Living Next Door to the Dunphys (Modern Family)

With his infinity backpack snugly on his back, Mathew jogged through the bustling streets of Los Angeles, a small smile playing on his sweat-drenched face. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow on the vibrant city around him. Earlier today, he had made several stops at various different shops to buy an assortment of items.

Items that ranged from simple screwdrivers, a first aid kit, and even a lock picking tool set. With the power to store an infinite number of items, Mathew decided to stock up on everything and anything that could ever come in handy. At least, as many items as $100 could get him.

Even though buying that Bitcoin will come in handy in the future, I'm hurting for money. I need to get a job. Mathew thought as he came to a stop at a busy intersection.

Vehicles weaved through the bustling streets, their drivers eager to reach their destinations amid the urban chaos. The symphony of city life resonated with the blaring of horns and spirited shouts, filling the air with electrifying energy as lanes shifted and traffic ebbed and flowed like a restless tide.

With the pedestrian light finally turning white, Mathew and several others crossed the street. Entering another jog, Mathew dodged and evaded anyone who got in his way. He didn't want to accidentally run into someone and possibly injure them, much like that one individual who was razor-focused on their phone while walking on the sidewalk.

After moving to Los Angeles two months ago, Mathew had grown accustomed to the city and its sights. While he often did miss his home city of Chicago, the people here made living in Los Angeles much easier. Not to mention the several new friends he's made so far.

Life was fun for Mathew.

There was, however, one thing that didn't change despite moving to a new city.

And that was the crime.

Up ahead, Mathew noticed two shady individuals dressed in black hoodies. Their heads were moving as they spoke to one another, and the one wearing bright orange sneakers pointed off to a couple walking further down the sidewalk heading toward a parking lot. More specifically, he pointed at the expensive-looking handbag the very pregnant woman was carrying over her shoulder.

"They're gonna steal that lady's bag," Mathew muttered as he came to a stop.

Being the son of a long-time police officer, now a Detective, he had been taught several ways to evaluate a situation and how to find the tale-tale signs of an incoming crime. This skill helped him avoid getting involved in any crimes or seedy individuals back in Chicago. A city with a very high crime rate.

The man with the orange sneakers nodded to his partner, and the two broke away from each other. Mathew quickly pulled out his phone and began talking animatedly to no one as the hooded man walked past him.

[A new Event is available!]

Not now.

[Event: Stop the thief!]

[Task: Help the unsuspecting couple by stopping the thief and retrieving the purse.]

[Reward: (x1) Mystery Box]

[Failure: No penalty.]

The system sure likes to give me events at the worst time. Mathew sighed and shook his head. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to pass on this one. It's too dangerous to get involved in something like this. He could have a weapon.

Once the hooded man was out of sight, his partner immediately ran toward the woman. With a mighty pull, he ripped the purse out of the woman's arms.

"Aye! What are you doing?! Give me back my purse!" The woman yelled in a thick Spanish accent as she tried to run after the man, but her tall heels and round belly severely reduced her speed.

"Gloria! Stop!" Her partner, an older man, yelled as he quickly reached her to stop her from putting herself in danger. He then looked at the thieves back with anger but he quickly threw out the idea of running after him. He knew he wasn't a young man anymore. "It's too dangerous!"

"But, Jay! That bag has the baby's ultrasound pictures!" Gloria began to sob, her out-of-control hormones overpowering her emotions. Everyone on the street just watched the thief run away. It seemed that nobody would move to help.

Mathew's eyes grew wide as he realized just who the two individuals were. It was Jay Pritchett and Gloria Delgado-Pritchett.

Shit. You're really not giving me much of a choice, you damn system!

Despite the possible danger, Mathew quickly ran his mind through what he could do to help with the least likely chance of him winding up dead. His eyes looked out to see if the thief's partner was anywhere in sight. He wasn't. Turning back, he saw the thief running in his direction with the bag in hand. Most likely, the man was heading toward wherever his partner was.

Okay. I can do this. Mathew exhaled and observed the thief's movements.

Once the man was finally within range, Mathew quickly shot out his arm in a textbook clothesline.

The man crashed into Mathew's arm and fell onto his back in a heap. The purse dropped onto the ground. Unfortunately, due to the man's larger size, he was able to quickly get up after catching his breath. Once on his feet, the thief glared at Mathew with a rage in his eyes.

"You bitch!" The man roared and pulled out a switchblade.

Seeing this, Mathew grew panicked. While he was decent at boxing, he was in no way prepared to fight an armed criminal.

Still, that didn't mean he would stand still and be stabbed. Mathew raised his arms and prepared himself to fight back just as the man lunged at him.

While the man was larger and stronger than Mathew, he attacked and swung his knife wildly and slowly. Making it very easy for Mathew to dodge all his slashes with practiced weaves and slips.

