Chapter Text
*Plip plip plip*
Luz was never one for the rain. She doesn’t like the smell of wet concrete. It’s the smell of broken dreams, broken people and broken car windows. For some reason this city, Bonesborough, always smelt like wet concrete, through every season. She slowly let go of a held breath; a weak attempt to escape the dank aroma. Time lapsed for a second. An old memory;
…an accelerando of rhythmic rain drops…
…small hands interlaced…
… fast foot falls through grass…
…laughter.
An unplanned happy memory, and in the middle of work no less. Luz was off her game today.
It’s not a good day today.
Another exhale to bookend the happy memory. Luz looked up and she was back to reality, her feet back on wet concrete standing next to a massive stone gargoyle that cornered the 82nd floor of the Blight Industries building. She looked through a scope attached to her weapon which was trained on an immaculate office, 1600 meters away in Wittebane Towers. Kind of a longshot, which normally wouldn’t bother her, but the happy memories were an ill omen in her opinion. Now all the redflags of a job gone bad started pinging in her mind. She lowered her weapon. There was still time. The job was given a 4 week timeframe for completion, it was only day 3, but Luz didn’t like to drag her feet. The quicker she turned in files, the quicker she could get back to the comfort of her room back home.
Wherever that is…
Luz looked down at her watch; 01:13AM. Not too late to hit the diner that's across the street of her temporary apartment building. It was never really too late to go to a 24-hour diner, but to Luz, nothing good ever happened after 3AM.
One last peek at the office across. Luz needed to attempt to see if she could at least get a glimpse of her "dinner date", as her employer called them. This time, it was a wrinkled old man named Brent Folkely, the Assistant CFO for Wittebane Corp. He seemed to have just stumbled in, dragging along with him another woman that probably was his daughter's age. Luz’s stomach churned in disgust.
Maybe I could finish this job tonight.
Brent had dragged her over to his desk where he recklessly cleared everything off to make space. Simple actions for a simple man. The woman took a seat on the desk, back turned to Luz, as the mark seemed to be fumbling with his belt. Luz shut her eyes, calculating every possible outcome of her next steps. The wind shifted and a subtle change in the rain gave her pause. The beat of the droplets on her exposed index finger sped up just a bit. She took this as the final redflag. The "dinner date" would have to be rescheduled. Luz lowered her rifle and removed her thumb from the fingerprint scanner located on the grip. The weapon immediately began folding into itself until it more resembled a neat break of electronics than a deadly rifle. She latched it onto her back and with a futile apology to the woman in that office began gathering her supplies she had laid out. Once packed, Luz made the slow descent to the bottom snaking down the fire escape on the side of the building; no tech tonight to help her down; quicker, less she had to pack. Ten minutes later, Luz found herself back on ground level straddling her motorcycle. The vehicle hummed to life in tune to the sound of the rain hitting pavement, as Luz glided out onto the empty city street.
Guess bacon and eggs don’t sound too bad right now.
****
The rare time that Luz actually enjoyed the city was at a time like this. The rain had let up just a bit and the streets were nearly empty. A random car here and there but other than that….peace. Luz saw the approaching diner up to the left, fluorescent lights pouring out the windows guiding her. Like a lighthouse on a rocky shore and she was the old rusted ship looking for solace.
Instead of pulling up and parking in front Luz passed the diner and went down an alley to the right that ran along her apartment building. She put her bike in park behind a small alcove of the building and took her helmet off, letting the rain run salty with her dried sweat. After a beat she raised her hood and made her way to the diner.
The neon “Park Diner” sign reflection in the sidewalk puddle was disrupted by Luz’s footfall as she walked into the restaurant. It was a smaller place, with a classic early American aesthetic: tall red topped stools lined the bar with vinyl booths lining the windows at the back side of the restaurant. A man radiating fatherly energy greeted Luz from behind the cash register as she strode in. He had on an apron and striped button shirt rolled to the elbows with dark hair, glasses and a smile that was out of place in a city like this.
“Please sit anywhere, I’ll be with you in a moment.” Luz gave a small nod of acknowledgement and squeaked into a red vinyl booth in the corner. Despite being at her current apartment for a little over a month, she had never stopped in here. It's never good to show your face in public too often near where you stay. A painful lesson learned early on in her current career. For that reason, it was a blessing that she was the only patron at the time; coming straight from the job site she must have cut an imposing figure. Black cargo pants cinched at her black combat boots and a black techwear coat zipped up past her mouth.
As soon as she got comfortable in her booth, Luz unzipped her coat just enough to breathe in the smell of the place. Hot coffee, bacon and a hint of Fabuloso. She lowered her hood and allowed her brown curls to spill out, sprinkling droplets of rain on the table. Yellow fluorescent’s throwing on a warm glow to the place that didn’t match the weather outside.
“Pretty nasty weather out there, figured you would want a warm pick-me-up.” The man said as he approached with a pot of coffee and a menu. He gestured to the cup already at the booth and Luz nodded. As he started to pour he placed the menu in front of her.
