I have many things to say about this world. 

One of them is life is not fair. 

Corny, right?

Well, don’t get me wrong it isn’t. 

Some people are born with superior intelligence. Immense wealth. Unmatched beauty. Talents. Superpowers. 

Oh, the last one…yeah it’s as I said and I don’t mean it figuratively. 

Superpowers exist. 

What else can I say? The world was already messed up as it is. Still, superheroes have to come in and introduce themselves in their colorful spandex, which clearly implies that grown men and women don’t know how to put on their underwear correctly. Don't forget their annoying sense of justice to top it all off. 

Please, what justice? 

While supervillains may be arrested left and right here in Delta City, the same amount, if not more, end up taking their place.

Sometimes I wonder if this is some sort of charade pulled by the hero organizations to keep their reins over the people. 

Who would believe me? 

Everyone loves superheroes as much as they love idols. They are world icons. Symbols of hope. Every child’s role model. What about me, not so much. I’m just a grumpy, pessimistic, loser street kid working in this junky convenience store just to make ends meet. 

Born on the streets. Raised on the streets. No guidance. No role models. No talents. No superpowers. A trouble maker. A measly inheritance from parents I haven’t seen since I was three and a debt left by my grandparents who passed away not that long ago in my name.  

I’ve always been on my own along with my none existent wits. 

At my age, I’m supposed to attend some sort of college but the thing is, my parents only left me enough inheritance to survive a week off of ramen and my grandparents passed away last year, but they incurred massive debt. I don’t even want to go into how many zeroes there are. Because of that, I refused to go to college and tried to find a job instead to pay off the debt as soon as possible. 

However, the measly pay from the convenience store wasn’t enough and I didn’t want to go to loan sharks so there was one thing I did, pickpocketing. 

Petty crime. Stuff that couldn’t be caught by the authorities as long as I was swift and worked in crowded areas. Some days I’m able to earn a couple of hundred bucks while on others, I could obtain nearly a thousand especially if I got a fat cat. I’ve been doing this for around a year now so I was pretty confident about who I could snag some cash. Sometimes I would even get a debit card and with a quick guess of the person's pin, and I can guarantee it’s most likely their birthday day or year, I could withdraw all the cash I need and make a run. Plus most people end up not noticing so it’s all good. 

Convenience store worker by day, pickpocketer by night. I guess I had my own alter ego without possessing a superpower or a ridiculous set of neon-colored tights. 

But it was one night when I was pickpocketing around the Red Light District where I would receive an opportunity of a lifetime. 

After I snagged my tenth wallet for the night from this wealthy middle age lady who was clearly making a fashion statement in her Gucci outfit worth more than the rent on my apartment, I was approached by a man. 

He was rather good looking too. He had the appearance of an A-list actor from Hollywood with his slicked-back brown hair, amber eyes that shone as bright as topazes, and light-colored skin which automatically told me he was of European descent, perhaps even South American descent. A tall semi-muscular build that loomed half a foot over my own, sharp iron-pressed black suit with silver cufflinks that made him look professional, I could immediately tell this man meant business. My street senses were tingling. 

“Good evening,” he greeted in an amicable manner. “Mr. Jamison.” 

Despite his gentle appearance, there was a sort of chill coming from him. It was subtle but I knew if I didn’t comply with whatever he was going to ask of me, it wouldn’t end well. Just in case, I placed my hands in my pocket, in the left one was a pocket knife I got from the convenience store while the people walked around us minding their own business. 

“Who are you?” I hissed putting up my guard. I understand that I’m treating this man with a lack of respect but it was necessary at the moment. 

“Forgive me for the lack of introduction.” The man clapped. “The name's R.” 

Really.

That was it? 

Is he some sketchy genius detective from that show about a death book who has to use a letter as his pseudonym? 

“Okay R,” I scoffed. “So what pleasure do you have to come and visit a bum like me?” 

He smiled.

“A proposition. One that I think you’ll find enticing for someone of your stature.” 

Rich people. I snort as my eyes wander over to R's silver Rolex. Always think they’re so high and mighty just because they have money. 

“And what if I refuse?” 

The man named R clicked his tongue. 

“Then my friend,” he continued, “you’d be missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. Of course, all of this is optional but-“ 

Suddenly, a sleek black Rolls Royce pulled up to the side of the curb where R and I were standing.

“I believe you should hear me out before you come to a definite conclusion.” 

A burly dark-skinned man emerged from the driver’s side of the Rolls Royce. As ordinary, as he looked compared to R, there was still something about him I couldn’t quite put my finger on. However, unlike R, he upheld a much more dignified refined aura. There was definitely something going on.

