Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Authors Note-

Hi guys! Welcome to my Super Powereds fic, I will be doing a bunch of “What-if’s” for this series and much more! This is part 1 of probably many headcanons I will be doing for each of the characters, also please feel free to comment any prompts, and let me know what you think!
Now onto some headcanons!

Headcanon’s Part 1-

Chad Taylor (Intra):

• Major Daddy issues And a total mamas boy (Mostly canon)
• Bisexual, Demiromantic, and Asexual (Like he has so much chemistry with Shane it’s crazy)
• A control freak at times.
• Aloof and calm on the outside, a wreck as soon as he loses control.
• If OCD, ADHD, and Autism was a person.
• Struggled with depression in early years. (When he didn’t learn to use his power yet)
• Thinks of Dean Blaine as a father figure.
• Is so obsessed with his father’s life that he doesn’t live his own.
• Secretly likes the affection Angela showers him with. Wont admit it if anyone besides her asks.
• Is way too emotionally dependent on Shane. Clings to him like a puppy dog, but writes it off as just wanting to train with him.
• Blaine tried to force Chad to go to therapy for his hyper-fixation on training, but eventually gave up when Chad just shut off his brain during the sessions. (I can actually see this being canon with Blaine being so done with Chad’s bullshit.)

Shane Desoto (Styx):

• Major inferiority complex (Ngl he’s one of my favorites because I relate to this bitch on a spiritual level)
• Totally had an unrequited crush on Chad at some point. (Like seriously why did Chad have to end up with his sister???)
• Definitely has some pretty heavy family trauma.
• Resents his grandfather for years of emotional abuse. (I always hated his grandfather, even if it was for Shane’s “Training”.)
• Harbored resentment for his older sister until he joined the HCP himself.
• Only thinks of himself has being good for bringing destruction and death.
• Totally has had an accident with his powers when he was younger and is determined to never repeat it.
• Probably has accidentally hurt someone with his blades when he first used to wield them, and that inspired him to learn how to incapacitate non lethally.
• After Graduation he got a degree in the medical field as a cover story, and so he can learn new ways to injure villains.
• Used to be called a future villain by others for his power
• Is desperate to prove he can use his power in a humane way.
• His sister influences his life in more ways than he is proud to admit.
• Secretly craves approval from Angela because he never got much praise as a child; though he won’t ever admit it aloud. (She knows though, he isn’t subtle.)

Angela Desoto (Charon):

• Has definitely had depression at some point.

• Total Greek mythology nerd, and got Shane in on it too. (This is fact because I’m the youngest and my sis got me in on it. It’s infectious.)

• The literally definition of ADHD.
• This girl is Pansexual and you can fight me on that.
• Had a bit of a God complex in early childhood because of her power.
• Never got much attention from her parents nor grandfather outside of training, so she hyper fixated on besting her little brother.
• Overprotective to a fault. (Year 3 Angela I’m looking at you.)
• Always keeps her emotions tucked behind a carefree smile.
• Puts on a show of confidence because she wanted to have a feeling of control over her life for once.
• Never lets her true feelings slip, and only ever breaks down when she’s alone.
• Fell in love with Chad because she realized he was just like her.
• Lavishes Chad with all the affection she never received from her family as a child.
• Likes to tell Shane that she is proud of him because she know he needs to hear it.
• Carefree and joyous because she knows she will die young.
• Accepted that she would die in the line of hero work when she was little.
• Would train for hours until she passed out from exhaustion.
• Always looks out for her little brother, even if he thinks she doesn’t care.
• More manipulative and intelligent than she first appears.
• Likes to play into the dumb blonde stereotype to pull one over on her enemies.
• Is hella good at talking her way out of trouble, and has totally talked her way out of multiple speeding tickets in the past.
• Took subtlety all the way until her senior year. (Honestly I love this girl so so much and as a lesbian we stan this absolute badass of a character.)

