Felicio

Kaos

Peter

The closer I got to them the more I realized that there was something odd happening. The clandestine meeting seemed to be going badly. I wasn't noticed until I was about halfway across the field but I caught a few words that were swept along with the wind. They seemed to be talking about a deal, and some payment that had not been delivered. The guy in charge was a brute called Jack, also known as Jackhammer because of the way he completely dominated the football field. He was packed with muscle and looked far older than he was. He was one of those people who were known all over campus. I'd always been afraid of him. He was one of those boys that seemed like men. It was rumored that he'd had an affair with one of the teachers, and he seemed to stand head and shoulders over everyone else. But he was also a bully. He thought he could do whatever he liked and get away with it just because he was stronger. I'd always hated those types of people. I'd suffered from bullies back in high school. Kids like me always did. The scrawny, nerdy types were always the small fry ready to be teased and humiliated for the amusement of others.

That was the way of the world but I was determined to see it change. As Felicio I could stand up for the people who did not have the strength or courage to stand up for themselves. Peter, however, was a different story. I was already regretting my choice to walk over when I was halfway across the field. But at this point they had already seen me and there was no turning back.

One of Jack's cronies saw me approaching and nudged Jack in the shoulder. Jack let the boy he was holding by the scruff of his neck go and turned to face me. It was at times like these I was glad to keep a low profile as he didn't know my name, or anything about me.

“Can we help you?” Jack said in a tone that made it clear I was trespassing.

“No, I was just taking a walk,” I replied.

“I suggest you walk somewhere else,” Jack said. The others turned to face me as well. There were about five of them. As Felicio I know I could take them but I couldn't very well unleash my claws in front of them as Peter. It started to seem like a bad idea but the boy in the middle looked at me with relief. If I could save him then it was a good plan.

“Well, I would do, but it seems like he's in trouble,” I said.

“He's just fine. We're arranging a deal,” Jack said. I wasn't convinced but I didn't want the entire thing to turn into a fight. I didn't know if I could quell my instinct to win. If Jack attacked me I would have to defend myself and if I wasn't careful I would end up putting him and his friends in the hospital. I had to play it smart. I'd been dealing with criminals and gangs for a while now so I knew something about how they worked and I didn't think that this situation was much different. They didn't like light being shed on their activities and as long as I kept them talking I could make sure that the boy in the middle would not come to any harm.

“It doesn't look like a very fair deal to me. I think perhaps you should learn how to negotiate. I will be happy to help, or we can go and get one of the economics professors to come and oversee the deal.”

Jack bristled and stepped towards me. I braced myself, ready to defend myself if need me but Jack's hand was pulled back. One of his friends shook his head silently.

“We'll see you later,” Jack growled at the boy in the middle. It was more of a threat than a promise. The five of them then moved away, evidently not wanting to cause more of a disturbance than was necessary. As soon as they were out of range the boy breathed a sigh of relief. He had short dark hair and wore glasses, the frame of which was held together with tape. A huge backpack lay on the ground beside him. It looked as though he was going on a camping trip rather than to class. I held out a hand and helped him up.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“I am now. Thanks for coming along. I thought I was a goner.”

“What was that all about? I'm Peter by the way.”

“Nathan, and I'm not sure if I should really tell you.”

“Seeing as how I just saved you I think you owe me.”

“True that,” Nathan said. His eyes darted about furtively. He looked past my shoulder to make sure that Jack and his friends had left but even that didn't seem to settle his nerves. His head jerked about wildly and he never settled on one thing. “They were going to take this from me,” he said, and pulled out a small packet of pink tablets out of his jacket. I furrowed my brow as I took them. His fingers pinched around them as though he didn't want to let go. I snatched them from him and h looked disappointed. I had no intention of stealing them from him though.

“What are they?” I asked.

“They're called Kaos. It's a new drug. It helps with concentration and opens up the pathways of the mind. It's like your on a new plane of existence. It's been doing the rounds with all the exams coming up you know and, yeah, it's expensive. I missed one payment. Only one. Well. I didn't even miss it really I was just late but Jack doesn't have much patience he should really work on that. He was going to take those back until I could pay but thanks to you I have a little more time. Could I...could I have them back now?” he licked his lips and tentatively reached out to them. I was tempted to hurl them away out of his reach but I let him have them.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked.

