stealing from bandits and get his attention. Hmm.
Pensively twisting a curl on her finger, the girl climbed up on the parapet again. Standing up to her full height, she strode across the glass roof without fear, watching the satisfied guard who was walking far below.
-No, that's not it at all.... Stealing from museums no longer brings interest and excitement...What if.... Ah," Felicia, adjusting her cloak, tossed her hat to the ground, letting it fly free, "justice, hee-hee. Maybe start robbing the mob? Or... The police? Sneak into the headquarters of the FBI or the CIA or maybe even the mystical Shield? No, I'll start small. I remember my mum introducing me to one of the Manfredis.
Smiling contentedly, the girl jumped down without hesitation, deftly clinging to the edge of the roof with her hook. She slid down the cable and walked at the hip, picking up her hat as she went.
-I can't throw it away, can I?
***
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