So I succumbed to R’s persuasion, mostly out of pure curiosity, I was swiftly escorted into the backside of the sleek Rolls Royce which I would probably never have a chance to ride in again.

What had I got to lose? 

“Thank you, Sine.” R smiled at the driver who ever so kindly held the door open for us. 

As soon as we both climbed into the vehicle's leather interior, the driver, Sine stepped on the gas pedal. Before we knew it, the luxurious car was speeding down the roads of sleepless Delta City. 

Street lamp after street lamp passed my line of sight. It all became a blur as I wondered at that moment what made me so compelled to enter a suspicious man’s car. Well, I guess I never learned stranger danger. I did mention curiosity and not having anything to lose but I think there was something else. Something in my gut told me that it would be in my best interest to step inside that Rolls Royce. 

“Enjoying the view?” R asked, breaking my trance. 

I sigh, removing the elbow I had propped up against the window. To be honest, I was more impressed by the car itself rather than the view of the crashing waves hitting the cliffside where one could see down it for miles. 

“Not really, I was meaning to ask you what exactly you wanted to talk about.” 

He chuckled. Rather softly in fact. 

“As I said, I have an offer for you.” 

“One I can’t refuse. Yeah, I get it-" I scoffed. "So spill the beans.” 

“What if I told you there was a way you could pay off that 50 million Bell debt you’ve acquired.” 

A surprised look plastered itself onto my face. 

“How do you know about that?” 

“Astonished?” He smiled clapping his hands together, “My people and I have done some research on you.” 

Isn’t that invasion of privacy?

“You do realize us businessmen are never clean. We’ve all gotten our hands dirty at some point in our careers. It’s the nature of the profession. Oh, and I sincerely apologize for violating your rights. It was necessary in order for this meeting to occur.” 

R was seriously scaring me. How did he know what I was thinking? 

“And what do you propose?” I asked cutting directly to the chase, I knew it wasn’t good to drag out these kinds of conversations with people like him.

“Ah, right to the meat of it all!” R exclaimed as if he was praising my conversation skills. “The people I work for would like to hire you.” 

“A job? What kind?” 

I needed more info. 

“Some blue-collar work” he replied tapping his armrest, “Nothing requiring much skill. However, I will say it pays well.” 

I don’t like the fact that R is being ambiguous. It just makes me feel more suspicious of what exactly I’m getting myself into. I need to ask the right questions. 

“What tasks would I be performing?”  

“Why something more than just pickpocketing. Something that would allow a sustainable life. Something that would make you feel as if you had a purpose, a goal to achieve besides living this mundane routine.” 

He’s still not answering the question. 

“Why me?” 

“Because you’re a suitable candidate. With your qualifications, you can automatically receive a position amongst our staff.” 

R was seriously getting on my nerves, he keeps giving me ambiguous answers to my questions.

“I’m assuming those qualifications require us to be in debt or have a few stains on our records?” 

“Ding. Ding. Ding.” R imitated a game show bell. “You have won the grand prize, Mr. Jamison. You see, we could always turn guys like to the authorities but that wouldn’t be any fun. You’d be wasting your days rotting in a prison cell and once you’re out, you’ll end up repeating the vicious cycle of crime until the moment of your last breath. Why is that? Because your talents have no use in the real world besides committing acts of sin. But what if I told you, we can put those talents to good use. To achieve a major purpose in life beyond the pitiful life of petty crime.” 

At this very moment, R was batshit crazy. 

“What exactly are you implying?” 

“I want you to join us, join Cyphius.” 

Boom.

A crack of lighting in my mind was followed by the loud sound of thunder. 

Cyphius was one of the largest criminal organizations in the world. It was known to have committed every atrocity in the book: murder, robbery, arson, smuggling, insurrection. There wasn’t a single person in Delta City who didn’t know of Cyphius. If you haven’t then you were probably living under a rock. It was a household name that’d cause anyone to have nightmares. The word on the street is, if you are ever to encounter a Cyphius member, you might as well say your prayers to whatever god you follow. In any case, this was bad news for me. As much as I wanted to remove myself from this immaculate vehicle my butt remained glued to the seat. My hands were frozen to my sides. I was petrified. 

This was not a good deal for me at all! 

“Does that offer to opt out still stand?” 

“Yes, it does” R nodded. The Rolls Royce coming to a complete stop. “I did say you have a choice.” 

I took a glance out the window, we had arrived at an abandoned cliff-side right along the coast of Delta City. The frothy waves crashed into the rocky coast, carrying beds of dark green kelp along with them.

It sure was a long way down. 

It was also at that very moment when I felt something cold press against the back of my head. 

Click. 

I was very familiar with that kind of sound.

