Chapter 1

I smile at the woman across from me as she tells me her story, it was actually quite fascinating after all. The youngest daughter of one of the greatest businessmen of his generation, she hadn’t inherited anything. Working her way up with quite literally no money to her name, she became the CEO of one of the top car companies in the US.

The woman herself was in the prime of her life, and her complexion showed it, with a gentle tan, blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, she was incredibly beautiful. Young, for the amount of success she’d had.

“It’s funny.” She says, looking over at me, happiness clear on her face. “I didn’t expect that I’d be so comfortable talking to someone I met so recently. You must have quite the effect on women.”

“I have my moments.” I admit, chuckling. “I can tell that you really wanted someone to talk to.”

She takes a sip of her coffee, closing her eyes in appreciation of its taste. “Yeah, it’s been pretty rough ever since I broke up with that creep.” a look of disgust covers her face, “Who ever thought that such a successful man would have such a lack of… common sense?”

“People are strange, that is for certain. I’ve been watching people for a long time, and you would be amazed at the things they are able to do.” I shrug, taking a sip of tea. I never could stand coffee.

“Thank you for listening to me rant. I’m sorry if it was too bothersome.” She says, looking down at her cup in a rare moment of shyness.

“It’s quite alright, I enjoyed learning more about you.” I smile at her to show how little it bothered me.

She sets her cup down, looking up into my eyes before looking away. “I’m done with my coffee, but I don’t want our conversation to end. I need to get some work done at home… would you maybe want to come with me?”

I chuckle at her, standing up and stretching. “I’d love to hear more about you, but my car is at the repair shop. Is it ok if I ride with you?”

She smiles up at me. “Of course.”

Owning a car company, the woman’s car is top of the line, and I find myself sinking into the passenger car seat as she starts her car up. A beautiful purr comes from the car that I can appreciate.

About ten minutes into the car ride, I decide that we are far enough away from anyone that could see us. A small flexing of my shadow and the car starts to slow down.

“That’s strange.” She mutters, as we pull to a stop at the side of the road, “I just had the car checked yesterday.” She moves to undo her seatbelt. But my shadow keeps her hands in place. “W-what’s going on?” she turns to look at me for help, but I barely notice.

It’s fascinating every time I do it. The surprise, the tiny bit of fear that creeps into their voice. The widening of the eyes as they realize that I’m the one responsible.

That isn’t to say that I enjoy it. Rather, I feel a sort of fascination for the whole process. Ah, she’s starting to realize that I’m the one responsible for what’s happening.

Fear starts to permeate her voice as she begins to plead with me. Her life story really was rather fascinating as well. I wonder what she would’ve accomplished if I hadn’t come here today?

World peace? Flying cars? I suppose I’ll never know. It’s truly unfortunate.

I look into her eyes, which are filled with fear as I unbuckle my seatbelt and lean over towards her. Looking at her lips, I can’t help but regret the fact that we didn’t have some of the fun she’d been hoping for.

Unfortunately, it feels strange to kill someone I’ve had sex with. No idea why really. Probably has something to do with instincts and wishing for offspring or some such nonsense.

Gently, I pull my hand back, covering it with shadow, then I stab her in the chest, through the heart. No need to drag this out longer than needed. I’m not getting paid to torture her. Blood flows down my hand as she stares at the hole I’d made with my hand in her chest. Surprise fills those eyes, and I shake my head as I pull my hand out.

I’d tried torture once or twice, it wasn’t really my style. Once the initial fascination wears off, it gets rather messy and boring. I mean, you’re purposely drawing something out. I really don’t get the guys that enjoy the suspense of it all.

She slumps over, her lifeblood flowing out into the car.

Once I’ve confirmed her death, I turn away from her and pull out my phone, calling the contact for the person who had ordered the hit.

“Hello?” They say as they pick up the phone.

“She’s dead.” I respond, before hanging up.

I look over at my hand, covered in the woman’s blood.

Killing is starting to get boring.

*****************

I watch my next target, smiling and waving as she notices me staring from across the college garden. She smiles back, before turning to continue talking with her friend.

The girl has long black hair that she wears in a ponytail, her bright green eyes wrinkling with laughter at something her friend had said.

My employer had failed to inform me that she was a witch. Likely because they didn’t know. Witches didn’t exactly advertise their power, but the magic gathering around her was impossible to miss.

It has been a hundred years or so since I’d last targeted a witch. They were rare, and had learned to not make targets of themselves over the centuries.

The power in this one was something to behold, she must be the star of her generation.

After saying something to her friend, she walks over to me. Smiling behind her textbook. “You’re Leo, right? From Biology?”

“That’s me.” I say, looking down as I rub the back of my head. “Diana, right?”

“Yep!” She says, holding out her hand.

I reach out to shake it, and as soon as our palms meet, I realize my mistake. By instinct, she sends a magic pulse through my body. Something that is never done by most witches because of how invasive it can be. She must not have learned of it’s rudeness, because she obviously did it.

She reels back as I surround us with my shadow, hiding us from the other students in the garden.

Her eyes stare at me with… not fear? She stares at me with pity, as she fights the urge to throw up.

How strange. Fascinating.

“My god.” She whispers, “How do you live with yourself?”

I raise an eyebrow at her question, before shrugging. “I manage.”

“The amount of killing, the murders. How does the guilt not consume you?” She asks, taking a step towards me instead of away.

The stupidity of this girl astounds me. She knows that I murder without thought, and yet she takes a step towards me? This girl needs to get her head looked at. A smile appears on my face as I lean against the wall behind me, my thoughts turning to the question she asked me. I’ve never felt guilty over killing someone. I've mainly just felt fascinated. “Why do you expect me to feel guilt?”

She pauses, biting her lip, then nodding, “I see.” Power gathers around her, and I hurry to gather my shadow, cursing the sunlight for making me weak. I have no desire to fight a witch when I’m not at my strongest.

Her spell hits me and I feel my shadow failing against the strength of her attack. I need to escape-

My shadow falls apart and I’m hit. Her power pushes me into the wall, holding me in place.

“I think I know what I need to do.” She says, her eyes filling with a purple light. Powerful and god-blessed? My luck seems to have failed me today.

I chuckle at the thought. Why has she not killed me yet? Once she’s done that, I can hurry and regather myself. She won’t be expecting me next time.

“You have killed so many. Murdered others. Yet you feel nothing.” she starts, her voice booming with power. “I know what punishment you deserve.”

Yes yes, get it over with already, I’m tired of being held against this wall.

“For every death you have given, you will feel their pain.” What? “For every person you have killed, you will feel regret.” Wait, wait… “For every murder you have commited, you will know what you have done.”

I don’t think this is going to be pretty.

The power leaves her voice as she continues in a softer tone. “I will give you back what you have lost, you will feel empathy again.”

Her power releases me and I fall to the ground.

Diana. That was her name. I will remember it.

My power gathers around me as I use it to leave, transporting to the farthest shadow I could think of.

I fall to the ground in an alleyway. I don’t even bother to check where I am as I look at myself.

Did her spell fail? What-

Then it hit me.

The pain.

The fear in their eyes.

I killed them.

I killed so many of them.

Their pain hit me.

A thousand stabbings.

A thousand beheadings.

A thousand poisons.

The shadows crawled from the dark, suffocating me. Killing me.

I screamed, and screamed as I felt it all.

I killed them. Their lives gone forever.

What have I done?

The pain I caused.

The torture.

Entire families wiped out.

I feel the absolute horror of the parents as their children are murdered in front of them.

How could I have done this?

I scream as I feel the emotions that they felt.

What have I done?

What have I done?