[center][IMG]https://vgy.me/iZ0Syn.png [/IMG]
 
In
 
[b][u][h1]A Man Out of Time #8: Breaking the Silence[/h1][/u][/b]
Location: Pacific Point, California[/center]
 
It had been days since The Wanderer’s introduction to the fantastic building that is the library. So much knowledge within the walls that few people surprisingly didn’t use often enough. The mutant poured over the history of the world and everything he could during the time he hadn’t been searching for the cause of the Esper family death. While the information about the world before him was fascinating, it was frustrating that he could not find anything relating to it. Not in the archive of newspapers, not in the local gossip, not even from words of the other patrons of the library. His frustrations boiled over a few times with loud moans but were quickly silenced with various hushes.
 
The Wanderer had made a little corner for himself towards the back of the library. The chief librarian had agreed that with him not having a home to go to that he would make himself comfortable near the breakroom. Despite many protestations from the mutant and the thought the moans would get the better of them, the librarian insisted that he stay there. “After all, he did save us from those monsters,” was the typical retort to his arguments. In the end, he gave up and just resided there. Another even managed to lend him a gym membership to access the shower facilities. With a steady place to stay and cleaner than he has ever been, The Wanderer carried on with his research.
 
After several hours of researching, another moan escaped his lips. [color=4682b4]” It can’t be this hard to find at least a clue to a possible suspect,” [/color] he said, muffled by the shushes from the other patrons. Realizing that this wasn’t getting him anywhere again, he walks towards the breakroom and enters it. With his trademark coat still by his place, his frame was nothing but the slightly rusted armour covering his body and the revolver that hung on his hip. [color=4682b4]” If there’s one thing I’m glad that I’ve come to this timeline for, it’s for this… ‘coffee’…” [/color] He grabs one of the mugs near the sink and pours yet another cup of the black liquid. Coffee hadn’t been around in the future, and if there were, it was nothing but a mouldy powder that was undrinkable. The caffeine that registered in his head and the bitter taste took to him like a fish to water. Taking a sip, he looked at the empty pot. While he had contemplated walking back to where he was staying, he decided to make another brew. [i]At least that would be courteous to the librarians,[/i] he thought as he set the machine up for the umpteenth time. [i]I really should pay them back for this genero…[/i]
 
Once the machine was set, a loud bang was heard from the other side of the door. Sounding like gunfire, The Wanderer walked out of the breakroom to investigate, coffee in hand. It didn’t take him long before he found the source of the shot, keeping out of sight behind a few bookshelves. “Come on, old man… We know you’ve been hiding a few superpowered heroes in this fine establishment of yours. Just give them up, and no one else would be harmed.” The mutant looked at the scene as one of the men held the receptionist at gunpoint. Several other men had spread themselves out throughout the library, keeping all the patrons hostage. Between one of the stairs to the upper levels and the desk was a body, limp in position as the carpet was slowly being stained with blood.
 
“This is a public library… We wouldn’t have any…” the librarian muttered, her voice scared from the shock.
 
The masked man frowned, his eyes showing some annoyance. “I will give you to the count of 5 before I put a maggot hole in that thick skull of yours, bitch. One…” The man cocked his pistol and fired another shot into the ceiling. “Two!” He holsters his pistol as he storms up to one of his compatriots. “Three!” Reaching his companion, he was given a spare rifle. Cocking the gun, the man storms back to the desk. “Four!” Reaching the counter, he raises the gun towards the receptionist.
 
Before he could pull the trigger, a loud sipping noise was head in the immediate area. The men that heard it raised their guns towards its source, including the man that was about to shoot the receptionist. The Wanderer had seen enough and decided to deal with the problem. With coffee in hand, he lowered the mug from his lips and sighed with delight as the liquid went down smoothly. [color=4682b4]” Nothing quite beats a cup of coffee on this beautiful day,” [/color] he announced, looking at the mug. He had been bored from the entire affair of research, so he was going to have some fun. [color=4682b4]” It would be a shame if I had to spill some of it due to a couple of assholes…” [/color]
 
“Who the fuck do you think you are?!” The man with the rifle shouted.
 
