' It was great. We had power, money. Everything we wanted all at the tips of our fingers. He had me go in and steal from large corporations while the lowly hive members distracted the titans. I stole everything from data to jewels. I even stole weapons that could take down a nation with a single push of the button. Everything was perfect, no one could stop us. We were the best of partners.. at least that's what I thought, until that day. The day he first asked me to kill someone. I had no problem with it, in fact, I was excited. That red-eyed part of me had taken over awhile ago and I had become comfortable being only a thought in her mind. I had found my target's home and had been scouting it. She was the eight year old daughter of one of the corporations we stole from. I waited till nightfall, when the adults left. I found her in her room, playing with some doll that probably cost a fortune. She looked up when I had entered, shutting her mouth once she realized she didn't recognize me. Confusion flashed across her features and I could feel the slight worry coming from the trustworthy child. Raising my hand, I summoned my powers and lifted her by the neck. The collar of power dark against her neck. I walked over until my hand hovered over her neck, her back against the wall. Slowly tightening the collar, I was about to do the deed, when I looked into her eyes.
The red-eyed part of me was fueled by the fear filling her eyes, almost crackling in the air around us. It was excited, but the other part of me, from when I was a child, only could bring memories. Memories of being crouched in front of the monks, only five, yet close to death from the beating I had taken. I was made to apologize for snapping at the guard who tripped me, bowing before his sneering gaze. I can't do this. Those eyes could only remind me of myself... I-I was becoming like them! I took control and shoved the red-eyed one back into her cage. I set the girl down on her feet, and watched her collapse. Remorse filled me at the bruises that ringed her neck, at her labored gasps, all by my hand. Tears were steaming down her face and she brought a small hand to her neck. I was about to leave, but this last minute decision cost me everything.
Stepping up to her and ignoring her flinch, I traced a finger across the bruises, absorbing them and transferring them to my own neck. A talent recently learned after being pushed by Slade. I returned to him, believing that my partner for the last year would understand. When I got back, I was greeted with the usual warm voice that was always there for me. Or so I thought... when he asked me how it went, I spilled everything. He was silent for a moment. He was walking up to me and I expected a pat on the shoulder, and how I would be able to kill the next one. But when he got close, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his metal surrounded eyes. My head turned sharply with the force of the blow, blood streaming down my cheek from his metal plated gloves. I could feel his glare, his hatred as I cupped my cheek. Roughly grabbing my shoulder, he threw me to the ground. I looked up at him in confusion. This man, who had treated me so kindly. Who had been the only father I have ever had. How could he hurt me so much? I lay there, stunned, as he kicked me. Stomping and breaking bones, so calmly.
" you would do best to follow orders next time." and with that threat filled message, he left, and I bound my wounds.