"A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed, it feels an impulsion... this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reason and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond."
- Richard Bach, 'Illusions: The Adventures Of A Reluctant Messiah'.
Hal sat calmly atop a hill that rose above the otherwise flat pastures, the only sound being of the slight breeze orchestrating the vibrant grass into a mesmerising dance.
Yet he had no interest in watching the enchanting choreography.
His eyes wandered yonder.
Not far in the distance, sitting comfortably between the patchwork of mist covered amber and verdant fields, a small charming town continued on with everyday life.
People, no larger than ants from such a distance, travelled to and fro the network of small buildings as worries from the passing day clouded their minds.
Whether it was about the size of their wallet or the brand of their clothes, they swamped the ants mind with useless thought.
Hal himself was no stranger to such things.
But everything seemed so inconsequential from this perspective.
It helped him frame his own thought.
But even then his eyes lingered no more than a few seconds before looking above.
His eyes, a cool grey intermixed with streaks of stormy blue, stayed focused on the calming cumulus clouds that littered the sky.
Drifting, softly held within the air, their forms eternally changing under the whim of air flows, yet they had inevitable purpose, they were slow, but they never stopped.
They carried on until they simply vanished. Just to form again and continue their wander forever.
Watching these pristine clouds calmed Halcyon, he could lay here for hours.
Emptying his mind of everything.
Just the primal instinct to watch. To observe the passing of time.
To witness the movement of life.
Others my see simple plumes of white, but Hal saw far more, felt far more, it resonated in a way nothing else did, like the perfect dream.
Like looking at a role model, like a celebrity that had values you held dear.
Something that encompassed everything you were and everything you wanted to become.
It was looking high into these endless heavens that his lips parted.
"I miss you, Mum, Dad."
A melancholic thought surfaced in his firm mind.
A single tear fell from his eye, the most emotion he had shown in years, tracing the curvature of his chiselled face, it held decades of love…
…and acceptance.
It was only in moments like these, when every other useless thought was cleared, that he could find peace.
Falling delicately to the emerald grass, it tapped a blade and soaked into the soil, his tear returned to nature.
The be all and end all.
Reluctantly, Hal peeled his eyes from calming clouds and joined the movement of life he so enjoyed watching.
Brushing the grass from his trousers, he straightened his security uniform. Consisting of a black long sleeved shirt with security written across his back in white and a pair of black cargo trousers.
Clipping on his utility belt, joined with a can of pepper spray, a radio, a torch and a baton, he prepared for his third day of work.
It had been easy so far, a few disturbances and a lost kid had been easily sorted.
Matteo had been right.
A cushy job in a simple town really was the way after what they had been through recently.
Thinking of that spirited prick, he couldn't help but smirk.
Strolling down the lonesome hill, he ran his hands through the auburn wheat. Dew from the fresh morning flicking to the ground.
It wasn't long that tracing the field framed paths that he reached a quaint, simple town with a name just as basic - Bellville.
Cottages replaced open fields, Hal enjoyed traversing the villages winding cobble streets.
Oak trees lined the paths, curving around and trying to reach the sunlight shining above.
Soon simple thatch cottages were replaced by storefronts.
The sweet aroma of fresh bread graced his nose as he passed the 'Grouts Bakery'.
The growing bustling and jovial atmosphere of the 'Hoy and Helmet' pub even in these early hours
The weekend had started and Bellville residents wasted no times filling their pints.
He greeted the few familiar faces his path crossed with.
He caught the eye of the estate agent that had helped him get his own place here, exchanging a small smile and nod.
His place was on the outskirts of Bellville, like most homes here really.
While only recently had he started his new occupation, he had settled in this small town a couple weeks ago.
While he trusted Matteo, he couldn't move his whole life - no matter how broken - half way across the globe on a whim.
He made sure it would fit with him.
And somehow…it did.
Winding his way through the sprawl of cobble paths and new paved ones, it wasn't long before he reached his destination.
There wasn't anywhere in the village that would take longer than a 30 minute walk to reach from anywhere else.
His destination stood as one of the largest buildings in the town, second only to the town hall. Bellville Mall. As a subsidiary of a Company, it held significant sway in a small town like Bellville.
Though, the Mayor held a power no Company dared infringe, which is why it was still names Bellville.
The Mayors authority was what brought Matteo and then Hal to Bellville specifically, the Mayor held a unique vision of what a town should be, a vision that had became reality with his power.
And it was a reality that this new and fresh Hal liked.
With a quick breath of preparation and a final check of his uniform, he followed the occasional shoppers through the large sliding doors, maybe the most technologically advanced part of 'Bellville' that seemed stuck 100 years in the past for the most part.
