Theme 026 - Wrong (about 1,007 words)

The wrong thing could be a big mistake. It could be an action. it could just be not doing the right things. Or it could be doing something the ends up bad. Whichever you think it is. It can be all of this. Rex knew rights and wrongs really well. He lived both each day. He worked on correcting his wrongs and the wrongs of others. He felt bad about his wrongs and what others did too. But he was a good person. It was only human nature to do wrongs sometimes. Rex knew this and he did not feel as bad about the things he had to do for his job sometimes. The wrongs he does what seems like daily. Just like what he did today.

He was wrong. He made a mistake. And now he was worried that he could not fix this. That his friends were going to pay for his mistakes because he made a wrong choice. He thought he knew what was going on but he did not. He didn't know at all. He was wrong. And that was not the only thing that he was wrong about. He was second guessing himself all the time now as he tried to figure out a new plan. He was wrong before but not like this. He felt horrible. He knew everyone made mistakes but how many make mistakes like this? It would work out or at least he could hope. Things always got better for him even when things were so horrible right? It has before. He knew he has to correct his wrong but the question was how? He had to think. Then he got it. Hopefully nothing else would go wrong today. A lot of things went wrong today and it made Rex antsy and nervous.

Rex knew he did not have a lot of time. After he came up with his plan he thought about it to make sure it was a good one. He thought over his plan again and again. He knew for sure that it would work. He would right his wrong and save his friends. It could work. It would work. It had to work. He had nothing else it was all or nothing. It just had to work. He had to save his friends. His family. The world. Everyone. Everything. He had to right his wrong. Make this thing right again.

He started his flight to where he needed to be his head cloudy with worry and his wrong. Suddenly something went wrong. He shook. And spun down towards the ground. The engine started smoking and broke apart. He painfully crashed landed to the ground. Well that sucked. Not only did it hurt and delay him but something else went wrong. Ow. What next? He thought. He didn't think today could get much worse. He did things wrong and things had gone wrong. Really. It seemed that's all that his life was. One wrong after another. When would the right thing happen? When will he do right? When will he stop choosing the wrong choices and do something properly so things worked out for the best? Well things always worked out for the best but when could they stop all this fighting and near death experiences and go straight to the best?

He was always wrong about something even in the slightest. That bugged him. Messed with him. Made things go wrong like with his machines. He knew he wasn't always wrong but when he was he felt like he messed up big time. He messed up big things. This was one more thing he was wrong about obviously. He did not mess thing up a lot and he rarely messed up big time. But he felt like he did. He knew he should not feel like that but he did. No he felt bad for getting his friends in trouble. He would feel better after he saved them. He made the boggie pack jet pack again and flew off to his destination. Nothing more would go wrong today he was sure of it.

He finally made it to his destination without further incidents, landed, and found his friends. He rescued them after a quick fight with their capture. He corrected his wrongs and saved his friends. He learned his lessons and would not do something so stupid and threatening again especially when his friends were at stake. He would still be wrong about stuff in the future but he would not be so wrong about something like this. He was wrong about all kinds of stuff all the time. It was okay. Everyone was wrong from time to time. But he got stronger for it since he learned from his wrongs and got better.

There were many wrong decisions and actions to make but there were also a lot of right things to do that out weigh the wrongs. Like Rex helping his friends after his wrong idea. That is what really matters not the wrongs you do but the rights. Everyone did wrong things, had wrong ideas and other wrongs but everyone also could do rights. Human nature. You could not change human nature. It could make you feel better about your own actions though. If someone did a wrong they knew other probably did the same at some point. That helped Rex feel better when he was guilty for his wrongs. That and making rights of his wrongs.

Today he righted his wrong and saved others. He saved his friends and strangers. Today he was a hero. He liked being a hero. Heroes did the right things. They did not make mistakes in his eyes. They could not do wrong. Of course that was sill thinking but if it made him feel better his family would allow him to continuing thinking of such. He was hard to cheer up sometimes when he did something wrong so as long as he had something they'll allow him to have it to help him along his way in getting better.

Theme 025 - Right (about 1,003 words)

What was right and wrong. Right was helping others and using manners. Wrong was running off and worrying everyone. Rex knew this. He knew right from wrong. And he always tried to do the right thing. But providence made it hard to do that sometimes. There were things that were morally right and wrong and things that were right and wrong in the communities then there was the rights and wrongs of providence. An organization whose rights were often the worlds wrongs. And he was at the center of it. What should he do? He was unsure sometimes. Six said orders were orders and that they should, no, that they have to follow them no matter what. But people were people. A life was a life. Rex couldn't do what's wrong when so many lives were at stakes. He had to try and do a different right and try to save them. Even if it meant his own life.

Sometimes orders weren't orders. Sometimes you had to take matters into your own hands and disobey for the better. Helping others in need is what's right. That is what Rex believed. What he was taught when he was younger. By his real parents. Even if he doesn't remember them or realized it. Six and Holiday taught him rights and wrongs too. Six tried to keep him in line with providence standards. But also taught him the same morals that one had taught him when he was young. No needless killing and such. Holiday was more piratical and kinder with her teachings. Drilling helping others and manners into him. He was already such a polite little boy but could be rude at times. But he has his manners and tries not to be (as) rude now days. He was shaping up to be a very nice young man. He certainly wasn't the same ten year old boy they knew five years ago.

He was a good person. He did what was right. He helped others, said please and than you , clean up after himself, his room s tidy, and much more. He tried his best. He trained hard and studied just as he was told by Six and Holiday. He tried to follow his orders for providence and only disobey if he had to. He did run off on his own a lot. Run away from providence. He had to escape sometimes as providence didn't always treat him well. Other than Holiday and Six he had no one there that treated him like a human instead of a machine to be used then stored away. His room was small and stuffy. He need to get out more. To get sunlight and fresh air. Stretch his legs. No one could blame him of getting out to get fresh air.

He helped others. The best he could. Even if it inconvenienced him. He would go out of his way to help others. He was just that kind of guy. He was raised to be like that. He would not let Providence stop him from doing what was right. and he would let providence help him do what was right when the opportunity showed up. Like curing EVOS. He did what he could. A little bit here and there. What ever could help. He picked things up for others if they dropped them. Helped people cross the street. The little things.

What really was right and wrong? Who decided such things? Rex figured providence determined some rights and wrongs with all their protocols and fancy procedures. They might be in charge of him and were ones for rules but they did not have a right to say what was right and wrong. Rex decided that each person must figure out such things for themselves and that he was doing what was right. Helping others and using his manners was what was right. That was what he was taught and that was what he does and will always (at least try) to do.

So what if he sometimes ran away and got yelled at by providence? He knew they were corrupt even if what they were doing was mostly good. He also knew that the way they treated him wasn't right. You shouldn't let those who do wrong rule your life and stop you from getting away to do right. That's how he saw it. It was the right thing to do. He knew that in his mind and in his heart. Just do what was right he thought, and all will work out. Everything will be fine. And everything usually did end up just fine. He got yelled at or had to do a few more laps around the petting zoo but that was nothing.

It was worth the lectures if it meant he got out and got fresh air and was out of his tiny room. Doing this his own way and disobeying orders was worth it if it meant he saved lives. He was a hero. Heroes always did what was right. But they could do wrong to. He knew. Everyone does wrong from time to time. It was human nature and that was just fine as well. Humans were humans you couldn't change how they act. They act that way for a reason. Can't change or mess with nature. Only do your best to be good. Try your best to help where you can.

There was right and there was wrong. Rex knew this. and he also knew right from wrong. He always tried to do what was right just as he was taught by his real parents and Six and Holiday. He knew hew should not be rude so he used his manners when he could. Always using please and thank you. It was something. He still put his elbows on the table and even rested his feet up on the table. but he was a work in progress and he was getting better all the time. Those little things did not matter when he was out saving lives daily.

Theme 024 - Pie (about 1080 words)

Pies were the best. Rex loved pies. He did not remember what he liked or disliked. What things he tried and had never had. Everything was new to him. and better than providence food. he remembered the first time he tried pie. In this new life anyway. Six had thought that the young boy was crazy. Pie was good, yeah, but not pie was just pie. A simple desert. Nothing more. Definitely not the life changing wonder that Rex seemed to see it as.

 Six had taken the boy out to eat as a rare treat. The restaurant they went to had a display case and inside it was some pie. And it was their special of the day. The ten year old Rex looked at the display case in amazement. The waitress giggled and smiled down at Rex then looked up at Six and comment on hoe cute his son was. Six responded with nothing more than a grunt as they were seated and handed the menus. Rex wanted the pies but Six denied him. He told him that he had to eat something else, something healthy, first before he got sweets. If he ate his lunch then they would get a slice of pie to go. He knew that. Rex pouted but did not put up a fight. He ordered a sandwich , chips and a soda. Six glared at the chips and soda but allowed the boy to have them. When the food arrived Rex ate his food faster than he should have and earned a lecture from Six about eating slower.

 But he allowed him to have a slice of pie. They ordered a to go box slice of blueberry pie of their way out of the dinner. Six soon regretted the decision. The boy made a huge mess in the jump ship transport on the way home. He got it all over his face, on his shirt and some of it even dripped to the floor. Six was thankful that the floor was easy to clean up. But that shirt was probably ruined. Stained form the blueberries.  Six shook his head at least the boy was happy. He deserved to be happy sometime.

