Loki’s Successor System

Jin glared at Sylvia as she stood before him. Ashton kept his distance, lest she attacked. After fall, he didn't know what ability she possessed. And after what happened, he had been ridiculously assuming everything was a demon.

Was Sylvia to be trusted?

Jin scrutinized her. His eyes swept her from head to toe. 'A trap' he thought. He shook his head. He was tempted to hit her. But he relented. He wasn't that evil … not yet.

"Speak!" Jin demanded, his eyes beginning to glow again.

She flinched again; averting her silver, snowy eyes which Jin could not see through his anger. "I was paid to be an actor, Jin." she frowned, her tone soft and apprehensive.

Something he wasn't used to seeing on Sylvia was there: fear. She always acted like she didn't have a care in the world. Jin knew she was lying to herself now. He shook his head. "You expect me to believe that sorry arse shit for an excuse? You might be an actor but I don't believe you were paid by Flint and the others.

"That sorrowful face, and that gloomy demeanor. How can I know you're not acting right now?"

She looked him in the eyes. "Because I'm not acting right now." her tone became serious. Guilt was still in her glassy eyes, but nothing more. He could somehow … feel that she wasn't lying to him, strangely.

"I was really paid to be an actor. I'm not Flint's sister, and I'm not in their gang. As a matter of fact, I feared them when they revealed they were Ability Runners; I tried to keep my distance. But they paying big. Too much money just for me to pretend to be one of them.

"As poor as I am, I thought the money would be enough to take care of my brother for a years. I was blinded. I was just pretending all along, Jin. And you have to believe me. When I learned that they were going to betray you, I came to your house on that same rainy day. But you weren't home. None of you were.

"I tried to warn you, Jin," she averted her eyes, "but I was too late. They kicked me out that day, and told me that my job was done. Alura particularly always hated me—so much so that she threatened that if I don't leave the city, she'll find me and slaughter my family.

"I think I'm gonna make a run for it. I could've been gone already. But I chose to be here today. I'm sorry, Jin. I didn't know. I didn't know. I really didn't know what was happening. I still don't even know why they wanted to kill someone like you. What you have for them?

"Why do you want to wreck your life? But Jin, in case you haven't seen them as their true selves, I'll give you an idea," her eyes widened, "They're not humans. They're not Ability Runners either. I don't know what they are and what they want from you, but I think you shouldn't be here.

"They know the location of this house. Maybe you and your friends can fly out of the country with me and my brother. I know a great pilot. I can also get you a place to stay in England. Maybe only then I can make it up to you.

"Jin, there's not much time. I'm leaving the country, but first I have to save you—make it up to you. If you catch me lying to you, I can give you my brother's location. He lives twenty blocks away from here. Tenth Avenue. You can kill him if I lie. You have to believe me—"

"Okay. I believe you," Jin chided in, "I fucking believe you." He heaved, still festering with rage. He felt as though he couldn't stand anymore. He nodded toward of one the couches, and plopped down. He believed Sylvia.

He saw it in her eyes. He was trying so hard to pretend he didn't believe her, but he couldn't. He wanted to attack her so bad, but he relented. He felt pathetic. He clenched his teeth. "I hate you all."

Sylvia was shocked. She didn't expect him to believe her that easily. She sighed in relief. "I'm really sorry you had to be a victim of those monsters' wrath. I'm really sorry, Jin. I wish I could make it up to you somehow."

She inched toward him. "Please, tell me how I can help you. I'm indebted. Give me tasks. Let me help. I understand the trauma associated with an experience like betrayal. Let me help y—"

"SHUT UP!" Jin snapped, quickly quelling Sylvia to quietude, "Shut up …" She averted her eyes, and held her hands in front of her. Jin heaved deeply.

He still didn't entirely trust her. Whether she was a snake or a rabbit. But he believed that she was telling him the truth nonetheless. He shook his head. "I'm not leaving this house. I want them to come for me. I'll kill them all. If you want, you can bring your brother here. But I can't promise you that he'll survive.

"But I am telling you that I'm not going to stay weak. I'm not weak anymore. I'll kill 'em," his eyes began to glow, "I'll become a monster myself. Revenge is bad—so I won't go looking for them. But I'll slaughter them, should they come looking for me."

Somehow, Sylvia believed that Jin could fight the demons with his level of confidence. But that was only a belief. She didn't have the money to flee the country yet. Franklin, a pilot friend of her dead father's, would still charge them. She had no more money, and her brother didn't want to leave the country.

Looking at Jin, she felt his pain. His sorrow. "I'm sorry, Jin," she muttered to herself. The insufferable pain and sorrow she had also endured in the past. She related to his feelings.

But most importantly, she herself still didn't know whether she was a snake or a rabbit.