Nova's POV

Hell.

I believed that was a literal translation of what this place was. Here I was even called Diabla, which was she-devil in spanish. Runt gave me the name first after he saw my powers in action for the first time and I guess it just stuck. What I could do was sort of sickening, and being called Diabla is appropriate so I never bothered to change it or disagree.

Besides, I didn't have a real name.

No one here did.

What we called each other is all we've ever known. The scientists only ever called us by subject numbers. It's like they wanted to remove anything human about us so they wouldn't feel guilty. Like "she's just a number", like it helps them to sleep at night believing that they were torturing "experiment number 7", instead of Lucy or John.

The night was the worst part about this place. It was the one part of the day I time to myself. But honestly I'd rather be tortured by pain so I'd have something to distract my mind. In the darkness of my cell all I had was my own thoughts. And the nightmares that haunted me when I slept.

If I slept at all.

It's a wonder I hadn't lost my mind.

Some kids never made it past their 8th birthday. Blue said that I was lucky. That we were all lucky to have survived this long.

She was the hopeful one among us. But she was also way more naive than everyone else. She saw the good in people. Which is a great quality to have, but what I didn't agree with was how she even had hope for the people who tortured us day by day.

Blue and I sometimes bumped heads in heated arguments, but I knew that she meant well. Which was why I never got seriously angry with her.

I rolled over in my cot, wishing I was anywhere but here. I was 18 and hadn't been outside of this place. Wherever I was anyway, I knew it couldn't be all that existed. There was more out there.

Frustrated, I sighed. Who was I kidding?

"I'm never leaving..." I whispered, defeated.

A single tear leaked from my eye. I quickly brushed it away. I couldn't feel sorry for myself. I had gotten past that. It was just sometimes really hard to do. Life here wasn't life at all. It wasn't living, it was surviving. Everyday was a fight.

And I was just so sick of fighting.

But I had to keep fighting.

If I didn't, who would I be? I couldn't let these scientists and lifeless, evil people get the best of me. If I did that, they'd win.

Closing my eyes, I realized I at least needed to try to get some sleep. I needed strength to get through the rest of the day tomorrow. That required a well rested body and mind. Not that I ever got decent sleep here, but I had to try.

Eventually my eyes began to feel heavy and my brain got foggy. Slowly ever so slowly I felt myself give into the inevitable...

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Inky blackness covered me, it was darker than any room void of light. It was a strangling quiet kind of darkness. The kind only evil lurks in. When I blinked it didn't feel any different than when my eyes were open.

"What is this?" I murmured, frantically looking around for something.

Anything.

But I was all alone. Completely doused in shadows, it felt like I was being devoured by a silent killer.

"Hello?!" I cried, throwing my hands that I couldn't see out into the air.

Still nothing.

"Please!" I begged, feeling trapped.

Stuck.

An abrupt blast of light lit the room and revealed a small, younger version of me. She was glaring at me with such a rage of fury in her eyes, it had my feet backing away. Her eyes flashed green as I hit a wall behind me.

I swallowed, watching her jaw clench and unclench, like she was determining whether or not to kill me.

"You deserve to die." She scowled, her emerald glowing palms slowly raising.

Terrified, I gasped. My knees hit the ground as a searing pain eased through my head and began burning its way down my body. I screamed, feeling her draining my life power. I knew what came after that, after all I was her.

I was the monster taking my own life.

Gripping my head in my hands, my sight was lost. I was blind, only seeing white. Agony raged on, weakness bringing me closer to death by the second. Just when I thought it was over, the pain stopped, for a blissful second it ceased.

And then something struck me. My body crippled, crumbling out from under me. My body fell, rolled to the left as the younger me stood over it. An eerie smug smile slid over her lips. Then her glowing fingers snapped, and so did my neck.

Everything went black.

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My body swung up into sitting position, a screeching sob leaving me. I screamed, clenching my fists so hard I could feel blood. Tears flowed from my eyes without a sign of stopping.

"What is wrong with me?!" I shouted, holding my aching head in my hands.

That nightmare was me. That's who I had become. That six year old girl, the monster in the vision. She was me. I was a killer, a thief of lives. It wasn't self defense, it was a need. A drive to take life.

Crying softly now, I threw off my bed sheets and paced the small cell. This was what the scientists wanted. A weapon.

A tool to use for the destruction of humanity.

Running my hands through my long black hair, I breathed a little. My stomach was queasy, and I was once again feeling claustrophobic in this tiny cell. Right now, I felt like I could explode.

I needed Blaze.

Walking to right of my cell, I lied my head next to the wall. Knocking twice, I waited for his response... you know if he was awake. But he rarely did sleep. Blaze and I both got nightmares a lot.

Shortly after there was two thuds, signaling that he was there. Sighing I instantly felt comforted. At least I wasn't alone, I had someone who shared my burden.

