"Kid, your stance is weak. The follow-through will be timid." Kale moved into a toe-to-heel placement. "Easy stance to learn. It gives both reach and defense capabilities." Kale lifted his back foot, heel, and bent his knees. His shoulders relaxed as he drew his elbows in. His shoulders turned slightly toward the punching bag. The arm in front covered part of his upper body. The second arm he kept at cheek level. Kale lunged forward, hitting the punching bag. He followed through with another hit before bouncing back. "I am going to teach you what I can." For the next couple of hours, Kale trained Derrick.
Once the training session finished, Kale and Derrick left the roof, heading back toward the apartments.
Kale shooed the boy away so he could shower and change. After he showered, Kale stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. He placed on the domino mask. His hands tightened on the porcelain white sink. "This could be one of my life's biggest mistakes if I live."His bare feet barely fit on the shaggy rug. His toes curled at the small amount of tile they touched.
Kale finished dressing. He put on the black sweats. Once again, he observed himself in the mirror. "I look like I belong in an asylum." His eyes drifted down as his thoughts came into play. I was never truly like them, like everyone else. I'm probably going to die tonight. Tony will understand. Moe, what will Moe think? As Kale thought, he floated from the bathroom to his living room/bed/kitchen area.
He opened his nightstand, pulling out a gun holster. He stung it over his shoulder, eyeing the handgun on the nightstand. His steady hand reached for it. His heart echoed, pounding in his ears. Slowly, Kale's hand shook. The echoes of gunfire taunted him. The smell and the heat crept around him.
Derrick barged in, smiling ear to ear.
Kale flipped around. His eyes narrowed. "Is that what you are wearing? "He turned around, snagging the gun and placing it in his holster. He spun and then knelt. Kale's hands reached between his bed, pulling out a few knives. "Hasn't anyone told you to knock?"
Derrick grinned broadly and spun around. "Yeah, if you are wearing a costume, I wanted to as well." He placed his hands on his hips. Derrick wore a pair of black sweatpants and a red t-shirt with a D in the upper right corner. He also had a crudely tied maroon beach towel around his neck.
"I suppose it makes sense. Are you ready, kid?" Kale slowly stood, and his joints cracked in protest. "We can not leave out the front. There is a fire escape outside the window. I'm an old man, so I never use it unless Tony comes." Kale pointed to the window in between the bed and the dresser. The window barely accommodated a man's size.
Derrick ran to the window. He opened it, climbing out on the escape. Kale walked over. He felt around the wooden edges of the window and removed it. "I did this a couple of years ago after those fires started breaking out. Also, this is done because of Tony." He placed the window against the wall. Kale lifted one leg over the exposed wall. After his other leg joined him. He leaned in and placed his window back. Both of them went to the back of the building. Derrick waited for Kale at the entrance of the alley that was marked off by yellow police tape.
"How are we going to find this guy?" Derrick whispered.
"Go down a random alleyway. You make noise while I hide," Kale replied.
Derrick paled. "That isn't a very good plan."
I know, but it is the only one I have." Kale patted Derrick on his head. "It will work out. If not, we will try again tomorrow and the next day."
Kale moved to the shadows, nearly keeping out of sight.
Derrick gulped. He wandered down the alley, growing braver with each step. "Here, strange man, here Mr. Strange man." Derrick chewed on his bottom lip. His head tilted to the side. The note he caught sight of. Maybe he should call that. "Mr Cylinder?" Derrick waited for a few moments, but he received no response. His shoulder sank. He glanced back at Kale.
"We go somewhere else and try there," said Kale.
Derrick lifted his head with wide eyes. "You mean it!"
Kale nodded. He turned and walked back toward the building. Derrick scrambled after him. They moved from the building to different alleyways using the same tactic.
Derrick rolled his eyes as they started down their fourth alleyway, with kale disappearing into the darkness. Derrick looked around for a moment, blinking. "I guess I make noise again? "I know you are here, Mr cylinder! Please come here, Mr Cylinder! We are looking for you?"
Kale placed his hand over his face. This kid... The guy isn't a cat.
"You found me. Haha.'' The cylinder stepped out from a dark spot. He moved toward Derrick, coming from the opposite end of the alleyway. The cleaver is swinging in his right hand.
Derrick swallowed. He tensed, freezing. What does he do?
Kale's brows furrowed. "That was a little too easy." He folded his arms, then unfolded them.
"So, little boy, do you like cylinders? "The crazed man positioned his cleaver. "Hahaha." The cylinder lunged for Derrick.
"Come on, kid, use your common sense. Get out of there," Kale whispered. "Run," Kale shouted as he stepped out from his own hiding spot.
Derrick gulped and bolted. He heard a swoosh right behind him.
"Runaway, Runaway little boy. I will still catch you. I'm the Cylinder Man." The Cylinder slowly advanced, laughing. "Hahaha, come out and play."