Part 11: A Brand New Day:
-[X]Finding A Friend (School): You are going to try to see if anyone of your classmates are willing to spend time with you. Rolled: 85+5=90
You were in the library when you saw him, quietly hiding away like a mouse that was trying to steal something you had. Most of the time, those mice and rats ended up as parts of a stew in the community.
But the kid wasn't a rat, he was just quiet, always watching, trying not to be seen.
And tried his best to not be afraid. He was older, probably from the fifth grade, if you guessed, a year or two older.
"Hey." You caught his attention as you snuck up on him, causing the kid to jump out of his skin, at least it felt like, as he turned around and held his hands up to protect himself.
"What do you want?" he asked, trying his best to make himself sound strong. But it wasn't really working, given the quivering in his voice, and how his hands shook.
"What are you doing?" You asked, raising an eyebrow, and trying to find out what he was looking at.
"Hiding." He said, becoming lower and sinking towards the floor to sit down.
"Not doing a very good job of it." You replied with a snark and a smile.
You looked at the boy and noticed that despite his long and lanky frame, it was quite difficult to really recognize him. Sure he was tall… taller than you at least, with long arms and legs, and a long nose. He really looked like a storybook character, a scarecrow given human form, but also somewhat more… human than the most fanciful tellings.
It was why you recognized the telltale signs of his own fear. He looked exhausted and disheveled, his hair a mess, and large and deep black bags underneath his eyes showed his lack of energy. But his eyes were what drew you. They were constantly filled with anxiety… something you knew all too well.
"What's scaring you?" You asked.
"I… I…" he paused. "I just want to find a place to sleep tonight. Someplace to just… be safe."
You knew the feeling. "Well, the Library is not the best place for that." You replied. You stood up and offered a hand. "Might want to try to look for someplace that will help. Try an apartment you know, someplace where you have a friend, and stay with them."
"I don't…" A Long pause. "have any friends."
You rolled your eyes. "Then find someone you trust, and let them watch you as you rest, make sure you stay safe. Can you do that?"
He nodded. "What about you? Do you have anyone you trust?"
Only when you are ready to take that first step. Only when you are ready to become what you desire to be. You shrugged. "I'll be okay."
You stood up to leave before you were stopped. "Wait…" He stopped you from leaving with his long hands. "Can you stay?"
"Why?"
He let go. "You're the first person to really talk to me… to look at me without knowing what I am?"
You frowned. "Well, I don't know you. And that doesn't mean I should care."
"Just… Please." He asked. "Stay."
You felt a pang of guilt, and then remembered all those kids who didn't have anyone. Why should you care?
But then he curled up into a ball, and you nodded. "Alright. I'll stay. Who are you by the way?"
"Crane… Johnathan Crane." He replied.
And you realized you had helped him. And maybe in the future, he could help you.
Reward: Gain Bond: Jonathan Crane: A boy from a grade or two above you, who is constantly plagued by nightmares and lack of care. From what you learned, his father is a doctor studying fear, and he is seemingly always in a state of fight or flight. It makes him irritable, quick to anger, but also desperate for a situation that is normal, to allow his mind to recover from its tribulations, as well as to process what has happened to him. He is exhausted, and just one event from snapping in half.
Bond set to (0/10)
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-[X]Find a Place to Sleep: You need a safe place to sleep if you are going to be able to work out. Rolled: 35
You found an Alley not claimed by the many homeless gangs that are now Roaming Gotham.
It might not be much, but at least for a few days, you can safely sleep without losing everything.
Reward: You have an Alley to sleep in, It isn't much, but it's good enough for you. +5 to all rolls next turn.
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-[X]Write a Short Story: You want to make a short story. Maybe it will be good. (If you wish for a roll bonus, you can linetail what you want it to be about the story and plot) 40+10-5=45
The Red Door really needed no introduction, you had written and edited it in less than three days, with all the grammatical and spelling errors still there because you did not have any time or energy to finish it.
Really you just wanted to give it to the People at the Gotham Daily Reader, not only to see if they would refuse you, but see if you could sneak into the building to get some of the free food that authors got when they were published.
That was until you saw it as the Top story, with the cover page and everything.
Profit Roll: 94
A Stunning and dark telling of Gotham's youth, from a first-time author who pulls no punches in showing the trials and horrors in Gotham orphanages and street children. Lacking in talent and skill, Alex Chill nonetheless weaves a tale of depravity and horror, as young children all over Gotham know of it.
-The Gotham Daily Review.
Lacking, in substance, ability, in writing skills. This Alex Chill is nothing more than a cheap whore, captivating an audience with a silly and overblown high concept, that not only makes the story cheap but makes the audience feel stupid and duped.
-The Gotham Times.
The Best Short Story I've read in twenty years. A Story that will stick with you, if you just look outside and see your fellow man.
-Katherine Kowalski, Columnist, the Gotham Times, her last article before being fired from the Times, breaking the rules by letting her opinion be made on their news print.
Gotham Loved it. It was a simple, curious, and heartrending tale, that told them the truth that they were too scared to admit.
An orphan looking for a way out. A Friend holding onto hope when it was almost impossible to
The Mayor had even called it a heavy-handed protest against the City's homeless relocation program, telling every outlet that published the story to cease immediately or face legal persecution.
It only made it even more popular. Because if the Mayor Hates it, that means it must be gold.
As for the Publisher… you were paid handsomely… for a twelve-year-old kid who had no experience, no agent, or anything really, other than a good story.
They paid you the Headliner amount.
Ten thousand dollars in cash. And they hoped that it would lead to better, and future stories being published.
Reward: The City of Gotham is taken by storm, and your name is talked about as the next up-and-coming author in the city, if only they knew who you were.
+10,000 Dollars.
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The GCPD's Hunt for More Homeless:77-30(Police Curroption)=47
The GCPD's manhunt for homeless and orphaned children… went to the other side of the city.
Good, now they might leave you alone.
Reward: The GCPD are not hunting in your area.
-50 to their rolls next turn.
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It is time Alex. The Voice said.
You awoke and prepared.
What is your First Adventure?:
[]Killing in the Name: You found Old Ben before everyone else. The GCPD ruled it as a suicide. That was… not true. Two bullets in the Back of the Head? Signs of a Struggle? These Cops were not going to get justice for Ben. So you will. (Begin the Adventure: Justice for a Friend)
[]The Tale of the Missing Johnathan Crane!: John hasn't come to class for several Days. You are worried. Mostly because he said he would meet you at the Library. You are going to find him. (Begin the Adventure: Finding a Friend)
[]Soul Power: You looked at the Red Door, and felt the familiarity. You didn't just write it in a story? You created it in the Real World! Thats impossible!? (Begin the Adventure: Gotham's Nightmares.)
AN: Enjoy.
