Valeria waited patiently as Frank navigated the way out of Manhattan, and into Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge. While the skyline of Manhattan was mostly obscured by famous skyscrapers, the buildings in Brooklyn were less intimidating and clumped together around the cozy neighborhoods.  Honestly, she was more interested in trying to decipher the cryptic clues Frank had offered then enjoying the views.

He wants me to become a Master of Stealth?

Valeria had no idea what that meant. She remained silent as they entered Brooklyn - partially at Frank's request, but also of her own accord. She needed time to think, and formulate her next set of questions carefully.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Frank asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Valeria settled for the most nuanced approach - the direct one. "Where are you taking me?"

"I'm taking you to our Faction Headquarters."

Valeria had so many questions to throw back at that response. What was this 'Faction', and what kind of people did it employ? What kind of structure would it be? Where was it located? But there was a bigger question that held more weight, and she started with this one first. "Why are you taking me to this place?"

Frank took a deep breath, and said, "Because I want to show you my  world. If I just told you about it, you'd keep thinking I was crazy. Once you enter the building and see your peers in the flesh, you will understand that my world, and the people within it, are very real. Then you can decide if you want to join us."

Valeria had heard of these types of proposals before. She knew  adults would recruit kids with all sorts of promises. A promise to find deliverance, a better life, a better understanding of reality, or an understanding of a higher power; whether it was divine or alien. No matter how hard Frank was about to try, Valeria was already set on refusing to join a cult today. But she figured she would at least hear him out, and let the man present his sales pitch. "Okay, Frank. Tell me, what types of people are in your faction?"

Frank smirked and said, "They're all Rogues. Like you and me."

Valeria stared at him with a dumbfounded expression. She had never heard of a Rogue Cult before. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't think of a pithy comeback.

"You heard me, Valeria. You're a Rogue."

"A Rogue?" Valeria asked, testing the word out in her own mouth. "What does that mean?"

Her query caused Frank to laugh - not a maniacal laugh - one that reflected mirth and enthusiasm."All of your escapes from the juvenile detention center were at night? Correct?"

"Yeah?" Valeria replied, her sarcasm laid thick. "It's easier to escape at night."

"Easier for you I'm sure," he said, a broad grin across his face. "Did you ever find it weird how you can see better at night than during  the day?"

Valeria's eyes went wide before narrowing. Frank somehow knew this seemingly impossible statement was in fact...true. "How do you know that?"

Frank laughed again. "Have you ever wondered why you feel faster, stronger, and more adept at night?"

"I'm not sure if that's true," Valeria replied with a hint of disbelief. "Now I feel like you're going to tell me I'm a vampire."

"You're not a vampire," Frank replied, shaking his head. "I already told you, you're a Rogue."

"I still don't know what that means."

"Think of it this way: each Faction  has its own form of magic and innate abilities. If your buddy Harry  Potter went to magic school to learn how to master magic, then as a Rogue, you will have the opportunity to master stealth."

Valeria paused a moment. Frank had  promised to make her into a Master of Stealth. She had no idea what that title meant, but now the blurry picture was starting to come into focus. The whole thing was still bat-shit crazy, but not cult leader crazy. "So you want to teach me stealth?! Like the one used by fighter jets?"

Frank lowered his head and exhaled. "No. Stealth is the essence of a Rogue's  power. Like the Force for a Jedi, or magic for a wizard. All Rogues have  stealth, and mastering it bestows the user with extraordinary  abilities."

Her brain zoned in one word in particular. "What kind of abilities?"

"You'll see."

"So you're going to teach me all these abilities for free, huh?" Valeria asked, her sarcasm resurfacing. "What's the catch?"

"Well," Frank replied with a sigh, "You'll become an outlaw. While you  can blend in with normal society, you will never truly be a part of it."

"I've never really belonged before. I don't care about that."

"You may not care now," Frank scolded, "but I hope you reconsider your indifference. People are suffering out there, Valeria. You're sure you really don't care?"

"Yeah...Yeah," Valeria said, groaning. "I got it. You want me to become some kind of superhero."

