Echoes of a monster

{ Author }

" She hesitated..." The hooded figure gently tapped his chin watching the scene unfold from his balcony.

He smirked. " She could've killed him... But she didn't. Seems like she's too scared to use her powers."

" That's not the case brother. My sweetheart, Mia, she's too nice."

" B-But your henchman was about to die if Hunter hadn't stepped in—"

" That's not the case brother, she didn't want to become a monster that kills everything that comes her way..."

Then suddenly, a low groan filled the dimly lit room. The scarred man, bleeding, humiliated, knelt on the floor, his head bowed in shame.

" You let her go ?!" the hooded man continued, his tone filled with rage. " Why !" He scolded walking towards the man slapping him hard on the cheek.

" Why. Why. Why!" He kept repeating while slapping him harder each time.

"Calm down, brother," The Phantom ( Mia's kidnapper)said soothingly, right before turning to the scarred man and started to slap him across the face.

Smack.

The man barely had time to react before another slap landed.

Smack. Smack.

"Did I say you could talk?" Smack. "Did I say you could breathe?" Smack. "Look at you, pathetic!" Smack.

By the fifth slap, the scarred man just stood there, blinking in shock, while The Phantom shook out his hand with a sigh.

"Ugh, my hand hurts now. See what you made me do?"

{ Mia }

I took a deep breath then turned to Hunter and broke down.

" I almost killed him... I'm a monster..."

I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. The blood on my hands, his blood had already begun to dry, but I still felt it, warm and sticky, a reminder of how close I had come to losing control.

Hunter exhaled sharply, kneeling beside me. "Mia, listen to me. If you were a monster, you wouldn't be sitting here questioning yourself. Monsters don't feel guilt."

" But I almost killed him..."

Hunter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend I know what you're going through, but trust me, if you were really like them, you wouldn't be standing here freaking out about it."

I wanted to believe that. I really did. But Ash's voice still echoed in my head, urging me to finish the job.

What if next time, I don't stop?

Hunter nudged my arm. "Come on, let's get out of here before someone decides to jump us again."

I nodded numbly, following him down the alley. But even as we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was still watching me.

~ at the safehouse ~

Cole jumped from his seat as soon as he saw is enter.

" What the hell happened? " He exclaimed.

" Mia are you alright? Why are you limping?"

Hunter turned to him his jaw tight. " Get her some water."

Cole heasitated. " NOW!! " He barked.

Cole scrambled to the kitchen.

Hunter slowly led me towards the couch and set me down gently.

" Have a seat cupcake, you need to rest ."

Cole came out of the kitchen holding a glass of water.

" Here you go..." He said, gently handing me the cup.

My hands shook and I was unable to hold the cup.

" Oh, let me help..." He said bringing the cup to my lips.

I swallowed thickly " Thanks..." I said in a groggy voice.

Cole shot Hunter a look. "She needs rest."

Hunter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. She does."

Hunter took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he sat beside me. "You've been through a lot, Mia. You need to give yourself time to process all of this."

I nodded slowly, my mind still spinning. How could I just let it go? I almost killed someone. The fear, the anger, the power… It was all so overwhelming.

Cole returned to the kitchen, muttering under his breath as he rummaged through the cabinets, then reappeared with a first-aid kit. He set it down next to me, eyes narrowing as he assessed me. "I don't care what anyone says, you're not okay. Let me at least patch up those cuts."

I didn't resist as he carefully tended to my bruised arms and scraped hands. The cool touch of the bandages contrasted sharply with the heat still lingering in my veins.

"You're quiet," Hunter said, watching me with a concerned frown. "Talk to me, Mia. Whatever's on your mind, you don't have to bottle it up."

I met his eyes, and for a moment, the words caught in my throat. What could I say? That I wasn't sure if I could stop myself next time? That the voice in my head urging me to finish what I started was still too loud to ignore?

"I… I don't know who I am anymore," I whispered, barely above a breath. "What if I'm just like them? What if the next time… I don't hold back?"

Hunter's hand landed gently on mine, grounding me. "Mia, you're not like them. You're not even close."

"But I wanted to finish it," I replied, my voice trembling. "Isn't that what makes me the same?"

Hunter was silent for a moment, his eyes full of understanding, but also a deep concern. "You're human, Mia. Humans feel things—anger, fear, confusion. You didn't kill him because you're not a monster. You didn't let yourself cross that line. That's the difference."

I closed my eyes, allowing myself to believe him, even if just for a moment. But I knew the truth wasn't so simple.

"Let's just rest, alright?" Hunter's voice softened as he squeezed my hand. "We'll figure this out. Together."

I nodded, but I could still feel the storm brewing inside me, the fear of what I was becoming, and the guilt for almost letting it all go too far. I just hoped I could find a way to stop the tide before it swept me under.

Cole, standing by the door, watched her with concern. His patience was running thin.

{ Cole }

As we left Mia alone in her room to rest I swiftly turned to Hunter. " What happened to her Hunter." I crossed my arms.

" She lost control, she almost killed someone."

" What ? Is that why she's so shaken ? "

Hunter nodded his jaw tight.

" But she didn't! " I argued.

" I know... But she still feels guilty."

I shook my head. " She's like the nicest person I know! Someone must've been controlling her!"

Hunter froze and then his eyes brightened.

" Shit Cole, you're right ! I distinctively remember her eyes glowing red. She must've been being controlled."