The City Park
1023 Words
Vera shrugged. "Well, what do you expect?... They are engaged after all."
"Wait, what?" Marcus was left surprised by the unexpected news.
"I don't get it, you've got keen eyes to scope out a murder scene but can't tell when two people are engaged?... Lucy literally wears her ring wherever she goes."
"...I didn't know that was an engagement ring!" Marcus quickly retorted in an attempt to keep his dignity.
"Tch, you are unbelievable."
"Ugh…" Marcus groaned, unable to say anything more.
Seeing his deflated expression, Vera thought him to be quite cute.
Taking a moment to admire his looks, she coughed awkwardly before attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"So what happened in there?"
Marcus's expression shifted as it took on a contemplative tone, his lips pursed as he pondered his thoughts.
Soon, he replied. "I can't be sure honestly. It's a bit of a hot mess to say the least."
"Hmm."
"But if there's anything I've understood… It's that this case is not as black and white as it appears."
"..." Vera's expression took a slight turn as well as the atmosphere about them quickly grew tense.
***
The City Park was a large area that encompassed enough space to contain more than 100,000 people at a time.
With various amenities ranging from quite advanced to mundane, it was wide and versatile enough to serve every person who took the time out to visit.
Located at the center of the city, it was one of the many tourist attractions for those wishing to visit Intercity and bask in its delights.
Normally, most would come during the daytime with visits ranging from 10,000 to 50,000, with the park locking up at night.
However, tonight, it happened to still be open with a very small number of people gathered, dressed in either black or white and unfortunately, the reason they were gathered was for a rather solemn affair.
As a mellow tune was played in the background, the sound of crying and sobbing could be heard while a man in a suit talked into a microphone.
"This is the first time I've attended something like this." Marcus intoned softly while leaning into Vera who sat beside him.
Vera gave him a side glance before replying. "I guess that's why you don't know that it's rude to talk when the ceremony is going on!"
"Shhh!" An older person who sat in front turned back and placed her finger over her lips, signaling for Vera to stay silent.
Despite her best attempts to talk in a low tone, it seemed she'd failed.
Glaring at Marcus, as though blaming him for it, she soon turned away to focus on the man talking on the podium.
Coughing awkwardly, Marcus turned away for a moment to survey his surroundings.
Amongst everyone present, he noticed a couple of people amongst the small group gathered that seemed to be on the cusp of becoming true martial artists.
Quickly noticing that they held weapons, Marcus deduced that they were guards blended into the gathering.
Soon, the man speaking on the podium finished his speech and then called for those willing to say anything about Mira to step forward.
Soon, each person stepped forward, sharing a few words about Mira.
As time ticked by, Marcus couldn't help but feel like something was wrong.
It seemed as though someone was watching from somewhere.
He looked around, scoping out his surroundings but strangely enough, there was nothing.
Which caused Marcus to draw two analogies.
Either it was his senses playing tricks on him or… the person was too far away to see with his n***d eyes.
The moment it dawned on him, Marcus's eyes went wide.
"Shit." He quickly jumped to his feet before exclaiming. "Everybody get down!"
Bang
A crisp gunshot rang out, and then the young guy talking on the podium was struck between his brows.
He took a few steps back, his expression distorted to reveal shock and pain.
Reaching up, he touched his temples only to discover a b****y hole there.
"Fuck." He muttered before falling backward, dropping to the ground with a dull thud.
"Ah!!!" Screams erupted as the guards mixed into the crowd, revealed themselves, and attempted to protect their hosts.
Marcus did the same as he rushed to grab Vera before moving to where Ethan and Lucy were hiding.
Just then, another crisp shot was heard and another body fell.
The scene grew even more chaotic as everyone moved in a bid to save themselves.
Marcus clicked his tongue as he pondered what to do.
Thinking for a moment, he tried to stand up from his hiding place only to be pulled back by Vera.
"Are you crazy?... What do you think you are doing?"
"I can't just stay here. I need to do something."
"The shooter is clearly a sniper. You'd die before you get to do any of your kung fu on him."
"Tch, so I should stay?"
"I hate to say this but Vera is right. You can't risk your life like this." Ethan quickly remarked, leaving Marcus unable to say anything in response.
Albeit unwilling, he could only stay in place.
Thankfully, no other shot was fired and after almost 2 hours of hiding, those still alive began to emerge from their hiding spots.
Marcus stood at the forefront of his group as he walked toward the dead body of the guy who was shot on the podium.
"We could have prevented this," Marcus muttered as he bent down to inspect the hole in the guy's head.
Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder as he intoned. "I understand how you feel but… There are times when prioritizing your life is better than rushing toward your death."
"..." Marcus remained silent, instead pondering inwardly if that was the way of a ruler.
As a ruler, wasn't it right that he stood at the front to protect those behind him?
If not, what was the point of everything he'd learned from his Gramps?
He found himself falling into deep thought only to be pulled out of it by a sudden gasp.
- Writer
