Wings

Allen's head hung forward. His wrists had been rubbed raw by the shackles and his hair was matted with blood. His bare chest was a maze of cuts.

"Allen. Allen dear. Wake up." Road ran bloody fingers down his cheek. Allen raised his head, eyes shining in defiance.

"How can you do this to people!?" He cried. "You're human just like us. Why do you do it?"

Road laughed.

She ran a pointed candle down is chest as she spoke. "Human, just like you." She giggled. "You don't really believe that. I may be human, but I am much stronger than these pathetic weaklings you refer to." She shook her head. "What a silly boy." She draped her arms around his shoulders, licking the trail of blood off his face. He cringed away. She smiled, kissing him lightly. He struggled to move away. It made her laugh.

"You didn't answer my question." His voice trembled. She cocked her head. "Why do you hurt people?" he repeated.

"What a ridiculous question. Because I enjoy it. I love their screams as they fall. Their faces as the tremble in fear."

"How... how could you? Would you rip off the wings of a bird?"

A pointed grin lit up her face. "Just to see it fall." Her eyes lit up with a fond memory. "It was such a pretty bird. You should have heard it. Her cries were like music."

A pair of shredded boots appeared in her hands. "Her crumpled body was beautiful. It was covered in red." Road grabbed Allen's chin between her fingers, forcing him to face her.

"You... You're lying." It sounded pathetic. Even to his own ears.

"Lying?" she raised an eyebrow. "Why would I lie? Would you believe me if I told you of her brothers anguished yells. It was divine. You should have heard him. The stupid scientist begged the gods, and the skies, to bring her back. He was dragged away kicking and screaming. If they hadn't held him down he probably would have clawed out his own eyes."

Allen felt sick. He shut his eyes and tried to wash away Road's smiling face. He couldn't. Even with his eyes shut, she managed to mock him.

He looked at her again, but this time it was different. He was broken.

"Good boy." Road kissed his bloody lips. And this time he didn't struggle.