He was only a child when they took his brother away. He remembers crying and crying and crying, bawling his eyes out until there was nothing left. The pain he felt to be separated had crushed him, turned him into the monster he was today. Maybe if he'd stayed he wouldn't have become this. 

Before, he was afraid of violence, anything that meant pain. But now, seventeen years old, the cold, smooth, metal feel of the gun is almost second nature. He grips it easily, and holds it up, pointing to the target on the other side of the room. Strong biceps and arms supporting himself, he loads the gun, clicking the mag into place. Inhaling, then exhaling, he shoots, just as his father taught him. 

The loud bang sounds, but he doesn't flinch. He keeps his eyes on the target, and notes that the bullet has hit right where he wanted it to. The exact middle. Satisfied, he places the gun down and stretches. 

He hears a slow clap, emitting from behind him and he turns. He smiles when he sees that it's Wendy. It isn't often that he smiles, mainly for a cover, but Wendy is one of the only people who can get him to smile. She gives him a shy smile back. 

"Why are you up so early?" She asks as she nears closer to him. 

The boy shrugs, "I don't know, I just couldn't sleep. How'd you find me?"

Shrugging, Wendy lets out a yawn. The woman is still in her pajamas. "You weren't in your room, so this was the best place to look." 

Wendy had lived with him for years now, basically an older sister to him. Sure, she was originally just there as someone to help him while his father wasn't around, but she soon became someone he came to rely on, someone he could trust with his life. 

He only sighs, rubbing his eyes. "You know me well enough then."

Wendy's eyes soften as she pulls him into a warm and soothing hug, tracing circles on the skin of his back. She can feel the retracting of his muscles as he breathes. "Thinking again?" She asks, her voice muffled as she leans into his shoulder. 

He nods, craning his head into the junction of her neck. It is one of his favorite places, in all honesty, he feels safe there, he feels calm. Wendy is like the mother he never had even though now, he is much bigger than the older woman. "Hmm...thinking." He echos. 

Wendy