“Oh yeah. I couldn't make it through college without them. I was struggling but now I'm on top of everything. They're amazing,” he said.

I tried not to make my judgment of him so obvious but I turned away quickly. Part of me wondered if I had in fact made the right decision to save him and let him keep the tablets. They seemed too good to be true and that usually meant they were. I doubted that Nathan was the only one using these tablets. For the rest of the day I opened my eyes and started to look out for evidence of Kaos and I was startled with what I saw. They were in handshakes, passed around with coffees, and slipped under notebooks. I was amazed that I hadn't seen anything like it before and I wished that Steph was there so I could talk to her about it. I didn't know how the drugs made their way into my college but I had to put a stop to it. I also knew this was a job for Felicio.

Felicio

I'd tracked the Jackhammer after college. He was the only lead I had. I doubted he was the one making the drugs but he was the pusher and he would lead me to the person supplying Kaos. I'd searched the online student forum for mentions of Kaos earlier in the day. There were only oblique mentions but it was prevalent and the use seemed to have spread far and wide. It was like Nathan said, the drug opened up the pathways to the brain to increase concentration, focus, and energy levels. There had to be some side effects though and if people weren't suffering yet it would only be a matter of time before they were.

I waited until Jack was alone before I pounced. He was walking to his car, ready to leave after football practice. Most of the campus was empty now. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. It was a little earlier than I usually liked showing my masked face but these were extenuating circumstances. I had been waiting on the roof for him. I jumped down, landing softly behind him. He had his keys out ready to open his car door.

“Are you the Jackhamme?” I asked. He turned, startled, and then a broad grin appeared on his face.

“Oh my God, Felicio?! Oh man this is...what are you doing here? I can't believe it! You're like, the greatest. God, can I shake your hand? And damn, you know my name? Oh this is the best thing ever!”

He took hold of my hand and shook it vigorously. I was so shocked at his reaction that I didn't quite know what to do. Few people reacted to Felicio in this manner and it took me aback. I was supposed to be putting the fear of Felicio in this man but it was nice to have a fan.

“Uh...thanks,” I said, “I appreciate it.”

“What are you doing here? How do you know me? Oh my God, is my mom alright? Nothing's happened to her has it?”

“No, no your mom is fine as far as I can tell.”

Jack breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I can't believe I'm actually speaking to Felicio. This is just the best day ever. Nobody is ever going to believe this happened.”

“I'm here on business,” I said, figuring that I needed to get him back on track otherwise before I knew it he was going to be asking me to take a selfie.

“Oh yes of course. I'll do anything I can to help. Just tell me what you need. Do you need help taking down a big gang? I'm not usually the sidekick type but I've been thinking of a few names. I always knew this day would come!”

“I work alone,” I said bluntly. “I'm investigating the presence of a drug called Kaos.” At the mention of the drug Jack's demeanor changed dramatically. His jaw clenched and his eyes looked away from mine. He leaned against his car.

“I...uh...yeah I guess I've heard a little about that.”

“Don't lie to me Jack. I know that you've been pushing it. I want to know who your supplier is and where I can find him.”

“No, Felicio, I mean, I love you man but this isn't anything illegal. It's just a mind boost and yeah, okay, I charge for it but I've gotta make a little money on the side. It helps us you know. You don't know what it's like here. There's so much pressure to always be the best and it's like we never get a break. A lot of us don't know how to juggle our studies along with everything else and Kaos just gives us that little extra boost we need to make it through the day.”

“Tell me what I need to know.”

“I really...I just can't man, I made promises, you know what I mean?”

“Tell me!” I yelled, my fist launched itself against his car, leaving a dent in the driver's side. He shook in fear and raised his hands to his head looking to defend himself. I felt a little guilty. I never wanted to be like him, a bully, but sometimes it was necessary to get the job done.

“Okay, okay! I don't know his name but I'm meeting him tonight at 10, down by the docks. There's a ship. I think he owns it. It's called the Baylis. That's all I can tell you. I promise just don't hurt me.”

“I won't hurt you. But if you're truly as much of a fan as mine as you claim then you will get out of this business and focus on living a good life. Help others around you. Be as much of a hero as you can be.”

With that I leaped back onto the roof and left him to think on my word.