They got home and Six cleaned up the mess on the floor then sent Rex to his room to clean himself up. Following along for help if needed. Which Six knew for a fact would be needed. He washed the boy's face off and tossed the stained shirt into a hamper. A shame. It was fairly new. They would have to put in a request for a new one to replace it in his wardrobe. Six pulled open a drawer and pulled out a clean shirt from the ten years old's wardrobe. He tossed the shirt to the boy for him to pull on himself. The boy tugged it over his head and got tangled up. Six chuckled and helped the boy out and untangled him from the fabric then pulled it on correctly. Once the boy was all cleaned up and ready Six and Rex headed out to afternoon training.

All during afternoon training the boy listed off all the types of pies he could think off asking if it was a real pie. Six humored the boy and answered the many questions. Nodding and saying yes if it was real or shaking his head with a smirk and telling him to invent it himself someday if he was unsure if it was real or if it wasn't really a type of pie. There are many types of pie. Six told Rex. and Rex as astounded as he listed off all the pies. and all the yeses he got. There was more than he could ever imagine! Wow! He continued to list stuff off and Six was starting to get annoyed. He was about to call a quiet training session for the rest of the afternoon. He was done verbally answering the questions and now was just nodding his head or shaking his head to answer the boy's many questions. He wanted to yell. But then he'd get a stern talking to from Holiday. She said yelling was not good for the kid. Six tried not to be as stern with the kid and not to yell as much. He was getting better. He was improving and Rex's behavior was improving too.

What wasn't improving was Rex's amount of questions. Six had just about enough of it. He didn't think he was good with kids but he was getting better and he was pretty good with Rex. Better than when he first met the kid and was given the responsibility of training the kid and unknown to him also being parent of him. He was trying to humor the kid but he was at his limits. He finally snapped as he blocked on of Rex's kicks. "Okay rest of this session will be a quiet one" he ordered. The boy instantly went quiet and nodded. He bowed slightly "Yes Sir" he whispered and that was the last words he said before he continued his training silently.

Six was curious about this. Usually it took a long time and lots of yelling to get Rex to be quiet. Perhaps he was hopping to get more pie after diner and was behaving so he could get desert. Six wouldn't give the boy anymore today he was to hyper from the sweets he already had and made a mess earlier. Six did not want to clean the boy up again. Even though he'd probably need a bath before bed. He did not want to clean him and the area near him up then bathe him to. One bath was enough for one day. Rex didn't have enough clothing in his wardrobe to mess up another shirt and get changed three or four times. But he knew barging and promises worked well to get Rex to behave so maybe he would promise him some pie at the end of the week if he was good the rest of this week. It might work and he wouldn't have to worry about any bad behavior from the kid this week. Well he would still worry but maybe he would not have to actually deal with any bad behavior or major bad things at least. He would never expect that the kid behave perfectly. It wasn't possible he was just a kid after all. A kid obsessed with pie.

Theme 023 - Ninja (about 1020 words)

A ninja was a stealthy and deadly person that used their skills to kill. They were warriors. They trained long and hard to hone their skills and to master their profession. It took years. One must start training at a very young age. Be very determined. Have an amazing master. It was hard work. The weren't always without morals either. The morals they had were ones that they would fallow always and bring to the grave. They would fight for what they believe in. The morals would be passed on from master to pupil. Don't kills certain people, politeness, stealth, hide your identity. Things such as that.

Six. He was a ninja. A well trained and respected one. Well in the eyes of Rex anyway. Six was highly skilled, deadly and sneaky. Things ninjas have. He was a ninja but he didn't consider himself as such. A master assassin yes, ninja no. He did not mind being called a ninja. He kinda was. He would be lying if he said that he did not enjoy showing off his skills. It was enjoyable. But that was not how he was raised. He was taught not to show off.

It not only showed off your skills, your strengths and weakness but it was also rude and dishonorable. His master, One, was a respectable old man that may have taught him to kill but he also taught him manners, the importance to keeping to yourself and waiting things out, not being rude, the codes of a warrior. His master was a good man and Six wouldn't want to show him disgrace and dishonor by doing something as rude as showing off. He still showed off from time to time, he just told himself it was not showing off. He was just doing what he did. He was just putting his skills to work.

He was deadly. He trained hard and long since he was a child. He was silent and swift. He could do things others could not. He not the sixth deadliest for nothing. He was fast and could do amazing acrobatic skills. Just like a ninja. He was indeed a ninja. He was deadly and quite. Fast and deadly. Efficiency. That is what it was. Efficient. Ninjas got got the job done and that is what he got done.

Rex envied him. He wanted to be like him some day. He may goof off during training sometimes but he tried his hardest to be a ninja too someday. Six would just roll his eyes and shake his head at the boy's excitement. He always followed it by telling the ten year old to pay more attention to things and to stop goofing off. Rex would listen for a few minutes but then he would go back to messing around. Just goofing off. Six was annoyed but understood. (after a talking to from Holiday about how he treated and trained Rex. About how hard he was on the boy.) the boy was very young still. Just a child. Children goof off. Six didn't but his childhood wasn't like others. His life was dark , hard and brutal. Rex had a happy life , for the most part, he also could not remember most of it. Six could concentrate and train more than Rex could because of this.

Rex had the great potential to be a ninja someday, but not anytime soon. The kid had a lot to learn. But he would be a great ninja one day. Until then he'd have to work hard and continue to look up to Six.

Six was a great ninja. He was cold and harsh. But not cold heartened and with out morals as some thought of him. As the impression he gave off would lead one to think. He could not and would not ever kill a child. He couldn't do something he had learned as dishonorable. He had his limits. As few of them as there were. He was getting better though. Thanks to Holiday and Rex. His family.

Ninjas usually did not have a family. Up until a year ago he didn't really have a family. The five other members of The Six were kinda like family to him but he had no really feelings or ties to them other than One. One was his master. He was the man who took him in when he had nothing. Taught and trained him to be the ninja he is today. One was like a father to Six.

The green clad ninja was a complicated man. There was a lot to him than cold hard heartlessness and killing. The ninja had his ways for a reason. He had been though a lot. He had a hard life. But a lot of 'ninjas' were the ones that had hard lives. It was part of being a ninja it would seem. The hard life has a of making one cold to the world around them. Being cold to the world around you makes it easier to kill when told to. Or at least that was the idea. Life was not that simple. Most of the time it was not that easy. It hurt to have such a hard life and made it easier to be willing to kill at first but then all the killing is what make all of one's feeling melt away and make them heartless. Make them cold.

He was a ninja that was true , rather he choose to acknowledge the fact or not. He truly was one. He had the skills, the hard heart , the cold shell, the harsh life. When one thought of a ninja he was the type of person one would think of. Just not dressed in all of green. Probably.

The young little ten year old boy Rex certainly thought of Six when he heard or thought of the word ninja. He thought of the man he thought of as a father. The man he looked up to. The one that trained him , that he wanted to be like someday. The ninja he wanted to be.

Theme 022 - Lies (about 1,004 words)

Lying was part of the job for providence. Everyone lied. Different ways and reasons. Because they had to and or were told to lie to someone about something. They had to. Providence lied to their own agents. They lied about all kinds things. They lied to Rex a lot. They said they needed to. Holiday and Six felt bad about it. Holiday when she had to but she was kept out of the loop most of the time. Six felt bad but he knew it had to be done. At least that was what he told himself. 

There were so many lies. They only told lies. No truth. Lies. There were many lies told and many lies to be told. They told plenty of lies. Providence lied all the time. The told lies to Rex all the time. They lied about all kinds of things. They lied to him about his best friend Noah. They lied about how he came to be at providence. They lied about the promises that were made on that day. Six lied. He lied about all of those things. He had to. He was told to and also felt it was right. He did not like it but it was what had to be done. He Even lied not to long after he first found the kid. Lying about what caused that destruction. 

Rex found out the smaller lies. This resulted in anger from the boy. He would always get over it quickly enough but it was the bigger lies that made his powers short out and make him stay angry longer. Like when he truth about Noah reached him. It almost cost Noah, the others and Beverly their lives. His powers would not work so he could not stop the EVO. It wasn't until after Holiday talked to him that he calmed down enough for his powers to work and stay working. Noah was actually a spy hired by providence to keep an eye on Rex. The two actually became best friends. Once Rex realized that his anger at Noah went away and he saved everyone. He let his anger out on White Knight instead.

He still did not know about what happened when he first came to providence. How he was almost killed and Six saved him. How White Knight wanted him dead. The promise to have Six kill Rex if he ever turned again. Turned into that thing again. Turned as in betrayed. Turned against them. Against providence. It didn't matter if he turned providence would see to it that he was taken care of. Six would kill him. Rex knew nothing about those things. He didn't even know enough to think to ask. It did not matter he they would lie to him if he asked about it anyway.

Rex lied himself although no one ever believed him. They all knew that he was lying. Six always knew when he was being lied to. Always. It was just because of all the lies he told. He lied enough himself and was also trained to detect lies. Rex also did not lie well so it was easy to tell when the boy was lying to him. Rex would sneak out and lying about it. Saying he was there the whole time. or he would sneak out and lying about where he went and why. Six knew the boy was cooped up and hated being in his tiny room. He also knew that the boy should not be out and about with out permission. He should not be sneaking out. The boy needed to be punished just not for sneaking out but also lying. Rex would get mad everyone else lied. Why couldn't he? The boy had a point. Why teach him not to lie in the organization of lies? Everyone lied to him why could he not lie to them? Why did they knew he had lied when he never knew what he was being lied to?

