Enhance: Chapter 9

“Time to get to work team.” Phase said through his mask as he walked along the roof ledge. He slung a duffle bag over his shoulder and glanced at his accomplices.

Shade and Yumi each caught their own and slid them over their shoulders. They had to do one of their personal cash grabs jobs. They were beginning to run low on funds and hitting zero was a bad time. Shade was in a similar boat so Darren put them in contact with one another. The mission itself was simple and thus Feint opted to stay home and go over the enhance documents deeper.

“Ready when you are.” Yumi said and cracked her knuckles.

They were in the middle of the city, the sky black of the early AM. It was hard keeping track of Shade visually at the moment.

“What’s our target?” Shade asked. His mask was zooming in and out as it jumped around the city. It locked onto possible locations that they could target. A jewelry shop, an electronics store, even a small museum.

“Well we watched a bunch of terrible movies the other day. So we’re going to rob a bank.” Phase said.

Yumi glanced at him, “We’re going to rob a bank? For real? Please say yes.”

“Do we have bags with the little money symbols on them?” Shade asked.

Yumi snorted, “Complete with black and white striped shirts to wear with the face mask. Oh can we have fancy hats.”

“And we have to walk like this.” Miming having a bag over his should Shade walked across the roof with exaggerated leg movements. The pair of them laughed and even Phase had to smirk at them.

“Very funny. But yes a bank. And we’re not robbing it the fun way. We’re doing it the twenty first century way.” Pointing toward the city he sent the location to the others via their mask. The bank was a famous one deep within the financial district.

It was a ways over but nothing too touch for them. Phase stayed on the rooftops as he dashed and vaulted over obstacles. Shade and Yumi stayed lower to the ground moving fast.

Between the three of them and innate competitiveness they made it to the edge of the bank in less than twenty minutes. The train was going past in the distance and there were a couple of cars in the parking lot. The lights were on but no one was hanging around at this hour.

They made it down to ground level and Phase turned his mask to thermal.

“Not too many guards inside. Assume for the usual styles of alarms.” Phase said and glanced back at them.

“We shouldn’t need to use to much effort to get in and out.” Shade said and his mask was on thermal as well.

To not be the black sheep Yumi did it as well and folded her arms. “So where’s the money?”

“In the vault.” Shade said but Phase shook his head.

“Banks don’t carry money like that anymore. Most of it is electronic these days. Behind the vault are the safe deposit boxes. I’m going to be taking those. Yumi can you take down the guards?”

Yumi glanced at him shocked. “You’re giving me permission to hit people?”

Phase laughed softly. “Yes. Not enough people here to warrant sneaking around. So we can knock a few heads together and just get in and out fast. Shade take this.”

He handed him a small USB stick and Shade turned it in his hands, “What is this?”

“Plug it into their systems and it’ll start running account numbers and emptying accounts straight to us,” Phase told him. “While I do deposit boxes and Yumi is doing guards you’re taking cash.”

Yumi rubbed her hands together excited, “What’re we waiting for?”

She started running forward and then jumped to get to the roof. Though she was excited to break in she knew the procedure. She searched around for a bit and found a way in. So many buildings in Chicago had skylights.

“Is she always that eager?” Shade asked as he laughed.

“Yes.” Phase said and ran forward but this time trying to go through the walls.

Yumi found her way to the window quickly. She pulled out a knife and pressed the tip against the corner of the window. Wiggling it around for a moment she smiled as she heard the pop. When she finally got it open she pushed it in, then grabbed the edge.

Placing the glass pane on the ground she jumped head first into the bank. Her mask did a sweep as she flipped through the air and by the time she landed she had the locations of the guards. There were only two. One in the lobby and one behind the counter. “This place is lame.”

She turned and darted toward the first guard. He was sitting down and not doing much of anything. In fact he didn’t even seem to have noticed that she’d dropped in. She couldn’t blame him, it was a boring job in her mind. However, that didn’t mean you should slack on the job.

She went behind him quickly and wrapped her arm around his throat and her other arm against his head. He started struggling about and kicked the back of his leg hard. Not enough to break but enough to drop him. He went down to his knees and she held him up by the head and waited until he went still.

Dropping him to the ground she turned and let her mask light up. Crouching low to the ground she crouched walked forward quickly her eyes scanning for the second guard. He was at the moment sitting down behind the counter watching a an old TV. She could hear him laugh and a Simpsons rerun on in the background.

