James walked home from his job, his paycheck having been delivered to his account. It seemed strange to him now, looking back. Just a week ago the string of numbers had held such meaning, such joy. Payday had been a day for celebration, when he was able to afford a little extra luxury, a little extra fun. But now such things had lost all meaning. He himself hadn't eaten since the day of his Initiation, and Lily was in no state to appreciate any form of luxury. She was barely aware of the things she ate, chewing and swallowing out of reflex rather than any real need or intent. Her soul remained imprisoned in that place, the place where his new master dwelled. Now the numbers were just numbers, nothing more and nothing less. Meaningless data flickering across an old-fashioned LED screen. The only reason he even bothered to work was because appearances had to be kept up, he had to look like he was still a turning gear in the cog of the machine.
But in the shadows of the night, when the previous him had been forced into a deep sleep, he now awakened to his true reality. The hunt, the chase after the mysterious King of the underworld. Killing petty criminals, torturing them for answers. He had their greatest fears at his fingertips, and they happily told him anything he wanted to hear. But it wasn't enough. Nobody knew anything definitive, any way to get close to him. And everyone knew that he had powerful friends willing to step in on his behalf. This would mean nothing if he got Lily killed with his investigation, if some enterprising mobster shot her while he was out on his hunts.
No, he would be a shadow, stalking it's prey. He would find where Rick's weak spots lay, what fears kept him awake at night. And he would force him to live his greatest nightmare for the rest of his pathetic existence.
But in the shadows of the night, when the previous him had been forced into a deep sleep, he now awakened to his true reality. The hunt, the chase after the mysterious King of the underworld. Killing petty criminals, torturing them for answers. He had their greatest fears at his fingertips, and they happily told him anything he wanted to hear. But it wasn't enough. Nobody knew anything definitive, any way to get close to him. And everyone knew that he had powerful friends willing to step in on his behalf. This would mean nothing if he got Lily killed with his investigation, if some enterprising mobster shot her while he was out on his hunts.
No, he would be a shadow, stalking it's prey. He would find where Rick's weak spots lay, what fears kept him awake at night. And he would force him to live his greatest nightmare for the rest of his pathetic existence.