"You alright, Nova?" Blaze called through the thick barrier.

Blaze was the only one who refused to call me Diabla. For some reason he chose Nova. I'm not sure why, but he just started calling me it and I didn't question.

"No," I said back, rolling my eyes.

"Sorry, that was a dumb question." He replied.

I sighed. "No it wasn't, you were just being a good friend. I'll be okay in a few hours."

"Bad dream?" He asked but he already knew the answer.

"It's the one I've been having for weeks now." I told him, running my hands over my face.

There was silence for a while.

"You know you're not like that, right?" He finally responded, sort of quietly.

I shut my eyes, and clenched my fists. "But I hurt people Blaze."

Again silence.

"They ask for it, Nova." He said, making a point.

Still, everyone had a choice. I had a choice to hurt those people. I didn't have to fight back. I could let them hurt me. Instead I chose to take their lives. And even if I didn't admit it, secretly a part of me liked it. I liked the feeling of power that I got from it. The rush, it was exhilarating.

Shuddering, I sighed again. "I wonder what time it is."

"It's probably early morning." He acknowledged.

Staying quiet, I prepared myself for the day's events. It was breakfast with the Five. Then whatever torture was in store for me from the scientists. I'm sure they had some tests or experiments to run on me today.

"Hey Nova?" Blaze said abruptly.

"Yeah?"

There was another pause, like his mind is stuck in thought tonight.

"I heard the scientists talking earlier yesterday... they mentioned something about someone coming today for 'final examination'. I don't know what that is, but something in my gut tells me that today is a big day." He explained, telling me that I was right about him having something on his mind.

Final examination... that didn't sound pleasant. Especially because it rhymed with final destination. Yeah, I wasn't thrilled about life in this place, that didn't mean I wanted to die. In fact I was scared of death. I was scared of what happens to you after you die. If there was a hell, it was where I was going.

"Well whatever happens, we'll face it together," I told him.

"Yeah, of course we will." He replied, his voice lighter.

Holding my hands out, I studied my palms. Concentrating, I focused on the life power that I have consumed from victims over the years. Eventually my hands are glowing in emerald flames and the ground underneath me is rumbling.

I guess if today was my last day in this facility, I knew I was ready to fight. The one thing I would fight for is my family; Runt, Blue, Blaze and of course Storm. I had known them my whole life.

"It's gonna be okay," I promised him.

But it wasn't just a promise to Blaze, it was a promise to all of us. Whatever happened, I would protect them.

Even if it meant laying down my own life...

There was a sudden flicker and the florescent lights came on. Across from my cell Runt was fast asleep, I'm sure dreaming. Beside his cell was Storm. She was just getting up, the light always woke her. Finally on the other side of Runt's cell was Blue. She had a notebook and was writing something. Probably another poem. Unlike Runt, Blaze, Storm and I, she got a lot of special treatment. I think it was because she was the least resistant to the scientists and because of her angelic personality people immediately felt drawn to her. Her entire cell looked like a teenager's bedroom, with a bookshelf full of books, a nightstand with her own pet goldfish, and journals with pens stacked in the back corner.

Shaking my head I stood up and stepped up to the glass. The two of them looked over at me. I smiled and gave a small wave to which they returned.

"What do you think is on the menu for breakfast today?" Storm joked snarkily, making us all laugh.

We had been eating the same oatmeal and drinking the same milk for about 16 years. There wasn't a more bland breakfast than what we had been eating.

Suddenly Runt yawned and sat up wiping his eyes. I smiled. He was the most innocent of all of us, even if he was our age. He was still like my little brother. Everyone felt that way.

"Good morning sunshine." I called.

He gave me a dirty look, and lied back down under the covers. Runt, unlike the rest of us, could sleep for hours here. He didn't get nightmares, luckily for him with his powers and all, he could control what he dreamt about.

"All subjects, please report to the dining hall immediately." Came a voice over the intercom.

Next a door opened in each of our cells. Well, meal time.

I headed through the opening and walked down a long corridor. The same corridor I walked down everyday. The day always started this way, innocent, unsuspecting. Somehow it always managed to end in horror.

The five of us met in the dining hall, bowls of hot oatmeal and cups with milk already placed at the table. We all sat down in the same spots we've sat in for years. No words were spoken yet, everyone was starving and it didn't matter if it was oatmeal. You ate whether you wanted it or not. Going into a day here on empty was like going into a marathon without food or water.

"Blue, what are you writing about?" Runt asked curiously, noticing that she had once again brought her journal to breakfast.

She looked around at us. "The ocean. Or what I think the ocean is like."

I frowned and gulped down some of my milk. Blue was 18 and she didn't know what the ocean looked like, what it felt like. Neither did I. Or any of us for that matter. We knew hardly anything about the outside world. Just the tidbits we heard about from the scientists here, plus some information that Runt received through his mind reading.