Running toward the counter she dove behind it and rolled against the wall. Knocking on the door lightly she waited.  The guy seemed startled at the sound and she stifled a chuckle. She turned toward the wall and watched him slowly get up. He stumbled slightly as he walked to the door. She waited until he passed then grabbed and slammed him into the ground.

With a swift punch to the temple she felt him go out. “Clear.” She said into her mask and Shade appeared beside her. He had been in the shadows and made her jump in surprise. “Jesus Christ, don’t do that.”

He laughed softly and went to the guard. Running his hands over the man’s chest slowly and then down to his waist he frowned for a moment before nodding. Taking the keys from his waistband he whirled them around on his finger.

“The money is this way madam. If you’d follow me.”  He told her and started walking toward the other side of the bank. Yumi giggled and did as he asked.

Phase meanwhile was on the other side of the bank. Pressing his hand against the bank vault he knew it was definitely a thick wall. Taking a deep breath, he fizzled as he touched it and then walked through it.

It was strange, whenever he went through things this thick. It was like he went blind. Sometimes he wondered what would happen if his concentration broke mid step. Would he be stuck within the wall forever? Or would be ejected out? Questions he’d probably never check the answer for.

As he stepped through the vault, he looked around him. It was like a mailbox room. He glanced around and they were all the same. Numbered slots on the walls. How was he going to guess their contents? Trying to come up with an idea he looked at each one and then pushed his hand through one.

He pulled out a black box and when he saw the contents it was a family photo. The image was old, very dated but the couple and their newborn seemed very happy. He put that one back. It was a nice memory and he didn’t want to take that. Besides he couldn’t make money off it.

He rinsed washed and repeated this motion throughout the vault. He lost track of time in the monotony of the motions that he was doing. But it wasn’t without reward. He lost track of how much time had past until Yumi cut in through the silence.

“Hey Phase. We’ve got money. Banks aren’t infinite.”

“She’s right. We’re set on our end.” Shade added and he touched the vault door. “What’ve you found?”

Instead of answering Phase walked through the vault with his bag full. “You’d be surprised at how many jewels people store at these banks.”

Phase jumped toward the wall and then jumped off it and angled for the window. Grabbing the edge, he hauled himself up and over it. Getting onto the roof he waited for the others to join him before tipping his hand to him.

“This is where we part ways for the night.” Phase looked toward Shade. “Nice working with you again.”

“Same here.” He said and then hesitated for a moment. Phase blinked as he heard the sound that he had gotten a notification. “That’s my contact information. At least the easiest way to get into contact with me. If you need another hand call me.”

Phase smirked at him but nodded. Reaching out he held his hand to him. Shade glanced at it surprised but took it and they shook. Yumi clapped sarcastically as she watched the pair of them.

“God that was such a bonding moment.” She laughed and Shade joined in. She blinked and quickly as she heard a notification go off on her mask. “What’s that?”

“I don’t need a lot of money. And I figure there’s three of you guys you’ll want it more. I took what I need. You take the rest. ” Holding up his hand before she could protest he shook his head. “It’s a show of good faith.”

He turned around and as he walked he blended into the shadows. He hopped off the edge and disappeared int the city. Yumi watched and shrugged to face Phase, “I think like him. Let’s head back home.”

“Right.” They started their journey back, running along the rooftops. They made it back home in short order to the lights still on but dimmed.

“Honey we’re home!” Yumi shouted echoing through the pent house.

Feint waved from the couch. “I’m working.” She said though she was laying on her back.

“This is working?” Phase asked dropping his bag on the ground.

“I was working. Then I was sleeping and that one woke me up.” Feint groaned and shut her eyes again.

“That one huh?” Yumi hopped over the couch and sat on her and she groaned loudly but was too weak to shove her off yet. “I have a name Feint.”

“Yes you do Yumi.” She said groaning and glaring up at her. “Now get off of me.” She shoved her hand against her back but Yumi refused to budge. Letting out an exasperated breath she fell back. “Dammit.”

“You getting off her anytime soon?” Phase asked from one of the perfectly empty couches.

“Nope.” Yumi said and leaned back. “Comfortable.”

 “Glad you two are getting along. I’m heading back out. Gonna drop off this bag so Darren can get us paid.” He picked up the small bag and slung it over his shoulder.

“You do that Phase.” Yumi waved him off as she returned to teasing Feint. Mostly poking her cheeks or trying to tickle her sides. The girl in question was doing her best to ignore her but it was growing more and more difficult as time went on.

