Please be a dream. This must be a dream.

Cadell struggled to stand, clinging onto the words for dear life, just like five years ago. Tears blurred his vision as a warning sign flashed on the holographic display: Abnormal heart rate detected.

One alteration to reality, stemming from psychological trauma and psychosis, paralyzed the superhero. His recurring nightmare was alive. What was supposed to be Ejiro kneeling over the two corpses was now him from the past. The boy wept, screaming apology after apology before staring at the ceiling, void of all feeling.

“Thoughts?” Ejiro asked, wiping away tears. “An oscar worthy performance, I know, but was it accurate?"

Cadell shook his head. No emotion registered. At first. But once the mental damage inflicted was fully processed, rage exploded, cracking and popping if it could make a sound. He charged forwards with a sound that could only be described as a strangled cry.

Ejiro easily evaded a wild onslaught of punches. There was no thought process in the attack, nor was there variation. Just heavy, wide swings clearly intended to leave a body motionless.

One punch. That’s all I need.

THWACK!

Ejiro’s swift kick sunk into Cadell’s stomach, leaving him gasping for air. Purple pupils sparked as a rare, malicious glare hid under the Psycho mask. Never had he wanted to feel bones crack on his fist so badly. One punch was all it took to wipe the smirk off his face. One punch was all it took to have this man choking on his blood and bleeding internally in a hospital.

Sharp carbon steel penetrated Cadell’s shoulder. Despite heightened reflexes, he hadn’t even seen it coming until it was too late. Crimson quickly expanded around the broken skin tissue, and seconds seemed to become minutes while the usual self assessment automatically ran through his mind. (He’d been stabbed a lot)

First and foremost, it was deep. Too deep. The super suit was supposed to be knife proof, mitigating most of the damage and yet blood was oozing out of him like no tomorrow. He would be lucky to remain conscious after five minutes with an injury like this.

Ejiro’s smirk widened, capitalizing on the obvious opportunity. His knife dripped blood as it swished only inches above Cadell’s head. He’s fast!

A flurry of knife slashes and kicks followed, every attack too precise for mistakes. The style was a mix between taekwondo and a martial art Cadell couldn’t pin point. It didn’t take a genius to realize the assassin’s expertise with the knife. Maybe it was the excessive blood loss talking but it was fascinating to see the blade almost plunge into his heart time and time again.

However…

A wide grin spread across Psycho’s face as he caught Ejiro’s arm mid-swing.

You know knives far too well, the Voice said. It’s all the same.

THUD, CRASH! One punch catapulted Ejiro through a window. His body flipped outside the house like a ragdoll and crashed into a parked car.

Cadell pressed against his shoulder with a palm in a shitty attempt to stop the blood loss. He sighed as he jumped out of the gaping hole in the window. He never would have imagined returning to this house, the stage of his nightmares and childhood.

“Shantel, inform the police and emergency ambulance of the situation here.”

“Sure thing, Cad,” the AI replied. “Doctors are ready for you in the Dome.”

“Leaving already?” A piercing cackle rang through the air.

Ejiro staggered across the street. Thin streaks of crimson dripped from his forehead. His left arm contorted at a horrible angle and every rib in his body was broken. They had to be.

“Show me how you did it,” Ejiro muttered. “

“Huh?”

Ejiro picked up his knife and threw it. Cadell caught the weapon.

“Create the masterpiece again, Psycho!” Ejiro yelled. “I would love to go out the way your parents did!”

Cadell stared at the bloody knife. Trauma left him dead inside. Seeing it was one thing but now the murder weapon was cold on his palm.

This is the perfect chance, boy. Slaughter him.

No. Just relax. Let the knife go.

Ejiro staggered closer. Cadell couldn’t move.

Throw the knife away! Stop tensing! Let it go! Let it go!

Ejiro threw himself onto the knife. A squelch sounded. Cadell screamed.