Reality Quest: Lookism

Jin sprinted through the narrow alleys, his duffel bag bouncing lightly against his back. He scanned his surroundings, searching for a place to stash the money. Ahead, he spotted an old, abandoned football field surrounded by rusted fences and overgrown grass.

'Perfect.'

He vaulted over the fence with ease, landing silently on the other side. The field was in disrepair, with faded lines on the dirt and a collapsed goalpost on one end. Jin quickly surveyed the area, his sharp eyes locking onto a loose section of concrete near the edge of the field.

Dropping to his knees, he pulled the duffel bag off his shoulder and began prying at the cracked slab with his fingers. The concrete shifted after a moment of effort, revealing a small, hollow cavity beneath.

Jin stuffed the duffel bag inside, making sure to push it deep into the hole. He grabbed nearby debris, old rocks, and broken wood to cover the cavity, carefully placing everything so it looked undisturbed.

'No one will find this anytime soon.' he thought, wiping his hands on his pants.

Satisfied with his work, Jin stood and took a moment to glance around the empty field. The sirens were growing faint, but he knew they wouldn't stop searching. He took a deep breath and sprinted back toward the way he came, his speed blurring his movements.

As he approached the street, he heard the distinct sound of car tires screeching. A police car turned the corner sharply, its headlights cutting through the dusk. The officers spotted him instantly.

"There he is!" one of them shouted through the loudspeaker. "Stop right there!"

Jin's expression remained neutral as he pivoted and took off in the opposite direction. More cars appeared from various streets, converging toward him.

He dashed across the main road, weaving between cars and narrowly avoiding collisions. Horns blared, and shouts followed, but Jin maintained his speed, deliberately drawing the police deeper into the chase.

The officers were relentless, their cars tailing him closely. Jin made sharp turns down smaller streets and alleyways, occasionally scaling walls and fences to keep the pursuit chaotic. Despite the intensity of the chase, his breathing remained steady, his movements fluid and efficient.

'Let them come. The more they chase, the more believable this act becomes.'

A few blocks ahead, he spotted an open plaza with limited exits. He allowed himself a faint grin as he formulated his next move. 'Time to wrap this up.'

He darted toward the plaza.

....

At the police station.

The door to the office burst open, and a younger police officer rushed in, his face flushed and his breath labored.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man, his sharp features are accentuated by the harsh overhead lighting as well a horizontal scar running across his nose, drawing attention to his narrowed eyes as he exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Explain yourself." the man demanded, his tone calm but laced with authority.

The officer straightened up, gulping as he quickly recounted the situation. "Sir, there was a robbery at the bank downtown. A kid, young, maybe fourteen or fifteen, took on the guards, subdued them without injury, and escaped. He managed to lose the patrol cars sent after him. His last known position was on a road near the west district."

"He was really strong and even more fast!"

The man's expression didn't change, but the weight of his silence was palpable. He closed his eyes for a moment, the scar across his face becoming more prominent as he tilted his head slightly. Taking another drag from his cigarette, he let the smoke curl out in a steady stream.

After a beat, he stood, placing the cigarette in a nearby ashtray and reaching for his police jacket. Sliding it on with deliberate precision, he adjusted the collar before speaking in a low, commanding voice, "What is this new generation making me do…?"

The young officer followed as the scar-faced man stepped out of the office, his measured stride carrying a weight that silenced the bustling precinct. They reached a patrol car, and the younger officer got behind the wheel, waiting nervously as his superior slid into the passenger seat.

The police radio crackled to life as they drove toward the area where the kid was last spotted. Static filled the car for a moment before a clear voice came through: "All units, be advised. The suspect has been sighted heading toward the plaza. Repeat, suspect heading toward the plaza."

The younger officer glanced at his superior, who was now leaning back in his seat, his hand resting on the edge of the car door. Without a word, the scar-faced man gave a slight nod. The officer tightened his grip on the wheel and sped up, heading straight for the plaza.

The man in the passenger seat stared ahead, his expression unreadable, though his aura farming carried an unmistakable intensity.

....

Jin made his way to the plaza, his steps steady and deliberate. His eyes immediately caught sight of the police cars stationed at every corner, their red and blue lights casting a rhythmic glow over the scene. A crowd of onlookers had gathered, whispering and pointing at the spectacle. The tension in the air was palpable.

Jin glanced around calmly, taking in the situation. 'They really brought the whole squad.' he thought, noting the sheer number of officers scattered across the area. It was clear they weren't going to let him slip away this time.

Suddenly, the distinct sound of a car engine caught Jin's attention. One police car pulled up, parking directly in front of him. Jin's eyes locked onto the vehicle where from the passenger seat, he felt an intense gaze burning through the window. It wasn't like the other officers' frantic or nervous stares. This one was calm, sharp, and unimpressed.

The car door opened, and the man with the scar on his face stepped out, his hands casually stuffed into the pockets of his pants as the coat floated with the wind.

He exuded an air of authority and experience, every step measured as he walked toward Jin. The murmurs from the crowd grew louder, but neither Jin nor the scar-faced man broke eye contact.

Stopping a few feet away, the man gave Jin a once-over, his eyes scanning him up and down before speaking, his tone low but firm. "Age and name."

Jin remained composed, his voice steady. "Jin Lee. Fourteen, two months from fifteen."

The man gave a small nod, processing the information. "So you're still a kid… You must be really foolish to think robbing a bank was a good idea." He paused, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Now, tell me. Where's the money?"

Jin's expression didn't waver. "I don't know. I'm just a kid." he replied casually, his tone almost mocking.

The man stared at Jin in silence, his piercing gaze searching for cracks in the boy's demeanor. After a moment, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette. He lit it with a practiced motion, using his other hand to shield the flame from the wind. The first drag was slow, deliberate.

Then, without warning, the man pivoted on his heel and unleashed a roundhouse kick aimed directly at Jin's head.

BAMM!

The impact of the kick sent a sharp shockwave rippling through the air, causing some of the bystanders to stagger back. A small cloud of smoke and dust rose where the strike landed.

As the smoke cleared, Jin stood crouched, his elbow raised in a block. His expression had shifted, his previously calm demeanor replaced with a more serious edge. The force of the kick had been no joke. His arm throbbed faintly, a testament to the strength behind the attack.

The scar-faced man straightened up, his cigarette still resting in the corner of his mouth. He tilted his head slightly, looking down at Jin with a mix of curiosity and mild amusement. "Not bad." he said, his voice calm but laced with a hint of challenge. He exhaled a plume of smoke before continuing, "...for a first generation, that's it."

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Damn, i love writing about aura farmers, the coat, the smoke, the hands in the pocket, ahhh clean mf.