Phase laughed, going toward the balcony. He thought about getting his mask but shook his head. This would be a quick drop off. He wouldn’t need the mask to get this done. Putting both separate bags into his book bag.

Pushing open the window he walked to the ledge before hopping over. He flipped once, and pushed off the wall running down the side of the building. Eyes wide at the sudden momentum he shouted. Jumping forward he flipped and skidded to a halt against the street. He stumbled as he landed before finally falling over to his knees.

“That was a rush,” His entire body was shaking as he tried to get to his feet. Checking the bag to make sure everything was still in one place he nodded and allowed himself to laugh. Getting up slowly and shaking his now dizzy head he walked forward and then started running again.

He got back onto the roofs and got back into his rhythm. The further he went the more of the quality of his surroundings fell He stayed close to the ground not trusting himself to be on the roofs yet. He wasn’t a hundred percent steady enough to run on them.

He darted down an alleyway jumping on top of a dumpster. Landing on it he turned around and then jumped, climbing his way upward. Taking each rung of the ladder he lifted himself higher and higher before climbing the fire escape.

Getting to the top of the apartment he stared at the sky. He was annoyed by the fact that he couldn’t see the stars from here. Even outside of the city in the ghettos there was still nothing stopping the light pollution. That was something he enjoyed from the drive out of the facility. He should suggest a trip out of the city one day.

He heard steps echoing around him and looked over his shoulder for the source. Hopefully it was just a bird or a rat but he knew it wasn’t that. Stopping in his tracks he turned and tried to find the owner of the sound. He slowed down and felt a sharp pressure against his back. He took a slow breath and raised his hands up. “You’re making a terrible mistake here.”

“That’s up for me to decide.” The voice was male and sounded a step older than him. “What’s in the bag?”

“Swiggty swag.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” He was spending too much time with Yumi. “What’s in your hand?”

“What do you think?”

“No idea. Could be a gun. Could be a crossbow. Could be a musket or a mini arm cannon.”

There was a click and that confirmed his question. A handgun. He didn’t like the sound of that.

“That answer your question?”

“I assume this is a strange robbery?”

Phase nor the stranger answered this time. Instead Phase fell backwards, fizzling through his body. Now behind him he punched him in the back of the head. He stumbled forward but darted forward and then vanished.  Phase’s eyes went wide looking around for him.

A foot slammed into Phase’s knee and a fist hit him in the head sending him into the ground. Rolling away he watched as his bag slipped away from him. The pair of them stared at one another and Phase got a good look at him.

The guy was thin, not quire rail but more like cable. He was strong from the last punch he’d thrown his way. He was wearing faded yellow shirt and jeans but he had a black bandana around his mouth. His eyes were dark blue and narrowed focused on his every move. His hair was tied into a loose pony tail.

He stared at Phase from across the rooftop but then glanced at the bag. Phase did the same thing and at the same time they lunged after it. Diving forward the guy got it first and rolled forward. Phase fizzed through the guy snatching the bag and pulling it through him.

Rolling forward Phase slid the bag onto his shoulders and wagged his finger. He couldn’t let this guy take the jewels. For one reason, it was a pride thing as a thief. You don’t get stolen from.

“You’re going through quite a lot just for a stranger’s bag.”  Phase asked and raised his eyebrow. “That desperate?”

The guy glared at him. He stood up slowly and took a slow even breath.  And then he vanished again. Phase’s eyes went wide as he tried to find him. He just barely heard the wind whistle and reached out, catching his fist.

The man was surprised just as much as Phase was. Phase raised his leg, kicking his shin. Jumping backwards the guy narrowed his eyes at him. Phase met his gaze and shook his head slowly. 

“What the hell?” he whispered and backed away again. He stopped, the back of his foot hitting the edge of the roof. “You took Enhance didn’t you?”

His eyes widened and Phase took that note of that. He could try to kill him but he wasn’t sure he’d get in and out without getting hurt too. Instead of fighting he decided it was time to run.  Turning around he jumped off the edge of the building. Falling down to the bottom he landed roughly and groaned. Taking a step back he fizzled through the wall and disappeared behind it.

His chest was heaving as he shook his head. “So that’s what it’s like being on the receiving end of Enhance.” He’d gone toe to toe with other experiments but that was something else entirely.

“Hey. Never seen you around here before.” With another start, he turned around and stared at a girl.

