It was an honest mistake. I never meant to hurt him this badly, but I did. If I had the ability to center my rage more efficiently maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. It's late, in a park, and no body heard us. They didn't hear us when I started this fight or when he ended it.

I can't blame him for his last reaction to my attack. He was injured severely and I probably would've killed him if he hadn't done anything. That damned wail, he's gotten so good at it. And now he's doomed himself to die. Except I wont let him he's too young to die.

Unconscious, bleeding profusely from many open wounds in vital areas, shuttering breath. The boy is hardly holding on. But dear God in heaven he's too young to die.

I've been a very awful man, and I've lived a very awful life from the powers I was given. It was a rare gift that I was granted and I could have used them for anything and I choose myself. Never thought about anyone else just thought about what I could gain, what I could do. It made me bitter and angry realizing that there were some things I could never require.

Is it any wonder I went to such lengths? The debility to achieve things so simple drove me near insane. If I could gain billions and respect practically over night and I couldn't get my dream girl or the perfect son, of course it made me this way. That's why Daniel is the lucky one he choose to be good and to help others and never put himself before others.

If he hadn't knocked some sense into me perhaps I'd be laughing at him right now. But he did and I'm not. I always thought he was weak and pathetic but he has powers that I don't. That wail is one and then there's that ability to conjure up ice.

A pure heart is the key to unchained power, he'll always have it where I will not. This boy, decades younger than me has gained so much strength over a course of a year. It took me twenty years to get where I am, within a few more years he'll be past my league and we will no longer be a match.

Providing that he makes it through tonight.

How much farther is this blasted hospital? At this pace I won't ever be able to save him. This poor unfortunate child, I'm not sure when he ever deserved my abuse. He never did, why I ever thought he did I'll never know. Perhaps it was because he was everything I could've been but choose not to be.

Am I jealous of him?

Daniel coughs and shivers in my arms, breaking me of any other thoughts, he's loosing too much blood. If my medical knowledge is right at this rate he probably only has a few minutes left. I've got to fly no matter how unbelievably exhausted and injured I may be, he's still worse. And as much as it pains me to admit it, I'm sure, even though he hates me, he'd do the same.

I move my hand over one of the larger gashes in his chest and apply pressure. This kid will not die, not now, not because of me. I can admit that I don't enjoy doing this but I remind myself of what he'll miss and who I'll affect.

There are his parents of course. Jack, I loath that man but he's actually, to my displeasure, a great father and I know he needs his son. Then there's my sweet and beautiful Maddie, excellent at everything and a loving woman. What would it do to her if I took away her son? I couldn't stand to put her through that misery.

Now let's see there are the children of course. His sister Jazz, she loves her brother and would do anything for him. There are those two friends of his as well. Sam and Tucker I believe, they all share a very strong friendship as Daniel had demonstrated before. I just couldn't destroy so many people at once. Poor little Daniel has no idea how important he is.

Besides if I've ever hoped for a second chance here it is. The chance to repent for my sins by saving this pure likelihood of an angel. If there is a God above this is surely his child. I never thought the heavens would give me a chance but they have, they've entrusted me with this boy's life. And I won't disregard the honor.

There it is the Amity Park Hospital. And not a moment too soon I can already feel the boy fading away. I cannot go in if I do they'll ask questions. But there's a stretcher right there I can leave him there and hope he'll be found, I know it's careless but the staff is right there.

Perhaps I could make a noise or some sort of commotion to draw attention to the boy. Looking down at him as the small snow crystals fall on his face I realize all my mistakes. I decide to draw attention to make light anything else would make people ignore me.

Just as I thought they had seen the bright glow of my ectoplasmic energy and they're coming to see. I must go and I know Daniel will be fine now. And with a few words to part I take my leave.

"Merry Christmas little badger."

Hmm for once I put Vlad in a nicer light. This is different indeed for me.