It was one of the few whispers of the Companies influence.
A lenience that the Mayor had made.
The crisp morning air was replaced by an embracing warmth carrying the scent of cinnamon and sugar.
Hal was forced to take a deep breath. Aunt Betty's food stand. Second in appeal only to Grouts Bakery, it was a staple of Bellville mall. A must visit. He himself was a regular enjoyer of her famous cinnamon bun.
But he'd have to wait.
A cacophony of idle chatter intermittently spliced with infant cry's and toddlers tantrums assaulted his ears, though it did little to disturb his placid attitude that came down when around people.
That attitude had made him quite the model security guard to his boss.
Quickly regaining his thoughts, his eyes turned to a particular door. He remembered the majority of the mall layout by now, so It didn't take him long to travel through the back corridors - hallways of concrete and revealed pipes - to reach the security department.
He passed storage rooms filled with stock and cleaning supplies as well as a few administration offices needed to keep the Mall running smoothly.
But much like everything in Bellville was simple and quaint, calling it a security department might have been a bit ambitious.
Hals eyes met the 'SECURITY' sign and pulled down the handle, pushing open the door.
A blast of heat hit him as he stepped in, a heat only Jesse found reasonable.
A small room lined with counters and simple break necessities, a fridge, microwave and a kettle.
Aswell as a few cupboards and lockers.
"Howdy Halcyon.", a strong accent, soft and drawn out, still holding some formality, greeted Hal.
It was only his third time meeting his new colleagues so it was expected.
"Morning Jesse.", replied Hal, his voice deep and stable. His lack of a strong accent quickly distinguished him from the Bellville natives.
Surrounded by multiple screens, a serious middle aged woman sat slumped on an office chair, her eyes glued to a particular monitor as her mouse elegantly glided across the mat with expert control, a testament to her experience.
She glanced at Hal for a moment, corrected the placement of her wide frame glasses, and continued her ever so important game of minesweeper. The myriad of camera angles be damned.
Nothing ever happened anyway.
"That loud-mouthed bastard's waitin' down by the Central door.", Jesse's curser placed another flag as she spoke.
Hal gave his thanks before he clocked in and headed to the Central door that led onto the central area of the mall.
Almost anywhere in the mall could be reached from these corridors, it just took understanding floor plans and a good sense of direction.
As he turnt the last corner, a rambunctious voice engulfed the hallway.
"Ayy, Hal! Thought I'd find ya starin' at the clouds, all lost in thought 'n whatnot! Ain't this the kinda day for it? Hah!".
Loud, chaotic and reckless.
Words anyone who knew Matteo wouldn't hesitate to describe him as.
Matteo's voice was thick, drawn out and carried with it unmistakable flavour. It was similar to other Bellville residents, but carried its own unique richness.
And he didn't just talk, he boomed.
Tall, broad and well built, Matteo was someone always ready for a tussle, and he had thoroughly trained his body to make sure he always came out on top.
His amber eyes rolled with intensity, as if smouldering but ready to explode at the drop of a hat.
They were framed by his tanned skin that spoke of his far northern heritage, where the sun didn't just shine - it ruled. Every building, every road, every *person* carried the weight of its heat, and Matteo more so than usual.
Maybe it was why he was so loud and energetic down this far, less energy had to be conserved under the much cooler sky.
Hal had only been that far up into the Northern Highlands once and he had to say, even the shade felt hotter up there.
But all Highborns seemed to like the most extreme places.
He could only imagine what it was like being Matteos size up there too.
But what somehow drew people's attention most in its macabre nature, was the scar tore around his neck.
Even Hal didn't know what had happened to have his throat slit.
It was the main thing that got Matteo into fights, it was his reverse scale.
"Figured I'd enjoy the silence before you turned up.", Hals reply was measured and dry, he'd dealt with Matteos prick nature for far too long.
They had always been close but the last couple of weeks had cemented a comradary that would be hard to break.
Pain and loss did that to people.
The loud man just grinned in response before going over the days schedule.
They had known each other for a long time and had become accustomed with each others attitudes.
As the only security guards you'd think they had their work cut out for them.
But this was Bellville.
Bellville Mall was formed by 4 individuals Wings, each named a cardinal direction, each offering a range of stores, restaurants and services.
As a general rule, the second floor of the East and North Wings held the majority of restaurants and eateries. While everywhere else was home to anything from retail to appliance stores.
As the only Mall and source of the majority of products in Bellville - a costly deal for that subsidiary - it had a wide variety of shops.
There where fire exits placed at the ends of each Wing, while 2 main entrances where situated at the connecting corners of the North and West(NW) and the South and East Wings(SE).
