Maryam looked down at her creation, a sense of satisfaction twinging inside her. Now she wouldn’t be the only monster she knew; she would have a companion, a fellow abomination, to spend the rest of her days with.
The creature lay still on the table, its arms and legs hanging out over the wood, its yellow-green skin otherworldly under the dim light, its unmoving face strangely peaceful, despite the features’ unnatural proportions. She took in all of it and smiled, knowing her mission was almost done. Now came the last step.
She took the syringe out of the cabinet and took off the cap surrounding its needle. The sea-blue liquid was even more beautiful than when she first saw it, almost giving off a heavenly glow.
She shook those thoughts out of her head. I am no more worthy of redemption than murderers, she thought, walking over to the table. She took one last look at the creature–it seemed so kind, so harmless, unlike her–and plunged the syringe into its right arm.
The serum slowly flowed out of its container. The liquid entered the creature’s veins, giving its skin a faint translucent hue. She could hear her own breath now, labored and anxious for what was about to happen.
She looked to the creature’s right hand, and the ring finger twitched. Now she knew it was a success, that all of her years and efforts had finally been for something.
Elated, she walked over to its face, now grimacing ever-so-slightly. Then it opened its eyes–and what was inside them?
No, this couldn’t be happening! This was not supposed to happen! The creature was not supposed to recognize her! Trembling, her heart racing, she scurried out of the room, not even bothering to look back at what she had wrought.
She found herself working at a mechanic’s shop, fixing up people’s cars when they broke down. Nobody knew who she was, nobody got close to her–and that’s how she liked it.
She was making dinner for herself at home, a small but cozy first-floor apartment, when there was a knock at her door.
She froze, the water still boiling on the stovetop. Another knock.
Her head shifted just the tiniest bit, her hands jerking over the pot. Maybe I just imagined it, she thought, but then the door creaked open.
Without thinking, she turned around–and came face-to-face with her creation.
It had its arms crossed over its chest, its face gave no expression, and its skin was now slightly tanned. It was wearing an odd mixture of clothes–a multicolored cotton shirt, a worn-out keffiyeh, and paint-stained trousers. But what was it doing here?
Then its mouth opened, and it spoke–actually said something–to her.
“Maryam.”
That was what she had feared that night, what had caused her to abandon him– it–all those years ago. Being recognized, being known.
Then he continued, “You know me. I know you.”
“Then why don’t you detest me? Why don’t you loathe me?” she shot back.
“Because I saw the good you didn’t see in yourself. How you were willing to help anyone in need, even if they wouldn’t repay the favor. How you loved to show me the birds nesting amongst the trees, and how we sang along to them. And I’ll never forget the stories you wrote and showed me,” the monster said.
“But- but I failed to save you!” Maryam yelled.
“You were only 13. You couldn’t stop all of those killers, even if you tried.”
“But I should have done something! I shouldn’t have just ran away when–“
He caressed her cheek, his warmth still as present in his hand as ever. “You gave me a second chance. Another life. And for that, I will always be grateful.”
Finally, she reached up and touched his face, feeling tears running down it.
“I love you, Marco,” she whispered, her own face wetted now.
“I love you too, Maryam,” he replied.
Velocity 
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