Will Murray (Technomancer):

• Is Aro/Ace. I mean that. He is.
• Had a bit of a superiority complex when he was younger.
• This man is quite overbearing to those he cares about. (Year 1 Will I’m looking at you .-.)
• Has definitely committed manslaughter and/or murder.
• Can and will commit multiple War Crimes.
• Claims he his favorite genre of book is mystery and Sci-fi but Jill knows he is an avid reader of fantasy books.
• Is disgusted by all forms of romance and intimacy.
• Has had multiple run ins with the FBI and CIA for trying to build a homemade Nuke in his backyard as a kid.
• He has a fear of accidentally hurting his sister after an invention went horribly wrong.
• Bumped off multiple men for messing with Jill.
• Only reason he didn’t graduate high school/college early was to stay with Jill.
• After graduation he obtained a PHD in mechanical engineering as a cover story.
• Turned down multiple opportunities because it would require him to be separated from his sister.
• Once tried to use one of his inventions like Jill does, and it ended up backfiring pretty badly.
• His school once forced him to have a psychological evaluation after he had a violent reaction to someone bullying his sister.
• Pretty much obsessed with keeping Jill safe at all costs. And I mean at all costs.
• Realized his obsession was unhealthy and sought therapy before entering the HCP.
• Distanced himself from any other family besides his twin. Cut off all contact with his birth parents and convinced Jill to do the same.
• Sees Professor Pendleton as a future version of himself.
• Figured out the whole Adair mystery before the others did. But decided to was best to keep it to himself and let them find out.
• Stalks the Melbrook kids in his off time as an extra curricular activity. Got caught once by Nick. Nick was just impressed that he didn’t catch him sooner.
• Once he found out about Shelby, he was terrified that it could happen to Jill.
• He was overwhelming relived when his sister quit the HCP because he didn’t want to see her get hurt. (This is kinda canon, but still.)
• Has a need to feel useful and takes on all the burdens so he feels like he has worth.
• Is hyper-aware of all his faults, and overcompensates by working himself to death.
• Nearly died from a caffeine overdose during his teenage years from pulling too many all nighters in a row and drinking enough coffee to tranquillize an elephant.

Chapter Text

Vince was alone. He had always been alone, ever since he was a child. It had been the one constant in his life. However, things would not stay this way, and Vince wishes that he had never left that orphanage.

.

Vince was six when he decided to leave the decrepit orphanage his mom put him in. And for years he lived on the streets, hungry and lonely.

That all changed one day when Vince was 12.

He had just finished eating a rotten sandwich he had found in a dumpster in back of a restaurant when he heard voices. It sounded like it was just outside the alleyway.

Vince ducked behind the dumpster, hoping that he wouldn’t be noticed by whoever was near. He didn’t want his power accidentally causing a scene.

This was not the case however, and the voices drew nearer to his location. So close that he could just barely make out what they were saying.

“Yes I see the kid come here nearly everyday, he has to be around here somewhere. Should be right down this alley.” Said a gruff sounding male voice, which Vince recognized to be the owner of the restaurant.

“Thank you sir. We will take care of the child. And remember we were never here.” Another voice spoke, one that wasn’t familiar to Vince.

What did they want with him?

Could it be one of the staff from the orphanage? Here to drag him back for running away? No, they were too careless, so they probably didn’t care enough to bring any runaway back, especially not a powered child.

Vince covered his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut as they moved further into the alleyway, praying that they wouldn’t find his hiding place.

Unfortunately, his power decided to go off at the worst possible time.

A bolt of electricity shot from his hand, and hit the metal plate of the dumpster. The bolt ricocheted off and… nothing. No cry of pain, no spark, just nothing..

He heard a heavy sigh from right next to him. A tall man wearing a nice suit stepped right in front of Vince, cornering him.

“So is this the one?” The man said, sounding rather annoyed.

“Yes that’s him, now hurry up, and let’s go. There’s only so many days off you can get as an HCP teacher.” A posh sounding voice spoke. Another sigh.

“Fine, let’s get this over with.”

Vince had nowhere to run, he was completely trapped. As if his powers sensed he was in danger, sparks shot off in every direction, hitting both of the men.

But it had no effect. They were completely unfazed. The one in front pulled something out of his jacket pocket, and grabbed Vince’s arm suddenly.

Vince tried to pull back, but the grip was like iron. He felt something sharp stab into his skin, and within moments his body went slack on the ground.

“Okay grab him and let’s head back, the sedative should last for a few hours.”

