Chapter One

"Jump." I order.

The girl, Hope Shlottman, jumps in place, displaying a pitiful little hop.

"Come now, you can do better than that. Isn't the long jump your specialty?" I scold her. "Jump higher."

Hope crouches low with her arms straight out in front of her, and her knees up to her chest. She pushes up with her feet, swinging her arms down, and lands a few centimeters from were she started.

"Much better," I clap my hands, "but still not as good as Jessica."

Jessica once jumped so high I thought she would fly away. There's no way this girl could ever compete with Jessica in that regard, no matter how athletic she is she's still just an ordinary girl. Yes, no matter how fit, or beautiful or wealthy her parents are compared to Jessica Hope is painfully plain and boring. Not really Hope's fault though, everyone is a bore when compared to Jessica.

Ever since I gained these powers I have never been denied anything. I got whatever I wanted, when I wanted it. It's a wonderful feeling, to say something and have it happen, but there are drawbacks. For one thing there is no challenge. For example if I told someone to jump off a bridge (which I have done a few times) they would do it without hesitation. All I have to do is be near them and speak, and they're mine to do with as I please. I was content with things being this way, that is until Jessica left me.

Jessica was the first person to challenge me. She resisted my powers and left me. I still don't know how she did it, but she did and since then nothing has been the same. I'm so woefully aware of how easy my life is, how dull everything is around me. Jessica was the only interesting person I had come across in years, and now she was gone. By all rights I should be furious at her, I was for a time, but more than anything I miss her. If I could just have her back at my side everything would be better.

I make Hope keep jumping for hours and hours, but she never does as good as Jessica.

A few days later I take Hope shopping. I buy lingerie for her, and a tie and cufflinks for myself. The next day I take her to Il Rosso, but to my disappointment it has closed down and an Asian restaurant called Niku is in its place. I almost don't go in, but I have to make everything be just as it was when we celebrated our anniversary, so I sigh and go inside Niku.

Once in I get the same table Jessica and I sat at, I order a nice bottle of champagne and have the chef make us pasta amatriciana. I eat my meal in silence, thinking about the night I spent with Jessica here. I can't understand why she left me the way she did. After everything I did for her she abandoned me when I needed her most. I want to forgive her, but she has to feel my pain first. Then we can move on.

A few nights later I'm getting dressed. Hope is lying in bed, just like I told her to. After I have my clothes on I sit on the edge of the bed and look Hope in the eyes.

"I want you to stay here, no matter what, don't leave this spot. However, if you are ever alone with your parents again I want you to shoot them. I placed a gun in your bag. Use that and empty every bullet into them."

I stand up, give Hope a wave good-bye, and walk out the room. As I'm walking down the hall I can't help, but picture Jessica's face when she finds Hope. How happy she'll be when thinks she rescued the young girl, only to have that happiness ripped from her when Hope kills her parents. I'd give anything to see the look on her face, but good things come to those who wait.