Frank shook his head. "Rogues are invisible, misunderstood, and forgotten." He looked over at her, a serious expression across his face as he said, "There are no  superheroes where we're going."

Valeria let his words sink in. Just where are we going? she wondered to herself. Am I prepared for whatever he is going to show me? 

She didn't have to wait too long, as their car suddenly pulled up to a large Gothic structure  embedded within the buildings nearby. The place was massive, with  two large spires and stained-glass windows that made the building  resemble a church.  "Is this it?"

Frank nodded as he parked. "Yeah. Ready to go inside?"

Valeria laughed. "Your big bad Headquarters looks like a church to me."

Frank exited the car and went around to the passenger door. As he opened the door, he said, "First lesson: things are not always what they  appear to be."

He pointed to his belt, and Valeria recognized the knife he had given her before the trip. She checked her pocket, but the knife was gone. "Okay, you got me on that one. Any other advice?"

Frank shrugged. "Trust your instincts. Well, maybe all of them except  your teenage attitude. It might be wise to not speak unless spoken  to."

"I won't make any promises."

Frank smirked as he shut the door behind her. "A true Rogue never would. Follow me."

Valeria followed Frank toward the large wooden doors that opened  automatically as they approached. Once inside, Valeria observed a simple  unadorned foyer with a reception desk. A frail old lady sat at the desk  and coughed as she noticed them entering.

Valeria snickered before whispering, "One of your big bad Rogues guarding the front door?"

Frowning, Frank was about to respond, but stopped when the old lady at the desk addressed them.

"Welcome back, Mr. Pipino. I see you brought a  protégé with you today."

Frank coughed and avoided eye contact. "Yes Goldie...I'm sorry. She has a lot to learn and –"

"Oh that's alright dear," The old woman said, looking over at Valeria with a warm smile. "It's not your fault. Children are so disrespectful these days. It's all those movies and video games."

Valeria rolled her eyes. She noticed Frank motioning for her to stop, but ignored him. "Whatever you say, Grandma..."

"You would be wise to address me as Goldie from now on," the old  woman replied softly. "If you disrespect me again, you will wake up missing a finger."

Valeria looked over at the woman with surprise. "Excuse me? Did you  just threaten me you old bag?" As she finished speaking, she noticed  Frank desperately motioning the throat slitting gesture.

"You heard me you little brat," Goldie hissed while removing a jagged dagger from under her desk. The sharp blade's edge glinted with light reflected from overhead. "It's the price you pay for disrespecting me. You  insult me again, and I collect a finger. Nod quietly if you understand."

Valeria looked over at Frank with surprise. She expected him to say something, but he didn't. His terrified expression was all she needed to understand. She turned back to the old woman and nodded politely.

"Excellent," Goldie said while sheathing her blade. Her voice returned back to its soft polite tone as she said, "I'm glad we  understand each other dear. It was so nice meeting you, and I hope you have a nice day."

Frank coughed as he dropped some cash on the desk. "Thanks, Goldie. For your trouble."

The old woman pocketed the cash. "Always a pleasure dear."

Frank motioned for Valeria to follow him toward the elevator.  She tried to speak, but he shushed her. The elevator dinged, the doors opened, and they both entered without a word. Once the doors closed,  Frank turned toward her and pointed a finger in her face. "You really need to stop being so reckless."

Valeria stared at him with disbelief. "Are you telling me you're scared of that old lady?"

Frank retracted his finger and pointed at himself. "Me? Hell yeah I am. Remember the first lesson:  Things are not always what they appear to be. Goldie used to be one of  the most lethal Assassins back in the day. While she's retired now,  she's just as deadly. If you're smart, you will never, ever, disrespect her again. Understand?"

Sighing, Valeria rolled her eyes. "Fine. I get it."

"I sure hope so, for your sake."

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. They stepped out into a massive empty floor space. The walls were all white, with no visible furniture or décor. Frank turned toward her. "Second lesson: The dark is  just like any other natural element. While darkness hinders most people, Rogues use it to our advantage. You must embrace the darkness,  and trust your instincts within it."

Valeria blinked as he finished, his words sparked an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

Papa?