Vince’s limp body was picked up, and everything felt light and fuzzy. The last thing Vince saw before he went unconscious was the other man opening up a black hole.

.

.

When Vince awoke, he noticed he was no longer in that dingy alley, but in a hospital-like room.

The memories of the two men came flooding in, and he immediately knew it wasn’t actually a hospital. It looked like one, but something was off…

It felt more like a lab. Cold and devoid of life. With beeping machines, IV’s hooked onto both of his arms, and the blinding glare of a operation light shining into his eyes.

Vince tried sitting up but then realized he was unable to move. He turned his head as far as he could and saw that he was held down with leather straps.

They were buckled down over his wrists, ankles, legs, chest and his forehead.

Vince tried to remember what happened after he passed out, but everything was fuzzy and distorted. All he could recall was hearing muffled voices around him.

It was strange.. but why was he here? What did those two men want with him?

Vince barely had time to ponder those thoughts before a heavy steel door swung open.

He tried to turn his head to look at who came in, but the straps prevented him from twisting his neck.

Vince didn’t really need to though, and the operation light was swept to the side and a new face looked down at him.

Like the previous two men he met, this one also wore a suit, though it looked far nicer and was probably a lot more expensive. His expression however, was far from nice.

Like the room he was in the face was cold and passive, examining him like he was nothing more than a specimen for him to dissect.

“So this is the child with the energy powers?” He spoke calmly, his eyes never leaving Vince’s.

“Yes sir. We got him just as requested. If that is all I should be taking my leave, the Doctor and Blake Hill should be arriving soon so you can begin.” Vince recognized the voice as the man who stuck him with a needle.

“Thank you Denis, you are free to go, and tell the Doctor to bring the equipment. I don’t like to waste time. I’ll be personally overseeing this test subject.” He said, his tone unnervingly composed.

Test subject?

Was he about to be experimented on?

Vince had heard the rumors from other kids at the orphanage, about powered children who were taken away and ever heard from again. Supposedly so the government could use them in twisted experiments.

He never believed the rumors, only thinking it was used as a fear tactic, but now…

Well, now Vince didn’t know what to believe anymore.

Denis nodded quickly and left the room. Leaving Vince alone with this frigid man.

He sat down in a chair right by the bedside, gaze never wavering from his.

“Why am I here?” Vince muttered, surprised by his own words.

The man chuckled, seemingly amused by Vince’s question. But he never said a word.

Vince turned away from the man, and gazed at the ceiling, trying to hold back his tears.

They sat there for god knows how long before the door opened once again.

Two more people entered, and the man stood up from the chair.

“You two are late.” He said impatiently, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

“My apologies Charles, but I had to assist our lovely doctor in grabbing the equipment.” If Vince had to guess this guy was Blake Hill, the other one from the alley that Denis mentioned earlier.

The Doctor as they both called her, wheeled in a cart full of what looked like surgical equipment.

Vince’s face went pale.

“I also brought the files you requested so you can take a look at it.” The Doctor added, handing Charles a thick Manila folder.

Charles snatched the folder from her hands and quickly read through it. He paused on one of the pages and asked, “Why doesn’t this kid have a last name?”

Blake and the Doctor both glanced at each other.

Blake cleared his throat and said, “Well.. we couldn’t find his birth certificate and the orphanage kept no record of his parents, those documents are the only records we could find.”

Charles nodded. “I see. It’s not like he’ll need one anyway. Let’s get started.” He closed the folder and handed it back to the Doctor.

All three of them were looking at Vince now.

Vince was internally panicking. He felt like a deer in headlights, trapped with no way out.

The Doctor picked something up off the tray and walked over towards Vince.

It looked almost like a dart gun of sorts.

She tilted his head a bit to the side to expose his neck, and placed the object to it. Vince felt a sharp prick for a moment, before it faded to a dull throbbing sensation.

“Tracking device is inserted.” She assured the two men standing beside her.

She placed the dart gun back on the tray, while Vince’s mind was still trying to comprehend the fact that they had microchipped him.

It was dehumanizing to say the least, to be seen as nothing more than a lab rat.

His brain was so preoccupied with his thoughts that it barely registered that the others had started talking again.

