TW/CW: Child homicide, murder

January 1st, 2030 The Royal Burger

"I said, make those fries faster Kevin!!!" Jayce shouted as he slammed his fist against his office door. "Lacy, where the hell are those dishes?!" He threw his clipboard on the ground in anger and stomped into his office, slamming the door.

I sighed quietly as I finished the last of the dishes, then briefly looked at his door. "Lacy... That's the human name I've given myself. Still, this is easier, managing mortals than rowdy demons, pompous angels, and various other creatures scattered throughout the multiverse.

"Oooooh Jayce! Time to come out and plaaaaaay!" The entity giggled and laughed. There was screaming in the lobby, just before the lights went out.

Jayce slammed his door open. "Hey, Zane, go fix the breaker! I need light to see the fuck I'm doing!!! Move it!!!"

"I've already tried hitting the breaker, sir!" I heard Zane flipping the switch in the distance.

"Jayce... It is time to remember your greatest sin..." I watched as the entity's hand reached out and touched him on the shoulder.

January 1st, 2000 Jayce's parent's house

"Jayce... H-how could you?! She was your sister!" Jayce's mom screamed at him, watching him pull the knife out of her chest. "You are a monster! B-but... You're my monster... Quickly, pull it out. Mummy will help clean this up..."

Jayce did as his mother said, smiling what wicked, toothy smile of his. "I'm an only child again... Exactly as it should have been..."

After a couple of hours of deep cleaning, Jayce and his mother thoroughly clean the house and hid the body for burying later that night

January 1st, 2030

"Nooooooo! That's not right! I wasn't that bad as a child! Make the memories stop!!!" Jayce was on all fours, crying on the floor. "I just wanted my mom to myself!"

"And to get that you killed your sweet sister, Sally." The entity knelt next to him. "It is time, J-" I stepped out next to the two of them.

"Bercillius... It's been a while." I snapped my fingers, causing the lights to come back on. "Zane, Kevin... It's time you went home. Your shifts were over long ago."

"But, we can't..." They began to speak in unison.

My eyes started to glow purple, my body thrumming with power. The air became heavy in the building. "I'll be sure you get paid. Get rest."

The two young men bolted out of the building without a second thought.

"I... What are you doing in this universe?! Lady Oriyana!!!"

"Well, it seems I am known here. You don't worry your pretty little head about why I'm here. Queen Mary knows why, is fine with it, and that's all that matters." I knelt, giving the entity a dark, toothy grin. Jayce was passed out on the floor.

"B... But I thought it was ONE per universe and any more than that, and they'd both collapse!" If the entity had a corporeal form, I gathered they'd be quaking in their boots.

"Normally, yes. If it was an invasion. I merely visit, playing the mortal's game of life. No harm, no ill will, or malicious intent to the Queen of this universe exists in me. Therefore, we can coexist. Now, run along. Leave this mortal to me."

"N-no! This is my soul to take, my kill! The master promised me this! He said if I failed..."

"Now... Now, calm yourself. Do you think you should fear the Demon King more than what I'll do to you? I know you've collected many superpowers over the years. I believe the mortals call you The Collector. You take from everyone. You gather their souls and permanently acquire their abilities, leaving them as soulless husks. Let this man go, or I promise what I'll do to you will be infinitely worse."

In a flash of light, The Collector was gone. Jayce still lay unconscious on the ground, the store emptier than my wallet. I tapped him on the back of his head to wake him.

"What happened, where am I?" Jayce was in panic, sweating bullets. "Where is that... That thing?!"

"Jayce..." My voice caused him to snap to his senses. "I should end your measly existence on the spot for what you and your mother did to your baby sister. So, I will, but you need to do something for me first."

Jayce turned to face me, feeling the immense pressure emanating from my body. "W-who... W-what are you? What must I do to live?"

"No. That's the easy way out. You will live and exist. You will exist in a coma, reliving that worst memory over and over until death takes you..."

"Nooooooo!" Jayce got on his knees, ready to grovel.

"No." My eldrich voice echoed throughout the building and in his mind. I tapped him on the forehead. "Write a note explaining why you're leaving the business to me. That's all you need to do."

"I don't want that! I'd rather die!" He was shaking fervently now.

"You don't have a choice in what happens to you. Only what to write in the letter, mortal." I pointed to his office. "Start. Typing."

Jayce got up without a word and quietly went into his office to type up, print, and sign the letter. I waited silently while leaning on the door frame.

"It is done... Lacy... Or whoever you really are..." He printed and signed the letter. "As you requested, my letter of resignation..."

I placed a hand on his shoulder and he went limp in my arms. I carried him to his car, using his keys to get in and drive him home before teleporting to my apartment

End