Hal was stationed at the SE entrance while Matteo at the NW entrance.
"Giv'em hell Hal.", Matteo slapped his back as they went to go there separate ways.
"Yeah, real battlefield out here."
---
Donned in a security uniform, a lean, defined young man, on the shorter side with calm grey eyes stood silently.
While he wasn't the most physically intimidating like the other guard, he carried a heavy calmness that was just as pressing.
Time passed uneventfully as he watched excited children, loving couples and exhausted parents traverse the shops for hours.
It was only when 6 hours in, the sun hung high in the sky, spreading rays of warmth through the windows, that a changed occurred in the monotony.
"Mornin' se-cuh-ritee man!", spoke a cheerful voice that exuded innocence and had begun to carry that slight Bellville twang.
Down to his right, a bundle of smiles greeted him. Probably no older than 6, the young girl wore a simple floral dress, with a fluffy white bunny tightly held within her grasp, likely a prized possession of hers.
Her eyes glued onto the writing on his jacket.
"Good afternoon little girl.", Hal crouched down as he returned the greeting, a calm smile on his face.
The young girl moved her curious gaze onto Hals face before her face scrunched.
"Little!? I'm a big girl now! I turned 5 yesterday.", her face was replaced with a prideful smirk.
Who was this big…small oaf to call her little!
Hals face held small grin, it was hard not to find her adorable.
Just as he raised his head to look for her parents, a mature voice spoke up.
"Come here Anita.", a short middle aged woman was looking over with a smile, she had been caught up with the perfume vender when her little trouble maker walked off.
Anita's prideful face disappear with the wind as her sweet smile returned.
Waving her bunny teddy, she walked away, "By secuhritee man!".
Hal made sure to check his language this time. "By young lady.", much to the pleasure of the little girl as she skipped to her mother, continuing their shopping.
A small smile hung on Halcyons face as he continued his job, refreshed and rejuvenated, children just had a way to make life seem so much easier.
Though it didn't last long.
The crisp crackling of his radio pulled him from his thoughts, quickly followed by an all too familiar face voice, "HAL! WE GOT A LIVE ONE! IC 1, BLACK HOODIE, BLACK TROUSER, BLACK BEENIE. EYES UP! MOVIN' YOUR WAY!"
Hals eyes had already lifted to scan the area before Matteo had finished, the sound of the radio had barely faded when he caught site of the man.
His thoughts stayed calm as he went over his options, while the suspect appeared to be unarmed, it was dangerous to ever assume.
"I got him.", short and curt, Hal clipped his radio onto his belt while his right hand unclipped the baton. His eyes clear.
However the baton had made him far more obvious, the shoplifter noticed him instantly, his face revealed panic and his steps faltered. But they didn't stop.
Hal saw the man closely now, holding a bundle of clothes, his pale face now dripped in sweat. His eyes darted rapidly looking for any exit.
The beanie and hood made it impossible to identify him, because in a small town like Bellville, everyone knew everyone.
They were in the central area, with Matteo and Hal covering the entrances and the fire exits being as far away as they could be, he had only once choice.
Hal realised a second earlier, his lean frame already shifted infront of the pair of backdoors nearby.
His still eyes settled heavily on the shoplifter.
However it was one of many, with there being two sets just as near and with one covered by the menacingly cold Hal, the shoplifter didn't need to hesitate.
Seeing the man make up his mind Hal moved an instant later. Just as he hit the doors as well, he heard Matteo's voice a distance away.
Hal didn't hesitate as he sprinted through the industrial corridors, he wasnt a man to second guess himself when making a decision.
Making sure to quickly radio Jesse as he did.
While not as impressive as Matteo, he didn't neglect his fitness, his lean figure held compact muscles that allowed him to move swiftly and in a measured manner.
---
"Oh, sure, Hal. Just go run off without me. Like I wasn't _right here_. Guess I'll just… stand here. Hold the fort. Keep the peace. Like a _good_ security guard."
Matteo grumbled as he saw Hal dash off into the back, the damn guy didn't even hesitate.
"No need to stress ya'll, its all sorted out!", since he realised he was no help with the shoplifter he might as well quell the growing crowd, before going after Hal.
A man as big and loud as Matteo had garnered quite the sight.
---
The man was but a few moments ahead, a rapid look behind only ramped up the fear the man was experiencing.
Silent, calm and unavoidable, Hal struck the fear of god into the poor man.
They shot passed a few storage rooms, Hal had no time to see if any were occupied, it wasnt like the thief had time to open any doors with Hal barrelling after him.
A second later they flew passed a familiar door, SECURITY plastered onto its frame.