Her eyes closed for just a moment. When they reopened, Valeria was five years old again, and her father motioned to join him in their yard under the night sky.

"Siempre recuerda Valeria, Debes abrazar la Oscura y confiar en ti mismo dentro." Always remember Valeria, you must embrace the Dark, and trust your instincts within it.

She blinked, and returned to the present. The lights  suddenly went out, and she heard the faintest of footsteps, followed by  loud repetitive noises all around the room. It took a few moments for  her eyes to adjust, but once they did, Valeria gasped at the view before  her. The room had no source of illumination, but that didn't matter, her innate night vision turned on. The room had completely  changed, with massive pitfalls and swinging pendulums that were difficult to see as they swung back and  forth along different pathways.

This place looks like some kind of dangerous medieval obstacle course, she thought to herself, trying to disregard the lump in the back of her throat. Her hands were trembling again, and her mouth had gone dry. Deep down, Valeria could feel the fear trying to rise up and cloud her senses. The urge to panic was undeniable, as Frank had disappeared and abandoned her inside a dark room of death. While others may have simply succumbed to their fear and panic, Valeria would not. This was not the first time she had faced mortal danger. She didn't die back then, and refused to die here and now.

Gathering her resolve, Valeria took a step forward and surveyed the room. There were three paths she could take but she chose the  path to the right. She moved slowly, her steps unsteady from the trembling fanning out across her entire body. The first pendulum lay directly ahead, sweeping across her path in a repetitive horizontal motion.

When the timing was right, she sprinted past. The air whistled as the pendulum swung behind her, but Valeria didn't notice. In her haste, she had moved too close to the edge of the path, and was trying to avoid falling forward into the depths below. Her natural instincts kicked in, and she pinwheeled her arms to regain balance. While it wasn't the most graceful maneuver, it worked. She stood by the edge and clutched her chest, her breathing shallow.  

While the thought of falling to her death was disturbing, Valeria couldn't help but smile. She had made it through afterall.  Her confidence grew as she continued down the path and used the same technique to dodge a pendulum with a similar pattern.

But the confidence she had gained was shattered when she reached the end of the path. She was staring at a dead end. All her hard work had been for nothing. She wanted to scream, to block out all the commotion of this deadly trap she was being forced to endure. She closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to release the vicious storm of frustration beating in her chest.

Valeria heard the faintest of clicks overhead. It would have been easy to miss, and while her conscious mind remained oblivious, her subconscious took over. She quickly dropped to a supine position, but her reaction wasn't fast enough. Her eyes snapped open as something sliced her shoulder, followed by a whoosh of air as something swung overhead.  She cried out as the object disappeared, clutched her shoulder and noticed blood wetting her fingertips.

They have blades on them?!

Her shoulder stung every time she touched it, but the wound didn't prevent her from pushing off the ground.

"Third lesson," Frank's voice carried from somewhere across the dark room. "Always check the room for all routes of escape before making a choice!"

"That's all you have to say?!" Valeria yelled, not trying to hide her trepidation. "I'm hurt!"

"Everyone gets injured on their first try," Frank replied with a hint of concern. "But I can get the medic if needed!"

Valeria perked up a moment. Her fear and pain were quickly replaced by a different emotion; anger. Frank had brought her to this death trap without any warning. Now he was trying to act concerned? What kind of man brings a teenage girl to a place like this. "Screw you!" she yelled back. "I'm going to kick your ass when I make it over there!"

Frank laughed from across the room. "That's more like it!"

Valeria wanted to focus on being cautious. On survival. But her anger overrode all of her built in safety measures. She sprinted past the two pendulums with reckless abandon and reached the beginning of the course. Any sense of fear and hesitancy had dissipated. She was angry at Frank of course, but that was only part of it. She was also angry at herself.

After her injury, Valeria had been afraid, and her fear made her look fragile. She had always been told she was weak. Unimportant. Useless. But something inside had snapped. She was tired of being downtrodden, mocked and subjugated. She wasn't going to just survive this course today; she was going to dominate it.