“Yes, I promise it will be minimally invasive, but are you sure you want him unconscious during the procedure? It could be done without anesthesia.” The Doctor said, sounding a bit exasperated.

“He’s a child . And while we are figuring out a solution, that doesn’t mean we should be needlessly cruel, especially for someone so young.” Blake responded, sounding oddly sympathetic considering this whole situation.

“I personally don’t care either way, just as long as you don’t kill him do what you will. We need him alive, we haven’t had a powerful test subject like this before. So don’t screw it up.” Charles warned.

The Doctor sighed, before plucking a needle off the tray and inserting it into one of the IV’s connected to Vince’s arm.

Blake, looking slightly remorseful, walked towards Vince. He leaned down close and whispered, “It would be better to close your eyes and count backwards, I’m sorry but this is how it has to be.”

Vince’s eyes shut a moment later, and he was under once more.

.

.

When he awoke again, he was in a different place.

And his whole body was racked with pain .

“Awake are we?” The Doctor said, taking off bloody rubber gloves before tossing them in a waste bin.

“ What..happened..? ” Vince asked, struggling to get the words out through the tightness in his throat.

“Just an exploratory surgery, nothing too major.” She shrugged, acting as if she was discussing the weather.

Vince tried wiggling in the restraints holding him to a gurney, but felt a sharp stab of pain run through his ribs. It was then he noticed his whole upper torso was wrapped with bandages.

The Doctor took notice, and put a firm hand over his chest. Stilling his struggles.

“Stop moving, I just finished stitching you up a few minutes ago, and I’m going to be pissed if you rip the stitches so soon.” She warned, voice edging towards dangerous.

“Now I wouldn’t recommend straining yourself by talking, we need you in top shape for the next round, so hush.” She added, moving away from him and wiping down a scalpel splotched with tinges of blood.

His blood.

“Where am I?” Vince couldn’t help but ask.

The Doctor looked rather annoyed at his question.

She sighed heavily and muttered a few words under her breath before responding.

“An operating theater, but I’ll be moving you to a different containment cell, I wasn’t expecting you to wake up so fast. Now shut up before I make you.” She hissed.

This time Vince complied, and stayed silent as she finished cleaning her tools.

He was later moved into a small containment unit for ‘his own safety.’  But Vince knew that it was so he wouldn’t try to escape.

Now that he was alone, Vince had time to go over everything that happened to him. And he also had time to wonder what was going to happen to him. That thought made him shiver.

He wished he had never left, and maybe then he wouldn’t be in this situation.

Regret was a bitter feeling, and it didn’t seem to want to let him go. Vince cried that night, and many nights after.

.

The next morning he was given a small tray of food as well as a bunch of pills. He ate his meal but left the medicine untouched.

Vince didn’t know if it was pain medication, or something else, and he wasn’t keen on finding out.

When the Doctor came in to check on Vince, she noticed the untouched pills.

“Why didn’t you take your medicine.” She said, lips pursed in annoyance.

Vince looked down at his feet and muttered, “Because I didn’t want to.”

“Well too bad. Take it now or else I will shove it down your throat.” She responded in a sharp tone, eyes narrowing slightly.

Vince knew she wasn’t joking, and while he wasn’t a fan of swallowing mystery pills, it was better than having it done for him.

He shuddered at the memory of being drugged and kidnapped. How long ago was that? It couldn’t have been more than two days ago, if that.

After he finished taking the pills he mustered up the courage to ask the Doctor, “How long have I been here?”

She rolled her eyes and punched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “You need to stop asking so many questions, you’ve barely been here for two days and are already getting on my nerves.” She said. Gripping the clipboard in her hands tighter, and leaning down to his level and grasping his chin firmly.

“You’re lucky Charles wants to keep you alive and in good condition, otherwise I would have your tongue cut out.”

She let his face go and backed away.

“Now we have a few tests to run today. Come along, and don’t even think of running, I assure you no one will help you here. And it would be a shame if I had to break your legs so soon.” She asserted.

The look on her face saying that she was not at all unhappy at the thought of shattering his bones.

Vince nodded and trailed right behind her, unaware of what was about to happen to him.

Chapter Text

“Is the car all packed?” Micheal asked, throwing his snack bag into the back seat.