The boy was right but Six had another point. A point that was made in a form of a lie. They needed him to be truthful. They needed to know where he was and that he was safe. They cared and he was important. Some of that was truthful but there was lies in it. Not everyone in Providence cared for him. It was only a few people that cared but the truth was that he was important. The truth was that they wanted to control him. He was seen as just a tool to be used when they needed him and put way when not in use. And to be where he was put when he was needed again. Six did not want to tell Rex that nor could he tell the boy any of that. He was told to lie about it to the boy. So he did just that. He saw no other options.

They all told lies to themselves and to each other. Six kept track of all these lies. He knew most of them and could tell a lie when he heard one and he knew the truth as well and could tell if it was a lie or truth. so he could easily keep track of such things. There was drawer just full of pieces of paper with lies written on them all.

Things like "I am telling the truth" and " I was here the whole time"  things he lied about, things he lied about to Rex and Holiday. Things he lied about in his past and all the things he lies about now. Things Rex lied about. Things providence lied about. To everyone.   "This has to be done" and "This is for the best" were lies Six told himself a lot. very often he found himself saying these things.

Lying was just part of the job at Providence. They had to lie. So they did. They were told to do so , and that's what they did. It's what they do.

Theme 021 - mutation (about 1,021 words)

Nanites. Where activated they can cause some problems. How? Well, The Nanites are microscopic machines originally made to help end disease. But unprogrammed ones were released into the atmosphere due to an accidental explosion and they ended up getting into every living thing on the planet. They usually were not harmful but if they activate that's when the trouble starts. When the mutation happens. 

Nanites could be a gift, when they were fully programmed. They could , and have saved lives. Their single purpose was to make sure their host didn't die. They could repair damages , repel the effects of poison and start a heart if it stops beating. The tiny machines were a blessing. But the fully programmed Nanites were only a gift to one person. Rex. Everyone else had unstable Nanites that hadn't been fully programmed.  When a Nanite isn't fully programmed and it's activated there's a chance that it could cause its host to mutate.

Anyone with active Nanites inside of them is known as an EVO. Rex might have had the fully programmed Nanites but he was still considered an EVO because his Nanites were activated. EVOS were seen as mutants even of they looked like normal humans, they had mutations in their body this was true but they were shunned because of the mutant state, it irritated and angered Rex. He wish it wasn't so. But it was true. And it was a fact that Rex knew painfully well. He was hyper aware of it if anything he could not escape form the reality of it.

 A person was a person. No matter what. No matter how screwed up they are. That's what Rex was told and what he believed. What he always said. What he told people. What he told EVOS he was trying to help that didn't want it, or even the ones that wanted it but were confused as to why Rex was helping them. Rex was a good person, he wasn't like the rampaging monsters so why did they treat him so badly? There were a few people that treated him well, that actually saw him as a person but most saw him as a freak.

So were the other EVOS they were all shunned as mutants. But that mutation wasn't all that bad usually. If they can help others with their powers isn't it a good thing not a bad thing? Rex just did not get it. No matter how hard the ten year old though about it he could not find a reason why anyone would or should hate EVOS like him, sure he got why they hated the rampaging monster EVOS. They were nothing but trouble. They would ruin whole cites and could kills so many. But why hate they one trying to stop that?

Humans as whole don't tend to like people that are different, or anything different. History showed just how violent that dislike and hatred can become. The EVOS were not any different. They were not  human anymore or more like looked human so they were shunned. Simple as that.

Nanites were a good thing, could be a good thing, they we're intend as such after all. So why did the little microscopic machines have to cause so much trouble? More then what they actually create. Drive people to hate those trying to help them. It was ridiculous to the ten year old. Rex kinda understood. He got it. He just didn't like it. He wished it was different.

Six told him before many times In fact "Who cares what others think of you Rex? You know you're a good person and your family and friends accept you. That's enough."

Rex would always shake his head " I don't care what others think of me. I'm happy with the friends I have. It's how everyone treats me. I can't even go get a burger with out someone yelling an insult at me and usually attacking me. I have to run off so we don't get in a fight. I don't want that. I just want peace." 

Six understood that but he had nothing to offer the boy, he was right after all people did openly attack him now that the world knew who he was or more like what he was. No one would dare hurt him or say anything when Six was around, but Six couldn't always be there. And he shouldn't. Rex ended to lean to fend for himself. 

Even most providence agents hated the mutations. They would harass Rex to no end. Although not as bad as the strangers on the street near the burger place. These agents knew of Six, maybe a little to well. And we're scared of him and knew he was near by. The strangers at the burger place only stayed clear when they saw Six. After all he wasn't the most friendly looking person to be around. No one wanted to approach him or be approached by him. All knew just by looking that they didn't want to anger him. 

The mutations from the Nanites varied from person to person. Most would mutate into rampaging monsters and it was often painful. It couldn't be stopped or slowed down (usually) and Rex was the only cure. Other wise the victim would likely be killed.

A vary from reality. It's no wonder people were mean and cruel to anyone with active Nanites. Or Nanite powers. They were worried and scarred, maybe even terrified.

Rex wanted to change that, maybe if he helped enough people. Cured enough EVOed out monsters the world would see him and other so called mutants differently. They wouldn't be so mean.

Rex could only hope. And try. He would keep doing what he did. He would keep fighting off the haters and dealing with the abuse from passers by. He was stronger than that. The mutation that made him biomechanal would wipe the floor with them any time. And he knew it. He was better than them, above them. Because he was a good person who was choosing to help others instead of yell at them for differences.

Theme 020 - Insomnia (about 1,010 words)

Rex tossed and turned. He lay on his back for hours. Unable to sleep. He couldn't sleep. He would just lay awake , staring at the light colored ceiling that in the dark of the night appeared very very dark. He tried. But he just could not fall asleep. It sucked. He was so tired during the day now. He needed all the energy he could get but he could barely get any. It was becoming dangerous. With his line of work he had to be alert. Always.

He always had to be alert or he might get hurt or someone close to him would. He couldn't have that. He didn't want anyone getting hurt because of him. Even in training it was dangerous. Six wouldn't go easier on him just because he was tired and or not as alert. In fact training was made harder. Using his tiredness as an advantage to train when he wasn't alert and at his best.

He tried to regain some of that lost energy but he didn't like coffee or tea and energy drinks could only do so much. Also energy drinks weren't healthy or even really all that safe. Especially in large amounts at once. He didn't want to admit that he was tired or not getting sleep at nights. He was afraid of being viewed as weak. He didn't want to be seen as weak.

Being tried was slowly just becoming part of him. Part of his day. He was learning to cope with the lack of energy. He knew he should tell Six and Holiday that he couldn't sleep and that he hasn't had a full nights sleep in a while but he didn't want to. He knew Holiday would probably be able to help him but he didn't want to admit his weakness.

Holiday has started to notice that the fourteen year old wasn't himself lately. When questioned Rex paused. "I'm just tired Doc" he did admit to being tired. When questioned more he would just shrug the questions off. He wouldn't say that he wasn't getting sleep or for how long this has been going on. Six didn't bring it up to Rex but he did go talk to Holiday during their lunch break.

The two surrogate parents were starting to worry about the boy. They were slowly starting to figure out that the boy wasn't telling them something and that something was wrong. They knew he was tired so that was a starting place. Holiday and Six agreed that they should start question the boy more. Was he worried about something? Was he stressed over anything? Was he able to get to sleep easily? Can he stay asleep? He clearly wasn't sleeping as he should. But why?

The found the boy curled up in his bed trying to catch a nap. He was tossing and turning. As soon as he would drift off he'd be awake again. He just could not stay asleep.He stared at the ceiling for a bit before he mumbled a curse and sat up. It was then that he noticed that the two adults were watching from the doorway.

"Oh hey guys" he yawned. He tried to put on a smile but just was not in the mood to do so.

"Rex, you okay?" Doctor Holiday asked the boy. "You seem really tired lately." she added.

"We're worried about you" Six stated

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine! Don't worry about me guys!" Rex smiled. Yawning once more. "Yeah I have been tired lately but it's no big deal. Like I said no need to worry"

"Have you been sleeping well?" Six asked the boy.

Rex shrugged, trying to avoid the question. "Yeah I guess"

"Rex..." Six started trying to get the truth from the young kid.

"What? Six? I said I'm good." the boy pressed a fake smile then sighed. "alright alright." he shook his head "I can't get asleep most nights and when I do I can't stay asleep."

"So you have insomnia?" Holiday asked as she sat on the edge of the bed next to the boy.

"Insomnia?" he asked. He didn't know what that was.

"It means trouble sleeping, when someone can't get to sleep and can't stay asleep. Like you."

"Oh." Rex nodded "Yeah, Yeah I have insomnia."

"When didn't you say anything?" Agent Six asked him.

"I didn't want to be seen as weak or anything."

"Oh sweetie you're not weak. You'll never be seen as weak from things beyond your control." Holiday comforted. Six rolled his eyes from behind his sunglasses. But it was true. Rex was not weak.

"Don't worry a about it Rex. We'll never see you as weak." Six added as he sat on the other side of the child.

"How long as this been going on , Rex?" Holiday asked

"A few week now." Rex said. "I wish I could sleep normally again"

"Sometimes insomnia is easy to help unfortunately other times it's not. There's various things to try. Everyone is different so we have to experiment to see what helps you." Doctor Holiday explained to the boy.

"Like what?" Rex asked wearily.

"Depends. I think the stress of what is expected of you and everything you're go though everyday might be affecting your sleep. Stress can cause insomnia. I know you're stress levels are high so we need to help bring your levels down. That will be our first steps." 

"Oh. I'm use the stress treatments. Boring but I don't mind it." Rex said with a smile. Six ruffled the boy's hair.

