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--donation bonus (day #10, post 5/5)--
Hector frowned beneath his helm. He tried to extend a hand toward her, but she flinched.

“No, please! This is all just too much! I don’t want anything to do with you!” She ran away from him. “I’m sorry!”

He watched her go. He couldn’t really blame her. He was the reason she was in danger to begin with. It was probably better this way, honestly. He just wished it didn’t feel so awful.

“She’s just traumatized,” said Ms. Trent. “Give her some time.”

He doubted time would make much difference. He looked at his teacher.

Small cuts riddled her face. Her hair and clothes were all a mess. She didn’t look any less traumatized than Sheryl, really.

“H-how are you feeling?” he asked her.

“Alive. Thanks to you.”

“Don’t be too grateful. I... I’m the reason he was trying to kill you...”

“I don’t understand,” she said as they began walking. “What was he trying to accomplish, exactly? That was your father, wasn’t it?”

“That thing was not my dad. It was... a monster. It killed him and took his body...”

She hesitated. “I wish I couldn’t believe you. But after... well... I’m not about to doubt your word.”

“It was trying to... hurt me, I guess...” He took a quiet breath. “It’s dead now, but... it sure as hell succeeded...”

“Why did it want to hurt you? Because you’re the Darksteel Soldier?”

Hector paused at that. “...The what?”

“Oh, come on. I’ve seen the news. A young, black male in a metal helmet, terrorizing criminals around the city. You can’t tell me that’s some other guy.”

“Yeah, o-okay, that’s me, but... the Darksteel Soldier?”

“Isn’t that what you call yourself?”

“Uh... no...”

“Well, that’s what they’re calling you. You didn’t know?”

“I, uh... I haven’t really... been paying attention to the news lately...”