In the Arms of a Villain

7

A year later...

"I don't think that's how it goes," I remark dully.

She glared at me. "Of course it is. If you get off your ass and help you could see for yourself that I'm right."

"No, I know that's it's wrong from the simple fact it's not fucking working," I snort.

She sighed. "Well it was your idea to get a desk from ikea. The least you could do is put it together yourself."

I shrug. She struggles to assemble the Jamesdar Cargnie desk.

"What are you doing anyway?" She asks.

I sigh. "Oh you know, counting my chickens before they hatch, having my cake and eating it too, not putting together an IKEA desk."

"Screw you!"

"Maybe when you're old enough babe," I shoot back. "Kill that senator yet, we're low on cash,"

She sighed. "Were low on cash because you bought this stupid desk! You kill the senator."

"Can't," I shrug. "I'm busy I have an appointment on the corner of Go Fuck Yourself and No Fucking Way. Sorry."

Dawn sighs, putting down the piece of wood. "Fine," she says.

Ugh. "Alright, fine. I'll go kill the senator and you can put this together, deal?"

She smiles and jumps in my arms. I set down my phone rolling my eyes. I hug her back because if I don't she'll go crazy.

I've managed to corrupt most of her, but those stubborn innocent parts still remain.

"Alright, alright that's enough."

Dawn grins. "I have to go now."

I frown. "Where?"

"To meet the Sherrif Of course. He wants me to go to lunch with him."

I narrow my eyes. "No. Stay away from," I grab her arm, pulling her back, "he's the opposite of everything we stand for and smells like stale sunshine. He'll corrupt you."

She grins. "I know I know. But if I don't he'll come here anyway. I'll just be a few."

She takes my keys, and starts out the door.

Developmently I'm guessing she's a late teenager now. I taught her how to drive and cook, and not get kidnapped.

"Hey! Watch your back!" I tell her.

She rolls her eyes. "Because someone could break my neck, coming up behind and I'd never had a clue." She recites, heading out.

Oh that girl. She's turning 24 this year. Her actual age, anyway. I'd say she's maybe 17 in her mind. A little naive but not completely ignorant of the way the world works.

"Exactly, and they're always coming. Don't forget your knife and drive carefully—"

She rolls her eyes walking out. "Yeah, yeah?"

"Not even a hug for your mentor?" I remark.

She turns around throwing her arms around me.

"I promise I'll be back soon, Roy."

I smile. "I know you will. We have to go back over the faults of most arsonists, you made several mistakes at the last site."

She slips away. "I know I know I'll be back soon."

And off she goes. To meet Mr. Perfect. She thinks I'm oblivious but I'm not.

Her and Mr. Lawful good have been getting awfully close lately.

As a mental 17 year old she's impressionable and is mostly concerned about boys.

Golden boy, with his blonde hairs and blue eyes and white teeth. He's pretty buff too, a regular super man.

She's getting too close to him, focusing her attention on him.

It won't do. And I won't let them continue.

I've decided...Dawn is mine. Once she's a little older—mentally that is, I'll ease her into a relationship.

She'll be mine. I've decided. Nothing is going to change that.

Of course I don't plan to force her. I'll ease her into it, gently, carefully, until suddenly I'm everything to her.

I'm a few years older than her. But mentally, I'm far beyond her.

It won't be hard, especially with our history, and me practically raising her.

Which would be odd, if she were like family. But she's not. She's my student, and I'm her teacher.

To exploit that? No problem for me!

It's just how to get rid of that idiot.

If he turns her back the way she was, she won't be interesting anymore. I want to keep the person I've raised around.

I guess, groomed would be a better word.

The young woman I've groomed. Once she's fully matured...she'll belong to me.

I've been debating whether first love should be one of the things she needs to experience.

But no. Especially not with that lawful good idiot.

He may actually treat her well, and she'll come to expect that. No. It's best she only knows me.

I watch her location settle. The movies? Oh Goldie.

The person I've groomed—you won't entertain her like that.

She needs evil to thrive. Without it, she's bored, and all her trauma comes back to knock in the doors she locked them in, and she's forced to try to face everything she never wanted to see again.

"So you see," I whisper, "She needs me Goldie." I grin. "You should just go die!"