"We'll help you though it no matter what you need. I'm here for you and so is Holiday" Six gave a small smile. Rex smiled back.

"You'll get the rest of today off to start your stress management. Help bring down those levels some." Holiday explained with a smile.

"Try and get some rest. Get a small nap or so in." Six told the boy. "I know it's hard now but hopefully you'll be sleeping normally soon." There was another ruffle of Rex's hair this time from Holiday as the two adults stood to leave and the boy curled up to try and get some more sleep.

Theme 019 - Inevitable (about 1,036 words)

Inevitable. Something that is bound to happen, no matter what. If things don't change that thing will happen...maybe it will happen even if things do change. Rex not listing to orders and running off? It was inevitable. It was bound to happen. Why didn't providence (and Six) listen to Holiday's warnings? There are many things in life that are inevitable. This? This was one of them. It was inevitable that a child so young would snap under all the stress and expectations that they placed on Rex. All the training and harsh words. Anyone would break. Especially a little boy. Holiday told them it was inevitable and now they saw for themselves just what happens when you push a child beyond their limits both physically and mentally. The inevitability that they would snap and disobey, run off or worse get hurt. Maybe all three.

It started yesterday. During morning training. Rex turned and snapped a remark towards Six then stomped off. Six wasn't prepared for such a thing (and even if he was he just wasn't good with kids) so he made things worse when he yelled at the ten year old and pulled at his arm to stop him from getting any farther. He continued to yell at the boy about his disobedience until the kid was practically in tears. Rex managed to get free from his guardians grip and run off before he could get caught again. Now they didn't know where the boy ran off to. He was still in the base that much they knew because none of alarms were tripped and they were sure he didn't know about them or was in the mind set to think about there being alarms for him to use his nanites to disable them.

Where in the large base he was hiding was just a large game of find the needle in the haystack. He was tiny and a good climber. He could have crawled into just about any nook there was. Both known to the other agents and unknown to them. They were sure the boy could find a place to hide that no one else knew existed. The ten year old was good at things like that. They first check his room to be sure, as expected he didn't run off the the closet of a room. They checked all corners of the petting zoo, cafeteria, the labs, and all the main rooms. Nothing.

They checked the other bedrooms, but he didn't seem to have ran into any of them. Where could he be? They figured he'd come out of his hiding place when he was ready and that it was pointless to wast energy trying to find him. He would only be found when he wanted to be found. Simple as that. With a sigh Six went back to the petting zoo to continue his own training.

Rex meanwhile was between two raptors hidden by the ceiling tiles. He had climbed up a small service latter that was broken and slid into a small opening. He stood hunched over with each foot securely, or so he thought, on a raptor. His breathing was slow and even. Quite so not to be detected. A recon skill that Six had taught him. He lat a loud gasp escape as his right food started to slip from it's placement in the center of the raptor. He gripped his hands tighter to the angled raptor at his side. But it was to late he was slipping. He was going to fall. The fall was a good thirty feet at least! He struggled to stay put but in an instant his foot slipped off the the other foot came quickly after. He was left dangling , holding on with a slipping grip. He tried to regain his footing but couldn't pull himself up far enough. His hands were slipping. He screamed as his hands slipped off and he fell towards the concrete floor.

He felt and heard the snap of his leg as he made contact with the floor.

Six heard the screams and came running, swords drawn just in case. When he saw Rex on the floor, he figured what happened. The boy had fell from his hiding spot. In the raptors. He put his swords away and went to help the boy.

"My leg.." The ten year old moaned. He rested his head in the green clad ninja's lap. Cuddling close to his adoptive father. "Shhh it's alright. I know, I know you're in pain but be strong okay?" he comforted the boy  But it didn't last long. Six contacted Holiday to let her know they were on their way "Holiday we have a situation. Rex fell and hurt his leg, it might be broken. We're on our way" He said into his communicator "I'll prepare the lab, get here soon." she replied. "I'm on it, Six out." and then he picked the boy up in his arms and carried him off to Doctor Holiday's lab.

Rex rested his head on Six's chest and curled up close to him. "I'm sorry I ran off Six..." he mumbled quietly.

Six shhhhed him once more. "It's fine, don't worry about it...not now. I forgive you for running off but it's my fault for pushing you too far, I'm sorry too buddy. I should have saw the inevitable and stopped myself before you snapped..." He said giving the boy a kiss on his forehead. Rex curled close and closed his eyes tight as he let out another moan.

"Hang on kiddo , we're almost there Holiday will get you all fixed up." They got to the lab and Six set the boy down on a near by cot that Holiday had ready for him. She gave the boy some pain relief medicine then looked to his leg. "It looks t be broken but we'll need an X-ray to confirm it...even if it is broken there's no need to worry. The nanites will take car of most of the healing we only need to stabilize it for a few days or so instead of about the month it would be for normal humans..." she ruffled his hair and left to go set up the x-ray machine.

Theme 018 - Freedom (about 1,036 word)

All humans have a natural drive and desire to be free. Everyone wants freedom. Those denied their freedom yearn for it with a greater passion. Those who are free don't realize what they have. They don't understand the longing to do as they please, they already do what they want freely. Rex wasn't granted much freedom at providence. So when he was allowed to do as he pleased he was reluctant to return home. He loved freedom. He fought and augured with doctor Holiday and Agent Six so he could have more free time. That's why he loved flying so much. Soaring though the skies without a care in the world felt so free. There were no boundaries. He felt as if he could do anything. Ever. In a way he could. He could go anywhere in the world he wanted and could avoid all the stress and time consuming hassles of travel. He loved it. It felt so amazing to be at cloud level with the wind in his hair, as he flew alongside the birds.

He had sneaked out for some free time just today. That was where he was now. He was in the town that was closest to providence. It was easy to find him here but he didn't care at the moment. He just wanted to hang with Noah and get some pizza or burgers. Then maybe play basketball. Normal stuff. Stuff providence didn't let him do. It was the weekend the fourteen year old should be able to go out and have some type of fun after working all week. He deserved time off at the end of such a hard work week.

He was enjoying himself. His time with his best friend. The food. His freedom. It was truly one of his best days ever. He met up with Noah at McDonald's and then after their meals the two teens headed to the basketball court for a quick game or two. Rex was hoping providence wouldn't find him until at least one game was over. He hadn't played in a long time , let alone with Noah so he wanted to get at least one game out of the way.

The made it to the court and started a one on one game of basketball. Noah was winning and Rex was throwing out teasing words as he ran around the court trying to get the ball. Midway though the game a providence jump jet flew over with it's search light on. (Since it was starting to get dark out)

Rex sighed.

"Oh great! They found me!" He complained.

"What's the big deal? You've been out a few hours, isn't that good enough? I mean I'd like to hang out a little long at least to finish our game but if you have to go, isn't the time you've had just fine?" Noah reasoned as he sensed that Rex was about to rant and pout. As he finished what he had to say the jump jet's light came over top them and hovered in place for a few seconds, maybe to verify that it was indeed Rex and Noah then it flew off a few feet so it could land.

Rex signed once more "Yeah I guess so but I prefer my freedom over being locked up in providence...but hey I should look on the bright side I guess I mean at least I can leave my room..."

"There's the spirit we need." Noah offered a weak reassuring smile as Six exited the jump jet and headed over to the two teens. low level providence grunts, as they are lovingly referred to by Rex, stood on either side and behind the green clad senior level ninja agents.

"It's time to go Rex, let's move out." came the simple statement from the caretaker (not that he'd call himself one.)

Sighing for the third time Rex simply nodded in the distraction his ninja nanny "Later Noah" Rex said his goodbyes to his friend and tossed the basketball from his arms into Noah's before he headed off towards Agent Six. "Maybe next time I can beat you in a full game!" he called over his shoulder.

He could always run off but they would just follow him. He was good for the day. He had a good day. A good amount of freedom that day. He could use a nap in a soft bed. He figured he could always sneak back out late after dinner, evening training and nightly reports. Midnight was a good time. Sounded like a good time for him. He and Bobo Haha the monkey could go out and get tacos or something. They would have to see what was open so late, worth eating and worth the money.

"and how was your day?" Six asked midway on the flight home.

Rex was surprised Six would ask. He blinked once, then twice in surprised and paused before answering.

"It was okay. Fun. Noah and I went to McDonald's then headed off to the basketball court for a few throws we only got through half a game before you showed up. Not complain since I'm happy I got a chance to get out. Get fresh air , you know?"

Six nodded and then smirked. "Freedom's a nice thing isn't it?" Six sighed. "You're lucky we didn't need you today."

"Freedom is the best." Rex replied also smirking. " I was only gone a few hours , what could happen in such a sort time?"

"You know what. Rex you know very well" came a monotone reply from Six. Rex sighed.

"I know, I know but I just wanted some fresh air...some freedom."

"Maybe we can work something out so you can get free time out side of providence without sneaking away? I can probably work something out for you"

Rex smiled. A big grin appearing across his face. "Thanks Six you don't know what that means to me.."

"Holiday and I will get on it. I'm sure between the two of us we can get you some more...freedom...you deserve to be free" with that they arrived home and Six quietly sent Rex off too bed for the day. They would have to deal with this snaking out in the morning. It's been a long day for everyone.

Theme 017 - Dreamer (about 1,067 words)

He was a dreamer. Rex liked to dream. With the way most of providence treated him he found himself dreaming of being free. Things have been better for him lately with a better room and more freedom but he still longed for normality. He dreamed to be normal. To be a normal kid with a normal family. He did not have memories of a normal life to think of. He had to go by the things he saw on tv. He knew it wasn't real. He understood that most of those things were faked. That real life wasn't like that, therefore normality wasn't like that either. But it was all he had and he preferred the normal shown on tv over providence any day.