“That’s the last of it.” Chad said as he hoisted up the remaining duffel bag into the trunk before shutting it.

Chad turned to Shane, “You do know you don’t have to come right?”

Shane was standing next to Chad and had his arms folded like a pouting child. He had been sulking around all morning, absolutely dreading the trip.

He sighed heavily. “I have to come. Angela will kill me if I don’t.”

Chad tilted his head to the side and thought for a moment. “I doubt your own sister would do that to you.”

Shane snorted. “You don’t know her. She absolutely fucking would.”

Chad was about to reply when Micheal held down the car horn, catching them both off guard.

Micheal rolled down the window and shouted, “You two lovebirds coming or what?”

Chad made his way over to the car and hopped into the front seat with what seemed to be his own version of enthusiasm.

Shane on the other hand was less than happy as he bitterly climbed into the back.

After double checking they had everything and were all ready, they were on the road and heading for the campsite.

Micheal turned on some heavy metal music and set it to an ear splitting volume while Chad was content to just stare out the window lost in his thoughts.

However in the back Shane was having less than a fun time, for his nervousness grew with each turn of the car and every tick of his watch.

After an half an hour of trying to keep his anxiety in check he snapped.

Lunging forward into the drivers seat, Shane grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to swerve them off the road and gain control of the car.

Unfortunately for Shane that didn’t go as planned.

To be fair he never really had a plan to begin with but if he did, it didn’t go as he’d hoped.

Chad was quick to react and grabbed Shane’s arm and pulled hard, wrenching him off the wheel and restraining him.

Micheal then got the car into the emergency lane and Chad released Shane from his grip.

Micheal got out and flung open the backseat door angrily.

“What the hell was that Shane!?” He shouted, shaking him by his shoulders.“Were you trying to get us killed??”

Shane attempted to reply with a defense but Micheal cut him off. “Do you have any idea the danger you put us in by grabbing the wheel!? DO YOU??”

Chad came around to Michael’s side and put a hand on his arm. But his eyes were on Shane the entire time, as if he would do something reckless as soon as he glanced away.

“Shane.” He said, his voice as monotone as usual. “Why did you think attempting to take control of a moving vehicle was a good idea?”

He didn’t respond.

“Is this because you don’t want to go?”

This time Shane nodded. Micheal scoffed and crossed his arms.

“Well it’s too damn late to turn back now so he’ll just have to suck it up for a few days.” Micheal said as he went back to the drivers seat and slammed the car door in annoyance.

Chad sighed and slid into the backseat with Shane.

“I’ll stay back here so he won’t try and do something stupid.” He said, giving Shane a side glance.

Well he certainly wasn’t going to do anything now.

“If he does I have duct tape.” Micheal suggested helpfully as he got the car moving again and onto the highway.

Chad shook his head and Shane just scoffed at the idea, turning to stare out the window so as not to look at anyone.

The rest of the drive was quiet, Micheal and Chad glancing over at Shane periodically, while he ignored them both.

Sooner than Shane would have liked they arrived. Micheal stayed behind to unload the car while Chad practically dragged Shane over to the river where Angela was waiting.

She gave him a smirk as soon as she saw her little brother.

Angela handed Chad a cooler of drinks, from which he only took a water bottle.

“Seems like someone showed up late to the party.” Angela teased lightly, poking Shane in the shoulder.

He smacked her hand away and grabbed the partially open cooler. “We ran into traffic.”

Chad gave him a side eye as he cracked open the water. “He tried to hijack the car.” He corrected, taking a sip from his drink.

Angela crossed her arms and smiled wider at Shane. “Did he now?”

This was going to be a long few days…

Chapter Text

“Alice. You need to leave, take Shelby and get her out of here. I promise I’ll come get you both when we’re safe.” Seans voice was more serious than she’d ever heard before.

“Alice, when I win I trust that you will be more open minded without this rat whispering in your ear.” Blake said, not taking his eyes off of his half brother.

Alice listened to her uncle’s and fled with her mother gently cradled in her arms.

She flew away, after all she had no reason to worry, Sean would win.

Right?

Alice couldn’t help but feel a pang of fear for him, but she pushed that aside and focused on the task he left her with.

