Thank you all for the favorites, follows, and positive reviews. It makes my day to see them. Hope this unexpectedly long chapter does put a damper on things.

I also want to say I am changing the rating to M. Please be aware of extreme violence (including violence against children). Please, please stop reading if you get uncomfortable. Please tell me if this is too overboard as well.

Chapter 4

As much as Gabriel wanted to believe he'd destroyed Overwatch for its corruption, he could never truly convince himself. It was a purely selfish maneuver, everything else was an excuse. So long ago he'd entertained the idea of being Strike Commander Reyes, but it had never come to fruition. He'd tried to be happy for Jack-after all they were friends-but how could he? Jack had never worked as hard as Gabriel.

So now, he was terrified of making another selfish decision. He craved a second chance, but nothing could fix everything he'd done and, on top of that, it would cost Jack his soul. Wouldn't it be worse to put his curse on someone else? Likewise, Jack didn't deserve to die then or now.

Gabriel felt sick, he didn't want His friend to be dead. Jack always clicked with Gabriel. They were from such different backgrounds but could carry conversation so effortlessly. Admittedly, they both thought lowly of each other when they first met, but the first time Jack told Gabriel a funny joke they became solid. Jack would never confess that he thought he was talking to someone else and was terrified when he turned to see Reyes. Gabriel would never confess to looking up jokes that night to tell Jack the next day.

Gabriel couldn't remember that joke no matter how hard he tried. It didn't matter much now anyway, who was he going to tell, a Talon operative? Widowmaker? He doubted anyone would take him seriously after cracking a joke in the middle of a fight like old times.

Gabriel was interrupted by a buzzing coming from his phone.

"Yes?" He asked, maybe too angrily.

"Hello, Reaper. We were wondering where you've been." A garbled voice responded. The Talon leader or leaders wouldn't risk Gabriel knowing their true identities.

"Is that really your business?" Gabriel looked wearily toward Angela's room, expecting her to be listening.

"Of course it is. Where are you?"

Gabriel lowered his voice slightly, "What do you need me to do?"

"Reaper. Just answer the question."

Gabriel sighed audibly, contemplating what to say. He had paid someone to scramble his position, but no doubt Talon was breaking that code as they spoke. Gabriel was wondering when they would find out he'd ditched the 'incognito' agent watching over him three states ago. He had planned to reappear on Talon's radar somewhere in the Midwest, not get stuck in D.C.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to tell us? We don't want to hunt you down, and you know how easy that is with your very, ehem, distinct body trail."

"I hope you like the hard way," What am I doing? "because I don't think I work for you anymore." Gabriel closed his eyes trying not to think too hard about what he just did.

"Really. And you decided this?"

"Yes." The static coming from the phone felt deafening for a long time.

"We'll be in touch." The Talon representative hung up.

Gabriel stood up and collected himself for a second. He felt empty. Now what. After a long time he stood up and gravitated to Angela's room.

"I'm coming in." As Gabriel entered, Angela snapped off her rubber gloves and glanced at Gabriel. He spoke, "Why did you decide to do this to me?"

"I didn't know-"

"No, you knew. You always were testing out your technology. Tell me the real reason."

Dr. Ziegler paused. She looked like she was thinking a little too hard. "I can't really remember. Maybe I just didn't want anyone to be hurt, maybe I forgot you were a terrible person for a few moments. There were so many dead... I don't think I was in my right mind."

"So you regret it?"

"I'm not sure anymore."

Gabriel sat down on the bed and put his face in his hands. "Angie... Angela, I'm sorry for letting you down." Angela snapped her head around. She couldn't hide her shock. "I have to go kill something now."

"Wait. What are you going to do about Jack?"

"Bury him." Reyes started to leave, hoping to avoid further conversation.

"Gabriel. Hold on a second."

"What now."

"There's enough bad people in the world-I think I've seen them all-do you really want to be one of them?"

"Dr. Ziegler, I don't think I have a choice." Gabriel drifted out of the room. Angela could be so naive yet maternal in her understanding of how things worked. The reaper had to kill, he had to consume... Didn't he?

As Gabriel set off from his apartment he felt annoyed. How dare she get under his skin? The doctor clearly didn't know what she was talking about. As he twisted the necks of a few civilians walking down an alley he felt his brow furrowing in anger. What he did was needed. These people had to die so Gabriel could keep going. When he hesitated to eat their souls, he broke down.

This is what Gabriel Reyes had been reduced to. Every child had wanted to be just like him, fighting off the evil of the world and standing for those in need. Now he was trying to stop hyperventilating behind a dumpster surrounded by his latest victims. Isn't life just shitty like that?

"This. Is. All. Your fault," Gabriel breathed to himself, "you monster."

Gabriel took a few unsteady, deep breaths as he heard laughter. "The news says someone messed up Mr. Overwatch's memorial last night. Hah. Someone had to do it."

"Long time comin' I'd say," another voice chipped in.

"Stupid scrubs didn't know when to quit, eh?" A small group of people passed by the alleyway. Gabriel closed his eyes trying to contain himself, but this time, Jack wasn't around to help.

"Hey." Gabriel didn't even think about moving before he was behind them. "You should show some respect." He shifted to the shadows before the group turned around. The reaper noticed the street was abandoned, how perfect.

"Overwatch doesn't deserve no respect-" the seeming leader of the group faltered to seeing no one there. He pulled out a switchblade. "You better show yourself."

Reaper laughed coldly. "I used to torture punks like you for hours. Good times."

"I'm not playin' games, we'll fuck you up!"

Reaper materialized next to the terrified gang. "I'd like to see you try." Several members ran in fear while a few attempted to fight off the the shadow. He grabbed the first person he saw and broke their arm cleanly. Reaper started to dig his claws into his prey's skull. No wait. What am I doing? He's just a kid. Oh god.

Gabriel slackened his grip and stumbled back a few feet before the releasing his would-be-victim, a frightened child. He swallowed the lump in his throat and felt hot tears beading in his mask. Have I done this before?

The other kids stood back in dread as Gabriel picked the child up and started to walk. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The child screamed as loudly as possible. "No please. I need to help you..." People were being drawn to the noise. "Please..." The boy passed out as Gabriel started to run faster.

...

"Angela! Are you still here?" Gabriel practically kicked his apartment door open.

"Yes... Is everything..." Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. "Over here now!" Angela ran back into her room and tore the covers off the bed. Gabriel laid the child down as Angela grabbed her staff and other supplies. "Get out," she commanded.

"Angela," Gabriel could feel the boy's blood dripping from his arms and tears draining from his face, "I need Jack. I need Jack."