There are two cons to training kids to kill using video games. One is that we believe that death isn’t the end. It means nothing to us. We’ll always respawn and start over. The other downside? These kids might try to attack the people who turned them into killers.

Physical pain was always used as a punishment for failure in a simulated mission. The government did not realize that this would make Dau’s beatings seem pointless. Pain was something I could tolerate as Agent Sylvanus Dau raised his fist once more. At least, I could handle the physical kind.

“And they call us the sociopaths,” I spat. Dau fumed, turning for a round kick to my face.

There was no reason to continue this nonsense of endless beatings. They had already gotten me to spill when they figured out my weakness: Sacha.

If they had hurt him, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I will die. But’ he won't.

"Dau, I think that is enough," a voice from outside the force field said.

I sighed. Finally.

Dau grumbled, but complied to his superior's orders. He punched me one last time. "Traitor," he muttered.

The force field disappeared for mere heartbeats as Dau exited and Dr. Howard entered.

"Kyra," Dr. Howard said, taking off my gag. "Are you okay?"

"Pain is only an illusion, " I shrugged, repeating the phrase I had heard all my life.

"The commander has set your execution date to tomorrow," Dr. Howard said, not sugarcoating it.

Fear is false evidence appearing real, I thought. It's the easiest yet hardest boss to defeat.

"Can I have the date I will die?" I asked.

"September 30, 2032," Dr. Howard answered, her confusion at my question obvious.

"Born: January 5, 2015," I murmured. "Died September 30, seventeen years later. Cause of death: game breaking glitch."

"What glitch?"

"Don't pretend you care anymore," I snapped. "You don't have to play the good cop now."

"Kyra, I'm genuinely interested."

I shook my head. "I'm not like the other children. I can't kill without a second thought. I'm not mentally callous. It's a glitch in my programming."

"You were not programmed. You are a living human."

"I am not. I am a killing machine with a malfunction."

Dr. Howard's eyes glittered with sympathy. "You are not. You saved Sacha. You are human."

"I'm not supposed to be. My humanity was taken from me long ago."

"Kyra, I..." Dr. Howard paused. "I... I have to go. I think this will be our last time meeting."

"Can I have one request?" I murmured. "Please keep Dau away. I'm... I'm afraid."

"I can tell him not to, but I doubt that will stop him. Dau won't be punished for anything that he does."

Dr. Howard bent down and met me eye to eye. "You are the bravest person I know. I wish I had the opportunity to save you."

With that, she was gone.

As the force field vibrated, I let my tears go free, something I had never been able to do. They were escaping their prisons. Why couldn't I escape this one? This military compound... how many times had we gone through the scenario of being captured at the Academy? I should be able to get out.

But, they would hurt Sacha. The closest thing I had to family had his fate in my hands.

Why couldn't I be like the rest of my peers? Why couldn't I be heartless? Why did I have to care?

I would die. But, Sacha would live. That was my only consolation.

I heard footsteps. No. Not Dau. I could block out the pain, but I didn't know for how much longer.

Think about your real family, Kyra, I told myself.

My mom would have the same red hair. Red hair that refused to be tamed would run free. I would get my eyes from my dad, dark circles of muddy water that contrasted the brightness of my hair.

Dau deactivated the force field and stepped in. He said something. I forced myself not to listen.

I’d have a sister and a brother. Younger; I’d be the oldest. My sister would be sarcastic and witty, a prowess with words I wished I could have. My brother would be Sacha, kind and caring with a cold streak. Would Sacha even be cold if he hadn’t been raised to kill?

Dau laughed, and reached for the whip on his belt.

My eyes were closed. Our house would be in the country. Small and humble, but it would be full of life. A dog. Yes, we’d have a dog. No, two dogs. Maybe three.

I heard the sound of a gunshot and a body hitting the floor.