She picked the narrow path in the middle and continued running at full speed. There were two pendulums swinging there: one horizontal, the other vertical. She continued running and used her forward momentum to execute a baseball slide along the ground. The risky maneuver paid off; she felt a whoosh of air as she slid under both.

The next set of pendulums were equally challenging, but Valeria kept at it, using acrobatic moves to pass each challenge at a quick pace. She realized Frank was right; she did feel faster, stronger, and more adept in the dark.

The last challenge involved multiple pendulums swinging in different directions. This set looked the most complicated by far; it's multiple moving parts forced her to pause. In that brief moment, between one breath and the next, Valeria saw a way through. She didn't waste any time thinking about the possibility of failure. Nothing was going to stop her now, and there was nothing else to it. She dove over the first with a lower trajectory, tucked into a somersault, and rolled underneath the next with its high arc. She stood and spun several times to dodge pendulums from in front and behind, and used the remaining momentum to leap over one obstacle, only to slide under the next. 

With nothing left to conquer, Valeria looked for Frank. She found him waiting by a large set of closed doors, a subtle smile across his face. She heaved in deep breaths as she walked up to him. Her body was exhausted, but her anger was still raging. She contemplated taking a swing at him, but was startled upon hearing several repetitive clunking sounds around the room again.

The lights turned back on, and Valeria found that the floor plan had returned to the plain white empty space.

"Why did you abandon me?" Valeria questioned, seething in anger as she turned back to Frank. "I could have died you asshole!"

"Listen," Frank said, his tone suddenly serious. "I didn't want to abandon you, but I didn't have any choice. Sure, it's part of the rules. But I also did it for another important reason."

"Oh yeah?" Valeria asked, "Let me guess. You wanted to make sure you didn't pick the wrong girl, huh?!"

"Not at all," Frank said, his eyes meeting hers. "I already knew you were powerful. But it doesn't matter what I say or believe. I wanted you to see a glimmer of that power. I want you to believe you're powerful."

"Powerful?" Valeria asked with surprise. "Me?!"

Frank nodded. "I'm not supposed to say this, but you didn't just pass this test kiddo, you did exceptionally well."

Valeria wasn't used to receiving compliments, let alone being referred to as powerful or exceptional. She was still angry, but she was also exhausted, and punching him in the face would take more effort than it was worth. "So this was a test. Was that whole thing just for me?"

"No sweetheart. Almost every Rogue that enters this  building needs to pass through the Hall of Shadows. The layout changes daily, so it's almost impossible for non-Rogues to gain entry. How's your shoulder?"

Valeria checked her shoulder again, and allowed him to inspect it. He removed a wad of gauze from his pocket and started dressing her wound.

"There," Frank said as he put the finishing touches on her dressing. "We'll have a medic look at it later. I think you'll live," he said with a laugh.

"Luckily it just grazed me. You could have warned me I was walking into a death trap!"

Frank shook his head and said, "I already told you I'm not allowed to. Part of the rules."

"Rules?!" Valeria asked incredulously. "What about people getting killed? What about old people? How do they get across that room?"

"With the right technique, any Rogue can navigate that room easily."

"Technique?" Valeria asked with intrigue. Her mind went wild with all different types of scenarios. Did he mean some kind of magic? Maybe the ability to teleport? She still had no idea how he vanished at the start of the course.

"You'll find out eventually. Alright Valeria, stay close to me. I repeat, do not go anywhere without me. Got it?"

"Why should I follow you?" Valeria asked, arms crossed defiantly against her chest. "What if you just abandon me in another death trap?"

Frank shook his head. "Life is a giant death trap, kiddo. But I'll promise you this much: I'll never abandon you again. I'm a man of my word," he said sincerely before his serious expression dissipated into a smirk. "Most of the time."

"Whatever you say, Dad."

Frank's face twitched momentarily as he moved toward the massive set of doors, and Valeria only had a moment to ponder his reaction. She had intended to match his sarcasm with her own, but unlike their previous light banter, this one had struck a nerve.

She didn't get a chance to process this further as he opened the doors. She tried to imagine what kind of crazy world lay beyond them. She  wondered what a girl like her could possibly find or  hope to achieve beyond those doors.

Time to go find out.