Qualities that Kill

Chapter 3- Lyra

I race down the streets of the once pristine and shining city, chasing after my prey, Altius running by my side. As I run, the wind ruffles my hair and I can catch glimpses of the young man I am pursuing. He wears dark clothing, which is necessary to have if you want to survive in this city. Bright clothing means you are easier to find and track down.

I hope he has a good Quality. I'm pretty sure his is generosity, because I saw him give some food to one of the abandoned orphan children that wander the streets a few weeks ago. However, I can never be sure, because his Quality is what he thinks his best quality is, not what others perceive it as.

I pick up my pace. I can't lose him, because I have wasted days of my precious time tracking him, watching him to figure out if he has a Quality that won't be a setback to me. I won't be able to survive if he gives me one of those annoying traits like not wanting to harm anyone or the need to help everyone who comes into sight.

I continue to slowly gain on him, and then I realize where he is going. I know this city like the back of my hand, and I can tell that he is headed towards a dead end. This is how I capture most of my victims. Either corner them or chase them until they can't run any more.

The man risks a glance back to see how far I am behind him, and the look of fear on his face when he sees how close I am is priceless. I imagine what I must look like to him: a demon, clothed in shadows and an evil glint in its eyes.

Finally, the man reaches the end of the alley he has trapped himself in, and I slow, knowing that there is no chance of him escaping now. I prowl towards him, grinning, and it is then that he realizes that he will get no mercy from me. A fleeting look of pure terror crosses his face, but then he straightens his shoulders and his expression transforms to one of defiance. I can tell that he will not go to his death quietly. Pity. Their screams always draw others hoping for a bloodbath. I'm not interested in any more kills today. I need to have time to observe my prey before I take their Quality (and their life). Then the man speaks, his voice calm and unwavering.

"You disgust me," he spits.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. It's disgusting, the way you parade through this city like you own it, and hunt down innocents to kill so that you can become a better person. But guess what? You'll never be a good person. All you are is a murderer and a thief."

I shake my head at his words, disappointed that this boy thinks me so gullible that he will be able to change my mind or make me feel guilty in some way. Of course, I will never feel guilty about all the people I have killed. I have no regrets. I smirk at him, then say, "You think I haven't heard all this before? They tell me that I'm a disgrace to the human race, that I don't deserve to live. They stand with straight spines and shoulders back as I prowl towards them. But their brave masks don't last long. Soon they regret every single word spoken against me. They beg for my forgiveness. They sink to their knees as their blood pools at my feet. Their last breath is wasted begging for my mercy. They meet their end staring into my eyes. And you will be no different."

The man takes a step forward. "I will never beg to you. I will never kneel before you. I don't want your forgiveness. And you will not be able to change my mind," he growls, glaring straight into my eyes. "I'm not scared of you."

"Oh, you should be. You have no idea what I am capable of," I sneer, stepping closer to him, only a few inches between us. "No idea."

Then I smile at him and step back.

"But you're about to find out."