Onemanband
Chapter 1: Revelance
My name is Ventia Mason. I know you're probably thinking what kind of name is that? My grandfathers name was Ventia. I'm not quite sure if there's some sort of meaning behind it, but I know it's my name.

Two years ago, a number of horrible tragedies occurred, killing over 98% of the world's population. We all live in what used to be the North American continent. After the devastation (we refer to these so-called tragic events as "the devastation") occurred, we were all evacuated to one place. Last year we didn't have much, only a couple of shelters here and there.

But last year was not as good as this year, because this year, we have factories, houses, cars, small farms, food, clothing and jobs. About seven months ago, a new government was born.

It's president is President Jon Devodden. A lot of people tend to say some suspicious things about him, but I never think anything of it.

As morning came and my alarm clock rang, I got up, got dressed and left my apartment. I work in an agency called Revelance. What is Revelance you might ask? After our new government was formed, they created this agency so that we could all live without wondering if we'll still be alive tomorrow.

Our headquarters was simple; nothing too fancy. Just a normal looking warehouse, except for the roof which was green. I asked one of the construction workers who knew a lot about the place "Why green?" and he told me "It was for people who decide to come via aircraft and it makes it easier for us to describe to them of where to land and what to look for".

It seemed very odd to me when he told me that. Helicopters and airplanes had always been an unusually rare thing to see these days.

He said that if there were aircrafts of any type in the area that needed to locate the Revelance headquarters, it would be pretty hard for them to look for a rooftop that looks the same as all of the others.

As I walked inside, everyone started clapping and cheering.

Someone in the back even yelled "Lets give it up for the guy with the number one quota of the month"

For some reason, I thought they were cheering for me, but then I realized that I don't have the number one quota of the month, nor have I ever had. They were actually cheering for the guy standing right behind me. Tom Richards: My distant relative and also, my competitor.

By quota they meant the criminals he caught and/or killed. And yes, I do mean kill. We don't have a judicial system so when we pursuit a criminal, most of the time we kill them depending on the intensity of their crimes.

"Hello, Ventia" Tom said as he passed by.

I didn't say anything back. I guess you could say I was a little jealous, I mean who wouldn't be if your competitor was ranked #1.

I was only ranked #2 and I know what your thinking; that I should be thankful and happy with where I'm at, but the truth is, I'm not. You see, being in second place isn't all it's cracked up to be and besides, coming in second place only means your the first loser.

But I wasn't going to joke around this time. No, this time I was serious. I've been working out and training myself almost everyday to make sure I was ready for any fight that stood in my way.

In our warehouse was a balcony that stood about thirty feet above the ground. Up there, was where President Devodden made his speeches and announcements (like what he's about to do right now).

"Attention all, attention" said the president, but no one listened.

"HEY!" exclaimed the president, but still, no one listened.

It was weird hearing him yell for the first time. Usually it doesn't take much for him to get people's attention, but for some reason, the room was louder than usual. He took out a foghorn from his pocket in his coat and got everyone's attention immediately.

"Now, I'm sure you all know that we had a security breach last night" the president spoke loudly. "I want you all to know that this criminal took something of mine that is of extreme value to me. The first person who catches him and brings him to me ALIVE will not only be ranked #1 automatically, but will also receive a reward of $250,000"

Immediately when he announced how much the reward would be, everyone started arguing and the room got very loud again.

I needed that money badly, along with the ranking. I wasn't going to let Richards get ahead of me this time.

"You are dismissed" said the president.

Whenever we are searching for someone, we put up posters all around the entire city of their face. It amazed me how in less than 24 hours, news articles and newspapers had already declared someone as "The Most Wanted Man in the city".

As I began my search, I promised myself that I would catch this guy and that if he tried to run away, I would never let him out of my sight. The only problem is: Where should I start looking?