[Your Boxing Skill has improved by 2 points!]

What? Mathew thought as he continued to dodge. Why so many?

The people on the street watched all this go on with unsure expressions. Some, however, pulled out their phones and began to record a grown man trying to stab a teenager.

Fuck! Someone help me! Mathew growled as he saw no one move to help him. Damn, bystander effect!

A hot burning sensation erupted on his left cheek as the thief landed a shallow cut on Mathews's face. Several gasps filled the air as blood began to roll down his cheek.

Alright. Fuck this guy. Mathew ignored the stinging pain and shot out his left hand to grab the thief's wrist. Caught off guard by the action, the thief blinked in confusion before Mathew landed a nose-breaking punch. Disorienting him.

[Your Boxing Skill has improved by 1 point!]

Could it be…

With the thief's right wrist still in his grasp, Mathew rained several more strikes to the man who was trying to stab him with anger.

Normally, a grown man had the advantage of strength and could easily break free from a teenager's grip. But after receiving a strong punch to his face, he was left in a state of shock and confusion. Leaving him vulnerable and open to attack.

Releasing a roar, Mathew let the man go and twisted his hips to land a devastating hook into his ribs.

"Gah!" The man gasped in pain—his body folding.

"Stop! Step back!"

Mathew turned to see two police officers with their service weapons drawn and aimed at the thief. Their eyes were razor-focused on the man's knife. Beside them stood a sweaty and out-of-breath Jay. The man had rushed to find the closest officers to help.

"Drop the weapon!" Officer John Nolan yelled.

"Do it. Right now, or we will shoot." Officer Nyla Harper said. Her eyes steady before turning to Mathew. "Step back, kid."

Adrenalin still pumping through him, Mathew nodded shakily and moved away with wide eyes.

Holy shit. Aren't they from the show The Rookie?! Is that show real here, too?

[Congratulations! You have completed the Event!]

[You have earned (x1) Mystery Box!]

With no choice, the thief dropped his weapon and held his hands up. Officer Harper nodded to Nolan, who quickly moved in and cuffed the would-be thief. Seeing the man who tried to stab him restrained, Mathew exhaled profoundly and leaned on his knees. The purse that started this all sat beside his right foot.

Picking it up, Mathew scanned the crowd and eventually found Gloria and Jay. Mathew ignored the concerned bystanders, who were asking him if he was all right, in favor of walking over to Gloria.

"I think this belongs to you," Mathew tried to smile, but the cut on his cheek caused him to hiss.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Gloria accepted her purse with a smile that could outshine the sun.

"That took some guts, kid," Jay said with a grateful smile. "It was also incredibly stupid."

"Yeah. I figured that out once I saw the knife." Mathew turned and watched as Nolan guided the thief into a nearby police cruiser.

"Still... thank you. I owe you one, kid." Jay smiled as he and his wife introduced themselves to Mathew.

"Okay," Officer Harper said as she walked up to Mathew. A first aid kit in her hands. "Come here, kid." She inspected the injury on his cheek before treating him. "It's shallow. No need to call an ambulance. Now then, tell me what happened here."

Mathew, Jay, and Glory began to tell Harper what happened from start to end. At some point, Nolan joined them all once he made sure the thief wouldn't be going anywhere. She nodded alongside several key points, but when Mathew told her about the thief's partner, she arched an eyebrow.

"That's very perceptive of you. How did you know to see that?" Harper asked after speaking into her radio about a second person of interest.

"Ah, well, my mom is a police officer. A detective, actually." Mathew said.

"A detective? What did you say your name was?" Nolan asked with a raised brow.

"It's Mathew Johnson."

"Johnson... your mother wouldn't happen to be Detective Sasha Johnson?" Nolan asked with wide eyes while Harper hummed in understanding.

"Yup... That's my mom."

Both officers turned to one another with surprised expressions. With the situation now under wraps, Harper and Nolan double-checked to see that Mathew was okay before leaving. Once they were gone, the gathered crowds slowly dispersed before only Jay, Gloria, and Mathew remained.

"Listen, Mathew," Jay began. "It wouldn't sit right with me if I didn't do anything to repay you for what you did. Here, take my card. If there's anything I can do, give me a call."

"There's really no need-"

"It's fine! It's fine! Just take the card!" Gloria cut in before leaning in to give Mathew a tight hug. "You're our hero. Please, don't hesitate to ask us anything!"

Mathew turned to Jay to see him nod with a smile. Looking down at the card, he saw the logo for Jay's company. Pritchett's Closets and Blinds.

"Actually... I am looking for a job."

Before Jay could respond, a black sedan skidded to a stop. Stepping out, an angry but worried Sasha ran toward Mathew. Her police badge glimmering on her hip as she marched.

"Mathew Johnson! You better have a good explanation for all of this!"

Oh boy. She used my full name.