[color=4682b4]” To most of these people, just an annoyance that moans too much. To you guys, I guess you could say I’m one of those… ‘heroes’ you are looking out for.” [/color]
 
The man with the rifle couldn’t believe his luck. “Alright, boys! Looks like we’re getting paid! If you would like to come with us, no one else would be harmed.”
 
[color=4682b4]” And who said I would be going?” [/color] The Wanderer, still not giving them their full attention, raised the mug to his lips for another sip.
 
[i]Bang![/i]
 
The mug shattered under the impact of the bullet, splashing coffee everywhere. “We make the demands here, asshole! You’re coming with us!” Looking at nothing but the handle and drenched in the coffee he was drinking, the mutant turned his head towards the supposed ring leader. Fury was now in his eyes, an ebb of purple flames emanating from them.
 
[color=4682b4]”Big mistake, jerkoff.”[/color]
 
Raising his hand, The Wanderer blasted the ringleader square in the chest. With the surprise attack, the man was sent flying into the wall near the entrance. Instantly unconscious, he crumpled into a heap. After a few moments to take in the surprise of their boss being taken down, the rest of them trained their guns at him, aiming to kill. The mutant then walked into view of everyone. With a smirk on his face, put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. [color=4682b4]”Well… let’s get this over with, shall we?” [/color]
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A few moments later, with nothing but gunfire sounding out from the library and the sirens of the police, the lead officer grabbed the megaphone. “Remember men, we save the hostages first and arrest the captors,” the bald man said. Finally ready, he pulled the device to his lips. “We have you surr…”
 
Before he could finish, one man came crashing through the glass door, falling into an unconscious heap. With all police officers raising their weapons in readiness, more of the gunmen were thrown out of the building. After the 10th man was thrown out, The Wanderer emerged. With now the police aiming their guns at the coffee-soaked mutant, he sighs. [color=4682b4]”Relax… These are the men you are after…” [/color]
 
Hours went by as the gunmen were rounded up, statements were given, and the injured man was taken to the hospital, The Wanderer walked up to the officer in charge. [color=4682b4]” I take it you were as surprised as I was when these gunmen attacked a library in broad daylight?” [/color] he inquired.
 
“Surprised doesn’t quite cover it,” the bald man responded, eyes looking at the hero. “However, with a lot of criminals going after superpowered heroes in the past couple of days it’s, it’s only going to get worse.”
 
The news of criminals attacking heroes being a surprise, The Wanderer took a more serious tone. [color=4682b4]” What do you mean ‘criminals going after superpowered heroes’?” [/color]
 
“Well… talking to a few of the ones we arrested and were cooperating, there seems to be a $500k bounty placed on heroes winding up dead. We have no idea where this came about, but a few of the small-time heroes were already killed in the process.”
 
[color=4682b4]”I see… Well, I guess I have to help find out where this bounty is coming from. Thanks for the information.” [/color] The Wanderer turned and began walking towards the broken library entrance.
 
“And Wanderer… Be safe…” The mutant raised his hand in acknowledgement as he entered the library.
 
Once inside, the mutant immediately walked to the place where his stuff was. Donning on the coat, he turned to walk back out of the building to begin his exit. He paused for a moment to think about something. After a brief moment, he turned again and walked towards the breakroom. When he entered, he said hi to the shaken librarians and reached the coffee pot. Grabbing another mug, he poured himself another cup. As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of the broken door. [color=4682b4]” When I get back, I’ll make sure I get anything damaged replaced,” [/color] he said, feeling guilty for the damage he had done throwing the men about.
 
“I think after being taken hostage and you saving us, you don’t have to worry,” the receptionist replied, appreciation apparent in her tone. “But make sure you get back safe an unharmed, ok?”
 
Smiling as he walked out, he called back to them. [color=4682b4]” I intend to. But I’m still replacing damaged items.” [/color] Walking out of the building, The Wanderer looked to the city. [color=4682b4]”Now then… where to begin…” [/color] he said as he took a sip of his coffee.