He got lost in his daydreams sometimes. He could only be brought back to real life when Six shook him hard enough and called out to him. Other then that he would be lost in his own world. He could be lost for as long as he was allowed. Rex also had a big imagination. He would dream of dragons both good and bad. He'd dream of knights and fairy tales. He dreamed of things from the books and stories he was told to as a child. He got into trouble with his imagination sometimes. He would dream up of scenarios and play them out. He would end up tearing up a lab. Knocking down chairs , cracking monitor screens , and breaking glass. Doctor Holiday or Agent Six would find him among the mess or just find the mess after he had left. They always knew it was him. Who else would do something like that? They've given up at yelling at him, but they still punished him.

He hated being grounded or having to do more chores. He didn't mean to destroy the lab. He didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late. He would be way to into what ever he was dreaming of then his hand would knock something off the desk. It would break and he would be brought back to reality. As he tried to clean it up he'd break more things simply on accident. He did not think he should be punished from an accident. Agent Six and Doctor Holiday didn't agree. They thought he should be punished so he would learn to be more careful so these kind of accidents wouldn't happen in the future. The fifteenth year old disagreed but he had little to no say in the matter. He would sit in his room without his phone or gaming system or tv. He hated being grounded. He had nothing to do except chores. He hated chores more then having nothing to do. He'd get into more trouble when he had nothing to do. He would wonder the halls looking for things to do, or not do his chores. Sometimes, more often then not he would do both.   

He'd dream when he had nothing to do when he was grounded. He would be slow to do his chores and extra chores due to how much he dreamed. He would just sit and dream. A whole day would be wasted with him just sitting there and dreaming of all kinds of stuff. Things like being able to leave the base freely as he liked. Freedom. He also dreamed of family. He saw Agent Six and Doctor Holiday as parents. They were his family. But he dreamed of the kind of family you would see on tv. White picket fence life style. As much as he loved Agent Six and Doctor Holiday a ninja and top research scientist aren't typical jobs and a kid isn't usually a top agent of a world wide agency. His life wasn't normal. His life at providence was okay but it wasn't normal. He longed for normality.

At night when he went to bed his dreams were about what he though normal was. They were about him being normal. He did know it but he dreamed of his past. He dreamed of his real parents. Granted his past wasn't the ideal type of normal. Moving around from science lab to science lab. But it was more normal then his live at providence. He could be just a kid back then. Now he had to be a solider to. So not normal.

He would dream about being able to run around and just be a kid. To play and laugh when he wanted to. He longed to kick a ball around without worrying about breaking any thing super expensive. To play outside instead of confined places. To play when ever he wished, to go and do it when he wanted to. Not be so confined, locked up and , supervised.

His life at providence started to improve. Thanks to Doctor Holiday, and Agent Six as well. They let the boy have more free time , gave him a nicer room, let him leave base at times, let him have 'family dinners' on Fridays, and gave him his own basketball court on base. Slightly more normal. He'll take it. He was content with his life as it was. Even if he wasn't that normal. It was more normal now. He was happy.

He loved the family meals with Doctor Holiday, Agent Six and Bobo Haha the monkey well chimpanzee technically. He felt so normal then. Eating meatloaf and mashed potatoes with the people he loved and saw as parents. He was content. He had lesson daily for schooling just like other kids now too. He hated schooling but he felt normal when he had his lessons. It was boring but normal to him. He liked going to school and interacting with other kids but he rarely got to do so. Noah always complained but Rex was fine with it. He saw interacting with other kids and all the attention was awesome. Boring lesson aside.

He was a dreamer. He dreamed of lots of things. He would always be a dreamer but his dreams are changing. He dreamed of normality but as he was slowly getting normal he still dreamed just different things. He used his imagination more now. He had to get his imagination under control so he wouldn't get in trouble so much. Not today though. Rex smiled as he laid back and let his mind drift.

Theme 016 - Pessimistic (about 1,005 words)

A pessimistic person is someone who tends to see the worst aspect of things or they believe that the worst can and will happen. That's what Six was. He was a really big pessimist.

Six was a pessimist by nature. After all he had been though he had to be pessimistic. He had to be weary and plan for the worst because bad stuff happened so often. Part of living on the street and then part of being a mercenary, and one of the deadliest. It was part of being the sixth deadliest man on the planet. Bad things happened when you had to kill so much. He was taught from a young age from his experience as a street kid and his time with One. One had told him that nothing lasts forever and that in this world everything you have could be taken from you in an instant. With ideas like that and proof to back it Six could not help but be pessimistic. Because of that he had trouble with attachments. He tried not to get use to one place, tried not to stay there too long , tried not to get close to people. All on the fear that something bad was too happen. He planned for the worse. Slept light and with a weapon with in reach, usually under his pillow.

 His pessimistic nature made it hard for him many times. Lately it made being the person he was needed to be with his new family. It took him a whole year to get use to them, for him to not feel like they would stab him in the back if he were to turn away. A year for him to sleep normally (normal for him that is) with out suspicion and waking in the night. It took him years to let his worries ease (they would never go away fully) and for him to let himself get close to overs.

He trains Rex hard so he could do his job but he also trained him so he could be prepared when something goes wrong. Not if but when. It was always when. Never if when it can to Agent Six. His advice to the young boy was that others to easily get caught in the cross fire of their job so they had to keep a distance of others so no one got hurt. So they didn't end up an emotional wreak if something happens to someone they care for. Hard, he knows. Not something to tell a kid, he also knows but to him he had no choice. It was for the best. That's what happens when someone is a pessimist. When Six was pessimistic. He eased up eventually. He knows (now after many years of training) that Rex can take care of himself to an extant. That there wasn't must to fear (but still many things to worry over when it came to Rex)he let himself not be so pessimistic. After six years.

It took him six long years and a memory wipe for him too admit his feelings for Holiday to himself. He didn't want to admit, as much as he wanted it he feared getting close to her. He feared and worried something bad would happen. Once he saw how capable she was taking care of herself in a bad situation , how good of a fighter she was, and how smart she was, he let his mind ease a bit. He knew she was capable. He knew if something bad happened she would have a chance. He would have a chance. They would. His heart wouldn't have a high chance of breaking and his head wouldn't be so clouded with her.

White. He trusted White. He knew he could trust the man. He knew the man was a decent fighter, and a smart man. He worked with him for years now. He was distant the first few years but now White was part of his family. He didn't need to worry , to be pessimistic and secretive around the man. White was one of the few people Six called a friend and called family. He was the one person Six was truly open near. He left some planning to White and didn't worry when he was in charge. He usually preferred to be in charge so he could make plans for when things went bad.

The other members of The Six were family in a way to Six. But his trust and worry levels depended on and was different from person to person. As a group he was more on alert but knew nothing would happen and if it did it would be from an outside source and that they would take care of it. He could worked with each of them to an extant, enough to get a job done but certainly nothing long term. Others he would hang around with outside of jobs and the dojo. He trusted most of them with his life but only trusted that some wouldn't take said life if they were ever crossed in the wrong way. One was his master and like a father to Six. Dos was someone Six tried to avoid. Trey was okay the two got along well enough. IV was someone that Six also tried to avoid. Five was who Six got along with the best. He didn't worry when he was around her.

He was pessimistic about everything but those around him helped him see the good in things, he was far from optimistic. But he was getting better. He still planned for the worse during any event but he also planned for the good now. He use to be so pessimistic that he couldn't let himself enjoy things for fear of hurting himself or others. Now he could relax more. He didn't always have to worry. He could have some fun and relax. He let himself get close to people like Rex and Holiday and White. He was slowly getting less and less pessimistic.

Theme 015 - Chores (about 1,035 words)

Chores. There were chores. Almost always. He had chores. Almost every day he had some chores to do. At least a list of three or four things to do or help the grunts with so things move faster. Rex didn't like chores. None of them. He hated chores. Just hated them. With a fiery passion. But he had to do them , no matter how much he tried to get out of doing them or skip out on them he ended up just doing them anyway and all he did was waste time. So he just had to suck it up and do them as soon as he could and as quick as he could. It was easy most of the time and was better then the hard work outs of training but it was simply boring. The most boring thing ever as the fifteenth year old put it. Surely there was more boring stuff to do, like watch paint dry. 'At least he was doing something productive something that he had to put his mind to sometimes' Agent Six had said. Rex sighed. That didn't help him stop being bored to death while he completed his chores. He was always going to complain as he did his chores.

Just stacking crates. One after another as he did inventories and took EVOs from the jet loading bay to the petting zoo. What a bore. There was also Sweeping. A bore and it made him sneeze. How can a floor so shiny and clean looking actually be so dusty? Rex didn't know and didn't care. He just wanted to get done. That was what he cared about. To go hang with Noah is what he wanted or to watch TV and play video games. He preferred training or smashing EVOs then this stuff. He rather be at a morning meeting then doing chores, and those meetings were very boring. So boring that he almost always fell back asleep until Agent Six woke him up roughly with a brisk shake.

He looked at his list of things to do and figured he would start at the top. He started with the first thing. Sweeping the back halls near storage. Great. Just great. As if. He found the broom in it's usual location in the storage closest in the back of the room and began the chore of sweeping up all the dust and dirt and what ever that littered the seemingly clean floor. He had to admit the floor it get noticeable shiny as he swept the dust away. Unfortunately that dust went away into the air. It tickled his nose and before he knew it he was in a sneezing fit. Even with all the sniffling and sneezing he managed to get the task of sweeping done rather quickly and was happy at his work. With one thing done he moved down the list to another task.

