Villain Retirement

"..."

Riley was now back in the penthouse; his eyes, once again reflecting another episode of Italian Mafia Reborn. They seemed to have ramped up production, even making the character Hera was voicing into a major character in the story– that alone should have ballooned up their cost.

It would seem that people being stuck in their homes boosted up their ratings even more– especially now that they were moving to a pivotal point in the story.

"..."

"..."

And a few more seconds of quietly watching the episode, Riley did something he had never done before…

…He turned off the TV before the episode was done.

"..."

He then very gently placed the remote on the coffee table in front of him, before turning his head down and looking at Paige, who was once again sleeping with her head on his lap. He had just revealed to her that he was Darkday, and yet for someone that claims that she has extreme difficulty in sleeping, Paige seemed to be sleeping very soundly right now.

Riley told her who he was to prevent any more needless circumstances from happening in the future. If she chose to lash out and fight him, then Riley would have killed her then and there. If she chose to run away, then Riley would have also killed her right there and then.

But no.

He told Katherine, and she tried to kill him at first.

He told V, and she tried to kill him.

He told the Baby Crew, and they tried to attack him.

He told Hannah, and she killed him.

He told Paige, and she just shrugged her shoulders and said that it made sense.

After that, Paige even asked a few more things about him. His childhood, his family, Alice– everything that happened to him. He told her all of these and thought that Paige would probably try and kill him too.

But no, she just said she understood and didn't ask any further, only telling him that they should go home.

She understood– just what exactly did that mean?

Riley then gently lifted Paige's head, placing a pillow beneath it as he stood up… and he just stood there staring at her face for a full minute. He… doesn't understand.

What exactly does it mean for someone to understand him? Riley knew himself that he was a monster– an evil creature that parents use to scare their children; and rightly so.

Darkday's appearance could probably be counted on two hands. And yet in those occurrences, he has tortured, maimed, and killed tens of millions of people. Even right now, he doesn't regret any of those.

In fact, he could go out there right now and kill millions more and he would still probably enjoy it. That is what he is– a monster that craves for death.

So what exactly does it mean for someone to understand someone like him?

He probably wouldn't even think about it if someone else told him that. But Paige wasn't an evil person. She cares for people and wants to save them. She was the kind of person that was willing to sacrifice herself if it would mean saving even more lives.

She was the same as the others. Hannah, V, Silvie, and at some point, Katherine– all of them were heroes that wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice themselves.

And yet what made Paige different? Is it really just because she grew up being surrounded by people like Riley?

…Is it because unlike Hannah and the others, he told her the truth before the truth became a betrayal?

"..."

Riley then suddenly took a step back as Paige suddenly snuggled onto the pillow, brushing her face on it as she puttered her lips. And after a few more seconds of staring at her face, Riley walked away; the sound of the city, instantly drowning his ears as he stepped out onto the terrace.

He then took one final glance at Paige, before wearing his mask again and flying away.

"Hm…" Paige remained asleep, cuddling the pillow as a smile slowly formed on her face,

"...Riley. S… stop."

***

He still couldn't get used to the noise. It was a whisper that was getting louder and louder, and then it just suddenly stops… and then repeats again. Riley, of course, was talking about flying through the sky without covering himself with his invisible armor.

Ever since he returned back to Earth as Paragon, he had been careful not to use his telekinesis in any obvious way– as someone with trained eyes would easily see through him.

Hannah was almost able to see through him– No, she did see through him. If it wasn't for all the other things that have happened this morning, then Riley didn't doubt that Hannah would discover the truth.

He needed to change– change everything. Riley Ross and Darkday are dead… and they should remain that way. Of course, Riley knew that the monster inside him was still very much alive… he is that monster himself, after all.

But at least this time…

…he wouldn't be Hannah's monster anymore.

Riley would make sure she would forever be free of him… as she would never be able to understand him. He doesn't want her to.

"..." Riley immediately shook his head as the thought of Paige once again entered his mind. It was an uncomfortable feeling that Riley seemed to can't get rid of.

Riley then hastened his flight; causing the clouds beneath him to part as a skirt of wind violently blossomed around him. He needed to get rid of the thoughts circling in his mind. And for that, he too…

…needed to understand.

"..." A small thunder then howled in the air as Riley stopped flying; his hair snapping with the wind. He then closed his eyes for a few seconds as he took in a small breath, before once again opening them already settling at a house in the middle of nowhere; surrounded by nothing but pasture.

And without even taking another breath, he landed right in front of the house and…

…politely knocked on the door.

"..."

"..."

"Coming!"

And after a few seconds of waiting, someone finally opened the door– a boy.

"Elliot, I told you not to open the door!"

This boy, however, quickly disappeared as a woman suddenly rushed to the door and pulled him away.

"Did you… need something?"

"It's been a long time, Ms. Croft…

…is Diley around?"