Part 1:

I find the energy to stand myself up again, brushing the snow off my rear and knees. Meanwhile, the cloaked man bends down to pick up the V-Unit’s decapitated head with its wires still sparking electricity. They really do use a lot of power, huh… 

“Hey!” I attempt to grab his attention.

With his back turned on me, he looks over his shoulder in response. 

“What the hell was that?! Who the hell are you?!” 

He remains in that posture for a brief second before deciding to ignore me and limp away anyway. I would say that was a rude gesture but in the end he’s the one who came in clutch back there, ultimately saving my life. Right now I’m everything but thankful. I might as well get it off my chest.

“Whatever, can’t say I don’t owe you one though. Thanks…” I express.

The man halts his limp after my gratitude. Looks like he has something to say after all, yet he still refuses to turn around.

“Hmph, well in that case.” He says, his voice breathy and mellow.

“Uh-huh?” 

“I have a task for you. Right here and right now.” 

“Yeah? Spit it then.” I encourage.

Just before he can get the words out of his mouth, a gunshot echoes within the alleys once again. Following right after, the snow begins to pick up and proceeds to continue its heavy onslaught also. We both turn our attention towards the sky.

“Damnit! What the hell is with this snow?!” I complain.

“Hmph, I’m surprised that you haven’t made the connection yet.” The cloaked man says.

“Huh?”

“After every gunshot, a batch of thick snow spawns above and proceeds to hail down upon the area. If you’ve been paying more attention then maybe you would’ve noticed.”

I divert my attention to him again, struck by what he just said.

“Wait- ‘spawns’ above the area? You mean the snow isn’t natural?” I ask dumbfoundedly. 

“No and it never has been. That blizzard is being conjured… by a little girl, her hair as white as the flakes that she’s making, ones that she has no control over.”

I scoff, “Yeah- alright, Mr. Poetry. What really is the favour at hand here?”

He slowly shifts his feet and body back towards me, the hood revealing one side of his face, yet due to the dark it is still hard for me to identify his features.

“I am speaking nothing but the truth to you. There is a small girl, white haired, who is conjuring the overcoming blizzard that is upon us. She has no control over it and is clearly in a state of panic due to the current conditions, well- either that or-”

“The V-Units are the cause…?” I finish.

“Ah, you get the picture now.” He says still maintaining his breathy tone.

I proceed to give him my full attention.

“Is… that why they’re here? Is that why you’re here?”

Once again, he encores his silence which I assume is his way of affirming my statements.

“And let me guess… My task is to save this girl?” 

“‘Save' is a broad term in this situation. I just want you to escort and lead her out of these alleys. Can you do that?”

“Heh, one hell of a favour you’re putting on a kid like me. Still, if what you’re saying is true then I can’t just let this slide. I’ll do it.” I affirm.

“Hmph, good.” The cloaked man says as he limps away back into the darkness.

Just as the distance between us slowly increases, one last question pops up into my mind at the last second.

“Wait! I can’t guarantee that I won’t be getting myself into another confrontation with a V-Unit, if not multiple! How am I supposed to fend myself until I find her?!” I shout.

He stops briefly once more to answer.

“Apart from me, there are three others who are clearing the alleys of Units as we speak. Your paths should be clear as you are venturing. However, I recommend you get ready for a fight either way just in case one of their ends goes south.”

He continues to limp away after saying so.

I guess that’s my call to go also, but I have one more thing to do.

I turn around and look back at the decapitated V-Unit.