He finished one chore and moved on to another chore on the list. He chose the one that was next on the list. EVO transport. He went from sweeping to helping stack creates in the storage room. Fun. Totally fun. Not. Why did he have to do this stuff when they had grunts to do it? Ones who's job it was to do this stuff? Rex figured it was to help keep him out of trouble and so the work go done faster or something. He had to admit work did go by faster when he had the smack hands to help carry stuff. He stacked one box after another. Finally that week's shipment had been stacked up and ready for use. He checked the task off his list and went on to the next one. Helping carry EVOs in from the hanger to the petting zoo. Easy. As long as they did not escape or anything like that.

He headed to the hanger and used the smack hands to lift a crate in each hand and headed to the petting zoo where some grunts waited to unloaded the EVOs from the crates. Rex headed back to get another two crates and back to the petting zoo. He did this three more times and he was done. There was only ten or so crates today. Most were already brought  to the petting zoo and there were not many EVO outbreaks today or lately really. So after the few trips of carrying crates of angry and snarling EVOs he was done. With no incidents. This time. Lucky. It was easy.

That was all that was on his to do list for the day. He was done with his chores and he could not be any happier about that. He even had free time now. He deiced to head to his room and play some video games while he waited for training to start or for an EVO to appear. Which ever one that would came first. Who knew. It was a slow that it seemed. So maybe it would be training before any EVOs came about. Maybe he would go see Holiday before then. He had not seen her yet today and was due for a check up after all. Who knew what the rest of the day held , if he would have time for that if an EVO or two appeared? He already beat this game and was just running around doing random stuff so he shut he game system down and turned his TV off then went over to Holiday's lab to see if she was busy or not. If she was busy Rex figured he would go find Six. He paused in thought, also where was Bobo? Rex thought about it he hadn't seen the monkey all day. Usually he came with his during chores. He sat and watched and made jokes. Making things less of a bore. Rex decided mid way to the lab to try to find Bobo instead he knew where Holiday and Six where but not his monkey friend. Might as well find him and complain about how he was not with him during the chores. As boring as chores were, not having anything to do was worse. But at least his chores were done.

Theme 014 - Alone (about 1,175 words)

He needed some alone time. He had someone around him all the time as of late. Rex was in luck today. He was alone for the day. The others had things to do and he was given the day off. Trusting him not too getting into trouble all on his own. He didn't mind being alone. He liked it actually. He was hardly left alone and to his own vices. This gave him a chance to do what he wanted , and when he wanted. It was awesome. Until boredom set in. The fourteen year old had done almost everything he could and now lay hanging off his bed upside down. Suddenly he got an idea. Road trip.

 Once they found him they would rarely allow him alone for so long every again but it was a good trade off. He did most of what he did when supervised and he sneaked out then too. He preferred alone time but didn't mind hanging out with Six either. He liked trying to annoy the green clad ninja. It was like a hobby. A favorite past time of his. He smirked as he climbed off the bed and got his boots on. he grabbed his jacket on the way out and headed down the hall as he put it on. He sneaked around a corner. It was hard to sneak out this time. Everyone was busy and didn't pay much if any attention to him. He was out quick. Quicker then he ever has before. He was proud of himself.

He built the boogie pack jet pack, pulled his goggles down over his eyes and fly off as he started making his way too the nearest town. It sucked the providence headquarters was so far from everything, but it was fun to fly with nothing around him. His boredom was now gone.

He laughed as swerved and made loops ,flying was amazing. It was so fun and felt so free. He felt like he could do anything when he flew like this. He liked being alone like this out in the middle of nowhere with no one else in sight. Nothing but the wide open sky and him. Nothing but him and freedom. A few minutes later a city came into view and he prepared to land. He landed and pulled his goggles up and he put his boogie pack. He looked around and thought about what to do. Now that he was here he didn't actually want to be here.

 It was too crowded for him. He was nothing but crowed around people for the last week. He needed alone time. More alone time. Here smirked as he built his boogie pack jet pack out again and pulled his goggles down. He took off and flew over the city and continue on with his adventure. He liked this alone time. The wind in his face and his hair blowing in the wind as he flew. Passing over another town and he kept going into the clouds. This alone time was working out well for him.

He found a patch of woods and flew down to relax in a clearing in the middle of it. He pulled up his goggles and unbuilt the boogie pack. He landed in the clearing and laid back with a smile. He crossed his legs and put his arms behind his head. Closing his eyes he was left to day dream. He ended up drifting off to sleep.

He woke up late, as the sun was setting. He grumbled as he got to his. He figured this meant his alone time was over, providence surely figured out he was gone by now. They were no doubt in search of him. Good thing he remembered to tell his nanites to unbuild any trackers they might have slipped into him. Now they wouldn't know where he was, and hopefully wouldn't know where to start the search either. They were just in a wild goose hunt, and he was the goose. Rex smirked. Fun. He didn't have to go back to base right away, he might as well have some more fun. Take his time getting there and evade search efforts as he did so. More alone time from him. Only he had to keep up his game to keep this alone time. Sucky and tiring but fun. Good thing he was well rested.

He built up the boogie pack once more, pulled down his goggles and was off. He flew off into a random direction that he was sure wasn't towards base. Almost immediately there was a spot light on him. So he was right providence did know he was gone and they were looking for him. Also yes they had an idea of where he was. No way he was going that way now. Now there knew exactly where he was. But Rex was planning to change that. He smirked as he sped up and changed his direction. Doing tricks and acrobatics as he went slowly gaining speed each time, until he was out of sight. Hidden by fog and tall pine trees. He grinned as he landed in the woods again and did the routine of unbuilding the boogie jet pack and removing his goggles. Alone once more. He'd come home eventually either when he got to tired to keep up the wild chase or he was caught by Agent Six. Maybe even when he starts to miss his room (which was new, it was bigger and cooler now wth posters and a softer bigger bed) and bobo the monkey (he was sure to complain abut not getting to go along for the road trip) and the others. Doctor Holiday and Agent Six. When he got homesick. When he missed family. His family. New family. He liked being alone and really got it yes, but he also like the company of his family. He liked the fresh air and alone time but he could get the alone time at base. Even if it was in a stuffy box of a room (at least that room had a mini fridge and a giant tv, with a gaming system...)

He walked along in thought. He thought of all kinds of things, being alone, his room , his family , how providence treated him,this freedom. Finally when he reached a cleaning he pulled his goggles down then took off and started the chase again. He did this three more times before giving up. He had enough of being alone. He wanted to see family again. To go home. He decided to get caught and after that endure the talking to from Six before retreating to his room for a good nights rest. He liked being alone and needed the time but home was home. He liked it that way. He smiled as he lay in bed and drifted off the sleep. He really enjoyed his day of alone and he'd do it again as long as he had people to come back to after he has his alone time.

Theme 013 - Safety (about 1,384 words)

The twelve year old looked around for who captured him. He punched at someone running at him. He missed but they punched him right in the stomach. He felt sick to his stomach and he was now out of breath. The wind got knocked out him. Rex panted as he tried to catch his breath. He screamed as someone punched him in the back. He spun around and the attack was already somewhere else. Rex was scared. His nanites were down. He couldn't use his power. He was being attacked by men in masks. Who were they and what did they want? It couldn't be good they had weapons. They tried to hit him in the head already but he dodged it. They tried to tie him up but he dodged that too. He put on a good fight but he couldn't do much weaponless when they had weapons. He managed to get away. Now he was running down the street.

It was dark, night time it could be easier to get away in the dark. But he didn't know where he was. They might have an advantage. He needed to get to safety. He was being chased, he had to get away. He had to get back to providence. He dared to look behind him , he was still being chased. Crap. He picked up his speed. Running as fast as he could. He took a sharp left turn to try to loose them. Still there. Crap. These guys were good who ever they were. He needed to contact Six he'd be able to take them and Rex would be able to get to safety. He patted his pockets as he continue to run zigzagging around the dark building in hopes of getting free. His cell phone was gone. They must have took it. He had to think fast. He had to find a way to contact Six now. He needed to and fast, he couldn't keep this chase up must longer. He didn't want to know what they wanted or what they were capable of.

He relied on his nanite abilities to much. He didn't know what to do in this situation or why his nanites didn't work. He could only hope that Six and Holiday were looking from him and that they were tracking him. They'll find him ,they'll know what's going on. They always did. Right?

Rex took another sharp turn as he continued to run. He was running out of stamina to run but as tired as he was he had to keep going. He was scared. What if he couldn't contact providence or providence can't find him? What if who ever chasing him caught up? He looked over his shoulder again , they weren't there. He slowed still cautious. Were they trying to trick him? Did they lose him or did they just give up? He didn't know. He looked around for something to use as a weapon. His eyes adjusted to the dark. It was still hard to see but he could at least make things out.

