Villain Retirement

10 years ago, somewhere deep within the outskirts of a certain city in Alabama, an orphanage stood.

St. Clarisse Orphanage.

The orphanage seemed like any other establishment out there; built from an abandoned church, a nice front yard, gated for security, large grass spaces for the children to run across… bombarded with surveillance cameras that captured every angle.

But it was, however, not a typical orphanage. It had children abandoned by their parents, of course. But what set apart the orphanage from the rest of the orphanages in the state was that they specialize in children with… certain mental issues.

Most are in the spectrum; socialization disorders, attention deficit disorders, severe persistent depressive disorder, and many other different mental health issues.

The children, however, all have one thing in common– all of them have suicidal tendencies. Even those at the early age of 8 have tried to take their life once or twice. In short, the doctors, nurses, and all the staff of the establishment were on high alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How could one so young think of such abhorrent thoughts? The doctors have answers, of course– and yet the people, as well as the local governments, do not listen. They didn't really think it was a real problem and the children would just end up growing out of it.

But how could they grow out of it when they lose the chance to grow at all?

One had to be willing to sacrifice their lives to work in such a place. One wrong move and a child's life would be at risk. That is why those who work in the orphanage do not work for money at all– they work to secure a beautiful life for the children.

But of course, sometimes, an adult's emotion would be triggered no matter how much patience they have.

And there was one orphan, in particular, that pushed the patience of all the staff in the establishment to their utmost limits.

Paige Pearson.

She was left in front of the doors of another orphanage when she was just months old; her birth certificate, oddly enough, was attached to her cradle. But at the age of 4, however, it was obvious that there was clearly something wrong with her and so she was transferred to an orphanage better suited to her needs– St. Clarisse Orphanage.

At first, she was just like any other troubled child– nothing the orphanage hasn't seen before with their litter of mentally challenged orphans. Everything changed, however, when she turned 6 years old.

She started talking to herself even more– almost to the point that she convinced herself that she was, indeed, truly talking to someone. It wasn't just a simple imaginary friend, no. The conversations she was having, the dilation of her eyes, her gestures– she truly believed that she was talking to someone.

There were also days that she would stay awake for 2 days since she couldn't handle just staying still and doing nothing. It came to the point that they had to dose her with a mild sedative to calm her down enough for her body to realize that it was tired.

The doctors don't know why– but that event seemed to have triggered something in Paige… because as soon as she woke up, they found her almost drowning in her own blood; her throat, slightly cut.

If they didn't have a super that was capable of healing wounds, then Paige would have died that morning. It was then that Paige was placed on the priority list. The weird thing was… was that they didn't find anything sharp inside the room.

Paige became calm after that– not even talking to herself anymore as she acted like any 6-year-old would. But then a month after…

…she jumped from the roof.

It was a miracle that she was even able to survive with only a few broken bones in her body. According to Paige, however, it wasn't a miracle– she has wings, she said. She even showed her back to the doctors… but there was nothing there.

They later found out that Paige gained access to the television, watching a show with angels and all that stuff.

Paige's attempt on her own life didn't end there– almost weekly, they would find her lying in the hospital with wounds that would probably already kill normal children. And yet, she survives.

But the orphanage had enough, and they finally decided to place her in solitary confinement for her own good– strapped in a straitjacket inside a room surrounded by nothing but foam.

Of course, Paige didn't like this at all as she started screaming and flailing around.

Why would they do this to her? She roared. She had been telling all of them that she has wings, that she had a friend that was saving her… that she was able to draw in the air.

The doctors hated seeing a child this young like this… but it was their duty to keep them safe from others and from themselves.

To their surprise, however…

…they found Paige once again drowned in her own blood the next morning– with several… lacerations all around her body almost as if someone sawed her. The weird thing was, however… was that the straitjacket was completely intact.

And of course, her wounds were once again healed by the doctors. And this time, they decided to finally listen to Paige. After all, with everything that has happened to her– there was a large chance that she could actually be a super.

That was when she told the doctors that she had a fight with her friend… causing her to get one of the scalpels and started stabbing Paige with it.

They've reviewed the CCTV… and there was no one who checked her room that night…

…even once.

"Your friend…" One of the doctors then flashed a light on Paige's eyes as they continued to examine her, "...where is she right now?"

"She… she is there, mister," Paige's irises adjusted as she looked to the side of the doctor, "She… doesn't seem to like it when you do this."

"..." The doctor looked to his side… but there was nothing there. He then looked at the other doctors and nurses, before nodding his head and returning to Paige.

"And what is your friend doing right now?"

"She… she's holding one of those sharp things again with the teeth," Paige took in a small gulp; her eyes, seemingly avoiding this so-called friend of hers, "I… I don't know why she's mad. We… we used to be very happy."

"This friend of yours… can you tell us what she looks like?"

"Y… yes," Paige nodded, "She… has v… very blue eyes, her hair is similar to Mr. Puppies."

"Red hair?"

"Hm," Paige nodded several times, "She also has marks on her face… like dots."

"Freckles?"

"Yes! You… you can see her!?"

"Paige… that's you,"

The doctor then slightly leaned back as he looked at Paige; his wheeled swivel chair, creaking as he did so, "You… just described yourself."

"...No? I– Mr. Doctor, look out!"

And all of a sudden, Paige suddenly leaped from the bed, pushing the doctor away.

The nurses were about to sedate her… but they suddenly notice blood on her gown; and very slowly, building up on her back.

"Quick, bring her back to the bed!" The staff immediately rush to carry Paige and turn her around… only for them to see a huge gash on her back.

"What… what happened, Paige!?" The doctor said as he quickly started healing her back.

"It… it's my friend. She… she tried to hit you," Paige started to cry, "I'm sorry… I'm really sorry… because of me, you–"

"Where is she!? Where is she right now!?"

"T… there," Paige then slowly pointed towards the corner of the room. Everyone looked…

…and there, they finally saw a girl.

Most of the staff gasped and took a step back– how could they not, when a girl completely identical to Paige was staring at them holding a saw?

"Please… please enough!" Paige screamed, "Please don't hurt them!"

"Die!" And as soon as Paige's words stopped, the girl suddenly rushed towards them, waving the saw everywhere. Everyone ran away as soon as they saw that– everyone except the doctor who immediately shielded Paige as the saw was about to swing onto her.

He gritted his teeth for the incoming pain… but it never came. Instead, the jagged blade passed right through him like a hologram and went straight to Paige's arm– almost cutting it to the bone.

"..." The doctor's eyes widened as he saw this– his stupor, however, did not last long as he immediately rushed to grab a sedative and proceeded to put Paige under.

And as soon as she lost consciousness…

…so did the girl disappear.

***

"And that's basically it. I never really learned how to fully control my powers since, well… If I miss my meds for a few days, she comes out to kill me."

"Interesting story, Paige. You should tell that to the Pope, maybe he could help you."

"...What? Wait, no… This isn't 'The Exorcist', Adam. I'm not possessed!"

Back in the present time, Riley and Paige were currently on top of a building; sitting comfortably as a campfire was between them as Paige's story took almost half a day to tell from all the details she added.

The fire, however, was only something Paige could feel.

"I did not say you were, Paige," Riley shook his head; sighing as he stood up, "The Pope has a liking for good stories. Let's go visit him now and–"

And before Riley could finish his words, a small thunder erupted in the air… followed by a scream for help.

"Civilian in distress!" Paige also stood up as she looked in the direction of the noise, "Finally… well, not finally but more like unfortunately… but finally…

…It's time to save some people!"