“Are you on one of those all-nighters you college kids are always talking about?” He joked to which Luz just returned with a puzzled look which he must have picked up on.
“Oh sorry, you look like my daughter's age, just figured you were attending the University. Sorry to assume anything.” He apologized, slight embarrassment evident in his eyes. Luz had completely forgotten about Bonesborough University which was the major college in the area. Her mind flashed back to the mission file that had a short blurb on the “Dinner Date’s” daughter who also attended the university.
Guess it's a really bad night…huh...
“Sorry I’m not a student, but I want to be one.” Luz blurted before she could stop herself.
“Oh great, an aspiring scholar! Well I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you’ll see my daughter around campus.” Luz could feel the pride and love this man held for his daughter and a quick pang of jealousy rushed through her. “But anyways sorry for chatting away, please take a look at the menu and I’ll be back to take your order.” The man returned to his spot at the cash register and Luz lazily picked up the menu.
A flurry of sound brought Luz’s eyes to the entrance as two women burst into the restaurant out of breath, the plopping of soaked shoes alerting their presence. Luz studied the two new subjects carefully, years of relentless training quick-firing her instincts. The taller, pink haired woman was wearing a short mini skirt and a mesh halter top, a drenched leather jacket covering her head. The other woman was shorter with distinct green hair sporting a similar outfit but with no leather jacket to protect from the elements. The stranger’s eyes found Luz’s for an instant before making their way to the addressing man.
“Hi Amity,” the man at the register said, “Welcome, please sit anywhere.” Luz noted how he was smiling but it didn’t hold the same warmth he gave to her.
He knows her. They have history but what kind?
The name Amity sparked Luz's memory. A blurb in a file; this woman was Amity Blight, heir to Blight Industries, a prominent business partner with Wittebane Corp. Student at Bonesborough University, star of the rugby team and set to graduate Summa Cum Laude and valedictorian of her class in business. If that was Amity then her friend must be Boscha Hastings. According to the file, she also attended Bonesborough; co-captain of the rugby team, her mother was on the board for Blight industries.
This night just got interesting.
“Hello Mr. Parks,” Amity responded in a respectful tone, “Just a table for two.” The man, Mr. Parks motioned to a booth a few in front of Luz to which the two women moved to. He then dropped off menus and coffee for them and moved over to Luz to take her order.
“Have you decided what you would like tonight?”
“Yeah I’ll just do the house special, over easy eggs please.” Mr. Park quickly noted it and grabbed the menu, moving over to Amity’s table. Luz pulled out her phone and began mindlessly scrolling through apps, too distracted by the night to really register anything.
Luz found herself tuning back into the conversation happening in front of her. The two women seemed to be chatting about unimportant matters, a boring party or something. Another ding brought her eyes back to the front and a tall figure wearing a long beige trench with matching brimmed hat strolled in. They seemed out of place as if a businessman from the 80s was dumped into this small diner. The figure moved to a seat at the bar as Mr.Parks motioned an ‘I’ll be right with you’ in their direction. Luz immediately picked up a few tells from the figure that set her into business mode. Firstly, he moved with a deliberately slowed walk, as if he was trying to be as discreet as possible. This was an easy tell of someone trying to hide something, Luz thought to herself. Secondly, he had on a pair of black leather gloves. Luz noticed that they were very snug on their hands, which would be required if one expected to need dexterity. This wasn’t an immediate threat in Luz’s mind, but it had all the flags of someone looking for trouble. Luz was now in full alert,
Just in case…
A different uniformed man approached Luz’s table carrying a plate with a mountain of food. “Why hello there! Haven’t seen you around so I figured I would introduce myself. Names’ Harvey, head chef, Your business is greatly appreciated.” The man said, giving Luz a warm smile. Too many people were smiling at her tonight and it was starting to get uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” Luz said, trying to convey gratitude. The man gave another wide grin and turned back towards the kitchen. Luz tried to return to her observations, but the smells climbing up from the plate were too much to ignore. She picked up her fork and scooped up some runny yolk and hashbrowns. As soon as the food hit her tongue Luz nearly let loose a tear.
When was the last time I had anything with flavor…
This whole night was beginning to be a bit too much for her.
A voice filtered in through the taste, “More coffee?” Luz looked up at the cashier and hastily nodded. She quickly swallowed her mouthful.
“This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Please tell Harvey that he’ll need to do this again for me.” Luz said, letting some emotion out into her voice. The cashier seemed to be grinning even bigger now as he responded.
“I’ll make sure my husband gets the message.” He gave a small wink and walked off. For some reason, the fact that they were husbands running this diner made Luz feel safe.
Another bite and Luz was sent back to another memory that careened to the forefront of her mind...
The ground quickly rose to her face, a small divot in the grass the culprit. Wetness in her eyes threatened to spill over before a small hand was proffered. She looked up to the person, face in shadow from the sun backdrop, but distinct brunette hair outlined the face.