He found a glass bottle in a pile of litter and trash. It was something. He picked it up and gripped it as he continued down the alley way. He sneaked around a turn as he made his way. Looking for some place to hide while he thought of a plan. A way to contact providence is what he needed. He wasn't being out alone that was for sure. He wished he had his phone. Did they even take it or did he just leave home without it? He couldn't remember...He couldn't remember anything that happened before the he got punched in the stomach. He remember sneaking out of providence then being punched. Nothing in between. He wished he knew where he was , how far base was. He could be close enough to walk , he could be miles away as far as he knew. He didn't even know what distraction to go in sadly. He was also still worried they find him again. Did they know he was an EVO or with providence or did they just wanted to kidnap a kid and he was the first one they saw? Was he an easy target? A twelve year old the size of a nine year old all alone out in the streets at night was an easy target for any bad person. That's for sure. Rex figured as much and sighed. He hated being small. He couldn't wait to hit a growth spurt. He shook his head now wasn't the time to fret over being short. Now was the time to try and get out of harms way. To think about how he was going to get to safety. How to get home. He had to get back to providence , he just had to. He came to a rest and crawled behind a garbage bin for protection while he thought of a plan.

Mean while back at providence Agent Six and Doctor Holiday were working on finding Rex. Holiday watched as Rex's nanites bottomed out and then the tracker went all over the place. What was he doing? Was he being chased? Did something happen? She couldn't say but the movement did disturb both adults. They had to find Rex. With the movement like that and his nanites bottomed out there was no telling what could happen to him. Holiday might not have had an answer for the movement but she did have the coordinates where the boy was at. The tracker came to a stop and Holiday gave the coordinates to Six to go find Rex. He loaded the coordinated into the jump jet's GPS and went off to search for Rex. The two didn't know what had happened to the twelve year old so far that night but they figured it wasn't good.

Six arrived twenty minutes later he landed the jet and went in search. He didn't know where exactly the boy was and it was night in an alley way. Where could he be? He hadn't moved in that twenty minutes so he was still here. He just had to find him. He was careful not to make any sounds. He didn't want to startle Rex or bring attention to either of them in case someone was watching. Mean while Rex was still hiding crouched behind the dumpster. His legs were numb from being in that position that long , he was cold in the night air without a jacket , and he was too scared to move. He didn't know what time it was or how long until day break but the boy figured it was his best bet to wait until morning. The streets would be to busy for his attackers to make a move and he could find a pone to use and or figure out where he was. In the mean time he had to stay hidden. Hit was painful but he was to frightened to move. He didn't hear the jump jet over head or hear it land. He didn't know Six was there. He was safe now. Six haven't found him yet but they were close enough that if anything happened Six would protect him. Rex was almost to safety.

Six finally found Rex and Rex clung to him in tears. He was so happy that providence had found him. He was safe now. He hugged tight to Six as the man lead him to the jump jet. Six was going the lecture the boy about running away but he couldn't once he saw how shook up the boy was. No wonder the boy's nanites weren't working. He didn't like the contact but Six allowed the boy to hug him if it offered him comfort. He obviously been though something. They made it to the jet and climbed in. They started their was back to providence. Rex leaned into his seat with a smile as he sniffled and rubbed at the tears. He made it. He was safe. He was at a safe place. He had made it to safety. That's what matters. He didn't even care that he was for sure going to be lectured by almost everyone. He was at the safety of providence and was happy for it.

Theme 012 - Sick (about 1,396 words)

Rex was sick. His head hurt , his body ached , ans he felt horrible. Just horrible. His nose was all stuffy and his mouth was dry. He was nasu and had stomach pains. He slept very little so he was exhausted. Any sleep wasn't restful it was filled with nightmares due to his high fever. Having the flu just sucked. He felt like death. He figured he looked like it too but he didn't care. He coughed as he turned over in bed. His cough was one that was deep and dry. His chest and lungs hurt worse as he coughed. He moaned as he closed his eyes. He took a ragged breath. Just breathing hurt. He was hot then cold. Hot and cold. It sucked. Holiday came to check on him hourly during the day and let him be at night but Holiday and Six took turns sitting with him both day and night. Bringing him water, or toast, comforting him. Little things but it meant a lot to Rex.

The thirteen year old clung to his old stuffed llama named Green Bean as he lay on his side, half awake. He hadn't cuddled with the toy for at least a year but he wanted something to cuddle with now that he was sick. Six dug through the cabinets and  random junk in them to find the dusty llama. The boy was thrilled to see the toy and hugged Six tight when he handed the toy to the boy.

Some how Rex managed to fall asleep. It wasn't restful as he tossed and turned but it was something. He curled up into a ball as he held onto the plushie llama as if it was a life line. He moaned in his sleep as he turned over. If it was from pain or a bad dream Six couldn't tell but he did hold out a hand to rub the boy's back comfortingly. It was something. The best the green clad ninja could do. The boy tossed and turned some more before he woke up winning and in tears.

Six reached over to the night stand and picked up the water bottle that was there. He unscrewed the cap and handed the bottle to Rex and leaned in to rub his back some more. "Here drink up. You need some water to stay hydrated and I'm sure your mouth is all dry. It'll help you." Rex sniffled and nodded as he to a sip of the water. He held back the urge to just chug it in order to hydrate his mouth. He hated it when his mouth as all dry. "Just take it easy Rex." Six said as he continued rubbing the boy's back.

"I don't feel good, I feel so sick." Rex whined.

"Like you're gonna throw up?" Six ask as he started to reach for the bucket just in case.

 Rex nodded as he held his stomach. Six handed him the bucket an helped the boy out of bed. He held the bucket close to the boy as he helped him to the bath room. Leading him by one arm around his shoulders as the other held the bucket even as Rex gripped the bucket just to make sure he didn't drop it.

They made it to the bathroom without him throwing up but it was just in time as Rex violently threw up into the toilet and onto his shirt.Six crouched beside the boy rubbing to his back. After a minute or two of retching the boy was left panting trying  to catch his breath. Six patted his back a few times as he helped him up "Let's get you cleaned up." Six said as he got a wet washed cloth and rubbed the boy's face clean. He then lead the boy back to his room.

"Let's get you into a clean shirt." Six helped the boy out of his current shirt and tossed it into a near by hamper. He pulled put a clean one and helped Rex into it before helping him back into bed.

"You okay now?"

"I have a gross taste in my mouth"

"That's from all the vomiting. Here drink this" Six handed the water bottle from before back to Rex. The boy finished the bottle off.

"Okay other then the gross taste , you're alright now?" The guardian asked the child.

"I still feel sick" He whined.

"But not throw up sick right?" Six asked. Rex shook his head.

"I feel achy all over. I feel horrible." The boy complained

"I know , I know. I wish there was more we can do but now you just have to get though, You still have another hour before you can take more medicine sorry buddy." The boy whined as he flopped down on his pillow. "My stomach hurts too" He mumbled into his pillow.

"Probably from all that throwing up." the ninja sighed "You want to try to eat something? I can go get you some toast to nibble on." Six offered.

The boy sat up normally and nodded. "Yes please."

The ninja stood. "Alright I'll be back soon." with that he headed for the door. Rex whined some more as the man got up to leave. Six realized it was because he was being left alone. He sighed as he got to the door he tuned and looked back at the boy one last time. "I'll tell Holiday to come check in on you while I'm making the toast okay?" Rex smiled weakly and nodded to the ninja. "Alright. We'll both be in shortly." Six confirmed before heading out the door too find the good doctor then to the kitchen to make some toast, and maybe a cup of coffee for himself.

He got to Holiday's lab and offered the tired doctor a small smile. "Rex is up." He informed her.

"How is he?"

"I gave him some water and he quickly threw up again. I got him cleaned up and back in bed. He wants to try and eat something now so I'm on my way to make him a slice of plain toast. You want to go check up on him while I'm doing that? He really doesn't want to be alone for long right now." Holiday nodded as she got up and headed for the door of her lab.

"Did you check on his fever yet?" She asked the man.

"Didn't get the chance too" Six answered.

Holiday nodded once more as she met Six at the door and with that Holiday went to go check on Rex. Her and Six walked together most of the way before Six had to turn to go to the kitchen. It was only a little way more to Rex's room anyway.

She entered the room and smiled too the boy in the bed. "Hi Rex how are you feeling today?"

"A little better I guess but I still feel crappy."

"Yeah well you'll feel crappy for a few days unfortunately but you're tough right?" She asked as she got a thermometer ready.

"I'm tough!" the boy smiled up to her.

"Good now open your mouth for me, and keep the thermometer under your tongue.You know the dill by now."  The boy nodded and did as he was told. He waited until it beeped and he took it out handing it to the doctor. Holiday took it and read it.

"Looks like you're temperature is down some, that's good but you still have a fever. You're getting better though maybe you are ready for something to eat." As if on que Six arrived with a palate that had a single plain slice of toast on it and another bottle of water.

"Take your time Rex, just a few bites will be good." They informed him as he nibbled on the crusts slowly. He manage to keep the little bit down and followed it with a sip of water. He was sick but slowly getting better. He like the attention that Six and Holiday gave him and he liked sleeping with Green Bean again, he missed the stuffed llama. He didn't have to train like this either. He hated being really sick like he was earlier in the week and being stuck in bed and sick sucked no matter what but there was the little things that made the situation better for him. He  was thankful for the two caring people before him. Even if he was sick.

Theme 011 - Hero (about 1,018 words)

He was a hero. He helps others and saves people from danger and evil. Heroes are someone that others could admire and look up to. But even heroes needed someone to look up to sometimes. Rex might have been a hero but he had one himself. The kid looked up to Agent Six. Six did so much for him. He saved him many times. He was awesome. He was a ninja. So he had all kind of moves and skills. He was the ninja nanny. Six was the one who found the young boy when he was just ten and brought him to the safety of providence. He stayed up late when Rex had a nightmare. He made sacrifices for Rex and others. Rex looked up to the man and cared about what the man thought. He might not be a pure hero and his past might be bloody and violent but he was still a good man who did whatever he could to help. He trained hard to keep his skills from getting rusty. In Rex's eyes Six was simply awesome. Someone that Rex was inspired by.

