“You could have asked” Said Hex.

Atlas pulled himself away and said “Sorry” in a choked voice.

“Don't be” Whispered Hex pulling him up to her lips.

She didn't kiss him but she was close. His lips were only a slight lean away. If they had both pucker their lips it would have been a kiss.

“So what do you think of the shirt?” Asked Hex.

Atlas looked over her and wanted to say it looked mind numbingly beautiful.

But simply said “You look better with it off”

That's inappropriate, but why did I say it. It's not something I should have said, I know it's not.

“You can help me with that” Said Hex.

Atlas blushed. He was unable to understand why but he did. They continued to talk and look at clothes for a few hours.

Atlas called Moriarty when Hex was distracted and said “Moriarty, do you know anyone by the name of Galatice?”.

“Yes, why?” Asked Moriarty.

“Give her a few extra days for the shipment” Said Atlas.

Atlas knew if they had that much extra time they would be able to spend some extra time Hex. Moriarty agree with out a question.

Atlas walked Hex home and kissed her cheek. Hex smiled and kissed his cheek.

“See you next week” Said Atlas.

“I won't see you tomorrow or ever again” Said Hex.

Atlas turned back to face her. “Goodbye Lucius” Hex turned away.

Atlas grabbed her hand and asked “Why?”.

“Kiss me and I'll tell you” Said Hex.

Atlas took the request into consideration and pulled her close. She placed her arms around his waist.

“Wait,” said Hex “Its would be wrong to blackmail you into kissing me. And I'm blind remember I can't see you to begin with. So I won't ever see you”.

Atlas could not help but feel silly. He had fallen for a simple play on words. He smiled knowing he had outsmarted gods and yet she had made him a fool.

“I know you're smiling” Said Hex.

“Goodnight Hex” Said Atlas.

“Before you go can I ask you something” Said Hex.

“Anything” He replied. “Would you like to be my boyfriend” Asked Hex.

“No,” Said Atlas.

The way she smiled told him she already knew he had something in mind. Just the way she looked at him.

He walked back and held her hands “I would love to”.

She kissed his cheek and he walked away. She waved goodbye. Atlas saw one of them as he walked to his house. He pulled out one of his pills and walked after it. It looked at him and smiled it's broken smile.

Atlas knew it was a trap but he had to catch it. They had killed so many people already. Mostly at random but some had begun to favor killing curtain groups of people. Mostly drug dealers and gang members but that didn't make things any better.

Atlas walked deeper and deeper into the woods to find the fragments of himself. He knew there were more than enough of them to get him noticed.

“Why hunt us?” Called out one of the fragments.

Atlas cared not for conversations with monsters such as them. He knew what kind of abominations they were. Nothing would ever satiate their hunger.

He walked deeper and deeper into the woods.

“We are trying to help you! No you are trying to help yourself. Ever blow you strike against us is an eternal wound upon yourself! Why can't you understand that was are protecting us!” They called out in unison.

Atlas didn't want to speak with them. He knew they simply wanted to live and feed.

“Are you so blinded! You could rule this world and bring unity to this lowly race! We as your army of the undying! No longer needing to fear the people who hunt you!”

Atlas had never feared anything. Nothing had ever brought an emotion so strong to his mind. Or at least not an emotion that was truly his. He had never feared the people who hunted him. And he knew quite well he could end all life on earth and mars. But why would he. He had never wanted power. He has only wanted one thing since the day of his birth. To protect.

Even if he wasn't powerful enough he could be smart enough. Atlas continued to walk after the mass of shards that would absolutely be waiting for him.

“Let us help you! If those who hunted you were dead couldn't our dear sister Levy live a normal life? And what of Valery and Angle? Or Natalie? Don't you care for them”. Atlas had had enough. “Enough!” Yelled Atlas with a voice unbelonging of his from.

His voice rang out through the trees. Atlas spread the contents of the pills over his fingertips. He knew they would never truly attempt to kill him. Atlas began to describe agony. It was the only way to immobilize them long enough for him to get close. He knew that the pain they felt would linger in him till the day he died once he returned them to the seal. It happened last time when they wanted to kill Scarlet. He walked over to each as they attempt to reason with Atlas.

Atlas didn't know but they didn't want to return out of fear. They were terrified of that so called child. They, beasts that wanted only to kill and grow more powerful knew what lay sleeping deep within his mind. They knew they were nothing compared to what had been locked up by his love for the few he did care for. And they dared not break the mortal chains that held it down.

They felt him tear them from reality and force them back into the unity of his mind. They only existed as individuals when apart from him. Their millions of minds melding back with sea of monsters within him, all mastered by Atlas.

They feared the day he was no longer leashed by those people. They hid in terror in the brightest corners of his minds knowing it liked the dark. The numbing of the dark kept it calm and rested.