Two days later, 7:56 pm

Becky followed Crane into the basement cautiously. Once inside, she is met by darkness until he turned on the light, revealing the man from earlier taped to a chair, with tape over his mouth. She jumped slightly when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I thought you killed him."

"I still want you to do it. The power is there, you just have to make that final step and take it. Take as much time as you need. There's no hurry."

Becky bites her lip as she looked between the man and Crane.

"I...don't think I can do this."

"Of corse you can. It's much easier than you think. We've talked about this for hours. I thought you understood."

"I do."

"I thought you craved the power."

"I do."

"I thought we were kindred spirits."

"We are."

"I thought you understood that the way I was introduced to the power of fear was by using it to take a life."

"I do."

"Then what is so difficult about this?"

"I...I..."

"Your mind has been programed to accept certain ideas and shun others. Move past them and it's the easiest thing in the world."

"...How?"

"Just let go. Think about every moment of your life where you felt weak... Where you sought nothing more than the power right in front of you. Don't think about what you're doing, think about what you're feeling."

"But it's wrong."

"There are plenty of things that would be considered wrong that people do everyday. People lie, steal, cheat, and kill constantly. As we speak, each of those acts are being performed by someone somewhere. The difference between us and them is that what we do serves a greater purpose. With every subject, more research is conducted and therefore we move closer to taking the power we deserve from those who abuse it."

Crane slipped a syringe into Beckys hand as he spoke. She gulped nervously as he gently pushed her to take a step closer to the man. He grasped her arm and gently guided it so that the needle rest against the mans arm. He releases his grip and Becky let's the needle linger.

"I...don't want to."

"Becky...if you do this one, I guarantee you that you'll never have trouble with a subject again, but you have to take this last step. It's not as difficult as you're making it out to be. Just close your eyes and don't think about it."

Crane gently ran his fingers thru her hair as Becky closed her eyes and took a deep breath before plunging the needle into the mans skin and pushing down on the plunger. Becky opened her eyes the moment the mans muffled screams began. She pulled out the syringe and tossed it across the room.

Becky quickly covered her mouth and backed herself away from the man, until her back met the wall. She let out a small sob and moved her hands to cover her ears and squeeze her eyes shut.

Moments later she felt Crane pull her against his chest and gently pet her hair.

"It's over. You won't have to go thru that again."

Becky removed her hands from her ears and wraped her arms around his neck.

"I just..."

"Yes. It's not the end of the world."

"What about..."

"It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. Nobody will ever hope to see things the way we do. All that matter is us, spreading some much deserved fear across the city. I will be the master of fear and you my mistress. The masses will cower at our feet and worship to us. I'm very proud of you... Brave Becky."

Becky smiled slightly and looked up to meet Cranes eyes before he gently grasped her chin and pulled her into a kiss.

The next day, 2:33 am

Her eyes burned as she woke from her deep sleep realizing that she had fallen asleep crying. After a moment, she bit her bottom lip to surpress a sob as the nights events washed over her. Reluctantly she turned to find Crane laying asleep beside her, realizing he wasn't there when she went to sleep.

After taking a deep breath, she moved to get out of bed for a glass of water when she felt Crane wrap an arm around her waist and pull her back in. Once sure that he was still asleep, she carefully lifted his arm off of her and gently set it down on the bed and started to get out of bed once more.

Before she could stand, she was pulled back into bed and against his chest. Becky tries to wiggle away, only to feel his grip tighten, holding her there. Realizing she was stuck, Becky smiled to herself before realaxing with her head over his heart.

6:28 am

When she woke again, it was to the smell of breakfast coming from the kitchen. Sitting up, she smirked to find the other side of the bed empty. She stretched and after a yawn she made her way into the kitchen to find Crane already halfway thru his breakfast while hers sat across the table.

Becky took her seat and smiled at Crane as she began eating.

"Morning."

"You slept soundly last night."

"Yeah. Not really, I woke up and I think you sleep much better than I do."

"That would explain why you were so close."

Becky let out a small giggle. "Really? Because you wouldn't let me out of bed."

"I'm sure you were imagining things Becky."

Becky took another bite of food and smirked. "You keep telling yourself that."

"How were your dreams?"

"I don't remember. I never do."

Question of the chapter: What do you think will happen next?