Rex wondered if Six felt similar to how he felt about being a hero. It was overwhelming at times when others all expected him not to screw something up. But they were just humans. all the heroics aside. The best - their best, wasn't always good enough. They had to accept that as hard as it was. People got hurt or killed because he wasn't fast enough or good enough to save them. It was part of being a hero. You just couldn't save everyone. Rex did his best not feel bad but he couldn't help it he cared to much to not feel something when he saw someone injured when he could have protected them. Did Six ever feel bad when Rex or others got hurt? He rarely showed any emotion so it was hard to tell. He probably did. When Rex got hurt at least. Little emotion aside he still had them even if he didn't show it. He cared for those around him. Any good person would so it made sense.

Rex didn't always feel like a hero but that's what people always called him. He supposed he was. He did a lot of courageous stuff after all. Courage and bravery is something a hero should have. Rex did have it. So did Six. Six was a very brave and courageous person.  They both were. They faced giant mutated monsters and death daily. With out even showing fear. They willing went out and faced such things to stop them so others could live. That was really heroic. They were heroes. Even when faced with overload and pain Rex stayed and took down a EVO so that downtown was saved. Even at risk to his of well being and safety and health he was courageous and stayed behind to fight and saved others. He was a true hero.

Rex was also friendly and helpful. Skills a hero needs that are often over looked. Six wasn't always friendly and sure wasn't talkative but he was helpful. Rex was rarely mean to others he snapped at various people at providence , mainly Knight, it took a lot to get him mad but it was always for good cause. He tried his best to be nice to others even when they weren't nice to him. He just wants what is best for others. His real parents would be proud of their son if they were still alive. Holiday and Six are very proud of him and saw him as a son. With good reason they should be proud he has done many heroic things and saved a countless number of people of multiple occasions.

Like in New York with Peter controlling all those people. Then White ordered the area to be bleached. A bomb. He convinced Six to hold off on the bomb and then Rex saved everyone when he figured our Van Kliess had Peter's daughter hostage. Then he tracked her down and brought her back to providence to reunite with he father.

Again when they went under the sea and found the under what city he did all he could to keep peace. Even when threatened he kept his cool and tried to make peace between Six and the others. He then braved deep seas and no oxygen and almost drowning to stop the reactor and save everyone. He even got a pet crab for Holiday. he did good that day if he does say so himself.

Six was smart and always offered his ear when Rex needed to vent. He didn't talk much and wasn't good at advice but he did what he could. It's trying that mattered. What made Rex look up to him even more. Little things made people heroes too sometimes.  It what matters that's important. Doing important things for others could make someone a hero. It's one of the many things that Rex admired about his adoptive father. Rex wondered if anyone looked up to him like he did Six and Holiday too.

Maybe some little kids somewhere that saw him on TV or had been saved by him or had someone he knew saved. He figured there probably someone that did admire him. People admire heroes after all and he was a hero.

Experience make a person who they are and Rex has certainly been thought a lot of things. A lot of trauma. These were the things that made him who he was. Built his person. His time with Six and Holiday at providence made him into a good person. Made him into a hero. All the training and lessons they taught him raised him into a good person. All the fighting and monsters helped him save his far share and sacrificed enough.Sacrifice was something heroes did and Rex and Six both made their sacrifices. Little sleep ,little food, risk of life. They did what they had to if it meant helping others.

A hero was a lot of things. Things Rex was. He was truly a hero.

Theme 010 - Scar (about 1,403 words)

The scar was rather large especially for someone like Rex. The scar started from just below his elbow and went down about six inches. It was about two inches wide. It wasn't noticeable from a far. You could only notice it up close and barely even at that. It was fading more and more as the years went on. Which was good. Rex didn't like it. He was self conscious about it. He didn't like to think about it or how he got it. It was about four years ago now. He was only twelve back then. The sixteen year old ran his fingers over the area without much thought in the action. He topped when he realized what he was doing. He shook his head as the memories form that day came flowing into his mind.

It could have been worse. Much worse. For everything it was worth the boy was thankful and very lucky. The twelve year old was running as fast as he could though the petting zoo as a punishment from Agent Six for trashing his room again and crashing an expensive providence jump jet. He had to do thirty laps with out any weapons or builds. Without dieing. Yeah right. He did it before. Many times in fact. It was easy if he avoid the big EVOs and did nothing to alert them that his was there. Just had to pay attention. Which he wasn't doing. He made the mistake of stepping on the tail of a smaller dog like EVO. It let out a yelp then a growl as it jumped towards the boy as it snarled. He screamed as it bit down hard with sharp teeth and fangs right into his arm. It there stared clawing him up. He let out another shrill scream as he tried to get it off.

"Six! Help!"

Before he could use a build Six was there getting the EVO off of him. With a grunt the man pulled the EVO of the child's arm. Apparently Six was right there the whole time and Rex never saw him. Figures he'd make sure the kid didn't use his builds or get hurt too bad. It was his job after all.

Rex's arm was bleeding pretty bad. Six saying nothing and showing no emotion took off his jacket and wrapped it around the boy's arm the help stop the bleeding. The best he could do. For now it will have to do. It did not have to last long anyway. Only a few minutes if they were fast. Which they would be.

"Come on kid let's get you on over to Holiday" Six said as he guided the boy out of the petting zoo and towards the med lab. Rex said nothing as he let the man guide him. He was use to taking a beating from an EVO but usually his nanites healed him or dulled the pain. This time for some reason they did neither. The boy snuffled as he held beck tears and the urge to cry. Not here , not in front of Six.

"Holiday." Six called into his communicator as he lead the boy along. "There was an incident in the petting zoo involving Rex and a small level EVO."

"Is Rex alright?"

"His arm was bleeding. I managed to control the bleeding with my jacket but the wound is still open and bleeding."

"His nanites didn't take care of it?"
"Negative."

"Bring him here as soon as possible."

"Already on our way. We're almost there in fact."

I'll be waiting. In the mean time Ill prepare for your arrival and try to find out about his nanites."

"Affirmative. Also have a pain killer ready. It seems his nanites didn't dull the pain either this time."

"On it."

"Six out." With that he ended the call and stepped up his speed as he continue to walk along side the boy. A hand on his shoulder for comfort. How much comfort if any was debatable. 

"Six?" The boy whisper with a hiss.

"Yes?"

"It hurts."

"I know. Just try to hang in a little long we're almost there you know." Six stated. That was the best comfort he could offer. The boy simply nodded. The soon arrived at the med lad where Holiday was waiting for them.

"Come lets have a look at your arm" Holiday said quietly. Rex nodded as he sat down and slowly held out his arm. It hurt to move it at all let almost fast so slow would have to do. Holiday wouldn't mind. She'd rather him be slow and okay then mover faster then he could and hurt himself more.

She unwrapped Six's handy work and helped Rex remove his signature red jacket it. A jacket that was now ripped to shreds. Well at least he had more than one. She picked a syringe off of a near by tray and an disinfectant swab. She ran the swab over the boy's good arm then held it at an angle as she put the syringe in. She injected the need medication and was quickly done.

"There, some pain meds. They should kick in quickly. Should help with the pain. Now let's get too that wound."

She gently lifted the arm and went to work cleaning the wound. The boy hiss as the peroxide burned at the inside of his arm. Six came from behind and placed his hands on the boys shoulders to steady him as he started to pull away. With the wound cleaned Holiday set off on the next step. Stitches. Usually Rex wouldn't need them with how well his nanites healed him but if they didn't heal him at all yet they couldn't leave it to chance. Not until she knew why they weren't doing anything.

"Sorry Rex but I'm gonna have to put in a few stitches." She offered up a sympathetic smile and ruffled his hair as she left to fetch the needed supplies.

Alright this won't be pleasant but we have too do it so just hang in there kiddo" Holiday said returning. Six tightened his grip on the boy's shoulders a bit so he wouldn't move. The good doctor went to work closing the wound and the boy hissed and tried to move but Six held him in place.

You've been though worse , come on be brave." Six said as encouragement for the boy to stay still. The boy bit his lip and stopped trying to pull away from the doctor. He knew it was for his own good and that it needed to be done. No sense it trying to get away or stop it form happening.

Once the stitches were done the doctor wrapped the area in bandages to help keep it clean.

"Alright that should do it. But I do want to get a blood sample to figure out whats going on with your nanites." The boy nodded and held out his good arm. He was use to blood samples. He didn't like it but could get it done.

With the sample taken Holiday ruffled Rex's hair once more as Six let the boy go. "You were a good boy Rex. you can go now. Why don't you head on over to your room for some rest?" He nodded and hopped off of the table and headed for the door. "Thanks Doc." He said on his way out.

They figured out his nanites were just low on energy because Rex was over stressed. They helped him with reducing his stress levels and the nanites went back to normal. The stitches came out soon after. Way sooner then it would on a normal person. The nanites finished the job and healed the arm the rest of the way. But the whole ordeal left a decent sized scar as a reminder of what it was like to be fully human. To be normal. And as Rex thought weak. That's why he didn't like to think about the scar.

In the present the sixteen year old let out a sigh and shook his head. He wasn't weak. He was just being silly. Stupid again.  Over thinking it. He looked down at the scar for the first time in  a long while and for the first time ever smirked at it. It wasn't a weak spot. He wasn't weak. He was strong and the scar was reminder of such. He felt better now that he realized such. Maybe the scar wasn't so bad after all.