It was a little after 1am on a quiet street. The lights were out, bar the sparsely spaced streetlights which, while illuminating their surroundings, left many a gap of darkness in the suburb. And through these patches of pitch black, a figure sneaked. Creeping towards the back garden of a certain house. This house was empty, its occupants had left on holiday a few days earlier, and the figure knew this. There was no home security system either, and the locks weren't particularly tough. The figure knew all of these things, as it was by no accident that he came here tonight. Alone and under cover of darkness, dressed in black clothes and donning a dark mask.
He jimmied the back door open with minimal effort and not quite enough noise to wake the neighbors. Slipped inside and began to explore the place at his leisure. He had all night to clear the place out, and the owners wouldn't return for weeks. By then he would have fenced the stolen possessions and be long gone. His first target would be upstairs, to check for jewelry and other small valuables in the bedroom. Next, electronics. A laptop would be best, or a tablet. They were always easy to shift.
As the thief began his work, he was unaware that he was being watched. It was only when the house became bathed in an eerie bluish-purple glow that he realized the trouble he was in. 'Shit!' he whispered as he looked for an escape route.
However, it was too late. As he was fiddling with the upstairs window, Ultra-Violet stepped into the room and announced herself.
"Stop right there, lawbreaker. Do you know who I am?" she asked, confidently.
"You're...Ultra-Violet. The superhero..." he said, trembling.
He stared at the woman before him. In the dark, her skin produced a bluish-purple glow which filled the room. She was young, with an athletic build, but his gaze were drawn inexorably towards her eyes. They were deep and bright, with the most incredible blue luster which made them look more like gemstones than real eyes. And yet, he felt their gaze on him, felt them peering into him. Felt the heat of her gaze wash over his body as he began to shake in fear at her awesome power, of which he was well aware.
"Good. Then you probably also know that with my heat vision I could melt your face off in an instant, if I feel like it is necessary." she said sternly. Less like a threat and more like a statement of fact.
Staring into her eyes was making his own eyes go a bit blurry. He blinked several times and then finally looked away.
"Please...don't. I...I'll come willingly." he begged.
But, before she could respond, he gasped. Behind Ultra-Violet, the air was a sort of haze, and he watched as a blurry figure took shape. In no time at all it had fully materialized into the form of a man in a dark suit. He loomed menacingly behind Ultra-Violet as the thief backed away in terror.
Ultra-Violet began to turn, but she suddenly felt something odd inside her chest and froze still when she heard the voice from behind her speak.
"Stay still, dear. Don't turn around." The figure said in his deep and disturbing voice which seemed to echo all around her.
Ultra-Violet recognized this voice. Even if she hadn't, there was only one person she knew of who could get the drop on her with such ease. Not many would even have the balls to try, since she was well known for turning hardened criminals into a puddle of flesh with her incredible power. Yet this was one person with whom she never wanted to tangle.
"Mr Sinister!" she said nervously.
He leaned forward slightly, his breath hot on the back of her neck. It made her hair stand on end. Then he spoke, and his words were slick and black like tar.
"Ultra-Violet, such a beautiful sight, your skin, your eyes. I simply couldn't resist."
Calling him a snake would be an insult to the species. Instead, Ultra-Violet remained silent and looked at the terrified thief in front of them.
"Oh, so sorry to interrupt your work, dear. But I think its best if your little friend there runs along before he gets himself hurt." he said, glaring at the man.
"Yes, I will leave right away." the man responded without hesitation.
To afraid to go near the pair, he simply turned, opened the window and climbed down the side of the house. Falling and breaking his leg would be vastly more enjoyable than going anywhere near the monster in that bedroom. And with that, Ultra-Violet and Mr Sinister were alone.
"When I turn around, I'm going to burn you to death." she threatened harshly.
"Oh, no dear. Before you can turn around you will be dead. You feel it don't you? My hand..." his voice oozed into her ears.
Ultra-Violet began to understand what that feeling in her chest was. His hand had reached inside her, through her back and it was now grasping directly around her heart. She could feel his fingers, slowly running along the vital organ. Feel his grip with every heartbeat.
"My heart!" she exclaimed, and her heart raced in response.
"Yes my dear. It is within my grasp. Though, I don't intend to snuff out your lovely violet shimmer tonight. I have other plans."
As he spoke, Ultra-Violet felt his grip tighten slightly. It hurt a little, but soon she felt her racing heart slow down to a steady pace as his hand forced its rhythm to alter.
"Wh-what are you doing?" she stammered, still afraid but growing calmer now.
"I'm simply helping you relax, dear. This is just...the most direct way to do it." the words slithered from his lips.
Ultra-Violet wanted to jump away and flee, but she was hopelessly frozen here. She had little doubt that Mr Sinister would crush her heart if she didn't remain placid and obedient. All she could do was wait. Wait for him to let down his guard. Wait for some kind of backup. Of course, she knew no one was coming, but she could still cling to hope.
All the while, her heart slowed until its beating seemed utterly normal. Her breathing steadied. Her whole body relaxed a little. Not that she wanted to, but this wretched man's dark influence was unbelievable. He had just reached inside her and changed the beating of her heart. On a whim. What was she, some doll for his amusement? She wished she could stand up for herself, but she was simply too aware of just how dangerous this man was.