Before heading out to see the real-life equivalent of the Addams family on steroids, I looked at the engraving on the tree and grimaced in disgust.

Whilst faded and severely distorted, my superior vision allowed me to see the carved remnants of a quadriplegic hamster surrounded by an anatomically accurate heart.

'Did the sick fuck think this was art, and how does a five-year-old even know what a real heart looks like?'

I pivoted away from the tree in contemplation and began walking towards Jamie to plan our next steps. However, all words escaped me when I saw the expression in his eyes. Behind the bloodlust, I could see the fear and pain caused by all the torment he had endured under the child's hand, and I got fucking angry.

I'm not one to harm a child, no matter how fucked in the head they are. However, after what she did, I don't feel too bothered by a shift in morals.

'In any case, the little shit should be in her teens by now. Kids that age are lazy fucking parasites that should be cleansed anyways.'

"You like this tree?" I suddenly questioned whilst failing to hide my bubbling rage.

Jamie timidly shook his head to signal no.

"Good, I have a better use for it then," I snarled as I punched the tree in anger.

The sheer force of my punch easily obliterated the tree into small shards that exploded outward.

"There, it can be fucking fertiliser. A greater purpose than that shitty piece of modern art, in my opinion," I stated before spitting on the ground and dusting my hands clean.

"Let's go, Jamie; these fuckers need to be taught their place, and I have the exact experience needed for the job," I said coldly to the hamster.

Moving smoothly past the debris scattered across the field, I delicately lifted Dawn into my arms and turned back towards Jamie.

Noticing that he seemed scared at my outburst, I softened my features and relaxed my tone.

"Sorry if I scared you there, buddy. This will all be over soon. Once we get into town, we will deal with the freaks and then figure out our next move," I said to him apologetically, "And from now on, you don't have to call me Master Boy. I am nobody's master. Call me Ben."

I may no longer be the weak man-child that was Benjamin Gillman. However, a name like Soldier Boy is a mouthful and not the fun kind reserved for the dollies, so I might as well go by Ben with those closest to me.

~ Ok, Master Ben ~ Jamie responded meekly, ~ I'll show way to village now? ~

With a sigh, I decided to give up on forcing the issue of my name. At least I'm no longer Master Boy. I'll take my wins where I can get them.

Shaking my head to focus back on our goal, I prepared myself and then gestured for Jamie to take us to what I was sure would be a wonderland of pure terror.

With our abilities and speed, It took us only a matter of minutes to reach the outskirts of a picturesque countryside village.

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"You sure this is the place, Jamie?" I questioned as we looked down from a steep hill at the innocent-looking hamlet, "Doesn't exactly scream evil scientist and psycho family."

Call me childish or blame my past life; however, I was expecting to see and loot a hideout worthy of an evil scientist, especially one in this universe.

'The lair itself better fucking live up to my juvenile expectations.'

~ Looks can be deceiving, Master Ben, ~ Jamie said with a trembling voice, ~ This is the place. ~

All of a sudden, a melancholic melody seemed to fill the air and pulled me from my thoughts towards the hamster, who was silently staring at the "home" that caused him so much pain.

His emotions were so palpable that I was able to perceive them through our bond. I could even feel and see that he was partially frozen in trepidation at what was quickly becoming a harsh confrontation with reality.

'They really fucked him up.'

I carefully moved Dawn onto my left shoulder and then approached the gloomy hamster.

"Lead the way when you are up for it," I whispered gently once I reached his side. As I spoke, I placed him into my right palm and stroked his fur.

He initially flinched at my words and touch but quickly relaxed into my hands. After a small moment of silence where he enjoyed me scratching that sweet spot just under his left ear, he raised his head and looked up at me as if to confirm I was still there.

"Don't worry. I'm not passing on the chance to teach some Russian cocksuckers a lesson in American manners," I said whilst smirking.

Jamie gave me a nod of relief, and with a look of determination, he leapt from my hand and began to descend silently upon the village.

'Besides, he's not the only one looking forward to seeing that Russian Frankenstein wannabe."

After a moment of my own selfish, vengeful reflection, I swiftly followed the purposeful hamster down the hill.

On this occasion, Lady Luck was in our favour and the starry night meant there was no one out on the streets to witness the once-in-a-lifetime sight of a nude man following a floating hamster.

However, I am very aware of how fickle of a wench Lady Luck truly is. Therefore, even with the cover of night, we were careful not to alert anyone of our presence, as we didn't want our prey to escape and burrow into a distant hole.

We gracefully weaved between buildings so as not to be seen and quickly reached our destination.

~ This is the place, Master Ben. This is where they hurt me, ~ Jamie whispered as I looked upon the hell hole he had spent the first two years of his life.

"What the fuck is this shit!" I exclaimed at the sight before me. I could ignore the cosy village, but this was too far. There was no evil lair. Instead, it was a simple-looking cottage with a picket fence and even a fucking tire swing hanging from an oak tree, "Do these fuckers torture at night and then go apple picking in the morning?"

Jamie chuckled at my words and flew over the fence towards the windows. It seems he was looking for a discrete way inside.

I wasn't so considerate of their property or the noise we could make. After all, I'm sure their screams will wake everyone in this rejected copy of Twin Peaks. With my lack of a single fuck to give, I moved forwards and kicked the fence into their front door, shattering both in the process.

"What was that!!!" Screamed a male voice in Russian.

Unfortunately, I could understand every word. You may wonder when I had the opportunity to do so. Well, years in proximity to those fuckers chatting away and a brain powered by compound V gives you the time and capability to do many things. Even if you don't want to.

"Daddy, I'm playing with Pixie. So be quiet!!" Yelled a young female voice in response.

Ignoring the rest of the benign conversation, I turned towards the anxious face of Jamie, and with a serious expression, I waved him towards the broken entrance.

"When one door closes in life, you don't wait for another to open. You break that fucker down," I said encouragingly as the sounds of scrambling in the house continued, "Now, should I go in first, or do you want the pleasure of making these fuckers piss their pants."

~ I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be the first to inflict unfathomable trauma upon these cretins, Master Ben, ~ Jamie said, his voice shaking in anticipation, ~ However, only if it's not an inconvenience, Sir.~

I was immediately stunned as I noticed that he was becoming more coherent as time passed. Whilst slightly uncomfortable at his sudden eloquence and use of sir, I decided to prioritise the issue at hand and stepped aside to allow him easy access to the disappointingly not-so-evil lair.

'I guess he just needed the practice and rage-filled motivation.'

"Go ahead, but don't have all the fun now. I have my own bone to pick with the scientist, and I won't be stopping at one," I answered with a glint in my eyes.

''I am done playing nice.'