"Did you guys hear about that guy coming in today?" Storm interrupted my thoughts.

Blaze nudged my elbow. I nodded at him. "No, who?"

Storm bit her lip and stared at the wall behind me. "I'm not sure. I didn't hear the name. I just know he's important. He's evaluating us, or something."

"Hmm..." I hummed, thinking this over.

Evaluation? For what exactly?

"I bet they're seeing who's the better fighter." Blaze suddenly commented allowed.

I snapped my head at him. He was staring at his oatmeal, his eyes wide like he'd just solved the puzzle. Everyone looked sort of scared.

Finally I took a deep breath. "We don't know that for sure—"

"It's you, Diabla," Runt whispered, "you're the best fighter out of all of us."

My breath hitching, I glanced around at everyone. They were all terrified, staring at me with wide eyes. Shaking, my fists closed and I struggled to come up with the words to say.

"Look, I'm not the-"

"You can take life with the snap of your fingers, Diabla!" Blue snapped, giving me a glare. "How can we compete with that?"

I slammed my palms out onto the table and stood up. Silence overcame the once beginning protests and worrying. Looking each one of them in the eye, I tried to portray calmness.

"Listen to me, all of you are strong, powerful people, I'm not the only one who can fight! Each of you possess special abilities, and I don't want you ever to compare yourself to me. I have an ability that I wish I didn't have, and it's not something for me to be proud of. Trust me, you are better off." I said in unbelievable strength.

I had no idea where it came from. My heart was in pieces by the end of my speech. I couldn't believe that they thought so harshly of me. They must think I'm a cold blooded killer with no remorse. Just brute strength and crazy power.

"Nova," Blaze murmured, his hand directly on the small of my back.

Shivers raced down my spine at his touch, and I quickly looked over at him. He was frowning in concern, and his chocolate eyes had their warmth to them that always drew me to him.

"What?" I questioned, hastily casting my gaze downward.

"You're not alone in this," he whispered, and caught my attention.

He glanced around at everyone. "None of us are alone. We have each other and it doesn't matter who the better fighter is. We are all strong in separate, unique ways. We all have gifts. And I'll be damned if I let anything happen to any of you."

I sighed deeply, breathing in the wise words of my best friend. If there was anyone I could rely on, it was Blaze. And I knew I would be okay as long as I had him by my side.

"Attention, all subjects, return to your cells immediately." Came the usual dismissal of my daily routine.

While everyone else began moving, I stayed put, shutting my eyes for a brief moment. Whatever happened today, I would be strong. Not just for me, but for all of us. I had to be.

"Are you okay?"

Blaze had stayed behind and was staring at me intently. Like he knew that I was about to collapse with fear, anger and hopelessness. I must have appeared to be a weakling to him. He had seen the worst of me, my most vulnerable moments. And still, he kept letting on to everybody that I was as tough as I acted.

"I will be as soon as this day is over." I replied, finally standing up.

He said nothing at first but grabbed my arm as I walked by and pulled me to the side.

"Nova. Look at me." He demanded.

Glancing up at him, I realized just how serious today could potentially be before for us.

"Nova, I need you to know something." He whispered. Took a step closer.

"What's that, Blaze?" I said quietly.

He breathed a little. Ran his hands through his hair.

"I'm in love with you." He told me.

Time stood still, and I think I stopped breathing. Every part of me froze, like shock had conquered me.

"You're what?!" I shouted, almost hysterical.

He sighed, took a hold of my face and pressed his lips against mine. It was soft, and so warm. Sweet. When he pulled away, I was left breathless in a way I had never been. My skin was tingling and my whole body felt ignited.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked as he caressed my cheeks.

Resting his forehead against mine, he shut his eyes. "I don't know what's going to happen today, and I just... I'm afraid that I might lose you. And I needed you to know. To know that you've gotten me through everything. I need you, Nova."

Tears welled up in my eyes. All this time I had ignored every ounce of attraction to him, every thought I had of our future. But now I realized what a fool I was to have wasted that time.

Because I did have strong feelings for Blaze. That was true. And maybe it was love. I had no other experience or knowledge to tell me otherwise.

I placed my hands on his chest, glancing up at him. "You're not going to lose me, I promise."

Looking back at the corridor, I sighed. "We have to get going, Blaze."

He nodded. Together we walked back until splitting into our own cells. Storm gave us a look but said nothing. She seemed suspicious that something was going on between us. I knew I'd have to tell her. Keeping a secret from Storm was impossible. She was the other person is here that I told practically everything to.

Suddenly doors swung open and a scientist came strolling through the corridor of our cells. He stopped in the center, glancing around at us. I didn't recognize this guy, he seemed more interested than most of the ones who had experimented on us. His eyes held a certain kind of respect that I wasn't used to.

My heart dropped as soon as he started speaking...

"It's time for your evaluations."