Getting her mom to safety was her priority.

Uncle Pendleton had never let her down before, he better not now.

.

.

“Don’t worry Sean, when I win and catch up to them, I won’t hurt Alice more than necessary to get Shelby back.”

Pendleton glared at Blake. “I won’t let you hurt them.”

“We’ll see now, won’t we?” He hissed, his calm composure melting away, revealing the true monster he hid underneath the mask he had worn all these years.

Sean’s body’s slowly melted into fog, and he casted one last glance back to where his niece and sister had flown off.

I promise I will protect you no matter what, even if it costs me my life…

Snapping his fingers, Blake formed small pinpricks of darkness all around the field, absorbing some of the mist along with it.

Sean winced as he felt part of his body tear apart, hoping that he didn’t lose anything vital.

If he did, the second he reverted back into his corporeal form he would die.

Blake knew that too, and the black holes grew larger and sucked up even more of Sean’s body.

He fought through the pain, he had survived before. Sean focused on the openings in his brothers defense and smiled when he saw a weakness.

Blake was clever, but not clever enough. Sean used that to his advantage and sent him to the ground with a kick to the back of his head.

It wasn’t enough, and the black holes didn’t even flicker. In fact, more spawned around Blake like a protective shield.

Sean cursed as he realized that this just became much more difficult. He needed to knock Blake out and fast, he was running out of time.

Over half of Sean’s fog had been lost by now, and the pain was blinding, but he had to go on. For Shelby, for Alice.

He tried and tried, but it only made things worse, for every hit he landed on his brother, more of his body was absorbed.

Sean was near his breaking point and his energy drained.

Blake knew it too, and he tutted disapprovingly. “What kind of teacher are you if you can’t even beat me in a fight? Honestly, no wonder Alice is behind, if this is what you’ve been teaching her.”

The last swirls of fog faded with Sean’s consciousness, and his corporeal form appeared.

He looked up at his brother one last time and said, “Alice is more powerful than you know,” he hissed in pain, struggling to stay alive. “I have no doubt that she will succeed where I have failed.”

Blake coldly watched the life leave his half brother’s eyes. “We’ll see Sean, We’ll see.”

He turned away from the corpse.

It was time to get Shelby back.

.

.

.

Alice had managed to fly to a safe place, nestled deep in the woods, she alerted Mr. Transport where she was, and to come immediately once the anchor had been found.

She briefly debated on finding Nick, but remembered that he was currently with Globes team.

Alice was better off keeping herself, and her mother far from the fight. She gently propped her mom against a tree.

Her heart ached as she stared down at Shelby, wide green eyes reflecting that of her own. She was beyond relieved that her mom was finally safe.

Alice shook herself out of her thoughts, she had to keep her guard up. Occasionally she would look back at her mom, but Shelby’s glassy eyes never moved.

However, something strange happened after Alice came back from one of her patrols around the area.

Her eyes were no longer vacantly staring straight ahead, but were now looking to the side. Seemingly at something.

Or someone…

Alice followed Shelby’s gaze, and instantly her blood turned to ice.

There he was, looking calm as ever. The only evidence of a fight was the bruises on his face, and the slight wrinkles in his suit.

If he was here then… Oh god…

“No…” Alice whispered, eyes wide with pure horror as the realization sank in.

If he was here then Uncle Pendleton had lost. This can’t be happening, there was just no way he could have been beat.

Unless…

Alice immediately shoved that thought down, she couldn’t even think about the possibility of him being dead. He had to be alive, he promised her he would come back.

Blake smiled at her distress. The heartless bastard.

He walked towards her with open arms and a predatory smile. “Alice, I told you I’d win. Now let’s have a little chat shall we?”

Alice’s eyes flicked to Shelby, she knew what he was here for. She wouldn’t let him have her.

The look in her eyes must have broadcast that message loud and clear, because Blake’s smile vanished.

He sighed heavily and shook his head in disappointment. “And here I was hoping we could discuss this civilly, but I guess I’m too late to save you from that man’s influence.”

That made Alice angry. “Don’t you dare talk about my Uncle that way.”

Blake almost looked hurt by her harsh words. “I don’t want to hurt you Alice. So I’ll give you a chance to surrender peacefully. We can fix this, and we can help Shelby, but you need to let her go.”