Ding
The memory faded with the chime of the entrance bell once again. Luz looked up from her clean plate and caught Amity and her friend exiting the diner. Continuing her scan, she noticed that the man that was at the bar was finishing up his meal as well and was pulling out his wallet. A vibration from the table and Luz realized her phone was going off; 2 new messages asking for a status update of the “dinner date”. With a sigh Luz sealed off her mind and was back in work mode. In her daydreaming she must have missed the check being placed on her table. She threw back the rest of the lukewarm coffee and made her way to the cashier, the mystery man already on his way out of the diner. As they crossed paths, Luz realized that the man was trying to discreetly check her out before picking up his pace to exit.
“So how was it?” asked Mr. Parks as Luz approached.
“Honestly, one of the best meals I’ve had in awhile.” Luz pulled out a 100 from her wallet and placed it on the counter. Mr. Parks picked it up and began to make change before Luz interrupted him. “Keep it, please.”
Mr. Parks returned a confused and shocked look. “I’m sorry miss, your meal was $8, I can’t take all this.”
“Trust me, your meal was worth more than $8...” Luz honestly felt like she owed this man more but that's all the cash she had on her at the moment. With her lucrative career and near non-existent social life, Luz had plenty of funds to spare.
“Well okay. I greatly appreciate this.” Mr. Parks gave her one of his now signature smiles and offered up his hand. “My name is Gilbert by the way.”
Luz returned the smile and grabbed the man’s hand. “Luz.” She knew the dangers of revealing her name while she was at work, but with everything he had done for her tonight, Gilbert deserved at least this kindness.
“Wonderful. Hopefully we see you again Luz. I know Harvey appreciates it.”
“Trust me. Next time I need a hot meal I know where to go.” With a final smile Luz turned to exit intent on returning to the diner soon.
Next time I’ll get the biscuits and gravy…
The rain seemed to finally be letting up as Luz walked out of the diner. With her adrenaline still spiked from the job, and a hearty meal in her stomach, Luz decided to take a small walk to get her excess energy out. Usually on her “dinner date” nights she didn’t sleep anyway.
No stranger to walking cities at ungodly hours, Luz found herself at ease taking these empty sidewalks. As Luz rounded a block she noticed a black jacket on the ground peeking out of an alley. She looked down at her phone. 3:06AM looked back at her.
Seems on par…
Luz approached silently, trying to go unnoticed in the night, however as she neared, sounds of boot on gravel from the alley alerted her. She ducked low and peered into the alley. A small figure laid in a heap face down on the ground and a larger figure was pinning someone to the brick wall. A shimmer of green hair and Luz realized that it was Amity being restrained by a much larger figure, attempting to break free of their grasp. In an instant Luz’s mind was cleared. No auxiliary thoughts. She moved her hand up to her chest pressing her glove to the inconspicuous symbol located at the center of her chest. The mechanisms within Luz’s garments activated, seamlessly gliding to encapsulate her in a near impervious mechanical armor of her own design, an owl shaped helmet finishing the silent transformation. This was her Outer Woven Lifeline, O.W.L that she had spent years perfecting. The A.I overlay came to life turning the low light alley into a bright unobscured path; everything was clear as day to Luz now with her O.W.L activated. In an instant Luz was behind the struggling pair, the design of the O.W.L making her impercitable as she moved. She realized that the man pinning Amity to the wall was the same one that was in the diner. A small blue current ran along Luz’s arm into her fingertips as she pressed her hand to the middle of the man's back. In an instant the man crumbled to the floor, a useless heap of human filth. Amity fell to her knees and began coughing, seeming to not notice Luz. Disoriented she slowly got her bearings, finally noticing the presence in front of her.
“What the fuck?” Amity screamed and backed away on all fours before quickly getting to her feet. She ran over to the other body laying face down on the floor, her friend from the diner Luz presumed and grabbed something from the other girl's purse. Amity pulled out what looked like a small switchblade.
“Back the fuck up. I’ll cut you.” She yelled at Luz. Paying her no mind Luz knelt over and grabbed the wrists of the unconscious man pulling his arms behind his back. She placed her hand over both wrists and another blue light surged along her armor. A metallic substance seeped from her hand which quickly enveloped the man's wrists and hardened. Luz finally looked up to the terrified girl who was now standing in between her and the exit to the alley, the knife lowered a bit as Amity now seemed unsure of Luz’s intentions. “Huh wha…” She blurted out. “Who are you?” Luz remained motionless, her eyes locking with Amitys from beneath the mask. She raised her arm to point to the other girl, laying facedown on the floor. Amity was shocked into action as she remembered her friend was there on the ground. She turned and rushed to her side. “Boscha! Hey get up!” The girl stirred, pushing herself off the ground.
Satisfied, Luz turned from the pair and began to walk out of the alley, dim blue lights began snaking from the core on her chest.
“Wait where are you go-” However Amity never finished her sentence as Luz’s active camouflage erased her from sight.
The now imperceivable Luz looked back to the girl who had fallen to her knees in a confused stupor.
Gold eyes…