The entirety of the room, if you could call it that, was dark. The walls were a sickly looking yellow with peeling paint. The wood had holes in it and he could swear he saw something looking back at him. The air around him smelled and tasted stale, almost to the point of coughing.

The ground was carpeted but that was rolling off the ground in places. There was some furniture strewn about which left the rest of the room actually feeling bare. On a couch against the wall was the girl who had spoken.

Her voice was deeper than he had expected. Especially considering that she looked his age. She was sitting with her hands in her lap. She was wearing jeans and a long sleeved white shirt but really dirty and stained. Her skin was pale almost porcelain white. She had hair that was closer to silver than to anything else.  It was long too, partway resting on the couch. As she looked at him he saw that her eyes were milky white.

“Who are you?” Phase asked and glared as she stared back at him.

“Me? I’m just… uh… I’m nobody important.” She finally settled on and smiled.

Phase looked at her and shook his head slowly. She was a strange girl. That much was true but other than that he didn’t really think too hard about it. He wondered if that guy was still looking for him. He didn’t need an Enhance user and another thief in his life.

“You should be fine in here.”

He watched her not letting his guard down. “What do you mean?”

“He won’t look for you in here.” She said simply and started kicking her legs against the couch slowly.

Phase tried to fight the surprise on his face and had mixed success. How did she know about him? Were they working together or something? If they were that did not inspire confidence. He turned to face the girl and pressed his back to the wall. His hand vibrated slightly, phasing in and out of reality and he thought about just taking her out and going. He glanced around to find an exit while weighing his options.

“I’d prefer you not to kill me.” She said simply as Phase was maneuvering around the room. He turned to look at her again. She hadn’t shifted positions. She was sitting simply and staring straight ahead.

“Alright. Who are you for real?” He asked. This girl was reading his mind. He was almost sure of that fact because there was no way she respond that accurately either way. She looked at him with those same milky white eyes and he frowned. “You can’t see me, can you?”

“No, I can’t.” The cheerful smile returned to her face. She looked up at him and it was as if her eyes were locked on his own. How was she doing this?

“I’m special too. Just like you.” She told him and his eyes widened suddenly. She had taken Enhance too. “Not quite.” She said and giggled softly at the perplexed look on his face and he raised his hand up.

“Alright. Stop doing… whatever it is that you’re doing.” He told her fixing a glare at her.

Her smile faltered and she frowned. “Why?”

“Because it’s just this side of freaking me out.” He said and put a hand to his forehead. Rubbing his temples slowly he forced himself to breathe then looked at her again. She started to stand up and reached out blindly.

He reached out toward her but she moved his hand away swiftly. “Why are you trying to walk?”

“Because you need to find a way out. And it’s a simple apartment but I’d be rude if I didn’t show you out myself.” She seemed serious about this despite looking around. She started to walk for a moment and ran into the wall. She frowned, rubbing her nose and raised her hands again. Feeling across the wall she tried to find the door when Phase opened his mouth.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah totes.” She reached out into empty space and took one step forward. And then another but then she froze. She raised both her hands out and wobbled slightly. “Can you look around for me?”

Confused he did as she asked and he looked around. The old walls, the flaying furniture. Two doors. He didn’t know where they went. She pulled on him suddenly and started walking confidently toward the second of the two doors.

He followed behind her because she seemed to know where she was going. The door opened up to a hallway. There was a door behind them and down the hallway there was another door. To their left there was staircase that went god knew where.

She wasn’t taking him there. Instead she went to the door at the end of the hallway. Reaching out she found the knob and turned it easily. Once it was open Phase could see the street and distantly hear some of the cars. She led him out of the complex despite barely being able to maneuver before. “How did you… do that?”

She turned to face him and winked, a knowing smile on her lips. “My secret. Now off with you. Shoo.” She said and laughed softly. “You’ve got things to do right?”

“Yeah.” He stared at this girl and still didn’t quite understand what he had just gone through. “Thanks.” Stepping outside he took a breath of non-stale air and was grateful for it. He turned and glanced back at the apartment again but the door had closed and the girl was gone.

This city was just full of surprises. Taking a look toward the rooftop where the teleporting had attacked him he ran. He started gaining elevation moving higher and higher up until he left it far behind.

He made his way to the gas station without incident after that. Opening the door and finding the usual drop off spot he opened the freezer door. Slipping the contents into the freeze and shut it behind him and sighed. This had been an interesting night.