I've heard it everywhere on the streets.  

I turn my head around ever so slightly so that the corner of my eyes could catch a glimpse of the object being pointed towards the back of my head. A cold and sinister muzzle of a GLOCK-17 had rested itself in a bed of my blond hair sticking out of my baseball cap. 

“However,” R continued to speak. A shiver of fear ran down my spine. “I never told you what all your options were.” 

He gave me a sinister smile. 

How gullible I was.  

“Should’ve known better,” I muttered to myself trying not to show fear. 

A famous line from a certain sci-fi novel taught me that" fear is the mind-killer".

“Now, here are your options." R began drilling the muzzle of the GLOCK-17 into my skull. "You can either refuse our offer and have a bullet from this beauty penetrate your brain at point-blank, and us dispose of your body right off this cliff. Have all your pickpocketing offenses exposed to the authorities and spend a few years in jail. Oh, don’t forget a nice criminal record to go along with it. Or you can work with us and have none of the above ever happen to you. You can even escape the risk of having to take out a loan with hefty interest tacked on to there. I do say, the banks have no mercy. So, what do you think, Mr. Jamison?” 

My palms were sweating. None of the options given seemed to do me any good. All of them would have me end up dead or living a life of misery in one form or another. That’s a villain organization for you. Makes it seem like you have options but in the end, pushes you towards a single desirable one. I never had ‘choices’ to begin with. 

“I’ll join Cyphius.” I spat in an obvious attempt to preserve my own life. 

“Good.” R smiled, completely satisfied with my answer as he fished out a card from his breast pocket and handed it to me. “In two days from now, at about 11 AM, go to this address." 

I grit my teeth and bitterly accepted the card while managing to plaster on the most artificial content smile I could give him. 

“Sure thing, Boss.” 

That day would be the day I embarked on the road of villainhood, working under Cyphius but it would also be the day that I would learn all the dark secrets behind Delta City and perhaps my own. 

R put his gun down. His chilling aura retracted back into his skin. I did not want to feel that ever again. The Rolls Royce began to move, the low rhythmic humming of the engine maintaining a steady staccato as it drove along the empty cliffside road. Before I knew it, we were right outside of the apartment complex I lived in. 

“Well, it was certainly nice talking with you today, Mr. Jamison. I look forward to our cooperation.” 

If you ignore the fact that I nearly lost my life if I didn’t accept.  

“Sounds good.”

I just wanted to head back and process what had just happened to me. 

“One more thing,” R said as he shuffled through one of the side pockets of the Rolls Royce before pulling out a bright yellow manila envelope. “In here is a special communicator called Umbra. Think of it as a company phone. We suggest you discard your old phone so then you don’t get tracked. It’s already configured with everything you need and allows you to keep up with the latest in Cyphius. I’ll be watching you. You know the consequences.” 

I nodded, the fear I had felt in the Rolls Royce earlier still lingered in my mind. 

I did want my brain blown to bits. 

“Of course, I won’t forget.” 

“Then, I’ll be on my way. Have a good evening, Mr. Jamison.” 

As soon as I exited the vehicle and tapped my key card against the scanner, the sleek black Rolls Royce had disappeared into the darkness. 

>>>

“Good job today, R.” The driver, Sine, congratulated R who was sitting in the back glancing out the tainted window of the Rolls Royce, his left leg crossed over the other as he watched the street lights pass overhead. 

“Was I a bit too harsh?” 

“Not at all,” Sine replied. “It was a splendid performance. You managed to convince him to join with minimal damage.”  

“I guess that is praiseworthy.” R said contemplating his actions, glancing out of the window. “The sense of good I cling onto still prevents me from doing something like this with ease. I can never get used to it no matter how many times I’ve done it.” 

Sine chuckled. 

“It is the little bit of good within us that allows us to distinguish ourselves from the true villains of this story. You should know by now, Cyphius acts with a strict code of conduct. One of rationality.” 

“But is it right?” R asked. 

“What we define as right and wrong come down to our morals. We may appear as villains to the public but it’s for the greater good.” 

R bit his lip.

He had been a part of Cyphius ever since its establishment yet he still questioned in his heart if that was the only solution to correct the epidemic plaguing Delta City. 

“You are still young, R.” Sine continued. “Even with your immense experiences, there are some things you can’t comprehend. For now, all we have are fragments of the truth but they will slowly come to light. Only time will tell.” 

R couldn’t help but feel bitter about this. Cyphius. The Heroes. Delta City. Soon, it will all end. The currents will close and the charade will end. 

“No matter what, you know my loyalty lies with Cyphius and I don’t intend to turn my back on it.” 

“Good. Shall begin the next phase?” 

“Yes, Director.”