She didn’t buy that load of bullshit for a second. They fought so hard to get Shelby back, Alice couldn’t bear losing her a second time.

“Never.”

Blake’s hurt expression melted into a cold glare. “Very well then, you’ve made your choice Alice.”

He smoothed out his jacket calmly, and waited.

Alice readied herself, she wouldn’t let him win again, she wouldn’t let him have her mom.

She took in a deep breath to calm her racing mind, focusing on the gravity around them. With concentrated effort, she created small fields of gravity around Shelby, to act as a shield.

Blake glanced over at Shelby for a moment, before turning back to her with a disapproving head shake. “You really think you can protect her Alice? If Sean couldn’t stop me what makes you think you can?”

The rage inside her boiled hot, and she clenched her fists tightly. Sean would probably disapprove of letting her emotions cloud her focus.

But he wasn’t here, he wouldn’t be here, all because of Blake.

Against her better judgement, Alice swung at him in blind fury, anger winning over logic.

He had been hoping for that. Alice didn’t even make contact before she was thrown back by an unseen force, unable to move.

“Alice, Alice. I thought you would know better than to telegraph your moves so easily. But it seems you still haven’t learned. Well, guess it’s time I show you.”

He launched forward, tackling her into the ground hard enough to knock the wind right out of her lungs.

Alice’s concentration shattered. She tried to refocus but Blake slammed her down again. Pain shot down her spine, as something popped out of place.

“If you had given up when I offered we could have resolved this. But you had to be difficult.”

She had never seen that look in his eyes before, it was the look of a man who had truly lost his sanity.

Alice still struggled despite the pain, kicking him away and rolling to the side.

However, Blake had more experience fighting, and pulled her back towards him with a snap of his fingers.

This time he wouldn’t let her off with just a bruised spine. Alice screamed in agony as Blake’s foot came down on her right leg.

He didn’t stop until her bones were splintered and shattered beneath the skin.

Tears ran down Alice’s face, she couldn’t feel anything but the burning pain in her leg. She looked down and saw that it was covered in torn skin and blood, pieces of her broken bones sticking out.

The sight made her want to vomit. She had to hold back her tears as she looked down at the mangled limb.

However, Blake didn’t stop at just her leg. He grabbed her arm and twisted it, until the sound of bones cracking could be heard over Alice’s screaming and crying.

He dropped the broken limb carelessly on the ground and stared down at her, emotionless. Alices screams had died down into choked cries of pain.

Blake held no sympathy for her. His eyes were cold and devoid of emotion. “ You made me do this Alice . If you had listened the first time none of this would have had to happen.”

She looked over to her mom through the tears in her eyes. Shelby was still innocently sitting against the tree, vacant eyes staring out to some unseen future.

“Why…” Alice whispered shakily, clutching her broken arm. “Why did you lock your sister away all these years? Why did you keep me from my mother?”

That made him look almost remorseful. “It had to be done. To protect Shelby, to protect you .”

“Don’t act like you care about me.” Alice spat.

Blake looked down at her, and she could see the conflicting storm of emotions in his eyes. She looked away.

“I do care Alice.” He said quietly. “More than you know…”

Whatever internal conflict Blake was having evaporated the second he heard voices in the distance.

Alice heard it too, and that spark of hope bloomed in her chest, the pain was pushed to the back of her mind.

A flash of anger crossed his face as he looked towards the disturbance. He looked back down at her, the same coldness returning just as fast as it left. “It’s time to go home Alice. I’m sorry for what I’m about to do, but I can’t have you putting up another fight.”

Before Alice had the chance to wonder what he was going to do, pain erupted in the side of her temple.

Her vision went in and out of focus as she tried to keep conscious, trying to keep fighting. Alice wouldn’t let him win, she couldn’t.

She felt her body being lifted up from the ground, and had to bite back a scream as her broken limbs were jostled around. The pain was blinding at this point, it was hard to not let it consume her.

As Alice’s vision faded, the last thing she saw was her mother, her final thought before passing out was the overwhelming guilt of having failed her.

Blake smiled as his niece finally fell unconscious.

“Don’t worry Alice, I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of when you wake up.”