It was past midnight. Lightning flashed overhead, as rain fell heavily from the skies and thunder boomed, as if the gods fought high above the mortal plane. People cowered in their homes like rats, fearful to set foot out the door. For something was wrong this night. Everybody could sense it, but they put on fake smiles and tried to pass it off as nothing. However, there was one person who did not fear the storm's wrath. He had things to worry about. More important things.

A distraught cry escaped from the boy kneeling in the street. The wind blew cold around him, but he didn't feel it. He didn't feel much of anything anymore. He raised his head to look at the night sky, only to see a blanket of darkness. He let the rain run down his face, so it could hide his tears. Not that there was anyone to see them, of course. There never was. He gazed blankly upwards, the same thoughts running through his mind again and again. His eyes were wild in their sockets, as he whispered breathlessly to himself.

"Are you watching this, Taylor? Or are you afraid? Worry not, my love…I shall find you. I swear it. Because… I can't live without you. Your face…your beautiful voice. Please…. come back to me, my love. I need you…I…". His body racked with sobs. He slid to his knees, crying silently. His hands clawed at the earth as he raged at the sky.

"I just want to see her again…. but you can't allow that, can you? What has she done to deserve this…. what have I done? Answer me…. ANSWER ME!!!!!"

The skies, of course, did not respond. But something else did.

"Leon…."

"Who's there?"

He looked around. Not even a cat was around; the street was silent as the grave. The rain was still falling, but he couldn't hear it.

Did I imagine it? He wondered to himself, and then shook his head.

Great, now I'm hearing things…

"Not quite, Leon."

His eyes went wide. He jumped to his feet and looked around again, searching frantically for the owner of the voice. But the street was still empty, the only sounds being the tap-tap of the raindrops, and the roar of thunder overhead. Leon

"Poor, poor little boy. All alone in the storm, feeling sorry for yourself. Trying to be the shiny white knight, when you're actually just a misguided, conflicted weakling. But don't worry. I can change that. Do you understand? I can help you save her!"

I seriously doubt that, Leon thought.

"Leon, I'm hurt. Why don't you learn to trust somebody for once in your life?"

Are you reading my mind?!

The voice was sarcastic now. "Ding-ding! Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner!"

How do you know so much about me?

"Now, now. A good magician never reveals his secrets".

What's that supposed to mean?

"So many questions. Do you want my help, or not?"

What would I have to do?

"Hmph. So now you're interested?"

Please…just tell me.

"You need to let go of everything. Your guilt, your pain, everything. It isn't your fault that she's the way she is. Hear me? It is not your fault."

Ok, so it's not my fault. That still doesn't…doesn't tell me how I can help her. I've already tried everything! No one wants to help…they don't want to talk about what happened. I shouldn't need anyone's help…but I do. I'm weak…I can't do anything to help the ones I love. What can anyone do to change that?

"You're right. Nobody can change that fact. Nobody except you, that is. And you can change it. You just need to let me out."

What are you talking about?

"You'll see, soon enough. The power you desire shall be yours, if you're willing to take it. The power to protect your friends...and her. Are you willing, Leon?"

He did not need to think about it. The answer came immediately.

Yes…

"Ha…hahahahahaha!!!!!!"

Lightning blasted through the sky overhead, setting one of the nearby trees on fire. The storm had stopped completely, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Leon stood up, illuminating himself in the flames. If anyone had been there to see him, they would have been terrified. It wasn't anything obvious: his appearance hadn't changed. But his eyes had. The fear and doubt was completely gone from them. His eyes showed no pain, no suffering. They were completely cold. He turned away from the smouldering fire, and walked into the darkness. As he did, a thought passed through his mind:

Who are you?

The answer he received would stay with him forever:

"I'm you…"