The water was murky, and went into her nose, making it difficult to breathe. She was drowning and could not do anything to stop it. She was tied to a chair by strong ropes, her hands were bound, and her mouth was gagged.

"Have you had enough?" A voice asked, though it was barely audible.

She nodded fiercely before her head was pulled out of the water and the chair was set back on all fours. She coughed for awhile, not even sure if it was due to the water or the blood in her mouth from where they had punched her jaw.

"She's ready to listen, sir." The voice said.

There was barely any light in the old warehouse, all the windows were boarded up and the doors barricaded. The only source of light came from a single lamp, and soon a very familiar man stepped in front of the lamp: Roland.

"Maxine, why do you keep doing this?" Roland asked.

Maxine lowered her head and shook it. Roland grabbed her hard by the jaw and forced her eyes to meet his.

"I asked you a question." Roland ripped the gag from Maxine's mouth.

After letting out a few small coughs, Maxine regained her composure. "I was trying to get away from you."

Roland slapped the back of Maxine's head...hard. "I created you. After I killed your parents, I could have killed you to. I saw potential in you to be a great Paladin, and you repay me by trying to be one of them."

"I've always been a Jumper, Roland. That's not exactly something I can help."

Another slap came, this time it was straight across Maxine's face. "You can help it. You may be a Jumper by birth, but being a Paladin is your life."

"It's not." Maxine argued. "I've been running away, trying to see what's actually beyond that four-story mansion that you call a home."

Roland looked like he was to slap Maxine again, but he stopped. In fact, he was smiling. "You really wanna be a Jumper? How about helping us out before that it can happen."

Maxine looked up at Roland, extremely confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'll let you be able to use your "ability" freely with the promise of never being killed by Paladins. If you help us to catch one Jumper, before joining them."

"What will happen to this Jumper?" Maxine asked.

"What happens to them all."

"You want me to help you kill." Maxine scoffed. "I'd rather die right here."

Roland took out his gun and pointed it directly at Maxine's forehead. "If that's what you want."

Roland placed his finger on the trigger and was about to fire...

"Wait!" Maxine shouted.

Roland lowered his gun. "I'm listening."

For a moment, Maxine seemed to be deep in thought, pondering her decision. "I'll do it." She finally said.