In his franticness the man tossed the clothes, it wasnt just about success for him anymore, it was survival.
The mans stamina had began to wane, he had never been trying to conserve energy anyway, his steps fell less concise and more random, almost hitting the walls from exhaustion.
But it wasnt long before the end of the corridor drew near, and unlike other corridors, this ended in a fire exit.
The shoplifter felt a moment of euphoria as he saw the bright red door at the end of the corridor, like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, only ten more metres and he'd be free.
The realisation gave the man one last burst of speed, Hal did little to keep up.
The man began to pull away as he reached the door, his speed only slowing slightly as he went to burst through.
But like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, it could never be reached.
Flesh and bone against unmoving steel.
With a collision that left Hal wincing, the man crunched into the steel door before falling back.
A slight dent had been left on the metal frame.
A moment of silence, then…
"AHHHH!", the thief rolled backwards his right arm far too floppy to be natural.
His pale face had become pure white, but adrenaline seem to push him through the pain as his left hand reached into his pocket and revealed a switch blade.
Shifting, frantic eyes met cool and collected.
"S-stay back you fucker!", the man turned almost feral, flailing his good arm around.
However the flash of silver focused Hal, a knife was no small matter, one mistake would be the end of him.
Hal might have a calm disposition, but he still felt.
His heart started to race, adrenaline trickling in. His muscles felt primed and ready.
Looking at those crazed eyes that held straws of rationality, Hal knew he was quickly losing control of the situation, thus he slowly backed away. Nothing was more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose.
But Hal didn't speak, didn't try to persuade the frantic man, he only stood there, *watching*.
It only pushed the desperate man further, something was so deeply unsettling about Hals calmness, as if he wasnt actually standing in front of knife-wielding lunatic, but could have been sky gazing.
"Un-unlock this fucking door! I-I swear to god ill-ill KILL YOU!", it seemed the man was too far gone to wait.
Hal finally broke his silence, "Drop it, and this ends with nothing broken."
Just as Hal spoke the thief lost patience and lunged forward, the blade whipped through the air.
Hals mind reached unprecedented focus, his heart skipped a beat, the mans decisive was almost fatal. Even Hal hadn't predicted such irrational behaviour.
This was Bellville, who in their right mind tries to stab someone here.
His knees buckled and back lent, the tip narrowly missing his chest but catching in his jacket.
Before the man could recover, Hals hand reached forward, one clasping onto the mans wrist and the other onto his neck.
His right leg shifted behind him and ripped him around and onto the ground. The knife clanged onto the rough concrete floor. The thief let out a panicked yelp as he fell down.
Hal pulled the man past him and onto the floor as he manoeuvred behind him, forcing his knee onto his lower back and held his one good arm behind his back.
Combat training had been one of the many things ingrained into his body during his childhood.
A moment of stunned silence spread through the corridor, followed by...
"LEGHT GHGO!!", the mans face scrunched against the ground, his words spitting out saliva in fury and terror.
The all black criminal continued to resist, squirming and twisting with all his might.
It was futile though, with one arm broken and another restrained, every move only sent shuddering pain through the mans body.
Hal reached from into one of the pockets of his utility built and pulled out a zip tie before pulling the leg of the man up to meat the arm he held down and tied them together.
Hal thought it'd be too cruel to move around the mans broken arm, it wasnt like he was going anywhere anyway.
ZZZRAAMMMM.
"Huh?", Hals thoughts froze.
What was that?
The sound felt like it originates from every inch of space simultaneously.
He then felt it, even from inside the mall, something was wrong.
The dust had froze, each particle held firmly within the air, like time had froze.
But his breaths still echoed, the shoplifter still squirmed, though he felt far more subdued now.
But that wasn't what felt wrong, it was the clouds.
Even when a foot of concrete separated him from them, he knew. They should have moved. The air should have breathed. But he could feel it, the sky had gone still—too still.
Not the quiet of peace, but the silence before something breaks.
Hal could then feel it, slowly pressing at the edges of his mind, a weightless thing heavier than any storm he had ever known.
The world had stopped holding its breath.
And then, it exhaled.
It came without warning—no trumpet, no shattering of the earth, no fire raining from the sky. Just a wave, unseen yet undeniable, rolling through the world in a single breath.
One moment, life was as it had always been. The next, every soul stood on the precipice of something vast, something irreversible. And then... it was gone.
But it had left something behind.
It was not fire, nor flood, nor quaking earth. It was a tide that came without water—a ripple through the very fabric of the world, leaving no destruction, only change.
For most, it was over before they could register what had happened. But within every being, something had shifted, twisted, begun to take shape. Uniqueness. Power. And for those too weak to withstand it... ruin.